Well we spent two weeks before Christmas in Vic. and southern NSW. Our son Kym, organized us with this orrible flamin thing, but we still had a wonderful holiday with those of our family who also travelled the 900 odd kms. I would like to interest our club members in going to this spot, perhaps next year.Of course this !@@(-! plaything came into some use because those present wanted to Skype our son, Philip and his family in England. So Kym videoed Swampy Plains River and panned around to Jill & me then we were joined by those others present and all sang happy birthday to our "Pommy" grandson, Tim. There is no mobile coverage at this spot so Kym & his little family drove to Khancoban to send it off. They and friends in UK received it and played it on a large screen TV but it was upside down!
About this most enjoyable camp spot: Kosciusko National Park extends from near Jindabyne south to the Murray. Approaching from Corryong in Vic. we soon crossed the Murray into NSW then past Khancoban and Murray II and then Murray I power stations through the mountains down to Geehi rest area on the banks of Swampy Plains River. From here there are easy and more difficult drives including to Thredbo.There is a track the other side of the river, which connects to a track going farther downstream. This is an easy track for a 4WD which I managed to stuff up. That was pretty easy too. It is a nice little fairly flat track following alongside the river except that at one spot the river is very close to a cliff so the road has to climb up over the hill. All too easy, perhaps the incline is steepish but it is definitely narrow so when another car approaches from other direction I stopped and backed up a little to where the track widened. It widened for a reason. The builders laid a culvert pipe under the road.
Needless to say my left rear wheel dropped into a hole whilst pointing uphill so I pointed even more uphill, like with my right front wheel 2ft (60cms in modern language) off the ground. Jill off course is meanwhile hanging on at a frightening angle saying things like dear oh dear! The bloke I made way for was followed by 3 or 4 others and so was I, all now held up. So he ties a rope on and about 6 blokes stood on my running board and the front wheel was soon persuaded to come down from its lofty position. The central diff lock and the limited slip front diff then allowed us to sedately climb out.We still enjoyed our stay and were last of our crowd to leave on new years day. But not before committing two more cardinal sins. Got away with it but nevertheless a slapped wrist was in order. Wasn't going to return by the same route so came back to camp by crossing the river.
Two sins coming up!No 1. Do we really need to cross here. (if you have been paying attention you know the answer. No)
No 2. Been there before many times, including in my Mazda 929, but years ago so did I walk across first? Not on your life! Straight into it me, surprise surprise, there is a big hole in the gravel bottom. Thought the bonnet was going to submerge but it lifted straight back up. Phew!
I photographed son, Kym coming across in his brand new Jeep but with the ordinary camera. I have given it over to oldest grandson, Aaron to put it all on a flash drive so cannot send it to you at this time. Perhaps another entry for next month?
HAPPY NEW YEAR to all.
Bruce W
Disclaimer : please note