Click here for TRSC Homege - Roadie to Nelson

Two days of panic trying to get my boats ready and packed into the Hi Ace after the Tauranga Champs. (I thought i had 9 days, not just 2 days to get ready)

Wednesday morning on the 7th I hit the Road heading for Wellington.

No heater in the Van so more and more clothes where required as i passed through Taupo and Turangi, i recon below freezing

From Turangi to Wairuru it rained and was total whiteout for an hour in the bendy bits of the desert road

Then the sun finally appeared on the other side of the mountains and back to shorts and tee shirt from Wairuru onward.

I could see Nelson along the coast road, beautiful blue sky clear day down here in Wellington looking south.

Still setting up van so off to Bunnings Petone on the bike for some camp ground electrical leads supplies,

My nest is now ready for night one away at the Petone Hut Park Motor Camp...

Ferry Terminal 7am tomorrow. (leaving 5am to try and miss the Petone morning traffic jam)

Thursday 8th Awoke crazy early, worried about sleeping in, traffic jams and missing the ferry.

Cruised down to the inter islander to discover i had booked on blue bridge ride, Damm. Something different.. and at a different wharf. Oops, Another panic...

The ferry was 40 minutes late so there was really not reason to worry.

My Van master clutch cylinder has all but given up. Getting going in 1st gear is very difficult. I hope it holds out three more weeks ?

Lunchtime the ferry got into Picton and then another 140km across to Nelson.

3pm I Booked in at the Nelson Top Ten, then i went for a ride around town.

Nelson Town has more hills than i though i would encounter on my bike..

Shop hours are different with a lot closing between 2pm to 3pm in the afternoon.

Some steep walking tracks to the east and flat lands to the West to bike.

I will hit the trails all day tomorrow weather permitting.

Saturday official Best Island Lake opening in the morning

and then some IOM racing starts lunchtime onwards.

Saturday forecast below

Thursday 9th nothing planned today. 2nd night in van and got things sorted. Solid 9 hours sleep last night. Temperature fresh but not too cold here, what to do today? Weather not looking good from Lunch time Saturday. The weather will probably start going down hill Saturday afternoon and Sunday looks like C Rig and Rain. So better make the most of the fine weather today, Before digging out my wet weather setups when i get back this arvo (Hopefully these south island guys are tough and do not cancel any racing due to a bit of moisture in the air ...) Sunday forecast below

I biked out to Best Island this morning for reckie.

In a very short time the Nelson Crew have done a fantastic job with this area and have secured a long lease so it looks like there here to stay.

They say one week ago it did not look as good as this. Big shout out to all there sponsors who have contributed bit and pieces to make this happen :)

Here is a sneaky look at the place before official opening tomorrow morning...

Saturday 10th. I woke 3am to Rain on the roof of van... Just looked at update Weather maps, It does not look good for next 48 hours ;(

8am Packed up campsite and headed out to the Lake. Glassy calm and Drizzle. (better than heavy rain :)

11am and the town officials turned up for the opening speeches and the cutting of the ribbon. Nice job by everyone.

Just after 12 the racing started off the point in a light breeze. Starts were exciting with boats charging in from the windward side. With a long starboard board and short port board the starts where everything. As we clocked up the races and i started to get an idea on what was about to happen. For a while we had enough wind to start powering up, but 80% of racing was light and trying to keep them moving.

Racing finished 3pm and most stayed around for two hours talking sailing stuff.

Guess it is Time to check the weather forecast for tomorrow and see if it is still looks extreme, then beddy time...