A hot dog stand outside the Indian bike shop. Free to customers but we contributed even though I was a customer last year (I bought my Indian leather gloves there). Was a bonus breakfast and a bit of fun. They have it every Friday apparently.

The International Antarctic Centre and these are vehicles called Haggland’s which they use to travel around there and they’re very sturdy albeit a bit rough as we found out in a test drive which was fun.

The test track for the Haggland simulated lumpy ice, chasms, sea ice and swamp land. We had lap belts on but were glad there were grab straps because we needed them. This is half of a hill which simulated both a hill and a chasm. Very freaky. Oh and if you recognise the white archway in the distance the centre is in the Airport precinct.

And a swamp, they are also amphibious vehicles.

A husky, they are so friendly but no longer used in the Antarctica.

Flying to Antarctica simulation / information, well done. Loved all the simulations and videos.

Cleaning up the bikes before shipping.

The tunnel entrance to Lyttleton.

And a look across the Port which has a lot of logs built up given the Chinese manufacturing industry has somewhat stalled with virus issues.

Heading to Diamond Bay.

 A cute boat shed on the way.

A view across from Diamond Bay to Lyttleton Port.

Heading to Akaroa.

The jetty at Akaroa.

The Akaroa War Memorial.

Along the Esplanade.

A distant view to the Lighthouse.

Heading back to Christchurch.

Rugged Outcrops on the Summit Road.

View back over the summit to the open ocean.

A quirky Silo Motel in Little River. I've seen apartment buildings in large concrete silos but not something like this.

The Chalice Sculpture in the square last night, might get some more pics tonight, it was drizzling last night so we were focused on getting home.

The Christ Church Cathedral in disarray which will be repaired over many years for many millions of dollars.

The Old Council Buildings a long way from rebuilt.

Along the Avon River.

Bridge of Remembrance.

A Car Park being held up by jacks! When they figure out how to repair that without it falling down the plan is to have it as a car park for the new Convention centre. By the way the Convention Center was supposed to be open in February this year (or so we were told this time last year) and they were taking bookings at that time so there has obviously been a hold up to the plans, not to mention this car park and a hotel down on the water yet to be refurbished.

Boys Private School.

‘185 Empty Chairs’, was put here as a temporary memorial to all those who lost their lives in the 2011 Earthquake. Confronting to see all the different types and sizes. Apparently the citizens want to keep the memorial but the Council wants to move it on … we will see.

The Cardboard Cathedral, the Transitional Cathedral until the original is repaired.

And another view.

A walking street, one of many.

One of the Trams at Cathedral Junction right beside our hotel.

The view from our room this morning before the cloud really started to roll over the mountains.

And the cloud started to roll over the top of the mountains and started heading for the valley. Impressive.

With varying layers of dark skies, the sun was in short supply.

Quirky sights at Three Creeks.

And again.

And a morning coffee at Fairlie and this is the main street. A lovely tidy town.

Lots of sheep country.

Awesome glacial gouging leaves a clay cliff face.

Dropping down into Rakala Gorge.

And up the other side and that is another cliff face. Incredible.

And our hotel until we leave now the Quest Christchurch Serviced apartments literally right on the hop on hop off tramline. Very convenient. Spacious room and parking underneath so good security.

The first lookout spot to see Mt Cook above the fog and in our 5 trips to NZ this is the first time we have really seen it through fog or rain apart from a really really long distance view from Hokatika last year.

Mt Cook as we rode.

Getting a bit clearer.

More rugged glacial mountains.

Shearing shed at the foot of Mt Cook. Great admiration for the farmers up here!

A view from the Mt Cook Café where we enjoyed a morning coffee.

Heading back from up Hooker Valley … and yes it really is called that and no I didn’t see any.

Awesome damage from the glacier as it moved downhill and gouged great sides off the mountains … not to mention the great rocks randomly dropped on the valley floor, Incredible!

View back to Mt Cook as we came down. Wow!

Leaving the lake with all the troops, including the car … even Norm's shoulder.

Mt John Observatory.

And a view from it.

View from the Church of the Good Shepherd.

And the Church itself.

And our hotel reception. Peppers Bluewater Resort where we also stayed last year. A very nice location with an awesome view.

Baldwin Street, the steepest street in the world, quite a ride.

And again.

And again and yes it really is that steep.

The Dunedin Railway Station said to be the most photographed building in New Zealand.

A cute bus shelter at St Leonards on the way to Port Chalmers.

