First Day In Our Rig

Well, the alarm rang at 3:30am and up I sprung, eager to meet Bernie in Picton and to get my first ever glimpse of our new rig! After a couple of stops for the dogs I arrived in Picton at 7am. My first thought when I saw the rig was, wow, it's huge!!!!! Then, I saw Bernie, and it really looked as if he hadn't slept since he had left for Tauranga on Monday. He looked shattered. We took the rig to Dillons Point Road, which is a CAP site, it's $5 a night. We parked it up and I got to admire the inside. B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!
Here are some snaps of the day.

The clock in Nelson showing 5am as I was driving through.

Had to take a photo of Halifax Street as we left Nelson at 5am as I haven't seen it that early before!

Enjoying the sights and smells.

Stopped at Blenheim to let the dogs have a break, while I admired the gorgeous sun rising over the vineyards.

My very first real life sighting of our beautiful new rig...soon to be home!

Parked at Dillions Point Road, an NZMCA CAP site, owned by Reta Tuckerman.

The entrance to Reta's home, this is just to the left of the CAP site we stayed at.

Vineyards across the road from where we stayed.

This plaque was just around the corner, I noticed it while walking the dogs.

Swimming spot for the dogs.

Wairua River.

First meal in our rig.

We ended the evening with a lovely stroll along the river running through Blenheim. The sunset was stunning. What a perfect first day in our rig!

Traveling from Tauranga to Wellington

These are some photos that Bernie sent of his trip down the North Island bringing the rig home. He was late leaving Tauranga as there were so many last minute things needing to be done on the rig. Eventually he left at 6pm and headed for Taupo. The truck's temperature gauge soared to high as it climbed the hills which was a huge concern. While traveling downhill the temperature gauge returned to normal. The next day, Bernie turned the heater on while driving (which we read about online), and this helped. The truck's temperature remained fine from Taupo to Wellington. Phew!

Taking up a few parks!

Parked up for the night at Taupo's NZMCA (3365). It's close to the Taupo Airport, with a flat large area to park.

Parked in Wellington waiting for the ferry crossing.

At Last ...

Bernie flew to Tauranga to collect the rig at 11am on Monday! Yippee. 

Drive back to Nelson.

On Sunday we left Dunedin at 7am for the long trek back home. The weather was gorgeous and we stopped a few times to let the dogs have a stretch, although Boo stayed in the ruck because her foot was hurting her.
Here are a few pics of our drive home.

Many paddocks of various crops growing in the Otago area.

One of the many stops we made for the dogs.It's also nice for us to have a stretch and see the countryside.

We drove through Christchurch and looked at the change due to the earthquakes. We were surprised and shocked at the desolation, especially driving through the CBD and there being no landmarks around. It didn't seem right to take photos, so I took one of the new pier in New Brighton.

On the coastal road to Kaikoura.

Kaikoura Ranges.

Young seals playing in the rock pools.

Taylor's Dam Reserve, 6kms out of Blenheim. Lovely spot to stay but the area available to freedom camp is small. Paddy spotted a duck in the water and bounded in! Oakly followed and both dogs emerged as black and smelly as could be!