Nelson 4 Wheel Drive Club, New Zealand

"Be at Murchison for a ten o'clock meeting at Collins tearooms" the instructions for the trip said. As per usual, I arrived in plenty of time, and there was only one other 4x4 in sight, and they were a little concerned that they may have got the wrong weekend. Within a very short time however, about 15 other vehicles had arrived, in time for the occupants to have a bit of a natter in the hot sun, before our trip leader "Roberto" Dickenson gathered us all together for our usual team briefing.

Soon we all set off, up the Matakitaki Valley to the start of the track up the Glenroy. I had taken the time to take the doors off the Jeep in Murchison, and it was just great traveling along on such a hot day with the air conditioning working so well. A very big contrast to last year, when we experienced heavy rain, and flooded rivers.

As we made our way up the Glenroy, I thought to myself that the river crossings would be an absolute doddle this year, as the levels were so low. Through the first crossing with no troubles at all, and then through the bush to the next one, where unfortunately I was able to make a real dick of myself by getting stranded on a rock about the size of Mt Everest, and requiring a tow to get mobile again. This, for some strange reason, seemed to really bring the radios to life, with all sorts of derogatory and degrading comments being bandied about. Any one would think that they had never seen a Jeep needing a tow before! (Perhaps that is because most of them probably haven't).

After draining all the water out of the Jeep, we set off up the valley again, crossing and recrossing the river. We stopped for lunch at a creek where most of the drama had taken place on last years trip, with vehicles being roped together to get across, however this year, it was just a nice gentle crossing. When we continued, most of the trucks took the direct route, and followed the river to the campsite, whilst a few of the more adventurous tried out some of the other tracks. The first track, up and over the bluffs, was closed due to a lot of wind-blown trees across the track, so we had to abandon that one. The next one also had a few trees across it, but a bit of work with a chainsaw soon had it open again. As we were working cutting the trees out of the way, one of the team decided that it might be easier to forge a new track through the bush. He now has a front mudguard on the left hand side of his truck that matches the mudguard on the right hand side that he damaged on the Mangarakau trip. It would be rude to mention names though, wouldn't it Fatu! Montana John also had a go at forging a new track, and was doing very well until he parked his Jeep on a wasp nest. The wasps did not thank him for this, and let him know about it five times, until he got he hell out of there! Funny how Jeep owners seem to have all the fun.

Back onto the track, and continued on to the campsite, where most of the other campers had already set up camp, and had gone down to the river, where quite a few were having a swim. After getting ourselves set up (I found that nobody else had claimed the hut, so I scored that), Kerry and Warwick Smith did a grand job of setting up Roberto's Bar, and then we settled in for a few quiet ones. Soon, our leader Roberto came ambling over, and said that it was time for our game of Mexican rugby - the Gringos versus the Amigos. This was a lot of fun, even with an extremely suspect referee (Lindsay), who seemed to have an unlimited supply of red and yellow cards tucked away in his pockets, and goal posts that seem to move all over the place. No real injuries this year, although one or two sore feet from kicking the ball without any shoes on!

After everyone had time to cool off after the rugby, we all gathered around the bar to sample the 10 litres of Margaritas that had been so kindly provided for us. I have to report that it was just awful, so awful in fact that most of us just had to keep going back for more and more of the stuff! Montana John had prepared a very large pot of chili stew, and this was also eaten as though there was no tomorrow. As the night wore on, the very large sombrero's, and the also very large pistolas came out, along with some very nice costumes of a Mexican flavour. The campfire was lit, not because it was cold, but in a futile attempt to keep the hoards of sand flies away! Roberto bought out the guitar, and the evening was enjoyably spent singing, interspersed with the occasional round of fire from cap guns, and the intermittent fighting with water pistols. Later on, a second guitar was produced to help out our Roberto, and a great time was had by all.

Thanks to Bob for organizing this trip, and also to Montana John for supplying the food and nibbles.

Second day of Don Roberto's Mexicano excursion up the Rio Glenroy.
by Warwick

Upon awakening the manana after the night before one spotted piles of vapor ascension from behind many trees in the forestal and visiting peon's washing hot posterior's in the icy cold Rio Glenroy, anyway enough about Montana Juan's chilli con carne, which by the way was magnifico! After cereales and white cafe the six los lobo's, Senor and Querida Pene, Don Des and Esposa Susa, The Tin Cano, Primera Estopa Nicholl's (no relation to One Tow Nicholl's from Reefton) and myself decided to investigar the arroyo's south of Don Roberto's Cantina and encampment. After travelling up the first arroyo we left Montana Juan and the Tin Cano to carry on, this one has come to be known as Tin Can Alley, the rest of us travelled further south to check some other
arroyo's, but these proved to be to be to rocky. After picking some native floeria it was decided to travel norte to the barro's in the upper forestal.

Upon reaching the barro's we found Don Roberto and his peon's, including the Dodgy Abitro from yesterday's game, looking at the deepest most aromaticas barro in all of the forestal. Don Roberto, looking for some cheapo entreteneros, said Whatu tentativa this one, as I was but the lowest of the low in the group i.e. Acting Sheriff, I gave it not one go but tres each time requiring remolque vehiculo, before the Don finally decided I had paid my sheriff's penance and said no more, me thinks the Don a little bit of a El Bastardo! At this time it was decided to travel back to encampment have luncheon pack up and travel home. The peon's left in dribs and drabs no doubt scared of the Don or did not want to pullout Primera Estopa Nicholl's from the rampant
rampaging crossings of the mighty Rio Glenroy. With tres of the los lobo's behind me, where they should be, we left the encampment, with only the Dodgy Abitro and his family last and slowest to come. After trying out all of the tracks in the forestal we finally met up with the Don at El Rancho Glenroy's locked gate. After saying mucha's gracias to the Don for a great excursion we left for home.

We met at Collins tearooms for the fun weekend. It was dry and the forecast looked good. Quite different from last year!!!!!!

Before tea though as it was so hot we all had a swim in the river. It was great and so clear, I think more people went in after seeing the delight on the faces of the first brave ones.
Anyway after the swim and before tea we had to have a game of soccer. That was most entertaining as usual. I don’t know who won or what the score was as I was laughing so much. Lindsay did a great job as ref. Although I do believe he got a couple of guys backs up as they set upon him !!!!

A nice evening followed. 2 guitars, which was great, and a really balmy evening to sit under the stars with just a short sleeve top on till midnight. Too hot for ponchos even, again quite different from the cool nights of previous years.

On Sunday we travelled up the valley and had a look around. Found a new route back after Warwick had entertained us by getting stuck in the bog 3 times. His mate Graeme tried to pull him out and Lloyd and Jill helped but in the end Mark in his beast 80 Series had to come to the rescue.
It was hot packing up and we did a detour on the way home through a few trees. Luckily we were the last so all of the hard work clearing the track had been done.
It was a great weekend Bob as usual and we all thoroughly enjoyed it.