Main Street (George Street Port Chalmers), we had breakfast just to the left.

And yes, that really is a fully functioning working port at the end of the street. Love it!

The Lookout above Port Chalmers.

Port and street from the lookout.

The street view, the main street heads out to the right.

Sheep country.

A great stone wall along the road.

Historic bridge on the way.

Alexandra from the lookout, we had a late lunch here.

The road coming down from the lookout. Very rocky country, I guess why it is ideal to put a hydro dam in.

The Clyde Hydro dam wall. Impressive.

Cromwell from the lookout. We walked around and had a coffee in the heritage precinct across the water before we left a few days ago.

Mmmm, not going to worry about a photo of our accommodation tonight. Couldn’t get into where we usually go.

The Dunedin Railway Station said to be the most photographed building in New Zealand.

Morning view across Otago Harbour on our way to Larnach.

A beautiful stone wall on the way.

Sea Views on the way, it was a quirky but lovely ride.

Larnach Castle, first built without the verandas glassed in until the first winter and soon after that 16 tonne of glass was shipped from England to close them in.

Most photos inside were of intricate timber work so will concentrate on the garden outside here but this is an awesome staircase. Photos allowed inside without flash.

The garden outside what was the ballroom and is now the café. This one is called the Tapestry garden and changes colours and patterns with the seasons. The ballroom / café was a beautiful room with 3 fireplaces in it so nice and cosy today.

And again. There are many different themes in the gardens but all lovely in their own way

And a garden view again.

And again.

Olveston House from the front (no photographs allowed inside).

From the back.

A quirky little door.

The Greenhouse.

Parking instructions out front were very confusing but a parking inspector turned up  before we left so we could clarify just where we could park … which wasn’t where we were so managed to squeeze the bikes in here. The car had to go a lot further. No tickets so a good outcome.

We start to head for Curio Bay.

And a stretch of road, some with the surface lifted, which experiences Tidal Flooding in some high tides. Different than we are used to.

Cute little Church in Waikawa.

Cattle and shearing sheds everywhere.

Florence Hill Lookout. Beautiful little bay.

Cute little waterfall didn’t write the name and the photo doesn’t do it justice. A shame.

Coming down out of the hills.

An awesome old bridge.

Heading into Dunedin.

Our accommodation for tonight is lovely, The Aurora on George, an older motel but has been beautifully refurbished with quality fittings, generously provisioned and the central garden courtyard is an example of a labour of love by the man who has maintained it for many years. Beautifully attractive and restful. Staff terrifically helpful. Great spot to base ourselves for 2 nights.

And a small bit of the garden.

The World’s Fastest Indian, he (Burt Munro) really was a crazy old bugger as well as incredibly committed and passionate about achieving the speed records he pursued. Was great to see how the whole community has embraced him rather than writing him off as just a silly old bugger.

Queens Park Entrance main gates with the Band Rotunda in the distance. The park was extensive and stunning.

Rose Garden at Queens Park.

Another shot at Queens Park, very peaceful and restful place as well as lots of places for people to be active as well.

The Old Town Hall Civic Theatre.

First Church.

The Old Water Tower, incredible brickwork (as it was on the church as well).

A specie bathroom at the Bill Richardson Road Transport Museum. All sorts of great examples of yesteryear.

Norm’s all-time favourite here, the TEXACO Fuel tanker.

No 1 Bedford Bus with some of the crew.

A Kenworth log skidder!

Norm’s 2^nd favourite which he would love to have to drive around town in.

This is a real sign in Te Anau which really cracked us up … especially seeing the Parking sign arrow pointy bit twisted in the wrong direction as well.

Lake Te Anau was much more peaceful this morning.

Awesome farms and scenery.

The Clifenden Suspension Bridge opened in 1899 to replace a ferry across a dangerous stretch of water initially for horses and drays and before long motor vehicles as well.

Part of the bridge and beyond.

Riverton, lovely wide entrance to the river.

The troops on Riverton Bridge.

All the group on top of the Bluff Lookout thanks to a couple of French tourists.

Stirling Point, the very end of the road at the end of the Bluff and here we come back again.

And yes, from the lookout that is an aluminium smelting plant, smelting aluminium from Australia and then shipping it to customers.

And our accommodation for the next two nights, Quest Serviced Apartments, we stayed here last year, and it is lovely. Beautifully laid out, generously provisioned an ideal location and terrifically friendly and helpful staff. What more could we ask for!