Kensington Park man takes residents ‘for a ride’ - By Andrew Smith

No, this is not a crime story, it’s the exact opposite. It’s about two talented Kensington Park residents giving generously of their time and talents. David Reyland and Jenny Place have been tour leaders for the UK Caravan and Motorhome Club since 2014. Every year from 2014 to 2019 they have conducted campervan trips in both North and South Islands.

They were booked to take 32 UK club members on a New Zealand campervan tour in November 2020. Based on the numbers involved, David was able to get good discounts on campervans, campgrounds and a number of attractions. Then came Covid-19 and the trip was cancelled.

Rather than waste the good booking deal he had made, he came up with ‘plan B’ – a 21 days round trip of the South Island. He offered the bookings to KP residents, their friends and some of his friends. You may recall the invite in the July KP Newsletter last year.

Fairly soon our tour leaders had received confirmed bookings for 24 people. So 13 Maui Campervans were reserved (some 2 berths, others 4 berths). We all received a 26 page illustrated trip guide that detailed every day of the adventure. Fairly soon this tour manual was referred to as the ‘bible’.

Christchurch was our first port of call. In two days, it was great to see the extensive rebuilding that’s in progress. We were impressed with the great attitude of the locals we talked to.

Day 3 – 4: An early start and coach trip to Maui depot to pick up our camper vans, get instructions and head South-West to Glentanner. For many on the trip, this was their first campervan experience. For all of us it was the beginning of a wonderful adventure. Every day we were living in the moment. So much to see and do. The mountains, lakes and scenery on this leg were stunning.

Day 5 - 6: First stop was Twizel, then onto Oamaru (lots to see) the drive on to Moeraki to see the remarkable Moeraki Boulders. Then onto the Edinburgh of the south, Dunedin.

By this time we were learning how fortunate we were to have such great tour leaders David and Jenny. Anything to do with the campervans they explained in simple language. Anything to do with the itinerary they’d ‘been there and done that’.

Lots to see in Dunedin. I’ve been to Dunedin a couple of times, but this was the first time I’d visited the Albatross Centre. Very impressed.

To Be Continued There’s a lot more to tell you, but I don’t want this to be a long article. So I will continue the story and the photography in the next Newsletter. I might also have some news of another NZ campervan trip coming up.

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