Date 24th & 25th February 2007
Trip leader: Scotty
Trip Report by: Astrid Sims
Trip report by Bill and Jill Knowles futher down
Canaan Downs trip.
Seven vehicles meet at the Riwaka cemetery to await our trip leader who was late.
But that’s O.K. for the rest of the trip he was mostly lost. Luckily Sav had a bit of an idea of were we should go.
An example of memory loss deficit syndrome perhaps, which happens to us all eventually, some sooner than others.
Was a beautiful day, we were given apples to gnaw on while we waited and admired the president’s clean and shiny truck.
Departed at 1.50 p.m. taking a right turn up the Marahau Hill.
A left turn into Moss Rd at the bottom of the hill lead us onto the old tram way used to bring out the marble in the early 1900’s. The tram ran from the quarry to Sandy Bay and the mud flats.
The marble was used for the construction of Nelson Cathedral, Parliament Buildings and various buildings in Auckland.
A stop at the quarry at the top of the hill was made.
Had a wander through the old machinery lying about lots of stuff still there including saw blades for cutting the marble still remained in a heap.
The pond nearby was full of tadpoles and a discussion on how to catch them was had, but nobody was game to get their feet wet. Frogs they now will be.
The most adventurous of the group climbed up to the workings for a look. Hammers and crowbars were used to split the marble and wedges could still be seen embedded in the rock.
With many gates to open and many lollies to chew on we arrived at the lime works.
We travelled onwards until we reached the Canaan Rd where we parted company and headed for home before the million and 17 hippies arrived for the dance festival, while the others proceeded further in to set up camp for the night.
A great day. Thanks Scotty.
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Sunday Trip
After a cool night in the tent (not all of us camped, some softies stayed in the hut), we rose before the sun to a fine morning and heavy dew. Dave already had the fire going again, a nice place for a morning coffee and a ‘chin wag’. Around 9.30 Scotty went and unlocked the gate and welcomed 5 day trippers, which made a total of 11 vehicles for today’s trip.
We left camp at 10 am uphill behind the hut toward the eastern side of the farm with many gates to open and close, everybody got plenty of gate opening practice. We crested a hill along the boundary fence to open a great view out over Motueka and the bay across to Nelson. Soon after this we encountered a tricky looking gulch; Scotty drove down ok, but most just looked and looked, so Mitzi to the rescue and drove down no problems. I guessed if a Mitzi can do it anything can and everybody did – no problem.
After several “not sure, if this is the right way” and unnecessary circles we arrived at the top of the airstrip, some airstrip drags ensued with some interesting results. Winner by a country mile was ‘Sideways Sav’ = 15.9 sec.
Back to camp for lunch in the sun, and pack up tents etc. After this relaxing break we headed up the valley from the hut and drove a small loop around hillside between limestone outcrops and burnt stumps past an out fireplace remains back past the hut and onto the locked gate at Harwoods hole car park . At this point we choose to head home with three others. The rest continued around the farm some more.
We enjoyed the weekend and wish to thank Scotty and Sav for their continued hard work and ideas for these trips.
Thanks
Bill & Jill Knowles
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Past club trips 
