Author Archives: DirkJan

Report 21 February By Steef Still rain but slept well. After breakfast we celebrate Dirk’s birthday because he has turned 66. Dirk continues to work on the Ford, Greetje Steef and Trudy go to the city by bus. We visit … Continue reading →

Report 20 February By Steef Rain, rain, rain. This time we do not have to leave on time so we can lie down and listen to the rain on the roof of the roof tent. I work on the reports … Continue reading →

Report 19 February By Steef This morning Pete and Matt leave for Five Rivers (where later Cyclone Gita would strike). Dirk has another surprise for Graeam  a very special T-shirt. Graeme quickly conjures up a shirt for Dirk. After a … Continue reading →

Report 18 February By Steef On the way from Manipuri to Kaiwera we come across beautiful place names .Monawai, Papatotara, Tuatapere, Orepuki and Waimatuku. In Tuatapere we drink coffee in a museum cafe. Here we eat the tastiest lemmon pie … Continue reading →

Report 17 February By Steef BEE IN THE BUS! someone called in the bus that took us to Doubtful Sound. Driver John Gallantry caught the insect immediately to prevent unrest among passengers. It rained all night. Not surprising when you … Continue reading →

Report 16 February By Steef Gradually we have a fixed morning ritual for everyone. Dirk is working on the Ford, Greetje takes care of the catering and Trudy clears up the tent, a hot job because the mattresses have to … Continue reading →

Report 15 February By Steef It is still blowing very hard this morning. The roaring wind over the 300 meter deep lake causes large dust clouds on the campsite. Someone tries to change his flat tire. A Ford Model A … Continue reading →

Report 14 February By Steef I am standing on the roof of the Land Rover to pack up the roof tent. Today we continue our journey and now towards Makarora, Lake Wanaka. On the meandering jungle road back to the … Continue reading →

Report 13 February By Steef The morning starts with a light rain, after 12 hours it gets a little less, but the sun we will hardly see today. At a gold diggers town we stop for a cup of coffee … Continue reading →

Report 12 February By Steef The day begins with a bright sun so time to pack and leave. During the preparations I suddenly hear a cheerful piano playing from Kathryn house. She turns out to have a real pianola and … Continue reading →