|
|
|
Higgies Tiki Tour - 28th May |
|
By Graeme Nicholls (aka No Tow)
Photos from this trip can be found here
Before I start this trip report, I want to make it quite clear that I did not get stuck on this trip, and I am only doing it out of the kindness of my heart. I have a reputation to uphold!!
We all (25 trucks) assembled on the side of the road at Hira, except for Steve and Sarah, who waited patiently at Faulkner’s Bush in Wakefield, which was the original meeting place until access issues forced a change. However, after a few phone calls, they were able to find out where they should have been, and thanks to Higgie living up to his reputation of being late, were even able to beat the trip leader to the assembly point.
We all traveled in convoy to the top of the Wangamoa saddle, and turned onto Central Road, and followed it down the hill to Boiler Gully. Here we had a few moments to re-group, while some of the more adventurous had a wee play on the side of the hill. We then set off, heading for Sharlands Creek in the Maitai Valley, traveling down Teal Valley, and onto Kaka Road. Marvelous views were to be had along this section, looking down onto Nelson and Tasman Bay. Lurch and Tracy were on the trip in their new Suzuki, which they had only just got finished the day before. Unfortunately they had a wee mishap on Kaka Road, as when going down a fairly steep drop-off, the engine stalled just at the top and locked up the wheels, which caused the truck to go sideways and roll twice. Luckily, they were both uninjured, but the poor old Suzuki looked rather second hand, and this was the end of the evening for them. Scotty’s new roll bar saved the day! We then all assembled at Sharland Creek at around 6:15, and Higgie told us to have our tea break, and re-assemble by the Marsden Road cemetery at 6:45.
After having a quick meal at Pete Lowish`s place, it was off to the Marsden Road to wait to re-start. Higgie was up to his old tricks, so we all stood around in the cold for about three quarters of an hour waiting to get going again! He had had a bit of trouble getting his hamburgers for his tea apparently.
On the road again, and this time we went up through the Nelson City Council land (which was previously the Ngawatu Farm), and onto the Richmond Hills to the fire lookout. Once again we had great views from here, and as it was now well and truly dark, we could see the lights from the Glen all the way around to Wakefield, and over to Motueka. We then dropped down to the Aniseed Valley, and the up and over the forestry road to the Lee Valley, and assembled at the Girl Guides camp, where Rae and Gail Warne and Jackson had a nice big fire going for us to stand around and eat the sausages and bread that they had prepared for us. Thanks a lot guys!
When we had all had our fill there, those that wanted to carry on re-assembled (12 trucks) and the rest either stayed on for a while at the camp, or wandered off home.
We traveled on up the Lee Valley, and went onto Irvine’s Block. This is the site of the big fire before Christmas last year, when eight helicopters were used to fight the fires, and it is still very much in evidence today.
Higgie stopped on the side of the road beside a very steep firebreak, and asked if anyone wanted to have a go, and being the type of people that we are, we all had a go. Most were able to successfully climb it, with only a few having to back down (in the dark!) and drive around the road to meet up with us again. Further on up the hill, Higgie said “follow me, there’s a real good mud hole at the top of this track”. Away he went, with lots of jumping and wheel spinning, and then there was a bit of a bang and his rear driveshaft disintegrated, so that was the end of his truck for the night, and he became a passenger from then on. We abandoned that section of the track, and carried on up the hill to another very washed out and rutted track. This proved to be quite challenging for all of us, with quite a bit of towing required, (but not for me you understand). This track led us to the top of the hill, and the end of the trip. We came down the hill, and picked up Higgies truck, and then made our way home. I got home at just before 2:00am, so we had been on the road for around 12 hours!
Thanks to Higgie for this trip, and also to the volunteers who did the supper at Lee Valley.
|
|
|
|
Past club trips 