Monday, 9 May 2011

Easter 4WD tour 2011 - Day 8 to Day 11.

Day 8 - Friday 29/4/11
We packed up early to head off for Springsure. The track out was much better after the track clearing exercise the previous afternoon. However, Greg still managed to tear off his trailer plug so he had no trailer lights or trailer brakes. Kemsley was having problems with his Paj as it was surging and then stalling. This made the trip into Springsure pretty slow as he couldn't get over 60 Km/hr and needed frequent stops. He tried everything possible including draining the the fuel filter to look for water in the diesel. We eventually got to Springsure about 2'ish in the afternoon. He rang Mitsubishi and they ended up organising to get his car to the dealer in Emerald the following morning, so he and Lisa were going to stay in Springsure for the night, then leave the camper trailer in Springsure, go to Emerald with the car and try and get a flight back to Brisbane from the airport. At this time Debbie had rung Takarakka and they had spaces available, so after another great BP burger we did some quick shopping and headed off to Carnarvon Gorge. The road was pretty good and we made it there just after 5pm. We checked in for two nights then got set up and had dinner. The showers were a bit random as I ended up with a cool shower while the others had a hot shower. We sat around for a few drinks and made plans for a walk the following day. To bed a bit after 10pm.

Day 9 - Saturday 30/4/11
We had a pretty lazy wake up and breakfast before heading off to the gorge for a walk about 10:30 am. I made a few sandwiches and packed some water and apples. We ended up walking up to The Amphitheatre and then to Ward's Canyon for lunch. We then started the walk back and dropped into the Moss Garden for a look and some photos. The last 3 or 4 kms back to the car park were pretty slow and my knees were acting up a bit. We ended up back at Takarakka about 5'ish and had an ice cream before having a shower (hot this time). We sat around for a drink or two before cooking dinner (steak from Springsure - pretty nice). Then a few more drinks after dinner as we planned the trip home the following morning, trying to stagger the starting times so we don't have to wait around in Springsure for the high pressure water cleaner. Then probably Roma for a fuel up and coffee before a long drive home.

Day 10 - Sunday 1/5/11
We were packing up and leaving for home this morning. Greg and Debbie headed off about 8 am while Josh and I had a more leisurely pack up before leaving around 8:30 am. We caught up with the Brownes in Injune at the Parthenium weed wash where they had given their car a good wash. They then headed off to Roma while Josh and I gave our cars a more cursory wash before also heading off to Roma. We met up at Roma for a fuel up and coffee at Maccas and then headed off to Miles (from memory) where we had lunch at the servo. Then it was a relatively uneventful cruise back towards home. Greg and Debbie stopped for fuel in Toowoomba (they definitely need an auxiliary fuel tank). Josh and I said our goodbyes over the radio and continued on. We parted at the exit to the Logan Motorway and it really felt that the holiday was over. I got home at about 6:30 pm and then spent half an hour unpacking the car and setting the tent up in the garage to air. Then it was a hot shower some quick dinner and a relatively early night in bed.

Day 11 - Monday 2/5/11
Slept in and then had a nice hot shower before heading off to the shops at Robina only to find that they were closed for Labour Day. Bummer. After lunch I spent a few hours cleaning some dried mud off the underside of the car before giving it a wash and clean.

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