Marton to Whanganui Relay 2010
Another very entertaining day out with fellow club members with a bit of walking thrown in. Having woken to a fine day in Marton we made our way to the start where Michael Lane joined us having driven up from Wellington, your effort is appreciated and I hope you weren’t too weary to enjoy the celebrations you had to leave us for. Unfortunately in the excitement of the start and being entrusted with the keys to Michael’s car, camp mother (me) forgot to start her watch on time, but being the clever woman I am started it 5 minutes late so that was relatively easy to add on at the end of the day. Our three teams got off to a strong start with Vanessa and Michael both doing legs 1 and 2 with Lorraine starting and handing over to Tanya for leg 2. There was a warning regarding dive bombing magpies but our people all emerged unscathed, even the magpies know better than to mess with people from the Naki. I’m sure I passed on the message regarding being mindful of where one parked due to the soft, boggy ground but sometimes people just like to find these things out for themselves.
It’s always very pleasing and a big relief to catch up with rest of the teams at leg 3 change over, especially for those who have walked legs one and two. Lovely to see some new faces amongst us as well as the good old faithfuls. Wee moment of anguish for Harry when he had to entrust his son and his car to me whilst he joined the mainly manly team in Mike’s mobile (auto not phone). Both were returned with no physical and I don’t think much mental damage done. Vanessa was the only woman in their team but we had great faith in her ability to keep them under control, thanks Nessie, sorry it took such a toll on your bodily functions. Passed Wacky doing leg 3 and either he had hippy hippy shake playing or he’s been going to Zumba classes, most impressive hip movements.
Now you don’t get to my age without learning a thing or two, the tricky part is remembering what you’ve learnt. Us older and wiser heads knew that Renee was more than capable of walking longer legs than 5kms so we deliberately pretended not to know how far she had walked and therefore missed having Alex at the change over point so that she could not only walk further but take on some tricky terrain. Both of which she did magnificently and we do sincerely thank you for the extra effort and hope you’re not too sore today. Look forward to seeing you back next year and I’m sure that whoever gets to make up the teams will show you no mercy. There is now a group of woman who have no faith whatsoever in GPS devices.
A new comer to our day had a bit of a rude introduction with not only having to contend with the smelly longdrop, but also a very inexplicable, sudden, isolated downpour of stones on the roof of the toilet. I’m sure your revenge will be sweet.
Team 1 quickly powered away but teams 2 and 3 were in close contact throughout the whole day with plenty of support and encouragement given. Once again a superb effort was put in by everyone and we all made it safely to the finish, having admired the views, lambs, calves and spring flowers along the way. The strong Taranaki turnout was commented on as well as how good we look in our jackets and we can now lay claim to having a “pretty walker” in our midst.
To the finish, and a battle to the end it was between Scottish harriers and us. Wacky’s hippy hippy shakes were now in need of a hip replacement and although passed by Peter Baylis he grimly hung on to keep our team in the running, with his last gasp he handed over to Terminator Terwiel and the last leg commenced. With a look of steely determination in his eyes, Harry hurriedly hunted down the opposition and overtook them in the final few metres to give us the win. Meanwhile although starting the last leg with a healthy lead, Sheryn had her own Terminator to deal with, Tanya was out there and she could smell the coffee at the finish line. Even though Tanya was now onto her third leg of the day she powered home, making great inroads into Sheryn’s lead but couldn’t catch up with her.
A very weary but satisfied bunch sat down to a well deserved picnic in the hall before making our way home. Stories were told but camp mother’s lips are sealed, I won’t be mentioning Renee’s wet chair. Thank you again to everyone for a brilliant day out.
Camp mother
PS: this report may not necessarily contain only factual material.
PPS: Due to the TRWC number 1 team not having enough members in the team (and as a result of a written protest from the team that finished second), they have been relgated to 4th with the annotation on the results that they were the first team across the line
