Posting for TonyS again while he's off having far too much fun 
I am back, a few months after leaving my favourite part of the globe, I have come back to help friends with their horse trials, and grab a quick week at Warraweena.
This time it is to rescue Rosie, a Y60 Nissan patrol, petrol,1978, that has been stranded up one of the valleys here for the last 15 months. I have come with the guys from FNB 4wd, a great bunch of lads who have had to rebuild Betsy after a nightmare of a job from AMMS in Brisbane. (more about that another day!!!).
Rosie broke down and has been left alone in the harsh conditions of outback south Australia, so our mission was to bring her back to the Warraweena homestead. We knew the general direction, and started out at 8.30, after a windy night and cool start. Following the creek to the east, with water flowing from the huge storms of last week where over 8" fell, we continued along the valley bottom. Rocks, trees, and wash outs made the 10 km trip rather daunting, as team leader Chris, in the 80 series, followed by Betsy, my trusty 47, and then kev in a Nissan patrol ute, with lots of fruit, wound our way along as best we could.
Eagles soared overhead , as the temperature rose, but a cool breeze made it a perfect day.
My first incident with Betsy came when I sunk into a wash out, powered on as best I could but rammed the roo bar into a hidden rock, snapping bolts on either side holding her on that it pivoted forwards. Not ideal, but with Kev behind and a box of spare nuts and bolts we soon had her mended. My second incident came while driving confidently through a muddy section, which then led into a large long washout on the right hand side, so very tippy, and then cross axled over to the left, and consequently broke my left hand rear indicator as the back end landed in a hole! Hey ho, not too bad really as we were seriously pioneering this creek, and after 15 months of heavy rainfall, there was no track to follow.
After four hours and some very Tricky sections we sent Adam, my co driver ahead on foot, to at least try to find Rosie in case we had turned up a wrong creek somewhere, as the rocks were getting bigger and the creek getting tighter. With a yell and jump for joy, he came running back, she was found, safe and sound, and above the creek, so she hadn't been wrapped around a tree by the immense force of the raging creek.
Lunch time and Kev set about diagnosing the problem, and all we knew was she just stopped, and wouldn't go again. Within ten minutes, problem found, broken fuel pump, so new one fitted, but used a fresh jerry can of fuel strapped in the back, as the old fuel could've been dodgy, and she fired up and quietly purred away. So Adam jumped in and we returned to base, a steady trip, though Chris in the 80 getting bogged in the muddy section,
, so a bit of winching needed, the rest of us just seemed to get by! Otherwise not too bad a return, and a bit quicker as well.
Evening, beers, and an awesome camp fire stew, had us all relaxed around the fire, going over the days events, and how tracks in Australia couldn't get much better than that!
Waking on Wednesday, wind blowing unbelievably all night, and getting breakfast finished, the boys got Rosie into proper working order, rewiring, and checking everything through. Then to help Stony, we offered to check the Mount Gill track for him, as no one had been that way since Becky and I were there in November, and with the rain since, creeks flooded, it was going to be another excellent day, reinstating the track. There wasn't anything too problematic, a few logs to move, occasional chainsaw needed, and filling washouts with rocks, to give a smoother way through, we got to the top. Pretty damn steep in places, and rough, but another exceptional trip. Kev had a sidewall puncture, bit of a bugga, but wouldn't be the first one done, nor will it be the last on those tracks.
So two fabulous days, and two tracks done, could it get any better than that? Potentially yes. The Dunbar track, 60km of the most incredible day I have ever had off roading. Scenery to die for, tracks to test, but not to punish, and with a group of lads who made it so incredible, it's hard to put into words. The track has various types of terrain, but with hidden valleys, gorges, and creeks, all green and full of wildlife, Roos bouncing around, obviously breeding well, it really is my favourite track, ever!
After passing the Blinman copper mine, it was getting towards lunch, and the Dunbar hut was the destination. Before then however, is "Suicide Hill", and holy s**t it is steep, long too, and quite loose with rock. Deep joy. So with Adam in the driving seat of Betsy, (he had been for a while, so I thought it best to stay out and take pictures!), I wandered down as the trucks slowly ticked over, descending to the valley floor, all making it look easy.
After lunch, and we headed up into Wariootna gorge, driving through the water gently flowing down the creek, sunshine beaming down, giving spectacular colour to the surrounding cliffs, and highlighting the fabulous gum trees, it really was an awesome drive. We also stopped to stretch our legs and walked upto a beautiful little waterhole, with water flowing over and cascading over the ancient rock. Total serenity, not a noise, nor breath of wind, one of those moments you want to take with you always.
We completed the rest of the track with relative ease, three days of driving creek beds, and avoiding rocks becomes easier as the days go by. We head back and get the fire going, for a pot roast, leg of lamb, superbly cooked by Kev, not only a great mechanic,and bush mechanic, but an excellent bush chef too!
