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In 1977 we hired our first narrowboat from Anglo Welsh at Market Harborough.From that moment our destiny was set. In 2006 we finally purchased our own brand new 57' narrowboat which we named 'Free Spirit'. Our aim is to travel the length and breadth of all the navigable rivers and canals of the UK. This will be our story as it unfolds.

Thursday 23 January 2020

On the road again

Marilyn had left a comment and decreed that the red vehicle known as the Motorhome/Van will now forevermore be called the Red Peril, a very apt name to describe the continuing mishaps in the mode of transport we are travelling around in. Thank you, Marilyn๐Ÿ˜˜

To continue with the Jameisons miseries, we were booted out told to vacate the room at 10 pm so rather than walk up and down Kaikoura high street numerous times we snuck into the Motels TV room (no one there) and settled down to a morning of dross TV. I'm not kidding the Sky programs were diabolical! Give me UK TV anytime. The only thing worth watching was David Attenborough. Anyway, we waited for the phone call to tell us the Red Peril was ready. Another long waiting game and at nearly 1pm Ian had had enough and walked to the garage. He finally returned at 1.30pm with a relieved grin on his face and the keys dangling from his hand!

Food shop and dump were done ultra-quick and because we had lost another two days decided not to go another two hundred kilometres across the Lewis pass. So much to do and now panicking that we will have to forgo some of it. 18 days will fly by.

Travelling the same route but the reverse of the 2016 trip, showed what was done in the three years since the earthquake. Check out the before and now



These are the big bu**ers that we had to contend with when broken down on Highway 1

Work still in progress





Wonderful coastline complete with a seal or two. Nowhere to stop and take photos, mores the pity so all taken on the move.





Took longer than expected to reach our overnight stop. Uphill, downhill, S bends and a truck pulling a trailer applying the brakes at every opportunity. We eventually reached a place called Ashley and as time was now getting on it was decided to stop at the park next to the Rakahuri River.




And this put a smile on my face


And wildlife by the river



6 comments:

Marilyn, nb Waka Huia said...

Glad to know you are on the move again, I&I. Such a bugger! You may have been better off to have the company bring you a replacement van from CHCH - a three hour drive for them and no waiting around for you...
Anyway, you are back on the move again, which is good.
I see the photo of that pesky wasp - I hope you killed it after photographing it?! Please whack any future specimens into oblivion - they are a right pain, to people and to the environment.

Remember Doubtful Sound - get booking it immediately!

And also remember that you will be back again before too long, so take your time and enjoy it all at a leisurely pace.

Big hugs to you both, Mxxoo

Ian and Irene Jameison said...

Called into Hokitika i site this morning and found out the best bus & cruise to use for both Milford and Doubtful Sound. As soon as we know when we hope to arrive in Te Anau both will be booked. Xxx I didn't kill that wasp. Didn't know what it was so for all I knew it could have been one of your endangered species. ):

Tom and Jan said...

It appears your motorhome company has the same preventative maintenance strategy as narrowboat hire companies. Fix on failure! Obviously the cheapest option and the company isn't worried about reputational damage because for most hirers it's a "one off" occurrence!

Marilyn, nb Waka Huia said...

All wasps are only endangered because they deserve to die for stealing bees' habitats and feeding voraciously off the mast.

Not sure if you are still in Hokitika, but if you are, please call in to Heritage Highway Motel and give Vicki a big hug from me.

I LOVE Hokitika.

Do call in to Lake Mahinapua about 10kms south of Hoki - a most beautiful spot to go for a walk and/or stay overnight.

If the Red Peril is up to it, do a self drive down to Milford - you will love the freedom of stopping at all the brown signs to explore at your leisure and being able to stop around every corner to take photos of mountains, mountains and more mountains - real ones ;-). And you'll be able to view the keas' gym on the other side of Homer Tunnel ...

For Doubtful Sound, you can easily drive to Lake Manapouri and park the van for the day (or night if you decide on an overnight launch on the Sound).

More big hugs, Mxx

PS NZ tv is truly diabolical with far too many ads - we almost never watch it hence we have no TV in the motorhome; and we love UK tv (and we do have a TV on the boat - however we do tend to be Netflix and Acorn TV watchers via the laptops.

Ian and Irene Jameison said...

I agree Tom, We will be seeking compensation for all the hassle

Ian and Irene Jameison said...

Sorry, Marilyn, we are now at Franz Josef. As for driving Milford Sound, yes it is on our todo list. Xx

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