looks lovely Bel, very different to here at the moment, dry dry dry, but, wait, we are going away this weekend, 14 river crossings and 100mm of rain predicted! Dhuck reckons we will be fine!
looks lovely Bel, very different to here at the moment, dry dry dry, but, wait, we are going away this weekend, 14 river crossings and 100mm of rain predicted! Dhuck reckons we will be fine!
Hi Guys
Just got home. (pretty much stuffed tho)
Hopefully put some words and pics up tomorrow.
[QUOTE=growlers71gq;165298]Great vids roothy I was waiting for the history lesson/commentry but i hear the phantom whistler is back in some of the vids ;-)[/QS
SORRY MATE I WAS IN ORE OF THE PLACE MY SELF
AM DEFINATLY GOING BACK AGAIN
im trying bel it gets a tad frustrating with the editingQuote:
Originally Posted by belzi82
Great. Hope you had a good trip back....Quote:
Originally Posted by snicko
Can't wait for those sneaky shots you took
Thanks for the great video - nice driving Bel and guiding Rossco. What also struck me as the owner of 22 yr old Silver is how quiet them new fangled GUs are!Quote:
Originally Posted by roofy
Top stuff guys! What a nice place.
Cheers,
Steve
Every thing fell into place at the last minute for us to go on this Vic meetup. Was the best ever.
We left home Wednesday 16 Nov and stayed in Port Pirie the first night.
Left PP early and planned to stay at Horsham but was still feel good so kept going to St Arnaud. Pretty quiet town until 5am when all the Corellas decided to wake us up!!
Left there Fri morning to meet up with Bob in Bendigo and travelled to Mirimbah up to the telephone box junction on to the Circuit Road round Speculation Rd onto King Basin Rd and camped at the King Hut Camping area.
Several of the other members had set up their camps and had gone to get wood. (So we could have a Bl@@dy good fire!! eh Bob?? Hahaha)
Once everyone was there it was dinner time. It had started to rain and Bob said that the weather was going to get nasty like a possible thunder storm!! Welllll I don’t like thunder and lightening so I had a nice spot picked out UNDER our rig if the storm came!! Lucky for me it didn’t but I think some of the others would have liked to see me under our rig!! Hahaha
.
Well the weather did change and it rained steady on and off all night and we woke up Sat morning to everything wet. Our roof top was soaked (but didn’t leak) so after breakfast when it was time to go for a drive Bob offered to take us in his car. What a champion. Roofy and Jane came with us as well.
Four rigs set off to explore in the rain. First stop was the Bindaree Falls. Just spectacular as we could actually go behind the falls.
Poor Fletch had his engine light come on so under the bonnet he went. He was not sure what the problem was as the rig was running sweet. (He checked the fuel filter for any water)
Back into the rigs all drenched (as it was raining steadily) and headed off. Crossed the Howqua River to Bindaree Hut. This is where Andy decided to test out Bluey in the mud!! Rossco to the rescue!! (Bels Vid)
VERY QUIET IN ST ARNAUD
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FOLLOWING BOB
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TURN OFF TO TELEPHONE BOX JUNCTION
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BEFORE SETTING UP
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KING HUT CAMP SITE
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THE WOOD FOR THE BIG BL@@DY FIRES!! HAHAHAHA
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THE RIVER NEXT TO THE CAMP SITE
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BINDAREE FALLS
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FLETCH CHECKING THINGS OUT!!
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OVER THE HOWQUA RIVER
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PIKES FLAT
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ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER WHERE ANDY GOT STUCK
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COMING BACK AND WASHING THE TRUCK IN THE RIVER AFTER GETTING BOGGED
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CONTUNING:-
Back over the river and up the 16 Mile Jeep track to the Bluff.
The road was steep, wet and slippery and after negotiating an “interesting” section a GU tray top Ute came around the corner and asked us to stop (Bob was right on the inside corner) as there was 6 more ”CARS” coming down the hill behind him.
Roofy and I got out to direct traffic and I went around the corner staying on the outside in the trees to stop anyone from hitting Bob. (It was still raining!)
OMG!! There was sliding down the steep rutted slippery hill a Rav4!!
He was so lucky his wheels were turned out as he slipped into the deep rut and it flung the car around. If his wheels had been turned the other way the force would have rolled the car and as it was fairly steep I don’t think it would have stopped at the bend. It would have gone over the edge as well!!!
He had road tyres on as well and with the mud on them they were like slicks!! Behind him came a Ford Dual Cab with a “L” plate in the window, a Mav GQ, a Pajero, and a Nissan Pathfinder. They all slipped down the hill and round the corner, past Bob and the rest of our crew on down the hill!!! OMG!!!
I forgot to get the camera when I got out of Bobs car!! Bugger eh?
