Date: 10 - 11 November

Trip Leader: Bob Dickinson/Kevin Page

Trip Report by: Gail & Rae Warne

Another trip report for the Sunday by Neil Hogarth

Who made up that trip name? It must be the Aussie influence because there was not an old fart to be seen. There was one fella who kept putting his hands in his pockets though and one fella who brought his palatial palace with him other than that it was a typical 4 x 4 crew out to have a good time with like minded people. And so it was.

Saturday saw a approximately 8 or 9 trucks line up at the Brightwater Saleyards, given their instructions by Kevin, to drive to the Howard Valley and there meet Camp Leader Bob with his trusty sidekick, Jill, a feat we achieved in pretty good time. The spot they chose was a good one with the most wonderful loo I think I have ever used in the wop wops. It flushed, had it’s own little fence, wash hand basin and even a cake of soap! After setting up tents and other sleeping arrangements we all headed off down the Howard Valley and into the Maud. First stop was to explore the old mill which, remarkably, remains still in use and unchanged by the decades. After a quick cuppa we travelled on up the valley, stopping at historic relics of the gold claim era. This area has now been returned to pasture from gold mining and looks great. At the end of the road was a good sized hut definitely well passed it’s prime but still used by desperate souls.

Some retracing of steps back to the mill and into the pine plantations between the Maud and Howard Valleys. After travelling over farm land and cutting a fence (the farmer did that!) we entered the forest tracks to trace our way back to camp. After some dead ends (the trees have grown up) and false information, we finally found our way back via Long Gully Track and Flemings Track to the river crossing opposite the camp. We arrived just in time to find Bevan putting the finishing touches to a wheel bearing repair. Just to show off he then totally replaced the other side wheel bearing after a jaunt up the Louise with a few keen trucks.

Swatting at sandflies while trying to wash down the dust was not particularly fun – thank you Brent for being such a gentleman and allowing me the shelter of your bivvie where the sandflies were obviously being repelled. We were joined by Bryce, Carol, Alan and Jane for tea and then after cleaning up we went down to sample the bonfire a few worthy souls had put together. Thanks fellas. Bob led us in a general sing-a-long and all seemed well with the world. Thanks for a really good ‘old’ weekend Bob, We have missed those trips.

 After several years’ absence from Four Wheel Drive Club trips, I decided to go on the Old Farts Overnight Picnic.

Trying to remember:

- What to take?

- Where to find it?

- And if I could find it, did it still work?

I managed to pack my vehicle for the trip ahead.

After a pleasant Saturday evening around the camp fire reminiscing with old friends (I mean friends from many years ago, not old age wise!) we packed up Sunday morning and all 12 vehicles headed over the Porika and Braeburn tracks and up the Tutaki Valley headed for Mount Ella Station to join up with members of the public on a fundraising trip. The drive up the Tutaki Public Road was so dusty that it was hard to see where the road was at times.

Once we reached the station dairy shed we all gathered for a quick trip briefing then signed a disclaimer and paid the money to access the station with the funds going towards a Murchison Area High School trip to Wellington.

There were 54 vehicles in total on the trip following the grass flats beside the river but making several river crossings in the process. The track had had a lot of work done on it by the farmer in preparation for our visit. No problems going up despite a couple of deep river crossings.

Once at the head of the valley we all gathered at the old hut for lunch and the usual chat!

After about an hour at the hut the Club members decided it was time to head back so it was a lot quicker heading back down the valley with less vehicles. Back down the bl…y dusty road via the Braeburn track for a few of us and down the Gowan Valley to the main road and home.

All in all a good weekend – good to be back out on a trip and catching up with people I haven’t seen for some time.

Thanks Bob and Kevin for a great weekend.

Photos from this trip are here