| Mangarakau - Nov |
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Two trip reports each covering a day is below Trip report Golden Bay — West Coast The 2 Cherokees (Lex + Harald) set out early Saturday morning for Collingwood. There, we could get rid of excess gear by storing it in the farmer’s big red barn. In his get-going speech, Des mentioned something about the bunks at the Mangarakau campsite not being quite finished, i.e. the ladders for the upper bunks were missing. That gave us something to look forward to, what with having to go without TV. As we had turned out in force (over 30 vehicles), we were split up into 2 groups (wise move). Then Say made the unwise move to declare me winner of the race for the privilege of writing the trip report. He did not have to give a reason, but he did anyway and I quote verbatim: “We (?) saw you standing there looking kind of funny, so we decided you should write the trip report.” Anyway, off we went along our beloved farm tracks, with beautiful, clear weather, albeit a wee bit windy. There were a few noteworthy specimens of cabbage trees around. No sign here of the mysterious cabbage tree disease that makes even the Footroot-Flatters mourn. We had a bit of a bumpy ride up to the top where magnificent views and a coolish breeeze awaited us. Graham had to run after his cap, but he got it! It was an awesome spot with view over the Inlet on one side and the wild West Coast on the other. From that spot one could see parts of a wreckage from a plane crash on the opposite hill. That was investigated later. Just before we reached that top, Sav drew our attention to a shortcut for the way back. But it didn’t really appeal. Sort of boring, just straight downhill and there wasn’t even a track. The track we followed was a bit tight in places and had a few rocky outcrops which made it rather interesting. After our lunch break, with the odd lettuce leaf blowing in the wind, we headed on. Going downwards, Harald slipped his left rear wheel over a bank. Faithful Lloyd came to the rescue. A bit further, fun was had by a few in a sort of nasty dip with mud. Here, Montana John (there were quite a few Johns, so they needed a distinguishing add-on) ruined the tyre rack on his Wrangler. Lloyd towed again (I forgot who) and well deserves a master tower certificate by now. This particularly nasty bit was negotiated in a breeze by Steph (both ways). Moving on, we arrived near the site of the plane wreck spied earlier. Almost everybody scrambled over a fence to get a good close-up look. It appears that this Hudson bomber was a coastal patrol plane during the war. All that’s left are2 bigger pieces of scrap metal. Still following along up and downhill farm tracks we arrived at a stunning spot where the green paddocks met pure light, fine sand dotted with Nikau palms. Beautiful contrast. And then, of course, there was this big sand dune beckoning. After having watched Sav; most everybody went the same way, but with me not being too much in favour of cutting corners and making shortcuts, we took the long way round. There was still enough sand for my shoes there too. After a few turns in the sand, we headed on, up to the Luna Bluff, but only had a quick look around without stopping, because it was getting late and tents had to be pitched yet. Suffice it to say that a goodtime was had by all. There are a few remarks to be made, though. Sav led a great trip, as always. The camp was a nice surprise, unfinished and all. It definitely holds great promise and one couldn’t wish for a better spot. Mandy at the Nugget Cafe is a wizard. To put out such a beautiful meal with the freshest salads in a spot that has to go without the favourite corner dairy that is an accomplishment. (There were only very minor grumblings about not having a “half a hog and 3 rows of potatoes”.) Big thanks to all. And last but not least a big Thank You to the good people of the farm who allowed us on their land to have a bit of fun and see and enjoy the scenery the way we like it best — on wheels. Cheers, Carmen Mangarakau - Sunday 28 November
After night on the Coke watered down with a lot of rum a new day got underway with bacon and beans dripping in fat on toast and washed down with a pint of instant budget coffee and all cooked by mate and co-driver Mogi Wilson. It made a bit of change from my usual low fat milk on weetbix with fruit.
We were all camped at Des Clark Hostel and Camping ground at Mangarakau, which was a School at the beginning of its life. The day was fine and warm unlike the night before which was bloody cold. I had had a good night and did promise Kevin Page to poor some concrete to help him get across his back yard with his walker. I also heard some good yarns and even saw Pat Pretty run from the Shower with only a towel around him. It was one of those magic nights was very pleasant and I cannot remember very much about it now. Just like the day before we formed into two groups with Des Clark in lead and was not long before had Problems. First our glories leader got into a slippery climb and after a few tries he got up the start of the track someone asked Des how deep was the Mud. He told us a story how last time they found a Hat in the middle of the swamp so one of there number tip toed out and found a head under the hat so they offered to pull the head with the rest of body out of the mud. Hang on minute the head under the hat said I’ve got get my feet out of the stripes first. With plenty huff and puff the rest followed with some of them on the end of a rope and up the hill we went to a place called Mutton Town.
Des gave us a run down on the History of railway an cableway gold mines stamping battery and logging. It sounded like a very busy place a couple centuries back and showed what could be done without having to get resource consent. It was all progress then but it is mainly scrub and gorse now. Also he showed us NZ only carnivorous plant. At the bottom was a little creak to be crossed with steep banks in each side. The first group had been through earlier the other way and started the mud bath. We spent a couple hours getting everyone through with yours truly getting with mud up to the headlights. I travelled by winch from that point on. It was hard but we did get everyone through with another way found to past the shit hole.
More mud and track till we came out onto the farm and a few gates latter we were back on the road and back to the camp with a dip in the river wash under the wagon. A sheriff session was held at the tearooms by the camp and among the fines Pat Pretty was fined for crossing the camping ground undressed. It might have been pretty but was not very pretty. About 4 pm we all headed for home with the CB jabbing away at the end of a bloody good weekend. Thanks to Des Clark Pat Pretty and Andrew Satherley for the best weekend of 4WD I have ever been on.
Just a plug for the Mangarakau Backpackers and camp they charge $22 a bunk and $10 a person for a camp sight Mangarakau Backpackers (Outpost) Contact Sue or Des Clark
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