TransAlpine 2014
​Greymouth

31st Oct - 2nd Nov 

Well another great Transalpine weekend with 48 members and 26 cars ranging from early classics to current models participating. Departing from the Clearwater Golf Resort for the West Coast, we travelled up through North Canterbury stopping off first at the Harwarden Hotel for a sumptuous morning tea. By then we had temporarily lost 2 of our members who were experiencing minor mechanical maladies who fortunately caught up with us later in the day.

The journey resumed travelling through Culverden, Lewis Pass, Springs Junction stopping again at Reefton for lunch and a panoramic group photo. We then travelled on to Greymouth where we checked in to our accommodation and later enjoyed a magnificent dinner at the Paroa Hotel. The weather on our trip varied alternately from sunshine to pouring rain causing us to get very practiced at raising and lowering our hoods.

On Saturday morning after roll call we drove the great driving road around the coast to Charlestone where the group was split into 2 to travel by bus and then by the miniature railway up the side of the Nile river to disembark and walk up the valley to the caves. There we enjoyed some unrivalled views of the native rainforest. One couple spent a questionable amount of time out of sight in one of the caves and another who spent at least 15 minutes looking for a ladies sign in the bush?? This was the site of early gold mining activity and some interesting canals dug by hand to supply water to the local township.

​Saturday night and we were back at the Paroa Hotel for another superb meal and prizegiving with many member misdemeanours coming out of the woodwork. A further misdemeanour occurred after the dinner with one couple locking themselves out of their unit! New members need to remember that you have had your year of grace and so we will be on watch for any indiscretions in 2015.

Sunday and those returning to Christchurch were busy packing their cars before we left the motel for the Tree Tops located just south of Hokitika. Walking this structure presented really spectacular views of the native forest and nearby Lake Mahinapua and was really worth visiting. Lunch followed after which those travelling home departed hoping to avoid the rain. The rest of the group staying on for Sunday night followed Bob and Anne Richards to the Rusty Relics in Hokitika to view their collection of impressive steam engines starting up and running. On Sunday evening the remaining group of 12 visited the Speights Ale House for dinner and a chat about the weekend.

On Monday morning we were invited to visit the engineering workshop where Bob works and following a tour of their vast array of equipment and foundry, and a long chat with owner Dave about his classic rally cars, we popped into Greymouth for morning tea and then departed for home. We journeyed back through Otira and Arthurs Pass where near the summit we encountered around 6 inches of snow on the ground and are proud to report that the Loti travelled up without any drama passing a number of vehicles stuck and unable to continue. Strong winds were encountered after descending through Porters Pass but we are pleased to report that everyone made it safely home.

So if you couldn’t join us this year, do try and make it in 2015. 
Janette McFedries