Over the previous few days, Jonathan had been hunting around the Project Rameka property for the original Rameka Track bench and finally felt that he’d found the first few hundred metres of it. This track is about 1-metre wide, and must be over a hundred years old. The gradient is perfect for a two-way mountain biking track, so we decided to clear it on the open day.

Several Nelson riders biked over the Rameka to help locals and Wellington cyclists. A big thanks to Peter, Kalvin, Simon, Greg, Andrew, Garry, Dean, Dylan, Barbara, Patrick, Ricky, Corina, Seamus, Murray, and Stu. About 300 metres was cleared and 200 metres also re-benched. It’s looking great.

This photo shows work being done on the historic Rameka Track. The Rameka Road can been seen down on the left. The recently bulldozed track on the right leads up to the Lorax Lair.

After the old track enters the pines, it follows a farm track for 150 metres to a water trough, then disappears. New track will have to be designed from there. We will email everyone before the next work party.

The day ended with saussies and hash browns around a log fire and nicely rounded off with lots of shaggy-dog jokes. Special thanks to Karyn for “How many ears does Davy Crocket have?” Any guesses? You’ll kick yourselves when you hear the answer …

Thursday was a big day for Project Rameka. A public meeting was held at the Wholemeal Cafe in Takaka to get a sense of the local community’s support for the project and to form an incorporated society – that’s just a long name for a club that is officially recognised, and the clubs aims are publically stated. Making the aims of a club public makes it possible for people to get involved and for the club to apply for grants to achieve the shared goals of recreation and restoration.

In the morning, Jonathan was interviewed by local radio and newspaper. You can check out the Nelson Mail article here: http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelsonmail/4509283a6510.html

In the evening over 40 people helped form the Project Rameka Incorporated Society. The range of talents among the founding members is brilliant. About half are from Golden Bay, and the rest are mostly from Wellington and Christchurch. There are botanists, hunters, tree planters, and mountain bikers on board.

After heavy rain overnight, the skies clear once more, and it’s time to heave-ho the Funky Shack up to its new home. We debate cajoling 50-odd cyclists to hitch up their bikes and pedal like crazy, but in the end, using donations from Llyn and Judith Richards, Kate Ford, and Karyn Burgess, we opt to pay $500 for another form of horsepower to do the work.

Dave Marsh has arranged with Jason the farmer to haul the shack up the hill behind his tractor.

Jason is a man of few words, but he does let slip that if the farm track had been 10 metres longer at the steep slippery crux, we wouldn’t have had a hut at the site we had chosen. We take that to mean it was a touch-and-go situation.

While Dave is sorting out the logistics of downloading a 2-tonne hut from the tractor’s trailer, the rest of us set about titivating the site. A couple more trees need to come down so that the Funky Shack will have a primo view of the Bay.

Greg Thurlow starts digging out and then laying the foundations for a loverly fireplace.

Albie and Fill Burgers arrive with a much appreciated pot of hot soup and fresh bread.

The water supply is set up with a sink underneath it, and logs are arranged artistically and usefully around the fireplace.