The helmet cam arrived from our Chinese friends in Hong Kong, and like most of the goodies bought from Hong Kong the helmet cam was incredible value for money. We spent the first week after it arrived wondering how the hell they can even make them for the price. Yesterday at the farm Rob was the subject of the helmet cam during its initial testing phase. The serious filming got underway today and Steve was only too happy to put on a special show to test the helmet cams capacity to capture a full on stack. [ ... ]

The second container was delivered to the farm today which will enable Steve to build a enclosed shed between the 2 containers. The result of the excavations combined with rain has left a bit of a mess. The container truck didnt get bogged this time, so that was a huge relief. The Super Duper 700cc Yamaha Grizzly Quad was also picked up today Steve has done great job of kitting out the container with a wood fire, new kitchen and doors and windows; making it very comfortable and making it look more an more like a [ ... ]

News flash ….. The “Trida jinx” strikes again. The Bronco shit the biscuit at the end of the road to the farm, which has provided Barb with a dream come true …… yet another opportunity to head back to Trida. Steve need to be picked up with the busted Bronco. “Oh What Joy” Barb was heard to say as she skipped and danced off toward the sunset. That will be 3 week ends in a row. Stay tunes for the next episode.

On Friday Daniel and Ross headed down the Honda dealer to grab some parts. They couldn’t leave without trying Daniel in some tiny mans body armour, which was very cool. Ross looked over a 50cc Honda kids bike and couldn’t help but compare the obvious differences in the super expensive Honda and the relatively dirt cheap 50cc Chinese quad. The Honda was tough and chunky looking with what appeared to be a motor twice the size as the same 50cc quad engine. Ross decided that being able to destroy 10 chinese quads for the same price as one [ ... ]

We bought Poo Poo Head a tiny weeny mini quad bike (Super Mario cart) for the farm.   At $200 no-one can fathom how a brand new, complete quad bike with twin front disc brakes and full suspension is even possible. The quad came in a cardboard and had to be assembled to a small degree.   It started easily and runs very well.   The 49cc pull start 2 stroke motor is about the size of the mid sized chainsaw, and it sound just like a screaming chainsaw … it’s loud and very very annoying (unless it’s yours of course, [ ... ]

After much deliberation over many months, Steve’s insulated 40ft, high cube container arrived at the factory to be filled with stuff.   It was dropped at the factory to be packed ready for the trip to it’s final destination, as the Cripple Creek Imperial Hotel and International 5 star Resort.  The container was packed with anything and everything that could or might come in handy ie some wooden gates. The actual use of 2 x 6ft wooden gates on 80 acres wasn’t exactly obvious at first, but who can know what will be handy and what wont. The Coynes [ ... ]

The first bike was found by Ross; a 2001 Honda XR250r1 …….. in Sale. Not only for sale, but in Sale; coincidence, who knows but a long and risky venture to travel all the way to Sale to view a second hand motor bike. The bait was that the bike was very keenly priced and came with helmet, boots, body armour, gloves … and a 3 bike trailer. The risk paid off. The bike was in pretty reasonable condition for the farm, started easily, blew no smoke, and made no no scary noises. [ ... ]

After a string of Trida disasters, we tempted fate once again and organised another attempt to negotiate a catastrophe free weekend at Radiator Springs, and hopefully rid the jinx cloud hanging over it’s head.   Will the Curse of Cripple Creek claim more victims (actually the same victim’s repeatedly over and over and over) Steve, George and Ross headed up on Friday morning, Ross towing the Taj Panda; George and Steve in the Bronco.   Barb, Grace and Poo Poo Head were to come up on Saturday.   Everything was set for a weekend of fun …….. or fear !!! The Taj [ ... ]

For the Patrols last trip we went down to the Trida property to meet with the Plantation Timber Company and discuss and organise the upcoming logging activities. Machinery access is the primary concern along with the required processing areas. Unfortunately the weather closed in and it rained all night. It had been nice and clear and mild when we arrived Friday afternoon, but when the weather closed in late late during the evening, it made the place like a bog hole. Prior to the tree felling, the property will require some minor roadworks which should [ ... ]

This is my first trip to Steve’s farm property in Trida. I nick named the farm Radiator Springs from the Pixar Cars movie. We planned an impromptu last minute jaunt up to the property to check the boundaries positions as best we could prior settlement; hoping we could get some measurements that were close enough to avoid a expensive surveyor. Armed with precious little actual knowledge, a few hours internet research, a couple of GPS units, some Titles Office co-ordinates and a couple of “permanent marker” co-ordinates we set off into hillbilly country. After convincing Steve I can use a perfectly [ ... ]