Easter @ Warraweena ....

                                   ... The Truth as I see it

Leader (see story):  Rick & Cindy

Members:  Bill B
             Les & Joy
             Ian & Wendy
             Gordon & Chris

Visitors:    Stuart & Karen (still just visiting)
            Shane, Carol, and Sean (should we join yet?)

Most of the group left Adelaide on Friday morning and met up and Port Wakefield. We continued on and after passing the turn off to Stirling North, a quick U turn back and a glance at Carol thinking "Here we go!!" headed into the township to pick up the rest of the group. Onwards!!

A quick fuel, rest, and ice stop at Hawker was the only event. Lunch was at Beltana Roadhouse then through old Beltana town to Warraweena via Sliding rock. Did you know - round chimneys are Cornish, square are Welsh.

We stopped in at the Warraweena homestead to meet Stony the manager and a quick chat then out to Black Range Spring which was to be our home for the next couple of days. The track out was pretty easy even for those of us towing camper trailers. The camp site was good with the main area broken up into a number of smaller camp areas capable of holding few vehicles. A drop pit dunny formed the centre piece for our group of campsites. Each site also had a very large truck rim as a fire pit and there was wood to be found in the creek. Friday night was pretty easy.

Saturday morning and after breakfast off to do the loop track. This track ranged in difficulty from easy to moderate and a soft 4WD with a competent driver would have no problems at all. There is one section called Suicide track. Three vehicles decided to test out it’s name. Stuart and Karen were in front of Rick and Cindy. I can only assume to slow Rick down. After Rick was Bill and I suspect that it was to make sure Rick kept going.

The rest of us took a chicken track and I can tell you it wasn’t an easy one. We stopped back at the homestead for a hot shower before heading to camp and preparing for our posh dinner. The outfits for this ranged from the jacket, shirt and bow tie to Guy and Morticia wigs.

Dinner was a feast fit for a king with soup entrée, hot rolls, cold meats, vegetable parcels, some bottles of red wine, fruit salad for desert and port and cheese to round things off. A great effort by all.

Sunday and a quick morning trip. Easier than Saturday but still one or two creek crossings where you had to take it easy. Back to camp for lunch and a siesta then Rick wanted to head to Mt Hack for the afternoon. With only one taker (me) we headed off. Now at this point I must mention that Rick had been making some noises over the last couple of days about not being in front. So I was a little surprised when he asked if I wanted to lead. I declined thinking I was giving him a chance to lead the trip for a change. We get to Mt Hack (the easiest drive yet) but weren’t quite sure which one was actually Mt Hack.. Hint - take a map.

On the way out a track headed left and I made a comment about wondering where it went. Rick took the quick left, stopped, consulted the stars, chicken entrails or whatever and said "To a gate, you’re in front". Off I went. Now at the point where the track went slight left or right, I took the right only to be greeted by my radio with Rick telling me that I had gotten us lost. The penny dropped. I will, at this point, leave it up to you to decide whether Rick was hard done by at not being allowed to actually lead the trip or that it was some cunning plan devised to let others get lost and so show his expertise at finding our way. Note, we’re still not sure which big hill was Mt Hack.

Ok, Sunday night was a quiet affair with the talented Bill B bringing out the guitar and giving us a few songs. A great night. Thanks Bill.

Monday and people started heading off at different times. I believe Rick had troubles on the way out but I’m betting it was an excuse to let someone else go in front.

Anyway, thanks to Rick and Cindy for organising this trip. It’s a great place to visit should you have the chance.

For more info including a mud map of the area, checkout www.warraweena.com.

Cheers
Shane, Carol, and Sean

P.S. I have it on good authority from an unnamed source that the trip leader made the non drinkers (who don't have a roof rack) carry home the rather large bag of empties, which caused them to fight off hoards of Bull Ants in the car, the campaign lasting until Pt Pirie when the humans declared the victory.

P.P.S. By the looks of this photo Shane, maybe it should be us asking the questions!                                Ed

Disclaimer : please note