I finally had some good news about the whereabouts of my BMW and although the ship it's on is 4 days late at least it has docked. And hopefully my bike is actually on it. I am now impatiently waiting for it to be unloaded and cleared through customs so I can collect it. Its getting a bit tight for time now as I am booked on a ferry to Bilbao Spain for a 2 week bike/camping trip with a mate. If it is not here in time I can always go on the Bulldog, the problem being if it arrives while i'm away I will either have to pay the storage costs or have to get someone to collect it on my behalf and that would just seem wrong having someone else collect it for me as collecting it is still part of the adventure.
 
 I have booked a flight to New Zealand leaving on the 15th of October, I am planning on spending 3 months exploring New Zealand before hopping over to Australia, I decided that the costs and time to transport bikes across the pond are both way too expensive and also too long. If I were to of shipped the bike straight to NZ from the USA it would not of been to bad but as I had not sorted a carnet or even decided where I was to go next I shipped it home. Also having tried the shipping method I am now going to try the buy and selling of a bike as I travel between countries. I have been able to buy a bike using the power of the internet, some help from the locals and friends (thanks John) and hope that it will be there waiting for me when I arrive. It is also a great help knowing people in the country that can help with advice on the legality and logistics of buying a bike and riding it in that country.