Back On the Road Nov 1

---

It is time to do our second circuit of the South Island this period of travel. We begin in September and go until June when we cross over to the North Island for the winter travel for three months.

We are on the Kapiti Coast north of Wellington and will catch the 1pm Bluebridge ferry to Picton the northern gateway to the South. usually stay there a few days as we use Picton as our base while traveling. Nice holiday park there we hang out in where we can easily walk into the main centre of town to LeCafe for coffee and check our mail.

From Picton we will head south down the east coast stopping at Kaikoura and Christchurch as we travel south. All the way to Invercargill and Bluff and then across the south to Riverton where we begin the notherly trek to Queenstown and Wanaka. The road next takes us to the West Coast and north all the way to nelson and back to Picton.

The adventure usually takes around 45 days and cover over 5000 kilometres. We stop a lot mostly freedom camp as we have a self contained 7 metre bus. About once a week we go into a holiday camp to catch up with washing and a more aggressive shower. During this time I shoot hundreds of photos (last time around over 3000). We try to check out the side roads and places we think might be of interest to fellow travelers not found in the guide books.

I have set up a continual report at www.ronlaughlin.net in an attempt to help everyone enjoy their travels in New Zealand. Check it out.

More later........................

---

Photos

Franz Josef
The Southern Alps

Lake Matheson
Franz Josef area - South Island

Lake Wakitipu
Queenstown - South Island

Franz Josef Glacier
Franz Josef - South Island

Picton
Marlborough Sounds - South Island

Haast Pass
Haast Pass - South Island

West Coast Beach
West Coast - South Island

West Coast Beach
West Coast - South Island

Mt Cook sunset
Mt. Cook - South Island