TRIP REPORT: Sunday 7^th – Sav’s Mystery Trip

Sunday dawned grey and overcast and being optimistic Jackson and I made the decision to go and sort out this mystery.

Meeting place: the old freezing works carpark, or for those with e-mail; the Motueka Caltex carpark.

About 15 assorted trucks gathered ranging from an 8’ wide Dodge Ram, Toyotas with 35” tyres, down to the best of British on “slicks”  … hence the penalty to produce this report.  Apparently, Sav had commissioned Lloyd Knowles and his family to lead this trip !! so after a short briefing we were off up the Brooklyn Valley.

First stop; the restored private power station which belongs to Mr Lew Mead who sells his power to which-ever supplier pays the top $ on the day.  Being computerised he controls the whole complex from his home in Richmond. Clever eh.!

With tyres deflated we moved onto private land and headed up a narrow zig-zagging track that was a little slippery in places due to the drizzle that was falling.

Higher and higher, we pushed on until some minor track maintenance was needed so out with the digging gear to make for a safer passage for our guests.

At this point on our journey, Mike M somehow managed to run over Mountain Man’s left foot with his front wheel then proceeded to park on same foot with left rear wheel.  When he complained about the weight, Mike dropped the clutch and spun his 33”s which spat him out the back – “OUCH”!!  …..Jackson reckons it may put a stop to Mountain Man mount’n women for a couple of days but I don’t think soooooo.  He’s pretty darn tough – said Toyota’s ain’t that heavy anyway!

Next stop was the small lake that feeds the Power-House with the concrete dam having to be repaired as part of the schemes restoration which had been sabotaged some years back.

Our trip leader suggested having mourning smoko here before pushing on to the summit which we reached with a little help from a Jeep because I think this mystery trip was turning into a misty trip with visibility less than the length of a bungee strop.

The area was covered with round rocks (opposite to square!) some huge and some smaller ones’ hidden amongst the long grass and with the mist, was quite spooky not knowing where we were.

Lloyd informed us that part of the “Lord of the Rings” was filmed there – a truly amazing place!

At this stage we regrouped for lunch with some guessing which direction was North or South or just how to get off this Mountain, however Lloyd had a scout around on foot and found a track and we were off again.

As most of the fences were knackered there wasn’t the knead to shut many gates, sew it was one large paddock with the cattle I have ever seen.

We headed on down through some nice native bush and stopped to check out an old 6 bunk hut made of vertical beech slabs with a tin roof and fire-place.  Lex told us it was a “Boys Brigade” hut that he used when he was just a little lad and that he does remember when it was built about 100 years ago !!!!!

Off again down to the road head to repressure tyres and say our goodbyes.

Thanks to Lloyd and his clan.  We had a great days 4 wheel’n but plez take us all back on a clear day so we can see forever.

                                                              Cheers, Don in da Disco!