(Last Sunday Shiney Social Saunter)

I pulled up Robin & Denise's driveway about 9.15 to find a number of trucks had already arrived. My co-pilot for the day (Val) was already there eager to get going. 9.30 came around and 11 trucks head out the gate up Napier Road, heading out to Tuki Tuki Road and along Waimarama Road before heading into Maraetotora Road. The long windy road had Dave & Anns granddaughter a little travel sick, so a short stop for them before we headed into Anawai Station (Anawai meaning 'underground water/tomo'). A meander across this farm and at one point looking across to a line up of Mt. Erin, Te. Mata Peak and Kahuranaki. We stopped off in one paddock but the thundering hooves of a herd of mating, frisky deer dashing around the paddock had us high-tailing it out of there. After a while we headed off the Station and on to Kahuranaki Road before heading onto Elsthorpe Road to Mangarara Station. Farm owners Greg & Rachel Hart have  had a grant from Air New Zealand for a 'Carbon Credits Scheme' and have planted 90,000 trees over the last three years. Eventually they wish to open up part of the farm to the public. Greg led us down to Horseshoe Lake and gave us a bit of a chat about the property before we had lunch overlooking the lake. A couple of the young ones with us had a 'skinny dip' before we headed off again across the farm. We headed up to the top of the range where we had more awesome views across the countryside, then headed back down, across the bridge and hey, theres the Patangata pub......... stop ......... Robin ....... stop!!! I have heard so much about this pub I wanted to stop and have a look, oh... and a drink - along with everyone else. But time was getting on so unfortunately all I can say now is 'I've past the Patangata pub....... but not been to the Patangata pub......' A long drive along Middle Road before we turn in Blind Road where we are going to head to the Tukituki River. Some time was spent travelling along the river flats towards the river. Robin takes the 'school bus' down but unfortunately the river bed is too soft and we are unable to find a good point to cross over. As it is now getting late into the afternoon we decide to 'ditch' the river crossing today, so its back across the river flats (Val driving now and leading us out). Out onto Blind Road and from here the group just seemed to disperse. Val continued to drive back to Robin & Denise's to collect her car.

Thanks Robin and Denise. Another great 'Streeter' run. Looking forward to the next one :)

Jan