Goldfields, canyons, gorges and fords in Middle Earth.

From our parking spot at the Gibbston Valley farm we took a look at the Nevis High Wire Bungy!

Going out to the gondola would be scary enough without the leap!

Then we went along the track through Skippers Canyon where gold was found in 1862.

The old school and homestead have been restored and show photos of the local people going about their work.

The track through the canyon and across the Shotover River was good fun.

Dot tried a bit of fossicking in the river but only got a few more rocks to add to her growing collection!

We enjoyed the horse racing at Glenorchy in the rain!

Watched jet boats on the Dart River and visited some of those famous film locations from LOTR.

The way to Paradise!

Then it was time to push the bikes onto the lovely old steamboat TSS Earnslaw for a trip across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station.

These are some of the old brass instruments up in the wheelhouse.

  From here we would have a full day out on the bikes riding through glorious scenery on a high plain above the Von River.

We ate lunch beside the Mavora lakes which was another film location, followed the muddy track through the beech forest to the end where the walking track begins.

A great place to camp overnight beside Lake Paringa where this warning sign was a little disconcerting.

We were glad the sun was shining!

Next day we visited the Franz Joseph glacier.

A stroll through the forest where the local kea birds beg for food.

North along the coastal road through the native forests and a stroll around Hokitika with its big clock and huge ram.

We enjoyed local whitebait at Millie's Cafe.

A last chance to watch a west coast sunset at South Beach near Greymouth.

Our route was inland now and we had a long slow climb to cross Arthur's Pass.

Another lake side camping spot next to Lake Pearson.

 Here we were lucky to see a rare crested grebe out fishing in the morning sunshine.

Slowly downhill all the way to the east coast again and through yet another town called Oxford,

.

and into the flat coastal Canterbury district.

Now we had to say goodbye to our Yamahas, a sad day for both of us.

We had enjoyed over 1800kms of great riding in New Zealand,

 and of course all the other countries on our trip.

At Tinwald we stayed on the Domain and began the task of sorting out all the stuff we had acquired on our journey.

So lots of hard work and cleaning ahead.

We had to get the motor home ready for sale and obtain a certificate of fitness at the VINZ testing station.

Another chance to take a stroll through the botanic gardens in Christchurch.

This time it was the begonias in full bloom-glorious!

At Picton a cruise ship was in port.

Meanwhile we joined the queue for the Interislander ferry to Wellington.

Back on the North Island we stopped to take some photos at a gipsy fair.

These colourful buses made ours look boring and ordinary!

Then up through the Upper Hutt valley and through the vineyards to Napier where Jim fitted the new registration plate to our bus.

Now it was a New Zealand vehicle.

         A few more friends to visit and a motor home to sell.

The town of Napier suffered almost total destruction in an earthquake in 1931. The town was rebuilt and now the lovely Art Deco buildings are a big tourist attraction.

  The BAT  warehouse is a beautiful example of 1030's Chicago architecture.

After passing through Taupo again we spent a few interesting days beside Rerewhahakaaitu lake on a council campsite.

 Here we watched the ducks and wild fowl.

Then we set off towards Rotorua.

At nearby Paengaroa we stayed with Jackie and Michael Shores at their lovely home amongst the kiwi fruit orchards.

Here we enjoyed good conversation and home grown veggies!

Mike took us to the nearby Okere falls where we watched the brave people in kayaks.

They come careering down the white water!

Then we spent a few days at Bowentown beach on the Bay of Plenty where Dot used the modern equipment to do the washing!

Jim was busy removing all the maps and stickers from the bus.

Now we were ready to go to the motor home sale at Paeroa.

We parked our bus in the line amongst all the others.

Some of the motor homes on offer were older than ours-

After the sale we went to stay at the Miranda hot springs resort and began the job of packing all our stuff.

Then Daniel, the new owner came up to Auckland to collect the motor home.

Jim spent a long time explaining everything.

Then it was time for us to say goodbye to our home on wheels.

  It was strange to be without the Silverstream-

we have so many happy memories of the places that we have visited.

but we were sure that someone would like the interior and big rear garage.

Two friends, Dusty and Jan who we met in the USA came to take us out for the day.

A lovely way to finish off our time in New Zealand enjoying lunch sailing on their yacht around Auckland harbour.

                The end of this part of our travels-what next?

                                   With loads of luggage we flew over the ditch to Brisbane where Cheryl and Dave were waiting to take us to their home on Bribie Island.

Time for lots of yarns about travelling and a dip in their lovely warm pool.

Next stop was in Dubai where we had dinner on a dohw.

Next day took a city tour around the old town, beaches and building sites!

It seems that the rulers are determined that everything shall be bigger, taller and more extravagant to attract the tourists!

Time to wander through the souks

but Jim kept his wallet firmly closed as Dot looked at the magnificent window displays full of gold trinkets!

   Then it was up and away to Manchester where all our family were waiting to greet us.