Brass Monkey Weekend Minginui 2013

Early June saw a few hardy souls brave the cold of Minginui for this years Brass Monkey Weekend.

Young Daniel had a spot of bother with a wee axle break.  Perhaps a comment made in jest resulted in a novel way of retrieving the broken piece of axle. . .

Step 1: Tip truck over using winch and fish around with a magnet until broken bit falls out.

Step 2: Fit new axle and top up with recycled diff oil.

Step 3: Do up drive flange and replace truck on level ground.

Job done!

The new club bar. . .

Easter in Northland

The Kaitaia Club and the weather looked after us very well on our our trip through Poutu and up the west coast to the top o' the north.  Here are a few photos of the trip. . .

Poutu Lighthouse

Parked at the bottom of the dunes by Poutu lighthouse.

Daniel bombing the beach with his Mum

Lunch stop near Tane Mahuta.

Allan, Leah and Jade on their solo crossing of the  Hokianga Harbour when they got left behind.

Camping in the wild at Herekino.

Horses in the night wandered through the camp and didn't touch a single guy rope or tent.

Planking.

Daniel rocking the snowboard in the dunes.

Trying to keep up with the quads on the dunes: Yeah - Nah!

Al taking his turn from the top of the bluffs.

The Parrs coming off the bluffs.

Ian screaming up the dunes towards the Erewhon Trail.

Looking over the gumfields from the Crunchie Trail.

Traffic jam on the Crunchie Trail.

Lunch at the top of the dunes after coming down the Crunchie Trail.

The only rain we had was brief and while we were at Waipapakauri.  All cosy and dry.

Rush hour on 90 mile beach.

The Cape.

Daniel, Vinnie the chick magnet, and far too many girls than is healthy.

Easter egg hunt in the sand.  Don't dig too hard or you'll put your finger through the chocolate, . . oh you already have?  Mmmm gritty.

We came across this seal bang in the middle of where all the buses and cars were screaming up and down 90 mile beach. He looked a bit dried out and we decided to get him back into the water before he got skittled.

Operation Seal Rescue in full swing.

No matter how hard we tried, the seal just wasn't interested in playing skipping games. . . 

Beach transport; Kaitaia style.

Humber 'Pig' armoured personnel carrier in Kawakawa.

42nd Traverse January 2013

The 42nd is always a good drive and when the weather is hot and clear and there's not too many others using the track it's just about perfick.  A few of us spent a stunning anniversary weekend exploring, re-exploring and camping in the central north island. . .

When lawn mowing gets a boost. . .

V8 Lawn Mower

Minginui January 2013

During a lull in the track clearing an attempt had to be made at the hill on the loop track.

After a couple of tries Griff handed over to Mars.  And with a "Do you want a ride so you can see what the top looks like?" he took off. . .

. . . still not sure what the top looks like.

Yes that is mud being spat at the camera.

Below: Returning from the far end of High Skid.

Historic 4X4 Vehicle Day

 Recently Trev and I took the '53 to a Historic 4x4 Vehicle Day at Ramarama. It was organised by Tony Burgess and the Manukau 4x4 Club. 

We met up with guys from the Auckland LR Club in their assorted old landies, Graham Martin in his '49, and others from various clubs. 

The morning was entertaining with a tricky gymkhana event, Graham winning a handy trouble lamp for zero points lost. The afternoon was spent driving farm tracks finishing with a bqq. 

It was really good to see the old vehicles out doing what they were designed to do, not just 'show and shine'. We are all looking forward to going again next year. 

Cheers Trevor/Jan 

Could be back in the 50s.  This captures the essence of the day.

Evidently the 107s are now the most sought after of the really old series.

So cool you could keep a side of beef on it.

Oh, a new one.

Oops.

A well earned rest.

Heading back for BBQ.

Compulsory climb to take in views.

Always time for a chat.

Lucky something non-historical was there to help out.

Takes all sorts.

Farm trek.