A hilarious night in Takaka where the All Wallies, Bash teams and the locals were entertained by stand up comedians Ewan Gilmour and Pauly T at the Junction Hotel. The beers (and Baileys) flowed freely and the ribs ached from laughing so it was a weary crew that headed off to Havelock. Marbles, Ralph and Stetler tried to replace Insomniac in the car with “Tools” from the Naki Boyz but after a short interlude, where Insomniaic missed out on Breaky, normal transmission was resumed.
It was a very picturesque drive around the coast and the Mussel laden lunch in Havelock was well received. It was then a short drive to a fun stop where teams tried to see how many people they could get into one T shirt. (The record was 10)
Then it was a quick run around to Picton where all the vehicles lined up for parade through the main street. After this it was off to Blenheim for dinner tonight at the Brancott (Montana) Winery before catching the Ferry tomorrow (another sore head probably in store).

Another successful trip. Having breakfast at Hamner Primary School, then on-tour to the first stop at Reefton, well we didn’t quite make that, funstop by the Naki Boyz delayed us for an hour or so, most enjoyable though! Onwards we travel through the Lewis Pass, getting to Reefton around 11:30am. Into “court” for the first sitting of the day, where a lady was sentenced to marriage to Budgie, which will take place Day 3 somewhere! Onwards to Westport, where we had a feed of whitebait fritters and rattled the bucket in the Main Street. Thank you Westport, your generosity was outstanding.

Quick stop at Murchison for a cold pint, and into Lake Rotoroa where the mossies where hungry for a feed! Finally ariving in Nelson at 7pm, it was a big day of driving, especially when at stages all three were asleep in the car!

After a fantastic night, where Stetler rode a horse to “dead last”, which we all predicted! Photo of the lovely Stetler below!

We spent the morning in the Square in Christchurch, where the water fight between Bash Brigade and the Cantabury Fire Service was well won by the Bash Boy’s, well that’s our theory….. Insomniac drove well through a bit of dirt and dust, we are now in Hamner Springs ready for the pool party tonight. Meoww Ralph…. keep up……

We have started, breakfast at Lyttelton, (the yellow CROC’s draw much attention!), lunch back in Christchurch and then the formal part of registration at the Addington Raceway. Stetler goes abord a “sulky” this evening to complete a lap of the Addington Raceway. We have a bet he will be last! A couple under the belt and we return to the start reception tonight. Car is all good, loaded and ready to rock for the big water fight tomorrow morning at the Cathedral in Christchurch. Watch this space for the update in the morning.

Marbles and Insomniac arrived in fine form in Christchurch, Stetler and Ralph made good time after a Crayfish and Paua burger on the Kaikura coast. The night proved as expected with arrival at the motel in the early hours of the morning.

The Aussies are now well deep in the North Island on thier trip to Christchurch awaiting the arrival of the Kiwi contingent, and apart from “Kiwi Cop’s” luckily having a sense of humor, they have travelled safe. Apparently all the folks of Levin are now well aware of what “squirters” on a Bash Car are capable of! Sorry to those folks that thought the drought had broken….. it was just Ralph and Stetler passing through!

Tonight they will arrive in Spring Creek (just North of Blenhiem), and hopefully be in Christchurch by early afternoon Friday where Marbles and Insomniac will join the team to form “The All Wallies”.

Watch this space for a team photo once all are together.

Well here we go, Ralph Malph and Stetler are now in New Zealand, couple under their belt and they’re off to Taupo for tonight. Ferry tomorrow afternoon to get the Bash Car to the South Island. Good luck team!