The Dark Side
Just a few thoughts from one who did the night leg of the Round the Mountain relay. Another highly entertaining club outing, with I think a placing of 2nd home in the walking event, well done us. For a change it was myself and not my son who was heading out at 11.30pm for a night not on the tiles but on the road. With Tanya in the driving seat, Lorraine and I settled in for the all important task of giving encouragement to people we knew out walking. By the time we got to Midhirst I was enjoying myself so much I actually forget that this was the leg I was walking. Managed to get my lights on and working and be at the changeover for Wacky as he came roaring in, I’m sure he was going faster than the allowed speed limit. Speaking of lights I had a major problem locating them in Serena’s car, which I was meant to be driving for her. Finally after having just about everything else going on and off and with some help from Wacky I had them sorted, that just left remembering the windscreen wipers and the indicators were opposite to my car. It was a beautiful night for walking, very mild and I was soon regretting leaving my thermal on, seemed odd to be working up such a glow (men perspire) during a night time event. Wacky had managed to get his shirt very damp and as he was walking again later, Tanya and I took it upon ourselves to be the washer women. Unfortunately despite our best efforts of Tanya driving very fast while I held the shirt out the window, hanging on to it very carefully, followed by nearly overheating the hand dryer at one lot of hall toilets we didn’t really get it much drier, sorry Dave.
I really enjoyed my leg and all too soon the bright lights of Stratford were beckoning, though as most of us found out when you see lights at night they can often be a lot further away than they seem. The weather stayed kind to us and it wasn’t till we’d turned inland and were heading towards Opunake that the wind seemed to increase and the temperature drop. Was rather magical to have the day gradually becoming brighter then finally being able to see Eggie standing proud in the Taranaki countryside. Somwhere along the way we were joined by Tony and Arthur and had to farewell Helen, Wacky and Serena. After Brian’s geographical mixups at the recent committee meeting it was a relief to see him safely arrive in Oanui and not be waiting round the coast at Omata.
Thank you everyone for another fun filled club outing, these events don’t just happen, so to Tony who had to try and match up a big bunch of us and our needs, wants and abilities, with the various legs available your efforts are appreciated. Likewise the great bunch of club members who cheerfully man the changeover at Omata earning the club valuable funds to put towards the entry fees. Sunburn to contend with the previous year and rising damp this year. Hope you’ve all survived your big day out. I’m presuming that Eric was responsible for getting the tent out to the changeover and helping out in general there, before doing his superman changeover to become the walking man, glad you had a couple of short legs with gentle undulating hills to contend with. Guess your biggest concern was what condition would you get your van back in after entrusting Lorraine with the keys? Well rest assured with me in the co pilot’s seat and Lorraine driving, we had this manual gear box thing sussed, well eventually, clutch, clutch,CLUTCH, change gear, oops not quite that one, oh that’ll do for now, interesting noise this van makes, we’ll just turn the radio up so we can’t hear it. Seriously thanks for your input over and beyond the call of duty. Fellow relay team members, thanks for your walking efforts and support out there and if anyone is considering doing an all nighter next year, GO FOR IT.
