Friday morning we assembled at Munno Para Shopping Centre at 10.00am. John Collins and Jane being first to arrive, followed by Allan and Ineke, Eric and Shelley, and Marty, Julie and Stacey with Rex, their dog. We continued to The Fisher property, out of Carrieton, to be greeted by Phil, Jayne, Nick, Katy and, most importantly, little Max. Later that evening Kym and John, Fred and Lyn, and Jenny arrived in time for dinner - great timing.
Saturday morning most of us took off to go driving on Phil’s property. Shelley joined Kym in the Delica and so John had to brave riding with Eric in his Toyota (both of whom spent so much time messing around and joking that several times they lost the trail). We went through several creek crossings, some hairier than others.
Kym drove very well. Shelley’s nails are a little shorter but who’s telling. We finished at the end of the road and had to trek through the bush to some aboriginal paintings.Saturday afternoon there were even less of us. This found Eric and John in the Delica, Kym and Shelley in the Toyota and Fred rode with Phil. We drove for about 500 metres through the creek, straddling it for most of the way with a steep hill on our left. Phil didn’t make it up the hill. J.C. made it, everyone getting excited over this. (We may have a chance to make it after all.)
Marty did fine, losing a mud flap. Delica made it up easily and Shelley, in the Toyota, did very well as a novice at driving in this terrain.
Eric, meanwhile, watched from the top with the others. His sphincter muscle works well. Phil finally made it half way up on bald tyres and clutch and brakes that need urgent attention. From here he reversed around a flatter than steep incline and eventually made it to continue leading us for the day.We continued down the hill to a quite steep gully, which Phil took easily followed by J.C. and Marty. But John found it a bit of a challenge, which relieved Shelley no end. It meant she wouldn’t feel a fool if she didn’t make it. She did better than John with a lot of coaching from the fellers.
Saturday night was spent with the usual fine tea prepared by Phil and Jayne which was then washed down by various types of fluid. Sitting around the camp fire was relaxing and mesmerising.Sunday morning started out as usual for everybody. Don’t make a noise until someone else does, then get out of bed and beat them to the toilet. Slowly the smell of bacon, eggs and coffee drifted thru’ the air. (Why doesn’t this happen every morning?) It wasn’t long until people started packing up for the trip home. Eric and Shelley decided to head home via the road which continued thru’ the Fisher property to Johnburg. This was a wonderful way out, although we sometimes wondered if we were in the right paddock or not.
As with all novice drivers it is rather daunting to watch other drivers or to be watched. Apart from the girls training weekend at Nadia in 07, Shelley and Kym have done little or no 4wd driving. Both girls did a wonderful job of getting thru’ the property with nothing more than some scraping of dirt. Eric and John better be careful or they might spend more time in the passenger seats.
After seeing how much fun Shelley and Kym had on Saturday, J.C.’s friend Julie is keen to have a go behind the steering wheel.
Quote of the trip by Jane :- 'My froney is hozen'Interpretation :- 'My honey is frozen'
Another wonderful time away was had by all.
Many thanks to the Fisher family for yet another great weekend. Well catered, as well as a terrific driving experience.
Eric & Shelley
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