As I had seen these cars come down I decided to help the weight in Bobs car by jumping in with Rossco and Bel and I’m not sure who Roofy got in with. Anyway Bob really had to bury the right foot to get up so I had made the right decision.
Got to the Bluff in the fog and then it started to rain really heavily. Bob said the view is quite spectacular! ..………mmmmm!! well we all just had to believe him!! hahahahaha
ON THE WAY TO THE TOP
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VIEW AT THE TOP OF THE BLUFF
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THE HUT
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CONTINUING:-
Back down the mountain passed all camp sites that had 16ft caravans and Commodores in them!!..........speachless!! hahahahaha
Came out onto the black top at Merrijug then called into Mirimbah for a coffee, cake and fuel.
Fletch filled up then his car would not start!! He found out the wire was broken on his alternator!! Any one know an auto electrican??? hahahahaha
He did a temp fix and limped back to camp with nothing working but the motor!! (fogged windows and all!!)
Hubby was still in Bob’s truck and I was still in with Rossco and Bel. After getting coffee hubby asked if I was coming back with them. Roofy asked too so I was going to….well I went to the Loo and as I came out they drove off!! (I had told Rossco that I was going with Bob and I could have easily been left behind!) I got back in the GQ.........so......... after we left I got Rossco to call up Bob and ask if I was on board?? hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha dead silence on the UHF!! Hahahahaha Rossco had to ask again!! Hahahahahaha
Rossco, Bel and I were laughing so hard we had to be carefull on the radio!! Hahahaha - Priceless!!
Back at camp the boys set another Big Bl@@dy fire to cook the camp roasts Bob organised.
A camp oven roast is the best. (Lots of veggies Andy brought and gravy Fletch brought.)
MOUNTAIN SHOTS
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PRETTY IMPRESSED WITH FLETCH'S TRUCK
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FLETCH UNDER THE BONNET AGAIN
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MY RESCUE VEHICLE!! hahahahahahaha (still pretty funny!!)
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YUMMY CAMP ROASTS
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HIS HIGHNESS FROM A DIFFERENT VIEW!!
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Love the write up Snicko, can't wait to read the rest
Like wise snicko and the fun begins next aye
was a good w/end snicko,meeting you and the other half
we enjoyed your company and where going to do it again next year
Great pics and a top write up Snicko.
What a beautiful place, definately a to do next year.
Looking forward to more pics and commentary.
Nice pics and trip report. Thanks to all concerned and I'm sure you enjoyed yourself.
Young Fletcha's a bit of a worry. Why would a GU have it's bonnet up - first the right side then the left?
He's obviously scared of the dark too. PML
Note to self.... Bring teddy to Meet Up for Fletcha. lol
Well done all.
Take care out there.
Rossco
CONTINUED:-
Saturday night the heavy rain woke me up several times and I thought Sunday was going to be wet as well…..Oh well I thought at least I got to meet some very awesome people.
When Bel got the camp site on Friday she said her car was not running too good. So
young Fletch to the rescue again had a look at it Sunday morning. He worked out what was wrong and fixed it for her. What a legend.
So five trucks (different ones) went out for a drive. This time we went to Craigs Hut and the view was magnificent. Such a beautiful place you Vics have!!
Back to the campsite for some members to leave and the rest of us had lunch. Left over roast – Yum!!
Our tent had dried out WOO HOO !! We could take our truck!! WOO HOO!!
So off went four trucks (again different combination) for more 4 wheel driving!!
Bob went with Rossco this time and enjoyed not having to drive and riding in a GQ!!
Don’t know the names of the tracks but we went on a track that Bob hadn’t been on before so it was exciting for us all.
I got to drive on the new track and I had told Rossco that we had lockers and had only used the rear ones for a steep shale hill and asked when would I need to use them?
Well he found a spot……I was so excited turned them on (hubby had bailed) and drove where Rossco directed!! It was such a rush to actually get the truck to do something that I thought not possible and it did it with ease!! I was doing what I had spent all the money on to be able to do!! I squealed and woo hooed and tooted the horn many times…..it was so exciting!!
I can’t remember what was said but I think it took 2 hours to do 7km.
(If that is wrong Bob PM me and I will change it.)
LEGEND FLETCH DOING HIS STUFF
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CRAIGS HUT
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CONTINUED:-
Hubby drove back down but going up is defiantly the better way!!
I thought I would try and be inventive with my photography so I leant out of the window to take shots of the wheels. Well it was so rough that I wacked my head on the door frame and my hand with the camera got hit some bushes going past!! Ouch!!
We had four trucks all at different levels of build up and we all got through the track. Steady as you go for the standard and the more advanced rig did it easy.
Back at the T section we went to Cobbler Lake – Just Beautiful.
The boys got more wood !! Then back to camp.
Bel had brought the gear to make gourmet mini Pizzas in the camp ovens. I made a lamb and veggie camp roast left over pizza – yummy!!
