Mangaroa Station

Over Labour Weekend eight trucks full of club members headed out to the east coast Mangaroa Station. Just past Te Kaha, the station boasted 28000 acres of which only 2000 was in pasture. I think the majority of the remainder was on an angle of about 80 degrees from horizontal! Accomodation was the old homestead (with generator power) or camping, serenaded by peacocks, dogs, donkeys and cows.

The four wheel driving was marvellous, centered around many river crossings with spectacular hill climbs and patches of mud.

A grand weekend out with stunning weather and great company. Check out the photos.

The first of many crossings on the way into the station.

Just before grinding to a halt and having to back for another line.

A view of the station from the surrounding hills.

Heading up. . .

The right hand is actually stopping the water being sucked into the engine.

The line up.

Bit too much air Alan?

The hill that stopped the man.

The rescue. . .

. . . And the reason.

Porters Road/River Trip Weekend

The weekend started off at midday on Saturday when we gathered at Murray Gibson's. A ramp test had been organised and the boys were keen to try out their vehicles.


This was followed by the Club Meeting and then Murray took us all on a trip around his Kiwi Fruit Farm - very interesting and informative for those who are used to buying them already bagged in the supermarket. We were surprised by how big an operation it is and what a lot of work goes into growing such a little fruit.


Next it was off to Awakeri Hot pools - some managed to have a soak while others prepared a BBQ tea. It was then off to Porters Road for the night run - a great night out with plenty of tricky angles and challenges.

Marcel and his Defender - Winners of the ramp challenge.

The following day after we all gathered for a yummy cooked breakfast at Ohope (big thanks to the Chefs) we headed off to do a river run in the Ureweras.

A great day out, warm and sunny as well.

Murray's Gang at the hut at the end of our river run.

Thanks Murray for putting on such an awesome weekend.

Pureora Forest Trip

A group of Club members went on a recce to Pureora Forest - Led by one of our new Members - Peter. It looks like they had a blast. Check out all the pictures Peter took.

The line up outside the accommodation at the forest headquarters. Two blocks of bunkrooms with toilets and showers between them. Marvellous set-up and only one of the options for a future club trip.

Ben having a crack at a hill climb in one of the quarries we came across in the forest. This has been taken before a tree jumped out and ripped off the right hand side of the bull bar.

Just one of the stream crossings in the park. This one led to a couple of tracks that disappeared into the bush.

Ben has a lash at getting through the creek.

Many of the tracks were pumice and get washed out and rutted easily. This one had ten foot deep holes and gullies running beside and across it.

Peter finds one of the deep ruts. . .

. . . vehicle inspection pit anyone?

Up and out. Mars coming back from a look at more tracks. . .

Picture drawn by John

. . . as did Griff.

Mars and Ben on a bit of a rescue mission after Griff found a hole that he couldn't beat. . .

Griff should've realised this was all going to go pear shaped when the truck went down instead of forward when he hit the throttle. . .

. . . a tug backwards . . .

. . . followed by a yank . . .

. . . then finally free after a bit of winching.

Griff tests Newtons theories on an unsuspecting John at the centre of the north island.

Yes there are trolls in Pureora, though one appears to be a youngster flushed from it's lair.

Heritage Center - Gaydon

Another fantastic day was spent at the Heritage Center in Gaydon. It is amazing what you can get away with when your the President as the photos will show!


First vehicle we saw on our arrival was Hue - you should have seen the look on the boys faces.


They never dreamt that they would get to do this.


Eat your heart out LR enthusiasts (especially those that said it couldn't be done)!


Which one do you think we should take home Mum?


The First Lady thought this one could be her new car!


Colin drove this one years ago when he delivered it to the film set of Judge Dredd.