All packed and ready to go, I (Kel Webmaster) set off to Geraldine at lunchtime Friday, heading for Reefton after finding out that it takes a few hours to get there and as I have not seen the area before, thought I would travel in the daylight. Google took me via the main road so with a click of the mouse forced it to go via Lake Coleridge and Lyndon to Arthur’s pass. The Lyndon Road was a little corrugated but the short cut was worth it.

We arrived at Reefton about 5pm and settled in to the Nurses Home, could not find any Nurses, out of the fog and the cold. The rest of the team arrive later around 9pm a quick greeting and we headed for bed to catch some shut eye for the next day.

Saturday we all headed off to the Victoria Forest Park via the Waiuta Road and were soon in the riverbed on all fours. Our leader showed the way up the river, with no problems and just the normal river rock and soft shingle to take on. Crossings were all easy and it was smoko time before we new it. No time for smoko, the leader was pointing has Toyota at a hole in the bank, I think he’s gone mad, and before we new it we were driving in a cave with one wheel in a water shoot, used by early Gold miners to run water to the sluices. With our lights on we could see the moss and droplets of water coming down from the roof of the tunnel. After two tunnels we turn out of the creek and wiggled our way in and out of the water heading up stream. One stop to try out the shovels that we all carried, to repair a drop off washed out by the river. Well some just took photos and others showed that they had worked for the council by leaned on them, but the job was done and we were soon on our way. One of the most scenic trips with typical west coast beach forest and mosses, even the odd very friendly bird.

Lunchtime was at the top of the forest somewhere around Nobles, I think, on a gravel area made recently by a bull dozer. The Ashburton Mid Canterbury Club arrived and the number of 4wd’s, in various shapes and sizes, grew to create lots of gossip and bragging. With all feed we headed up a track and climbed higher into the forest to then slowly descend down a tight bush clad track, well gorse clad anyway, back to the river and head for the nurses home. Ok, yes there was a bog hold to have a final parting splash in on the end of a tow rope.

Now I ask you, a road block by the cops. What have we done, or was it my missing number plate off the front of my vehicle. After a talk with our leader, the White Toyota, the cop headed for me. OH DARN I am busted. NO he just looked for the number plat and then took a look at my rego. “No you are not the white vehicle we are looking for” WHO ME. It turned out that a white 4wd from one of the other groups had caused a little riff with a farmers wife. Funny two vehicles that were driving around the roads were now on trailers. Last warrant 2008. We must be so careful not to upset land owners, we need them!!

A fantastic trip with no damage and just the odd evidence of gorse hanging out of the bull bar and mud stains to show we did do some 4wdriving.

Saturday Night we all headed out for some dinner at a local tavern and talked about the days event. A little tired, me being an old guy and all, I headed for bed to leave the others hanging off a rum bottle.

Sunday was a trip to Big River Gold Mine, taking the Soldiers Big River Road, a gravel road to about half way and then 4wd access from there on. For those with no power steering it would be a little hard on the arms, as mine, even with power steering, played on my old warn out motorcycle shoulders. We stopped to look at an old wooden dam for a short brake and then on to the mine. A restored building held the main Winding Plant with all to see and the old boilers still standing within the shed. Some had a feed and others had not brought their lunch so it was decided to head back to the base for lunch. All went well until I had to find a place off the track to let some 4wd’s pass. I reversed up to move into a patch on the side of the narrow track and did not see a tree sticking out from the bank I was about to tuck into. BANG, there goes my tail light and the scratch was more than half an inch deep. Well not quite only cracked and a small ding. Bugger. I did hear that one of the vehicles a Suzuki 4wd nearly flopped over the bank.

After a late lunch at the nurses home the trip leader ask if we would like to visit the big hill. Why not, every one came for the drive. By now raining, we headed into the forest again and found a big tree blocking the way. Out with all the fancy saws and a winch rope later most of the tree was on the move and then came along three Nissan Patrols with a chain saw. They soon helped to clear the track and so we let them head on up to the hill. I decided to join the two Toyota’s as I had all the gear and winch on the front to tackle the hill, while the others headed off around another track to watch us get to the top. It was now around 4.30pm and with the Toyotas already winching after a few bog holes, I thought this is going to take some time. So I decided to radio ahead and turn back to help them get to the top a little faster not having to worry about me. I found a place to turn and headed off back through the mud holes, fortunately not requiring to do a self recovery. I think it was a good call as it was now raining and getting dark. At the top, after a detour because of trees down, I meet up with the others and we headed off to watch the Toyotas come up the hill. With nearly 100 metres of wire rope out and some very hot electric winching they made it to the top.

That night at the Nurses home there was lots of talk about the day and more rum. Some getting to bed a 1am, a little late for me.

Time for home on Monday, a few battle scars, tired alternators, worn tyres, wet cloths and mud stains, we headed off via the back roads to Arthur’s Pass. A little disappointment that the snow was not falling and a play on the way home, but in all a really great weekend.

Thanks to those who organised the trip and the Victoria Forest Park for putting up with our tyre marks.