I have had some beauty sleep and feeling sort of awake. Now for the things I can remember.
Arriving at the camp site the ‘ girls ‘ decided that we should pitch the tents in the gully. After a brief explanation about gravity and water, sun and shade, we erected the ‘ palace ‘ on the flat close to the fire-ring and tap. Set up the kitchen ( how many stoves / bbq;s did we have ? )
All up in no time thanks to thedeckie and crew. Lunch consisted of fresh buns and a cooked chook we grabbed at Woodford on the way through. Time to hit the roads. I left my ‘ dirty weekends ‘ book at camp with some visitors ( Kimbras sister and bro-in-law ) as they were maybe going to hit the lookout, but not straight away as they only had a ‘ softroader ‘.
‘A’ Break was good so far as steep stuff and views, then came the Hill. Ok, for those with diff locks it probably is nothing, but there is a gap in between two trees that we’ll say is narrow. I hit both mirrors. Prior to me going up, I walked it a bit to get myself aquainted with the ‘ obstacles “. Upon return, I asked my passengers ( 2 x 10y/o’s ) to hop out. They agreed quickly. They could see the ‘ issues ‘ that may occur.
Tackled the hill and reached the top with a relief that not only did I make it without rolling back down, breaking anything or embarrassing myself. Go the Nissan.
Poodroo, Mal and Black_Rat followed, with the Poo and Damo having a second shot at the rock due to a mis-alignment. But, all’s good and to the top they went. Mal did it easy. All agreed it was an experience and that they have a new found appreciation of what a true ( and standard ) 4WD can do.
Headed home and ran into Brett at the bitumen, as we were about to head off for a nature walk. Some of us did the ‘ loop ‘ twice……..DOH ! No, it wasn’t me.
The track alluded to in an above post by Brett… Yes, I saw it and took off , but before you realize it, you are going skywards and I ain’t stopping to slame it into low range. That’d mean…..going backwards. Seriously, I am still amazed we got up that hill/ track in 2WD. OK, we got bounced a little, spun the wheels just about all the way up, but we made it.
Had a swim and settled in for the night. Dinner was cooked and eaten, although the organized cook for our crew became entangled with a stranger called “ Black Douglas “ and resorted to only doing the salad.
The conversation ring of chairs…………plenty of lubrication…….full moon.. does it get any better ?
The kids were all great, tending the fire, sparklers, glow sticks etc. Really a credit to the parents.
Well, one by one the gang headed to bed, with the boys, Damo, Mike, Brett, Paul and myself left at the death. With Brett holding a beer and sleeping we decided that maybe we can use some shuteye for tomorrow. In the morning, Mike told me it was 2.45am when we hit the mattress. Bugga, as I was up daybreak along with some of the kids.
A wake up swim, cuppa and time to cook breakie. Bacon, snags, eggs, onions, toast. Yummo. Again, one by one the troops arose looking a little worse for wear.
Off we head again I took an interesting side track and managed to put us at the A Break Y junction, which meant we bypassed ‘ The Gantry Day Use Area “. The Hill was in our sites once again. Myself, Poodroo and Brett beat it. Damo said that once was enough, Mike is, as he said, still a novice and may have a crack next time, Paul is taking the “ not my 4WD “ approach. It’d be hard to explain to the boss !!!
Headed back to camp and packed. ( thanks for the assist, Trudey and Andrew ) Did I gloss over it ? Yep. Why, well, turn up at the next one and you will find out. Ya just hadda be there !!!!!!!
Who turned up… mmm memory, we’ll have a try:-
Phill ( me ) , Kimbra, Amber, Thomas, Paul, Liz, Mitchell, Mike, Bec, Andrew, Trudey, Kyle, Sheray, Mal, Tanya ( didn’t get meet the kids ), Damo, Brett, Greg, Sue, Andy, Linley and Niel. Goanna’s, Kookaburras and the rest of the wildlife.
Cheers Phill