Date: 20th September 2009
Trip leader: Richard Barker
Trip report: ‘Hillbilly’
　
After finally putting another motor in my Surf (that replaced the one that I ceased on the Hira trip) I decided a trip being lead around by the mighty Bulletproof was just the answer. In my other life I drive a Taxi for Nelson Bay Cabs, (phone 5418294 or Text 0272255222 for cheapest Taxis in Nelson). *** The battle of Bridge Street was finished about 4.30am so that’s when I went home and got a little sleep till 8 am. Half a gallon of coffee, toast and a quick trip to Countdown for some bread, meat and stuff to make sandwiches and some bottled water to suck on. My son in law put the rest of the gear in the day before. The only thing we could not find was the BLACK TOW ROPE I brought from the 4X4 Centre just before the Hira trip. If you have it, can I please have it back? Well, It was a lovely day and my info was to be at Marsden valley at 9 am.

We got there just before the time to find out that we were the only ones with a 4WD in the valley. With a trip back to the Ridgeway and a call on the PRS I discovered the place was right, but the start time was 9.30 am. Somehow that small error was enough to get me the job of writing this report. I have not done one of these things for a bit so read on while I serve my time, in front of the computer for being early, for the first time in my life. I counted about nineteen wagons -about half were Toyotas, a couple of Jeeps, Nissans, Landrover, green Rocky and others. John and Diane Auld were there so that was getting the radio humming. With my son in law, Ben Cooper, driving we headed for the right gate at the top of the road and drove up the to the top of the Richmond Hills, having to give to a mountain bike coming down with a rider with one leg. We also came up on some trampers who were planning a day away from the traffic.

The hills were alive with smelly Nissans, rumbling Toyotas, and other trucks, all making their presence felt. It was a nice day and the view was a delight to behold. We did a few fire breaks with one tricky bit so I let Ben drive and it scared the crap out of him, but he did well. Morning Tea at the lookout and then a steady drive down to the Aniseed Valley and we got ready for the trip up Mt. Malita. The road was the usual forestry road and we split into two groups to go to the top, with some walking to the top. We departed around 2 pm and down the hill by the old road was very nice.

A few departed at this point and John Auld asked, on behalf of his wife, our glorious leader if he could make it home for the Netball at 4 pm if we did the last hill section. The reply: it should be OK. So over the river we went and up a narrow road with sharp turns till we got to a locked gate that should have been open. I detected some concern in the mighty bulletproof voice: he did think the key we had would not fit and the key we had was in the last vehicle anyway, way down the hill. With about 16 wagons parked I hear the running footsteps of Chris Baird, our saviour, pounding his way to the gate with key in hand. It was steep and he did it, what a feat.

Somehow the gate opened and on we went, and for a short while we lead up the steep track to an intersection so, after a quick look around, I parked on the corner and directed traffic. Then the call went out that the Landrover had taken on a steam engine look on the track. We went back to help as we had 4 l water on board. This was a good thing in three ways. First Ben (son in law) is a mechanic and took out the thermostat, two was the water we had which was needed. Three I returned to John Auld the container that I borrowed on the Hira trip and forgot to return. Come to think of it I owe someone for some oil too, so get in touch with me and I will see what I can do. We lost about twenty minutes and with the Kiwi Ozzie Netball start getting closer we caught up with the group on the top of Jenkins Hill. And down the hill we went with slipping and sliding to keep it interesting. Down the bottom to Marsden Valley Road and on our way home we went. It was good for us as it was the first time in a while that I did not break anything and I did remember this. I forget who won the netball but it was a good day out.

Thanks Bulletproof for a good day out and its good to see you back in the fold. +Now time for me to start work again so don’t forget Nelson Bay cabs phone number is 5418294 or you can text 0272255222 greatest and cheapest cab company in Nelson. ***** Well I got to get the word out there somehow. Bye for now and a wait my fate with the sheriff at the next meeting.

/ / /’*/ / / /^/ / / / / / / / / /
\ \ \ \ \ \ THE \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \
/ / / / / HILLBILLY / / / /
/ / \ \ \ \ \ \ \#\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \

P.S.: Hillbilly is telling fibs: I wasn’t crapping myself as he puts it, I was however laughing like a madman you get to be after living with Hillbilly for the last 4 years. The ‘grease monkey’ BEN