Thursday 24th Feb 2011
Well the weekend started early for Craig and I (and his two dogs Quest & Mac) as we set out for Dwelly at @ 1600 on Thursday. We stopped in Dwelly so Craig could top off his tanks and get some ice to chill down the beer.
We arrived at Lane Poole to find the Ranger Hut closed so we proceeded to find our site for the weekend. We were one of three groups that spent the night. We set to setting up camp and had it all erected and us sitting in our chairs sweating buckets by 1830.
The evening was spent chatting about places we would like to visit and tracks we would like to tackle (from CSR to Tanami and beyond). As talk turned to camper trailers we realised it was 0100 and decided to call it a night.
Friday 25th Feb 2011
We were rudely awoken at 0500 by Craig’s alarm (Rock n Roll Rooster). This was followed by the local bird life including a crow who bashed out a mean drum solo on the steel dogs bowls, along with the White Tailed Black Cockatoo’s dropping pine cones on the CT.
We finally surfaced at 0800 and brewed some coffee and enjoyed a couple of bacon and egg sanga’s. But not before the Rangers showed up and we paid our fees for the weekend. This was to have been the trigger for us to go for a drive as we would have had to drive to the Ranger Hut to pay but they came to us. So we spent the day sitting around and relaxing.
At around 1730 Jon (aka TheFlyingBadger) arrived and we aid him in setting up after tasting one of our cold beverages. Jon’s tent goes up in a flash and he inflates his air mattress only to find that it wont fit in the tent ( probably would have if he had inflated it in the tent), so yours truly let him use the self inflating mattress and I got to sleep on the air mattress for two nights.
After Jon was sorted we waited until approximately 1830 (nowoolies was due around that time) before we cooked up a feed of creamy Tandoori Chicken and rice. This went down well with some nice cold beverages. After the dishes were done we sat around chatting about anything and everything. By this stage the camp ground was starting to fill up. We even had a local species arrive known as Nocturnous Locus Yokelus (Dumb bum) this group set about setting up camp at 2230 and we heard braches being broken. We called it a night at around 2300 and just as we go to bed the camp ground gets louder.
About 15 minutes later we hear a lady from one of the other camps tell the dumb bum group that there is a total fire bane and to put out the fire. We smelt the smoke and then all went quiet.
Saturday 26th Feb 2011
We woke at about 0700 had some coffee and Jon cooked brekky. Jon headed towards Dwelly to make a phone call. At which time we received a visit from the Rangers who asked us about the happenings of previous night. After a short discussion the headed down to the camp in question and started taking pictures before waking them up with an infringement notice.
All of the day trippers (1BBQ, Run-Up & kids, 2ShortGQ & Family, and BigBaz) arrived around 1030. We all had a bit of chat and were starting to get organised when ET and Mrs Evil arrived with the ‘Hound from Hell’ (ET’s words) Chewie straight from doggy training we helped them get setup and the group headed down stream to a nice shaded area that allowed easy access to the water for the kids and the dogs. I remained at the camp waiting our final group being UKKIWI and Walter Ego who arrived about half an hour after the group went swimming.
Well the set up of UK and Walters tent only took 35 minutes and then I was on the road for a swim. After a quick dip we all headed back to camp for a spot of lunch before heading out for a drive. The drive didn’t start well for as we took off Beven calls me up and says one of my wheels has swung open. Upon investigation I find that the staple that holds the arm to the bumper has snapped clean off. So we ratchet strap the wheel carrier closed and I return to camp and hitch a ride with Craig and the Mighty Nissan Wrangler.
Off we shoot for the drive through the country. We had a little bit of rough stuff at the start an then the track wound its way south toward Nanga Mill. In the process I was dubbed ‘Beachy’s Apprentice’ (I also left my 7” in my car so I was using the Force) as the track narrowed significantly. After about two hours we found our way back to camp.
Thomas and Baz aired up and Thomas who had one of the youngun’s asleep decided to head for home. Baz left a short time later while Bevan and Lina stayed for a bit of chat before heading home as Bevan had to work Sunday.
The evening was spent eating and savouring the smells coming from the Evils camp site as the Roast Lamb began to cook. This was the trigger for the rest of us to cook dinner before we all got back together and tasted Jill’s birthday cake ( HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR MONDAY JILL). Again the evening turned to tall and short stories and a great time was had by all we eventually turned in at around 2300 and again the noise level in the grounds went up (it was like they where waiting).
Sunday 27th Feb 2011
We all surfaced around 0700 (some earlier) and made coffee and brekky before resuming where we left off the previous night. ET and Marj then began the pack up and were soon on the road for home. Jill and Chris packed their tent and left for a swim before heading home and Jon left around lunchtime heading for home and a shower. This left Craig, Quest, Mac and I sitting around the camp for the evening. We had a good feed spoke some more about trips and the christen trip for the Conqueror before hitting the hay at about 2230.
Monday 28th Feb 2011
This saw us surface around 0730 and have some coffee before we commenced the pack up. We didn’t want to go but we both knew that it had to be done and with great reluctance we packed up and headed for home.
We arrived back at Craig’s place around 1200 and unhitched the trailer and I headed for home a nice long shower.
Unfortunately I didn’t get any pics but if anyone else did please post them up.
To all of you who attended I thank you for making the weekend that much more enjoyable and I hope that you all enjoyed yourselves. I know Craig and I did and are looking forward to the next one.
These sorts of relaxing weekends are a great way to get to know your fellow clubbies so come on lets get out there and have fun and enjoy the company of like minded people as well as what the great Aussie outdoors has to offer.
Thanks again and I hope you all enjoyed the trip
Cheers
Budds
