Monday, October 28, 2019

8000 km Later

Home to a burnished autumn, Art shows the All Blacks blanket gifted us by Selwyn and Raewyn. Sadly, the All Blacks were defeated by England in the Rugby World Cup over the weekend.

8000 km = 5000 miles on the Rover this trip. And people think there' s nothing left in NZ for us to see...

Friday, October 18, 2019

2019: Last Look Back

The road taken...

Wharariki Beach in Golden Bay
(and the spring lambs on the walk to it)



NZ rainbows

This enormous rimu tree on the Kaituna walk

Gurnard, any way it's prepared

Golden Bay's Puramahoi Fields organic produce stand

Every NZ road that looked like this

The Oparara caves and arch

The Kohaihai DOC campsite
and walking the Heaphy Track


Paparoa National Park
and the Pancake Rocks




Hokitika



Kaiteriteri


NZ springtime in October


Moeraki...and Fleur's, forever Fleur's




Raglan



Last (though truly first), our abiding NZ friends...

 Hannah and Logan,
who drove five hours round-trip to say goodbye

Selwyn and Raewyn, who welcomed us in Auckland with tea 
and keep the Rover safe


Wall at Auckland Airport

And on the Chicago end, beautiful food prepared by dear friend Rob, ready for two hungry souls. We are incredibly lucky.














Tuesday, October 15, 2019

NZ 2019: A Look Back at the South Island Part 1

Exploring the North Island more fully with a caravan--and the exquisite campground locations it led us to--was a real joy. But arriving on the South Island always feels like coming home. Here are a few highlights as we prepare to depart. Wait why are my eyes blurring...

Mt Cook/Aoraki National Park
 

With its devastating glacier loss
 

Lake Tekapo
 

The ukelele festival in Geraldine
 
Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway
 




Lunch at the Kaikoura Seafood BBQ Truck

Marfells Beach DOC site

 

 


Elaine Bay DOC site (who needs power with these views?)
 


 

 

 

Okarito
 

Haast (and a toast to our driver)
 


Dorothy Brown's Cinema/Bar/Bookstore in Arrowtown
(not named for my dear late friend but evoking her spirit nonetheless)

Glenorchy, the road to Glenorchy, and all the walks in Glenorchy
 

 

 


Lake Wanaka campsite at Glendhu Bay
 

All for now. Probably more to come...