So with a few refreshing beers, and a great Shiraz from Oddfellows winery, a simply great last night was had. We also were able to have a shower too, as stony lit the donkey, to give us some warm ish water at the shower block back near the homestead. Another Thing to mention, is Warraweena has the best long drops I have ever had the pleasure to use!!! They even have air fresheners!!
So Friday we headed home, a trip that I started as a customer to FNB4wd, and returned with a bunch of friends, who I will no doubt give grief to in the future, but it's great to know Betsy is in good hands, at last!
Gotta head to Melbourne now, hope you enjoyed my scribble.
BTW, if you like the sound of these kind of trips, Chris plans trips ahead, and is even thinking of hiring a fully equipped truck for overseas visitors, who want to join him in this fabulous country.
Cheers,
Tony and Betsy.
[attachment=12:grshwl47]photo01-Up the creek.JPG[/attachment:grshwl47]
[attachment=11:grshwl47]photo02-Rosie as we found her.JPG[/attachment:grshwl47]
[attachment=10:grshwl47]photo03-Awesome climb.JPG[/attachment:grshwl47]
[attachment=9:grshwl47]photo04-Stuck 80.JPG[/attachment:grshwl47]
[attachment=8:grshwl47]photo05-.JPG[/attachment:grshwl47]
[attachment=7:grshwl47]photo06-lifting a wheel.JPG[/attachment:grshwl47]
[attachment=6:grshwl47]photo07-Skippy in the background.JPG[/attachment:grshwl47]
[attachment=5:grshwl47]photo08-We came from over there.JPG[/attachment:grshwl47]
[attachment=4:grshwl47]photo09-we are going down there.JPG[/attachment:grshwl47]
[attachment=3:grshwl47]photo10-Suicide hill.JPG[/attachment:grshwl47]
[attachment=2:grshwl47]photo11-steep.JPG[/attachment:grshwl47]
[attachment=1:grshwl47]photo12-Top spot.JPG[/attachment:grshwl47]
[attachment=0:grshwl47]photo13-The three trucks.JPG[/attachment:grshwl47]
I am back, a few months after leaving my favourite part of the globe, I have come back to help friends with their horse trials, and grab a quick week at Warraweena.
This time it is to rescue Rosie, a Y60 Nissan patrol, petrol,1978, that has been stranded up one of the valleys here for the last 15 months. I have come with the guys from FNB 4wd, a great bunch of lads who have had to rebuild Betsy after a nightmare of a job from AMMS in Brisbane. (more about that another day!!!).
Rosie broke down and has been left alone in the harsh conditions of outback south Australia, so our mission was to bring her back to the Warraweena homestead. We knew the general direction, and started out at 8.30, after a windy night and cool start. Following the creek to the east, with water flowing from the huge storms of last week where over 8" fell, we continued along the valley bottom. Rocks, trees, and wash outs made the 10 km trip rather daunting, as team leader Chris, in the 80 series, followed by Betsy, my trusty 47, and then kev in a Nissan patrol ute, with lots of fruit, wound our way along as best we could.
Eagles soared overhead , as the temperature rose, but a cool breeze made it a perfect day.
My first incident with Betsy came when I sunk into a wash out, powered on as best I could but rammed the roo bar into a hidden rock, snapping bolts on either side holding her on that it pivoted forwards. Not ideal, but with Kev behind and a box of spare nuts and bolts we soon had her mended. My second incident came while driving confidently through a muddy section, which then led into a large long washout on the right hand side, so very tippy, and then cross axled over to the left, and consequently broke my left hand rear indicator as the back end landed in a hole! Hey ho, not too bad really as we were seriously pioneering this creek, and after 15 months of heavy rainfall, there was no track to follow.
After four hours and some very Tricky sections we sent Adam, my co driver ahead on foot, to at least try to find Rosie in case we had turned up a wrong creek somewhere, as the rocks were getting bigger and the creek getting tighter. With a yell and jump for joy, he came running back, she was found, safe and sound, and above the creek, so she hadn't been wrapped around a tree by the immense force of the raging creek.
Lunch time and Kev set about diagnosing the problem, and all we knew was she just stopped, and wouldn't go again. Within ten minutes, problem found, broken fuel pump, so new one fitted, but used a fresh jerry can of fuel strapped in the back, as the old fuel could've been dodgy, and she fired up and quietly purred away. So Adam jumped in and we returned to base, a steady trip, though Chris in the 80 getting bogged in the muddy section,
, so a bit of winching needed, the rest of us just seemed to get by! Otherwise not too bad a return, and a bit quicker as well. Evening, beers, and an awesome camp fire stew, had us all relaxed around the fire, going over the days events, and how tracks in Australia couldn't get much better than that!
