Great photos. I spent nearly four months on my bike cycling around NZ, both north and south islands in 1994. Fantastic place, especially on a bike. I had the same headwind riding up that bloody great big hill by Lake Taupo too! What a bummer having to pedal down the other side. That headwind was blowing the flags horizontal and I was against it all day. I was nearly in tears at one point.
Possums are indeed a pest. I bought a possum skin seat cover on the south island to help break in a brand new Brooks saddle. It worked!
Brought back some great memories. Thanks for sharing.