Tony and I left home at 8.50 and met everyone at 10 am at Pt Wakefield.
Coming along on this trip were Fred, Emma & Neil in the Delica, Bruce & Jill (Prado), David (Suzuki), Chris & Margie (Land Cruiser), Tony & Sandy (Patrol). We drove to Wilmington via Port Germein Gorge road and stopped for lunch then on to Hawker where we stopped for the night. After looking around Hawker and refuelling our vehicles we met at the hotel for a meal together. It was a lovely drive up there in beautiful sunshine and as the evening was fresh were glad of the airconditioning and hot showers. We all sat together chatting and enjoyed our meals looking forward to our trip.
Chris’s report Day 2
Left Hawker at 9ish after a brief visit to the shop for a few last minute items. Turned off the black stuff and drove through the Flinders. The tracks were a bit dug up after the rains but were still good to drive on. Drove on to Brachina Gorge and stopped for morning tea. There were a few water crossings but nothing deep. Left the Gorge and turned back on to the black stuff. Next stop was Copley. Although most of us had packed lunches, we decided to support the local economy by buying pies and sausage rolls from the Bakery. We left Copley and headed to Lyndhurst for our last fuel stop before heading to Mt Freeling. On our arrival at the station we fixed Bruce’s 2 flat tyres, unpacked and had dribbles. Looking forward to exploring the Station tomorrow.
Bruce’s report Day 2Tuesday 26th July 2011
At age nearly 76 and having had 6 flat tyres - 2 occurred on this *!!*!! trip ( and 1 other at Schmidt’s on a Wanderers Trip) - I resign!
Tuesday 26th July (contd)
On leaving Hawker more sunshine and beautiful ranges either side of us looked great. Wonoka Hill Sugarloaf Hill and Mt Desire. We stopped at Elder Range Lookout magic driving through took lots of photos along the way. We took the Bunyeroo Gorge road to Brachina Gorge and stopped for morning tea at Twin Gums Campsite. Had great fruit cake baked by Neil (recipe later in magazine). After refuelling Lyndhurst we arrived at Mt Freeling mid afternoon. Tony was expecting to meet Scott to chat about tracks, where to go etc. but he wasn’t around. Briefly spoke to June at homestead and determined where to drive Wednesday. Went on up to shearers quarters (our accom. For next 3 nights) lets just say photos on the internet can make a place look better than it is.
David’s report Day 3, Wednesday 27th July
Headed off today around 10am. Most of us had a cooked breakfast prior to this so we didn’t need to stop for lunch til late. By the time we had driven 10ks into a small creek crossing with water in it Bruce had another flat tyre, 3 in about 10ks. He must have upset the puncture Gods. With no spare tyres left, Bruce hopped in my car, Jill went in Tony and Sandra’s car, we headed off. We continued up and down, in and out of creek beds and washaways and finally made it to the Mt Fitton homestead which looked a bit worse for wear, with no roof and a fair bit of plaster missing. This is as far as we ventured so we started our journey back to Mt Freeling Homestead. Bruce’s tyre luck had rubbed off on Fred on the return trip, he shredded a tyre. We waited at Bruce’s car for Fred and then returned to Mr Freeling for dribbles.
Jill’s report Day 3Well what a day another flat tyre, 3 now. Great friends soon made room for Bruce and I in their vehicles, left the flatless damn *!!*!! car near the creek to be picked later in the day.
Emus and chicks in a pond on the track made some excitement. Travelled on to an abandoned homestead, beautiful in its time built 1935. Stonework lentils but also the roof had blown off and rain had destroyed this beautiful home. Homeward bound to pick up the car when Fred caught the mojo and had a shredded tyre. We got the blame. Now around the fire with a glass. We walked over to the shearing shed and smelt the wool aroma, lovely wool looking forward to another day, tyres being fixed and looking for tracks. - Jill
Day 3 contd.
After breakfast we set off to find June’s suggested tracks, the first being Walparindina Springs, unable to find the turn off ( found it on the way home will do it tomorrow).
Continued along the track stopping on McDonnell Creek (where Bruce had his third flat tyre). At Billy Springs Creek we saw 3 Emu chicks and their Dad paddling in the creek crossing. Drove out past the Talc Mine which is closed, then on to Mt Fitton homestead (June grew up there and there is an album in the kitchen at Mt Freeling which shows what an impressive building it was, with a verandah all around and set in a beautiful setting) Had a great day out, lovely sunny perfect driving day. Back for dribbled and campfire then dinner. All happy with our day (except for flat tyres of course.)Day 4 Thursday 28th
Chris drove Bruce back into Lyndhurst to buy replacement tyre, they arrived back around 10.30 and we had scones Tony had made for m/tea. We drove out to the track we hadn’t been able to find the previous day, quite a rocky track through the foot hills which led to Walparindina Springs. It was just a beautiful site. Running water, many beautiful trees and birds and lots of spider webs strung high up between the trees. The next track led us to Mt Freeling itself. An hour into the track which was rocky and rutted, Fred broke the left CV joint. He had replaced both joints before he came away, so he was not expecting that to happen. All rallied round and sorted out the dilemma to a point where Fred could continue on. We decided then to retrace our steps and head back to camp. Bad luck again when David got a punctured tyre. He was impressed with his remote tyre monitors as it caught the tyre going down before it could do more damage to it. They were worth the price of a tyre. Tony and David changed the flat in the creek bed, then we were back on the track again.
Back at camp we decided to have extended dribbles in lieu of dinner and sat around the best campfire of the trip Fred was lucky enough to have a personal ‘chef’ in Neil with him ably assisted by Emma as kitchen hand.
Great to see someone so passionate about cooking. Emma and Neil seemed to love the bird watching opportunities this trip presented and it was lovely to have their company..This trip was filled with beautiful scenery and it could have been so much easier if we had been given more directions on how to find the tracks as they were overgrown and not easily found by someone unfamiliar with the property. True to our club spirit we made the best of what we had and as always had lots of laughs and lots of good food.
Day 5 Friday 29th
We left Mt Freeling 8.45 travelling along Mt Fitton track which was rutted and slow driving, Fred had another flat tyre. We had a lunch stop at Hamilton Creek and walked along the wide sandy creek bed to the Terrapinna Water hole. Would be a nice place to camp, very picturesque. At the end of that track we headed south towards Rawnsley Park. Very corrugated and stony and as it was dusk driving was difficult looking out for emus, roos etc. Reached Rawnsley Park just before 6, Chris and Margie continued on to Hawker for the night. After the rest of the group checked into our various forms of accommodation we met at the restaurant and enjoyed a great meal together.
Day 6 Saturday 30th July
Fred, Emma, Neil & David headed home via Peterborough, Bruce & Jill made their own way home and Tony & I stayed on at Rawnsley Park until Monday.
Thanks everyone for another good trip and your company
Sandy and Tony
Neil’s fruit cake recipe:2 cups black tea
500g mixed dried fruit add some raisins
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon bi-carb soda
¼ cup sugar
1 teaspoon mixed spice
Soak mixed fruit in black tea overnight. Combine all other ingredients together
Cook 40 mins 160o then 140o for an hour - slow oven or til skewer comes out clean. Can top with crushed or slivered almonds. Omit sugar if for diabetic. Yum
ILLTYWIMIYBMEAB What happens on a trip stays on a trip!
(We have a club journal to take away and pass around the camp fire for anyone to write up a day or more, that is what we did this trip in the hope we get back to writing up our trips.) Hope you enjoy this John.
Disclaimer : please note