The Big Trip comes to an end.......
Submitted: Tuesday, Jul 12, 2005 at 21:11
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Willem
89 days on the road.................15700km.......NT WA QLD SA
Good trip...Must do it again soon
Took the window of opportunity yesterday when the
Birdsville Track opened to do a 14hour trip
home. The roads closed behind us again. Today has been a miserable cold wet day here in the Southern Flinders...wish I was elsewhere.
Hi-lights of the trip were
Gary Junction Rd, Veevers Crater, CSR,
Rudall River,
Pilbara, Goldfields,
Holland Track,
Perth, Freo, Margaret River, Tree Tops walk and the Karri Forests,
Warren Beach, Pemberton,
Albany, Fitzgerald NP,
Esperance, Cape le Grande, Cape Arid, Telegraph Rack from
Israelite Bay to Cocklebiddy,
Connie Sue Hwy,
Fish Hole Gorge(West Macs),
Simpson Desert with friends,
Birdsville and environs and a very muddy trek
home along the BT.
Our thanks for friendship and hospitality to EO Member Coops, Motherhen, Member Eric and Dean, Member Crazie and Kir, Jim and Costa, Member Jiarna, Anita and girls, Ewan and Asleigh, Member Ruth and Ian at
Birdsville Caravan Park, Member Karsten at the Big Red Cafe and to the EO mob gathered at
Birdsville last weekend.
Departing June 2006 for a another three month adventure.........................
Reply By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Tuesday, Jul 12, 2005 at 21:23
Tuesday, Jul 12, 2005 at 21:23
I guess its lucky you have a NISSAN, to get you
home.. Good to see you back with no major problems. Michael
| Patrol 4.2TDi 2003
Retired 2016 and now Out and About!
Somewhere you want to explore ? There is no time like the present.Member
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Follow Up By: Willem - Tuesday, Jul 12, 2005 at 21:36
Tuesday, Jul 12, 2005 at 21:36
Cheers Michael
Yes the Nissan has acquitted itself
well though I do have a host of small problems. The corrugations shook the lectrics severely and I have also done in the rear front Radius arm bushes. Nothing serious.
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Reply By: Des Lexic - Tuesday, Jul 12, 2005 at 21:47
Tuesday, Jul 12, 2005 at 21:47
Glad to see you and Judith back
home safely. look forward to catching up on the 29th on our way through if your
home. Will be late mid morning.I'm eager to hear the details. had a call from your Bro earlier, they are in
Longreach, travelling
well apart from colds.
Welcome back on the coldest day in the state for nearly 20 years. Can you still remember the warm soaking rays that you had on your trip?
Best regards to you both,
cya soon.
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Follow Up By: Willem - Tuesday, Jul 12, 2005 at 22:13
Tuesday, Jul 12, 2005 at 22:13
Yeah we will be
home Uncle Des. Looking forward to your visit. Will get a supply of donuts lol Didn't you say the 30th?
Bro was a bit sniffy.
Was wondering how long my sun tan will fade a pallsly white
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Reply By: Al & Mrs Al (Vic) - Tuesday, Jul 12, 2005 at 21:50
Tuesday, Jul 12, 2005 at 21:50
Glad you're back safe and sound, hope to catch up with you soon.
Lyn xxx
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Follow Up By: Willem - Tuesday, Jul 12, 2005 at 22:15
Tuesday, Jul 12, 2005 at 22:15
Yep will catch up soon. Still unpacking truck. Mud everywhere in the yard Bugga!
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Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Tuesday, Jul 12, 2005 at 22:02
Tuesday, Jul 12, 2005 at 22:02
Glad ya
home safe dude.
You may find a lot of bushes would have hardened over the yrs never having been given any offroading before, and you might go through more!!!
Where to in June?
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Follow Up By: Willem - Tuesday, Jul 12, 2005 at 22:20
Tuesday, