Authors - Paul and Yvonne Fenemor

A clear day greeted us, as seven vehicles met at Miller’s Acre for Hillbillies Trip into “Nelson’s Back Yard” on Sunday 2 March.

“Yep, we’re heading up there somewhere”, said Hillbilly as he waved in the general direction of the hills behind Nelson.  This was followed by, “Yep, we’ll be back sometime about 2 or 3 or 4, depending on how far we go and whether we get lost or not.”

So, we started out, travelling in the Sharland’s Creek area.  This was all new territory for us, although it quickly became obvious the others in the group knew the myriad of back roads and tracks like the back of their hands!

At the first really steep bit we were warned that it was really steep and we could take the alternative route if we wished.  In order to check the steep bit out, Hillbilly went first.  Half-way up, something broke, there was lots of smoke and he needed a tow to the top! (The Range Rover smokes anyway!... it was a broken axle.) Then there were six of us.

We continued on past the Matai Dam, stopped for a late smoko and then stopped at a clearing on the side of the road to watch some MotorX bikes ride up a steep track onto the road.  The conversation was flowing, and several of us thought this was just a ‘nice stop on the side of the road for the view’, when suddenly Scotty and his green machine disappeared over the edge down the track! No alternative routes – we all had to follow!  The mountain biker watching couldn’t quite believe what was happening.

Not long after that, Colin decided an early finish was the order of the day – now we were down to five.  After lunch we drove some more trails, almost got lost, couldn’t get out by the gun club because they were firing live rounds in our direction, so we had to back track. We eventually found our way back to where we knew where the roads went, after having to winch a fallen pine off the track. We finished up driving across some spectacular views behind Atawhai. 

Thanks John (for taking over after Hillbilly went home) and Hillbilly – a good day had by all.