I trust this finds you keeping warm and well in this cold snap.  I must say I find it difficult to get excited about winter on days like this.  Anyway I see the daffodils are getting brave enough to start popping up so spring can’t be too far away. 

Since the Trek we have relocated to the outskirts of Raglan to be in the zone for planning Stage 4.  I ran a horse ride back in 1998 from Raglan to Kawhia and back for around 300 riders so it’s nice to be back.  It was a memorable event as it had my youngest participant at 18 months old who rode on a mini saddle attached to her Dad’s saddle and at the other end of the spectrum was an 83 year old rider with one leg making the journey. 

Last week I got to see the much anticipated DVD of the Trek.  I would like to thank Phil Johnson and his team for once again capturing the trek on camera and thus preserving the event for everyone.  From close to 30 hours of footage he has had the unenviable task of putting everything together.  If you haven’t got a copy check out www.chaosenginex.com to make an order.  The photos taken by Aimee can be viewed and ordered from www.greatnewzealandtrek.com . 

The last time I touched base with the people from the Multiple Sclerosis Society we were close to raising $20,000 for MS Research.  Thank you very much to everybody who has helped out.  Also a big thanks to all the crew, suppliers and landholders for making it all possible once again and of course thanks to you for participating!

After some talk we have decided to form a charitable trust for the Trek.  This will give us the option to seek funding from pubs lotteries and other government funds to help cover the costs.  With everything on the rise we are determined to keep the entry fee the same as this year.  So it’s onward and upward or should I say downward for stage 4 from Port Waikato to Kawhia(ish). 

In the meantime I have a new film project starting later this year based in Wellington.  In addition to some horses I have a list of animals to assemble including a handful of camels.  Unfortunately the last one in NZ passed away 2 or 3 years ago so for the time being I’m working on camel passports & work visas.  Nothing is straightforward!  Perhaps in the future we can add camel hire to the trek….hmmn.  

Best Regards,

Steve Old