EXCEED AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 EXCEED AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 | Page 17

TRIP REPORT
Almost Beginners
Daylesford to Castlemaine
Sunday 16th July 2017
Particpants
Laurie & Chris Finlay, Trip Leaders
Matt & Beck Finlay, Charlton and
Lilah
Jacky Law & Kenn Cheong
James & Jo Cooke, Lucy and Charlie
Ron Ritchie & Brian Ritchie
Edwin & Judy Poynton
Gordon Wood & Robin Carbery
Member Number
267
1828 Vehicle Details
Ford Ranger Ute
Nissan Navara Ute
1843 + temporary member T1448
1855
1852 + temporary member T1452
1541
1692 & 1646 Pajero
Pajero Sport
Pajero Sport
Pajero
Pajero
Ian & Maryann Street, Tail End 446
Charlie
Mazda BT 50 Ute
It was great to see this trip come up, and as new members, we were looking forward to seeing what being part of the club
was all about.
On a fresh morning, the meeting point was the Daylesford Information Centre, and after coffees had been grabbed, tyres
had been let down and introductions were made, we had a great briefing from Laurie and set off.
The route was to follow Robert & Muriel Pepper’s “4WD Treks Close To Melbourne” book, on their Golden Way route
between Daylesford and Castlemaine, about 75km. On his reccie, Laurie had spotted that some of the notes didn’t
translate on to the map – we have the same book, so good to know for the future.
The route took in various tracks through the Hepburn Regional Park, Dry Diggings State Park, Upper Loddon State Park
& the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park. There was a bit of mud around, a couple of steep sections, and my
wee boy Charlie was just happy we got a couple of creek crossings along the way! Whilst not too testing, it was clear why
the training the club runs is invaluable.
The route offered some great scenery, with a few interesting relics and ruins along the way, as well as the obligatory Roo
or two darting across the tracks. All helped along with some good chat and banter over the radio, including some very
professional input from young Charlton riding up front…clearly a chip off the old block!
Laurie had picked out a great spot for lunch, where the kids and our four legged member could get out and explore
around the creek and up the hill, before we carried on to Castlemaine to wrap up the trip.
For us, it was a great introduction to a club trip – great scenery, family friendly and relaxed. We’re looking forward to
getting out on some more trips, to build up the skills and get on to some more of the adventurous outings. Thanks to
Laurie and Chris, and our tail end Charlies Ian and Maryann, who kept us right along the way, and all the other trip
members who made it a great day out.
James Cooke
1855
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Vol 34 No. 6 Aug/Sept 2017