First big thanks must go to everyone who tool pictures and
sent them in, Much appreciated.
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As usual everyone made a special effort to look their best for the scrutineering at UWI South Gate.
and then it was off to the Blanchachaise Road where we missed the turning off the road due to the incredible speed at which the bush grows over unused trails in the tropics. But we found our landmark, the cocoa shed and it was all down hill (figuratively speaking).
The pictures that follow aren't necessarily in order but they capture the spirit of the day.
First up are some shots of a certain Daihatsu getting stuck and recovered which have prompted a literary outpouring in several languages including Latin!
Even the mighty Toyota (Raffick seen here saying don't worry).....
soon decide to leave the path well travelled.
Lots of the guys made it to the turn round point without mishap including Tony
While Hercules was initially selected by the Event Manager to lead ....
she had her fair share of "stucks" as well.
Luckily all the jeeps were well prepared.......
for Verdant Vale has "real bush" as these shots show (check out the Toyota exhaust)
Shiv showed us all how to apply "plenty power boy", so much so if you look closely at the picture below the front left wheel seems to be literally coming out from under the vehicle!!
Of course it wasn't long before our way was blocked by some
fallen trees. As usual Gaufh was a star in the tree chopping dept but Raffick
wasn't far behind.
(Check the speed blur from Raffick's cutlass!!)
With the tree on the ground Shiv pulled it out of the way and then the gang rolled it over the edge. (of course it was the 80 lbs of the Mighty Sally that made all the difference!!)
But then the trail came to an end as there were more fallen trees ahead. Not before Shiv had powered his way up what looks like a little slope but is really quite steep. (Gaufh seen here trying it out only to stick before the first bend)
Now all runs have their lighter moments. One of our guest was a young man called Ben who was on a round the world trip. He is actually a born Trinidadian as his father was doing missionary work here 25 years ago (...and it seems they had no TV in the evenings !!)
At one point Ben volunteered to climb up and cut through one end of the tree show above. Suddenly a certain member (calling no names Sunita) climbed up next to Ben and tried to "catch his attention"(See pic at left). Then when she realised there was a camera man watching she immediately grabbed the bow saw from Ben and started sawing away!!
Then we had the mystery sticker on one vehicle...........and a certain young lady showing how a true Trini stands whilst saying "bounce me nah"
The scenery in Verdant Vale is truly beautiful and its amazing the different wild life you see in the rock pools. (How come no one told me there was a mermaid!!)
But all good days come to an end and here a tired but happy bunch of off-roaders take a well earned drink
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