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WACK!!
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WACK!!
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LAKE COBBLER - JUST BEAUTIFUL
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LINED UP AT LAKE COBBLER
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BL@@DY BIG FIRE
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BELS GOURMET PIZZA
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GAS BOTTLE NEXT TO THE FIRE!! WHAT THE?? TRYING TO MAKE US FEEL AT HOME!! hahaha
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Oh good onya Snicko well done :-)
CONTINUED:
Packed up next morning still smiling!!
A BIG THANK YOU to all who went and made us feel so welcome.
Thanks to Bel for organising the trip and to Bob and Rossco for their knowledge and to Fletch for all his help. To Roofy for keeping at me to come over!! hahaha and anyone else I have left out THANK YOU TO!!
Hubby and I absolutely loved the place we camped and all the new awesome people we met.
Foot note:
We took 8 days off. I took 635 pics. Travelled 3,070km. The truck brought up 60,000km and we had the best time you can't put a price on.
THANK YOU.
(The trip report has taken me all day to write and to down size the pics!! lucky I took the day off !!)
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CATCH YOU ALL LATER!!
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Snicko what a great report sounds like a lot of fun.......glad I was there!!!!
You and your hubby did great and I am so glad that you come down, it was so nice to meet you.
Once again Thanks for coming and writing an amazing report!
Fantastic Report Snicko. Thank you.
We all enjoyed meeting you and Neville.
For me it was great also to meet Kat & better half,Jane,Belz,Rossco,Nisspat.
The others I had met before.
Bloody great trip
Your welcome Bob.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob
Thanks BelQuote:
Originally Posted by belzi82
Was so good to meet you as well. I hope we can do it all again!! hahahahaha
Nest time maybe you could run a trip up your way! I am happy to head up that way!Quote:
Originally Posted by snicko
Going to be hard to beat what we did in the High Country tho!!...Quote:
Originally Posted by belzi82
lol but completely different for us!! You and the hubby are welcome to join us at the high country whenever you would like. There is so much more to explore, you only got to see a VERY SMALL part of it!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by snicko
wow what a trip guys
fanflamingtastic ....hay
outstanding report snicko - both text and photos. Take a bow!
Top job on the report and the pics Snicky....I'm spewing I left first thing in the morning...looks like it was a nice drive.
Thanks
Come on down snicko theres more that was just an apertizer
great trip report mate great photos reckon we could get over your way in the future
we have a few trips to go and get loveday out of the way then might be able to get over there
thanks again mate
kris mate you missed some of the best country but we got wonnangatta in the new year,stay tunedQuote:
Originally Posted by nisspat
superb write up and photos Snicko & the gang, fanbloomingtatsic looking place to be by the looks of things, beeeeeautiful place.
Thanks NissPatQuote:
Originally Posted by NissPat
Always seems to be the way eh? But was really good to meet you and like us a non Vic!! hahaha
Hope to be able to do it again and maybe next time you can stay longer.
Yeah, same here mate. It was worth the drive just to see the country up there. I've been on the eastern side the HC but you can never get enough.Quote:
Originally Posted by snicko
I left thinking we're in for the same weather as the last couple of days but obviously didn't pick it right , ey....HAhahahahah
I will definitely be back and you too by the sound of it.,,lol. How was the drive back by the way?
Great trip report and photo's Sniko, wishing I was closer so I could of tagged along.
P.s: that was only a small camp fire ;)
The weather got better just in time for us as the tent dried out and we could take our truck out. Was excellent.Quote:
Originally Posted by NissPat
The trip home was good. We left and stayed at Horsham the first night. Had a look around and called in and saw some people in the same industry as us so didn't leave until just before lunch. (another good contact)
Called into Dimboola for lunch and drove to PP and arrived at 7:00pm for dinner.
Left next morning and arrived home in time to go out to a Radio Station function!!
I love driving so the road trip was just as much a part of the trip as the camping.
So how was your trip home?
Sounds like you had a great time all around. Drive home was pretty good, no dramas. Pulled into Glenrowan to get some goodies for my boys which they enjoyed thoroughly. Then it was straight home arriving at around 5pm just in time for a coldie..lolQuote:
Originally Posted by snicko
Got a chance to get some work done in the back yard on Monday so we could get the caravan in on Wednesday. Otherwise it might have been a different story staying on Sunday....anyway you get that ...LOL
Glad everyone had a ball and it was a pleasure meeting everyone...
Top read & thanks to all for there trip reports & contributions.
Just shown this thread to people at work and they are so jealous of me!!! Isn't it great togo 4wding and seeing places that not that many others do!
Excellent post guys most beautiful country side u guys have ................Spewing I missed the trip looks like it was a blast Good one guys !!!
Bugger Them Im Jealous and I have 4wd:1087::1087::1087:Quote:
Originally Posted by belzi82