The Tour begins: Nelson to Hanmer Springs

There is a ford in the middle of Nelson on the Brook that busbus wanted to go over a few times before we departed.

Sixty vehicles set out on the tour this morning with a few extras returning to Christchurch.  Travelled in a bunch for the first part of the trip. Gradually vans dropped off to visit waterfalls and lakes and go gold panning.  A few times today we travelled behind a handpainted van we have named 'the flying poo'.

So many beautiful scenes on this trip Joey took 90 photos of the hills and valleys and rivers. 

 

Just before Hanmer Springs we came upon a bunch of vw's that had been pulled over for going to slow. Aparently some caravan driver had complained that they hadnt been letting people past.  We reckon it was the guy with the red trailer that passed us on a blind corner when we were doing a hundred that we saw later on with a cop car.  He must have used the excuse that he was speeding because he had to get passed so many kombis. I am sure we will clock up a few more complaints by the end of the tour. Two beetles got speeding tickets on the way here.

One more gorgeous scene as we came across a gully into Hanmer Springs.

Definately a lot colder in the hills tonight. Luckily we bought some really cool gloves in Murchison at the markets.  Have got all our woolies and extra bedding out of storage.