
Packed up and loaded the machine and set off in search of fuel for the beast and breakfast for me. We'll say no more of breakfast, it was a little basic. The machine seemed happy on it's diet and today turned 6,000km old, two months worth, I suspect I'll slow down shortly.
The rain lasted on and off through the Buller Gorge giving a serious new emotion to the ride. Fear. The wet and greasy roads were deserted but not user friendly. Anyway by Murcheson and a morning coffee stop things had mostly dried out although there were still areas of wet to contend with.

A man in Motueka said that the hill between Nelson and the Sounds was fabulous and he was absolutely right! Not a lot of overtaking places but traffic is so slow up hill it's not a problem.
Anyway the drama of the day took place shortly after I'd slowed to let an anxious BMW Dakar (very similar to my bike) pass. I was following him at a distance and he overtook a horsefloat turning (and signalling) right with predictable consequences. Stopped to help but other than being shaken and a sore leg there was no serious injury to anyone or the machine. Lucky.

So that's really it for the South Island there remains only a short run to the ferry tomorrow, I'll be very glad to get home but it really has been the most incredible fun down in the south. Probably need warmer gear for next time.