Ross organized another superb trip around the countryside of Whangamomona. This is the 10th or so trip organized in this area. With so much sun having baked the countryside for the last few months, there was loads of fine talcum powder like dust. Apparently a great Saturday night with lots of "fireside" banter. Jeff had a small heart palpation when driving the „cruiser down a steep "V" shaped track. Jeff explains that with hindsight, it would have been prudent to park the truck and go for a wonder down the track. He didn‟t and as the truck eased over the edge and made its way down the track it became concerting to think that maybe extraction backwards up the track might be quite difficult. We saw Jeff at the meeting; so all things must have worked out well.

For a change we had a bit of sunshine to brighten up our day!

Once the convoy negotiated the road works on Waterfall Hill they rendezvoused with Ayaka and myself at the top of our road a bit behind schedule. We wandered down to Whangamomona through a parched countryside with the usual stops and photo opps.

We unloaded at the sports grounds and loaded up to set off on the Old Whangamomona Road.

Through hand dug tunnels and rutted dry papa tracks we trecked.

The fine talcum powder like dust was relentless even in a covered vehicle. Jeff and the kids in his vehicle were well prepared with sunscreen generously applied to their faces and exposed skin only for the dust to adhere to their skin, making them look like they used a poorly applied fake tan!

The clear skies made the view from the trig look spectacular.

Back to camp for the evening meal that was washed down with a few bevies and copious amounts of bull-shit.

We rose to a cool misty morning that soon heated up to familiar dusty trails.

This year we made it all the way down to the Tangarakau River. This is only the second time that we have made it in the nine years that Ross has lead this run.

Getting down was the easy bit but getting up was a little more challenging. We all made it and breathed a sigh of relief in doing so as even a breakdown would have been a major salvage job.

The track out has been well maintained although dusty making it necessary to wash the dust out of ones mouth at the Whangamomona Hotel.

Thanks Ross and the people at Aotuhia for another magic trip.