Waking on Wednesday, wind blowing unbelievably all night, and getting breakfast finished, the boys got Rosie into proper working order, rewiring, and checking everything through. Then to help Stony, we offered to check the Mount Gill track for him, as no one had been that way since Becky and I were there in November, and with the rain since, creeks flooded, it was going to be another excellent day, reinstating the track. There wasn't anything too problematic, a few logs to move, occasional chainsaw needed, and filling washouts with rocks, to give a smoother way through, we got to the top. Pretty damn steep in places, and rough, but another exceptional trip. Kev had a sidewall puncture, bit of a bugga, but wouldn't be the first one done, nor will it be the last on those tracks.
So two fabulous days, and two tracks done, could it get any better than that? Potentially yes. The Dunbar track, 60km of the most incredible day I have ever had off roading. Scenery to die for, tracks to test, but not to punish, and with a group of lads who made it so incredible, it's hard to put into words. The track has various types of terrain, but with hidden valleys, gorges, and creeks, all green and full of wildlife, Roos bouncing around, obviously breeding well, it really is my favourite track, ever!
After passing the Blinman copper mine, it was getting towards lunch, and the Dunbar hut was the destination. Before then however, is "Suicide Hill", and holy s**t it is steep, long too, and quite loose with rock. Deep joy. So with Adam in the driving seat of Betsy, (he had been for a while, so I thought it best to stay out and take pictures!), I wandered down as the trucks slowly ticked over, descending to the valley floor, all making it look easy.
After lunch, and we headed up into Wariootna gorge, driving through the water gently flowing down the creek, sunshine beaming down, giving spectacular colour to the surrounding cliffs, and highlighting the fabulous gum trees, it really was an awesome drive. We also stopped to stretch our legs and walked upto a beautiful little waterhole, with water flowing over and cascading over the ancient rock. Total serenity, not a noise, nor breath of wind, one of those moments you want to take with you always.
We completed the rest of the track with relative ease, three days of driving creek beds, and avoiding rocks becomes easier as the days go by. We head back and get the fire going, for a pot roast, leg of lamb, superbly cooked by Kev, not only a great mechanic,and bush mechanic, but an excellent bush chef too!
So with a few refreshing beers, and a great Shiraz from Oddfellows winery, a simply great last night was had. We also were able to have a shower too, as stony lit the donkey, to give us some warm ish water at the shower block back near the homestead. Another Thing to mention, is Warraweena has the best long drops I have ever had the pleasure to use!!! They even have air fresheners!!
So Friday we headed home, a trip that I started as a customer to FNB4wd, and returned with a bunch of friends, who I will no doubt give grief to in the future, but it's great to know Betsy is in good hands, at last!
Gotta head to Melbourne now, hope you enjoyed my scribble.
BTW, if you like the sound of these kind of trips, Chris plans trips ahead, and is even thinking of hiring a fully equipped truck for overseas visitors, who want to join him in this fabulous country.
Cheers,
Tony and Betsy.
[attachment=12:grshwl47]photo01-Up the creek.JPG[/attachment:grshwl47]
[attachment=11:grshwl47]photo02-Rosie as we found her.JPG[/attachment:grshwl47]
[attachment=10:grshwl47]photo03-Awesome climb.JPG[/attachment:grshwl47]
[attachment=9:grshwl47]photo04-Stuck 80.JPG[/attachment:grshwl47]
[attachment=8:grshwl47]photo05-.JPG[/attachment:grshwl47]
[attachment=7:grshwl47]photo06-lifting a wheel.JPG[/attachment:grshwl47]
[attachment=6:grshwl47]photo07-Skippy in the background.JPG[/attachment:grshwl47]
[attachment=5:grshwl47]photo08-We came from over there.JPG[/attachment:grshwl47]
[attachment=4:grshwl47]photo09-we are going down there.JPG[/attachment:grshwl47]
[attachment=3:grshwl47]photo10-Suicide hill.JPG[/attachment:grshwl47]
[attachment=2:grshwl47]photo11-steep.JPG[/attachment:grshwl47]
[attachment=1:grshwl47]photo12-Top spot.JPG[/attachment:grshwl47]
[attachment=0:grshwl47]photo13-The three trucks.JPG[/attachment:grshwl47]
Attachments
-
photo01-Up the creek.JPG -
photo02-Rosie as we found her.JPG -
photo03-Awesome climb.JPG -
photo04-Stuck 80.JPG -
photo05-.JPG -
photo06-lifting a wheel.JPG -
photo07-Skippy in the background.JPG -
photo08-We came from over there.JPG -
photo09-we are going down there.JPG -
photo10-Suicide hill.JPG -
photo11-steep.JPG -
photo12-Top spot.JPG -
photo13-The three trucks.JPG
......very, very envious! 
