New bus on the way

Four months ago, Dunedin couple John and Margaret Spain were mourning the loss of their beloved 1953 Ford house bus, destroyed in a fire near Lake Mavora.But they have quickly put the February disaster behind them, having already begun converting a 1992 Hino bus into a motor home.

The Spains, life members of the New Zealand Motor Homes Association, were among the crowd of more than 100 people in 45 vehicles who attended a rally at East Otago High School, Palmerston, at the weekend.

Mr Spain said the couple had spent $31,000 on their new bus and another $30,000 so far converting it.

"We plan to continue motor-home travelling in the long term."