Goldrush

hi all,

We have been involved with Coromandel Goldrush Rally ever since its inception back in 2011.

This year we were to supply 8 b;ock marshals for SS1 nd SS2 (same route same direction) but early in the morning. This meant a likely early start for all of us.

THE PLAN - a good one so we thought!

Rather than having an out the gate time of about 4 am,Lex and I opted for a motel at Coromandel town but this would still mean an OTG of 6 a.m.

Dale and his team would stay at his place so a similar OTG.

Poko can dowm from Auckland on Friday and stay not too far away from Kennedy Bay.

Viv and Steve had the longest distance, coming up from Thames on Sat morning.

Because it is a rally NZ event I would like to catch up with some of the 'old gang' so Lex and I were going to the ceremonial start at Whitianga Friday night,

Dale was to collect our marshal packs during the day etc.

THE ACTUALITY - not so good.

Yep Dale collected the packs, and had his brothers stay at his place Friday night We went to the ceremonial start where I couldn't find anyone I wanted to so Lex and I had a meal then headed over the hill to Coromandel.

Poko rang and confirmed she had arrived.

Dale confirmed all was in order

Viv rang and Lex gave them full directions as to where and when, but realising it would still require an early start for them suggested they came up that night - we had spare beds - but they declined prefering to leave it till the morning.

An early night then for us, but OTG at 6 is still a bit of a shock to a grumpy 85 year old,

Although the stage start, where we were going to meet is only some 15 km away from Coromandel, I had learned the the road was regarded as 'the worst road on the Coromandel' this before even the stage itself!!!

So away we went (thanks Rodney) you kept us on track, but then Viv reported in sick.

BUGGER, 10 mins from our meeting pointand so now we are a full crew down. Dale reallocated the staff he had left and despatched us into the stage post haste.

This did not go well. Sure we found where we had to be but late, very late.

If the event was late starting it was indeed down to us.

We had about 10 locals so I was able to do a fair bit of PR work, and yes we had cell ph coverage - oh joy.

The locals explained that we were about halfway round the loop and for us about 50 - 60 mins whichever way we went back.

No doubt why we were so late getting there,

We opted to go back the way we had come, caught up with Dale, Poko etc, then I shouted Lex a ride on Driving Creek Railway. After that Whitianga again then Coroglen Tavern.

There was still a stage start but once more again I couldn't make any contacts.

So a good meal at the Tavern and home 5 ish. Yes - I needed a lie down.