Bendleby Ranges

Leader Paul Francis, Barbara, Kevan, Ineke & Alan, Jenny, Chris, Dean Debbie & Chelsea, Jacquie & Colin

We met at Orooroo Caravan Park, I was late by 20 minutes, everyone waiting for us, so guess who has to do the report ? My first go at it. We left straight away, arriving at Bendleby Ranges Station at 11.30, putting our camp up at Hidden Valley, lovely camp. Had some lunch & all went to the North-South Ridge (my first drive out of the training week ends). I had a bit of a hitch on a bend for a few minutes, but all went well. Quite a beautiful drive. We had 3 stops: to rest, drink & the last one for some tasting of champagne. Alan told me that this drive was nothing in comparison to the Billy Goat Ridge.

Arriving back at camp by 3.10pm, we had an early happy hour. When it started to rain heavily we put the tarpaulin up around Paul’s car to keep us dry. It rained on & off, some did their cooking on the camp fire. It was a cold night & windy. Some woke up in the morning with a bit of a sore head! The morning was dry until we left for the Hungry Ranges around 10am, then it started to drizzle. It was cold & overcast all day. I was a bit apprehensive during the drive especially when we did the Billy Goat Track, which was scary & challenging for me in some parts, but with Paul & Dean’s help I came through quite well, "wahoo".

Well done to all of us on this truly beautiful drive. Came back to camp around 1.30pm. Paul ask Colin, who travelled with me, how he liked the drive and he answered "It’s too bumpy for me I prefer to walk." Dean & Debbie and Chris left to go home around 2.30pm. The rest of us started the happy hour again shortly after under the rain.

We were all up around 7am to leave at 8.30. The weather was again cold drizzly and windy. Went around the property to see the ruins and the homestead (which could be hired, ideal for a weekend) on our way out. Went through Orroroo where Paul & Barbara pick up some kangaroo tails. Stopped at the oldest, widest gum tree, then at Melrose for a coffee break. We refuelled gas under pouring rain. When we left it was drizzling. The scenery was beautiful & green going through the Port Germain Gorge & sunny also. We followed each other back home for a while.

I really enjoyed the weekend, thank you Paul.

Jacquie

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