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MikeO

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Location
Dereham, Norfolk, today...
16th February 2017

I sleep well and wake early. I've got a reasonable distance to travel today, so I shower, get suited and booted and then load the bike...

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The smoke on the horizon mixes with the cloud - they evacuated a load of people from their homes during the night...

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I press the starter button at about 0845 and Bettie soon directs me onto the urban motorway heading out of Christchurch and towards Dunedin - some 300 miles distant by a circuitous route I programmed into her last night.

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Outside of the city, traffic is light and the weather good - it's about 63° F...

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I stop to take a couple of pics of this Latin lovely...

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...and her older British partner...

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...who has a confusingly badged rear...

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Just before turning off Route One, I decide to stop for a spot of breakfast at the Oasis Tearooms...

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...where I am brought...

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...the Big Brekkie...
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After waddling back out to the Adv, I set off again, immediately turning right towards Geraldine...

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...with a range of hills on the horizon ahead of me...

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I spot this advertising a restoration shop in town...

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Thankfully, it seems their actual work is a little more up-market...

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The sky gradually clears as I approach the hills...

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...and the temperature rises to 72°F...

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...which is just about perfect...

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Traffic is light, the road surface excellent - all's well with the world...

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I crest the brow of one of the hills and a panorama greets me...

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...it's beautiful...

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Onward!

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I'm watching my speed carefully - it would be easy to get caught out here. I found that tightening the throttle lock helps when on a long straight...

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A few old timers at the roadside here...

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...any guesses?

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The Three Creeks Service Station is like a step back in time...

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Got to keep on - it's quite a long day today...

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Snow-capped mountains appear on the horizon...

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...and I've a feeling we're headed in exactly their direction...

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I arrive at the side of the unfortunately named Lake Tekapo...

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...which has a beautifully elegant footbridge...

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The mountains are drawing near...

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...and, quite suddenly, I arrive at Lake Pukaki...

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...its water impossibly turquoise...

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I ride on, slowly, taking in the view...

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...what a beautiful part of the world...

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...I am very lucky to be able to experience it...

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At the splendidly named Twizel, I refuel and take a snap of this biplane...

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...which is advertised as giving Glacier view flights...

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If I thought they might be able to jam my fat arse in it, I'd almost be tempted...
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I'm heading south east now, and aiming to rejoin Highway 1 around Reidston, just north of Hampden, where I snapped the little blue Riley the other day...

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It's a pretty ride, although - perversely - the temperature seems to have dropped as I lose altitude...

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I'm feeling quite tired - and won't be sorry to see the hotel this afternoon...

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These lakes are the Benmore and Aviemore dam hydro-electric schemes...

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I spot this brightly coloured old gent at the side of the road - any guesses?

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This sheep farmer obviously wanted his farm advertised to the world...
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Muscle car selling himself at the roadside...

I rejoin Highway One, and feel the need for a cup of coffee to get me through the last hour and a bit...

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...the café/bar has a great feel to it, with three regulars (all motorcyclists) hitting the draught beer already - I kind of wish I was staying there the night - a beer would go down well...

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...but I have my coffee and say farewell - but not before taking a sneaky pic of what's hiding in the landlord's garage...

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Just across the road is this ugly duckling - any ideas?

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I make good time along Highway One, past the miles of empty golden beach and rolling surf...

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...but being careful with my speed - it would be easy to become complacent at the end of the day...

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Eventually Dunedin comes into view. I ride into the centre of town, past the elegant railway station...

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...and a short time later...

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...I'm being shown my beautiful room...

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...at the Dunedin Palms Motel.

I drop some gear off, then ride out and buy a six-pack - it's journal time...

What a great day.

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Sun but cold here

Leigh Bolton and Salford

Not quite as peaceful :aidan
 
I'm enjoying your tour so thank you for all the time and effort you've put into your postings.

You make a few mentions of watching your speed - are the gendarmerie so unfriendly as to curtail a bikers enjoyment?
 
I'm enjoying your tour so thank you for all the time and effort you've put into your postings.

You make a few mentions of watching your speed - are the gendarmerie so unfriendly as to curtail a bikers enjoyment?

Apparently they are pretty hot on speed limits and Mike has already been the recipient of an expensive love letter from a local plod!
 
A great report....takes me back to my 20's when I worked over there for a while.....beautiful country..nice people :clap
 
Awesome pics... what a trip... enjoy, and stay safe!:beerjug:
 
That railway station was a surprise. Most of the other buildings seen in the pics have been 'so-so'.

Thanks Mike.

Still tuned in.
 
What a great place to be you are very lucky. Keep it coming this is great

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
 
Mike .... I could quote easily learn to dislike you :D

But anyway, in the mean time ... thank you :thumb

:beerjug:
 


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