Friday 12th October

Up and out to the car early. Drove over and picked up Helmut and sandals.  Had lotsa food to load plus baggage for the trip.  We then drove off and got to the meeting point outside of Cookietime at exactly 7.30am.  Alistair and Nico were already waiting.  Then Bugs, Dozer and The Cook arrived.  They were followed By Tinkerbell, Silverfox and The Goat.  Finally Phatboy arrived with Nelsie, Twopot and Mellonfarmer.  The biggest posse for a trip ever. We drove off in convoy stopping briefly in Geraldine before turning off to Raincliff for a ride.  This track is still knew and was somewhat wet and boggy in places.  May get better one day but not today.  We then headed on.  Most thought we would stop but as the lead car had lotsa food we did not stop until Wanaka Beerworks.  Had a quick tasting, got some beers and over the Crown Range to Queenstown where we had some very good accommadation.  It was wet so no riding.