4WD Action Bash

 Graham and me

 Roothy's 'handbrake'

 Roothy and Shauno

 Jamie

 Me and The Man

 Graham

 Glen

 Milo

 Roothy

 The Pub

Shorty

News flash!

News Flash - hot off the press.

At 0954hrs on Friday 29 March 2013, Canberra adventurers, Colleen and Michael Tharme sucessfully conquered the infamous 'Big Red', the highest sand dune on the edge of the Simpson Desert.

On the way back to base camp Michael saved Jamie (from Jamie's Touring Solutions) and his 4x4 from being viciously attacked by a very dead brown snake. Jamie was heard to say, "Thought it was dead, but wasn't going to take any chances and get out of the car."

The driver of the renown Toyota Prado savouring his triumph at the top of Big Red (photo courtesy of CMB Tharme).

 The unbelievable sight on the other side of Big Red - lots of water, lush and green.

 Yours truly.

Birdsville - what next?

After nearly dying of heat exhaustion over the last few days (got to 51.4 degrees) now we got severe wind.  It started to blow during the night and we had to get up before sunrise to take the tarp off the tent otherwise we would have lost it.  We've tied the whole trailer down to trees and anything else we can find (tent pegs aren't much good as we are on gibber sand), including the truck, to stop from lifting off.  The wind is a steady 45kph gusting up to over 60kph.  Everything is covered in fine dusty sand.  Made a cup of coffee a minute ago - nice and crunchy!  There is a chance of rain later today; great!
Who's bright bloody idea was it to go to Birdsfrigginville???
If we survive the rest of the week, looks like we will go south taking the Birdsville Track to Marree, then maybe down to the Eyre Peninsular - the Kimberley can wait till the weather improves!
See ya all; maybe - if we haven't blown off the planet . . . .

Catch up again: from Parrawalla to Birdsville

The journey from central NSW to Charleville in southern QLD was long, hot, flat, with roadworks and smelly artesian water!  We spent 2 nights in Mitchell next to the local river (we won’t talk about the fishing).  Our next stop was Charleville, where we found the cold water tap (artesian) was hotter than the hot water tap!  The temperature started to climb into the mid 30’s and it didn’t take long to find the local swimming pool.

Our next major leg was from Charleville via Windorah to Birdsville – what spectacular country, apart from the severe heat it was extraordinarily beautiful.  It is amazing how much water is still in this semi desert-type country.  We later read up on the Great Artesian Basin and the Lake Eyre Basin (do a Google, it’s amazing information).  The average size of properties in the Windorah area is 1.2 to 2 million acres with 1 head of cattle per 80 acres.  We actually wimped out at Windorah and stayed in an airconditioned room behind the pub – shame we can’t do that here in Birdsville – this heat is making everything melt.

The trip from Windorah to Birdsville took us on our first serious dirt road for about 280km since picking up the camper.  Got to say the road was extremely good and we had no problems, but the temperature jumped to just over 40 and we had the a/c on full bore.  We were going to stop half way to Birdsville and thought twice as the temps continued to soar; so we stayed in the comfort of the airconditioned car and pushed on.  We used a lot of fuel and the Prado was finding it tough.  In the last leg we got around 18lts/100kms.

The road to Birdsville crossed a fairly diverse range of country; one minute it was totally flat and brown, the next you’d drive over a pimple of a hill that came out of nowhere and there were green rolling fields and flowing creeks!  Then there are the ‘overtaking areas’ – the runways from the Royal Flying Doctors.  If you’re ever out this way, make sure you look into the skies front and back as you drive down the 2km of runway.

We arrived at Birdsville mid-afternoon to find the campground was flat red dirt, 41 degrees with a million bush flies!  We immediately put the CT up while we were still coolish from the a/c, but that didn’t last long – both of us nearly collapsing from heat stroke.  Then to the pub, where we wallowed in the cool beer and cooler temperatures.

Today was spent just trying to stay cool.  I can’t believe just how hot its got; and unfortunately, its going to stay over 40 for the next 2 days, before coming back to the low 30’s by Thursday.  So, before the 4WD Action team and the rest of the crew get here on Thursday/Friday, we’re going to probably spend all our time in the pub staying cooooool.

 On the road to Birdsville.

 Flat and hot!

 We said we wouldn't talk about the fishin!

 Where does it end!

 Da flies, da flies . . . . .

 Birdsville street map

 The Birdsville billabong

Hot, Hot Hot in Charleville!

33 degrees and heading for 41 by the time we get to Birdsville!
Going to migrate south if this keeps up!

Resting in Mitchell

It's Wednesday 20th March (our 26th wedding anniversary) and we're having a rest in Mitchell, QLD.  We're going to Charleville tomorrow to stock up and prepare for the trip to Birdsville; which will probably take 3 days.

Since Port macquarie - Spent the rest of the week, til Saturday, playing tourist around the Port Macquarie area – a nice part of the world.  Also spent time catching up with Greg, Les and Christine – it was good to see everyone!  We especially enjoyed our trip to Laurieton and the coastal drive back to Port Macquarie.

