Trip Reports - Combined clubs weekend - 19th - 20th March 2022 Otago Anniversary weekend
The North Otago Club hosted a combined trip around the Fairlie area 19th - 20th March 22.
Day 1
Fortunately, contrary to forecasts, the weather held for us, although we had already chosen to shift Saturday’s trip to Sunday and vice-versa. So, on Saturday we headed to Albury, after a leisurely start, thanks to a change of time by the farmer.
25 trucks from North Otago, Central Otago and Southland clubs headed to Albury where we were joined by one other and headed into Ranui Station, off Nessing Road, a cattle and sheep station. Stephen and Russel lead the trip with one of our visiting members coming in behind as tail-end-charlie. It was great to see lush green pastures, obviously having had consistent moisture over the summer. Ian, the farmer, chatted to us re the 4 dog trial set ups for the next day, and how wallabies and pigs have been a pest over time, then guided us through a short patch of swampy land as to not cut it up too much. The Hunter Hills sit at 3600 ft and the ‘pass’ is covered in snow from May to November and would be impassable. 1000 acres had been signed over to DOC and no longer farmed. A New Zealand native Falcon soared overhead and gave a spectacular display of how noisey he could get!
We stopped for morning tea at the top of the hill looking back down the valley, continuing over very rocky although some parts were packed down, over the top of Mt Nessing, looking down into the top of the Haka Valley. The fog tried to come in again trying to threaten our views, but stayed away. Looking back from our lunch stop we saw it had come in again and gave us a chilly, overcast, place for lunch. I hope everyone took the time to read the poem on the well ventilated toilet wall. Very clever.
We continued being tossed around down the hill and onto the Hakataramea Pass Road to Haldane Road. There everyone was given the option of going into the Haldane Arm of Lake Benmore or continuing on to Tekapo and/or Fairlie, via the McKenzie Pass. Of course everyone was given a challenge…….. A steep incline was found and most took it and successfully climbed, albeit with plenty of revs. Most took the final option, arriving back into Fairlie in plenty of time to freshen up before a buffet dinner at the local pub. Thank you Russ, Stephen and Tail-end-charlie, another day of 4x4 driving to follow, Sunday.
Ron and Julie in the White Prado
Day 2 - Sunday 20th March
Day Two dawned cloudy but better than we had expected. After a short gathering at the now familiar Denmark St meeting place we moved off up the road to Burkes Pass and Tekapo. We had lost one or two but also gained some from yesterday so about 25 vehicles. Stephen and I again led the trip but used my Jeep instead of his Landrover.
Once we got to the turnoff at Lilybank Road we asked the team to wait at the corner while we checked in with the farmer at Mt Hay station, however on our return the guys had decided to ‘hide’ behind the trees and we thought we had lost them for a few minutes.
The track (similar to the one we did a year or so ago) leads off the road 3 or 4 km from the corner. Very dry ground and lots of rabbits until we reached the largest of several tarns dotted across the lower ground. After a smoko stop beside the Edward Stream we climbed to the trial section of pest proof fence, and a photo stop with views over Lake Tekapo.
Moving on up the stream bed, we climbed up to Phantom Lagoon, it was fine and sunny there and we weren’t in a hurry to move on. The farmer told us this spot was one of two or three where huts were to be located in the future.
From there it was back down the hill and across the farm to the house, out onto the road for a quick de-brief and thankyou’s. Some headed away from there and others went back to Fairlie for one more night.
Thanks everyone for participating, a great weekend. Southland to host next year.
Russ Thompson.
Tales Of The Clipboard Girl.
Friday night – meet & greet at the Top Pub, oh dear we didn’t let the pub know that we would be in for drinks and some wanting dinner, they only had 3 staff on and they were run off their feet, an hour wait for some to get a meal. The Southland group had booked out the pub accommodation so the pub was doing really well out of the weekend.
Saturday morning a cool start to the day, vehicles assembled in Denmark Street. Armed with said clipboard I took payment for the access to the farm for the days trip into Mt Nessing, $30per vehicle, I ticked each name off and dished out name tags, about 4 were no shows so we had 26 vehicles for the trip. Greg McFarlane led the convoy off to Albury where they were meeting Stephen Phillips, trip leader also Donald & Shirley Taylor.
I have been having issues with my back again so had decided to give the 4Wdriving a miss, so hopped on my e-bike and enjoyed riding around Fairlie and exploring the river track, 10kms accomplished.
Back from their day’s excursion everyone seemed to enjoy the day. Dinner at the pub. Sadly not enough room in the dining room for all of us and some participants had to eat in the bar area. Armed with the clipboard again I collected the money for the meal. The meal was buffet, 2 meats, roast vegetables, salad, vegetables, fish and fries. Then to follow cheesecake, fruit salad, brandy snaps & ice cream – not bad for $25. Armed once again I had to go around everyone and collect their $30per vehicle for the next days trip. They were all getting very familiar with the sight of me approaching with my clipboard and palm extended. 48 attended the meal.
Sunday, assembled again in Denmark street, 26 vehicles, they were heading to Tekapo to Mt Hay Station, the sky was a bit grey and the hills were clagged in, but hopefully it would clear and they would have awesome views of the Lake and Mt Cook. I waved them goodbye and walked back to the camp to again hop on my bike and explore the rest of the river track, 15kms this time. As a lot of the guests were travelling on after the end of the Tekapo trip there was a small group that turned up back at the camp at about 5 o’clock. Some went to a nearby restaurant for tea, then we gathered at Greg & Michelle McFarlane’s cabin for drinkies. So I retired the clipboard and had a nice glass of wine to celebrate the Combined ticked off till 2025. A job well done Russ & Steven, but maybe next time a sub-committee could run the trip – its a lot of work behind the scenes. Also a suggestion was made that perhaps the group of vehicles could be split into 2 and swapped over the 2 day’s – but that would involve 2 trip leader’s, food for thought.!
Clipboard Girl – Chris Thompson.
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