Summary Video

Invercargill, the Jewel of New Zealand

Cookie eating Walkers Crisps in Invercargill

The Fastest Indian

Fastest Indian

NickyI’m sorely lacking in infos on this ‘Fastest Indian on planet Earth’ fellow. I understand it’s a movie, and book of course. But there my knowledge ends. Therefore, I shall just ‘improvise’ my own version for you. 

Looks to me like this guy was always late to work. I imagine he got well ribbed for this at times, and got pretty sick of the ‘Captain Slow’ jokes. He needed a vehicle, but what? Well, what better than a rocket? Being a big fan of Jeremy Clarkson’s Top Gear, and Scrapheap Challenge, he didn’t let a little thing like rocket science hold him back. He busily set to work in the garage plinking, plonking and tinkering. And pretty soon, that old vespa he’d bought of that ageing mod Paul Weller down the boozer, was transformed. Unveiling it from the lock-up was a proud moment. It was Monday morning, and he was late for work, again. But, no matter. This bike has flames on it. Carefully fitting his aerodynamic enhancing feathered head dress, he struck a match, and lit the fuse… I’d have hoped he got to work on time. But I imagine, like all good movies, he probably comes a cropper and dies at the end. Poor fella. Still. It was an heroic effort.

Bluff / The Motopohue

Bluff / The Motopohue

View over Bluff and the South Island Beyond

View over Bluff and the South Island Beyond

NickyWe’re up on top of the hill on Bluff, and checking out the view back the way we’ve come. Bluff is almost an island, just a tiny stretch of land holding on tight.

Almost there, we’re right of the South Coast!

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NickyThe sea!! We must be getting close now to the finishing line. Feels like we’re right at the end of the universe here. We decided to chill out for a bit and take in the moment… Have a rum and lime, and some fresh bread and butter for lunch. What could be better eh?

The thing I love about this spot is that it reminds me so much of Cornwall! The Lizard, the very tip of the UK, where I grew up. Crashing waves, green cliffs, the granite rocks beneath. Beautiful! We sat for a fair while here. I felt that, although we were about to reach our triumphant finale point, at the same time, I wanted to make it last as long as physically possible. Keep our Te Araroa alive as long as we could. This has been ‘life’ for us for so long – our nomadic existence. I suddenly didn’t want it to end. I felt a strange sadness I’d not expected to feel. Living in nature, carrying our wares on our back like giant multi-coloured snails, soon to be a memory – Our epic adventure was nearly done :'(

My god. Someone might actually make us take a shower too. Eeek! Frightening thought.

Walking Around the Coastal Path

Walking Around the Coastal Path

Stirling Point in Sight

Stirling Point in Sight

Whoop Whoop! We Dun It!!

Nicky & Cookie Jumping For Joy at Bluff Signpost, The End of New Zealand

Victory Dance!

Nicky & Cookie Celebrating