We left Greg’s Saturday morning and made our way north – we were thinking we might make it as far as Warialda but made the mistake of stopping at Sawtell around lunchtime on Saturday and didn’t leave til Monday morning!  Enjoyed a couple of swims on Saturday arvo and Sunday morning and planned more swims and fishing that afternoon but the weather had other plans.  The wind was incredible – think it was the tail end of one of the cyclones off the NSW coast – had to peg down the annexe and put extra ropes on to make sure that we didn’t blow away – wind gusts were up to 50kph. 

Set off for Warialda early this morning, stopped at Glen Innes to visit the standing stones and then kept going.  The stop we were planning on making near Warialda was closed so we kept going and are now at Pallamallawa which is just outside Moree. We’re in the local Caravan Park – all of $10 per night and that includes showers, loos and laundry facilities and best of all the pub is right next door.

We also have, thanks to Wendy and Neill, a travelling companion who you might see in photos from now on – his name is Edward and his job is to keep us safe – keep an eye out for him when we next post photos.

Port Macquarie

Well, a week has passed since my last entry and lots has happened.  Picked up the $$s from the house sale last Wednesday and became officially homeless.  Spent some time finalising stuff at the bank and picking up some last minute bits and pieces for the camper trailer.  Had a bbq at Glenn and Soraya’s on Friday night – it was a really nice being able to catch up with them and Austin and Ellie – we’ll miss them!!!!  They all turned up at EPIC on Saturday morning at about 7.30 and we went and had breakfast at Farmer’s Market – it was nice but very hard to say goodbye!!!!  Wendy & Neill, Blake, Carrie and the kids and Kathy and Lana turned up in the afternoon for a look at the trailer and a drink. 

Trevor dropped by Sunday morning for a look see and a coffee.  By the time everything was dry (heavy dew) and packed up it was about 11am.  We arrived at Yvonne’s about 2.30 and Kylie, Jarrod & Dylan were already there.  Jo, Tracey and Holly and Sam turned up a bit later and we had a belated 40^th birthday celebration for Kylie which was lovely.  It was great to catch up with everyone!!!

Left Yvonne’s on Monday morning and stopped at Merrill’s place at Stockton (very nice) for lunch.  Spent a few hours there – went and had a look at the beach and then headed north for Port Macquarie.  Arrived at Greg’s about 6 and caught up with him, Christine and Les (and met the 5 dogs).  Had a great evening just chatting before another early night.

This morning went into town and sorted out some banking and then Greg and Les took us on a tour of the area, the coast and beaches around here – very nice part of the world.  Came back and looked at some old photos and talked about old times – some of which I don’t remember.  Greg has gone for a swim (did the bike ride at the crack of dawn) and Michael is looking at maps sorting out the best route to get to Birdsville from here.

Just got an update from Birdsville – they had over an inch of rain last week and all the road were closed.  They just opened them, only for 4x4 vehicles.  Could be an interesting drive next week if they get more rain . . .

Catchh-up

Time to play catch-up.

EPIC caravan park: 3.3.2013

Well we arrived here at about 11am on Friday 1/3 and to our surprise found lots of people waiting to check in – we had been told it didn’t open til noon and wouldn’t be busy.  We managed to find a good spot and almost 3 hours later we were set up.  Not as easy as it looked in the factory – funny about that.  I’m sure we’ll get better at it.  A very early night!!!  Saturday we were back at our house to do a final pack and clean – far too many trips up and down the stairs – thank goodness Glenn was there to help.  Got back to our new house at EPIC at about 2pm, late lunch and hot shower and then sorted clothes and kitchen – slowly getting there.  Friends Scott and Dean dropped around for a drink and a look see – it was good to catch up.  Another early night and almost 11 hours sleep!!  A bit more organising this morning and just about to head off for lunch with Kathie, Gill, Joanne and Jenny and do a bit of grocery shopping.

Lunch with the girls on Sunday was very nice.  Picked up a few bits and pieces at Woolies before heading back for another early night.  Can’t believe how much we’re sleeping!  We’ve managed to get most things sorted – feels good.

 5.3.2013

Monday morning we pulled the annexe down and straightened everything – not as much flapping in the wind now.  Also sorted the truck – put everything in drawers and storage boxes – took most of the morning but all good.  Spent some time chatting with people from Qld (there’s a lot of them) and spent some time chatting with a couple from Chicago – they are travelling around Australia for 4 months. 

Cooked my first proper meal (chicken stir fry and rice) in the kitchen – it all worked well.

Tuesday morning did the washing (no ironing!!!) and took the last load of stuff to our storage unit.  As we haven’t had any rain Michael gave the tent a good soaking (to season it) and we put up all the window covers – probably have to do it a couple more times.  Picked up a few more things – sticky fly paper was the main aim – there are a million flies here at the moment.  I also bought a fly swatter!!  We’ll see if either of these tools work – no luck yet. 

The day has almost gone – not sure where the time goes.  

8.3.2013
Friday morning, 2 days to go before we leave Canberra - can't wait.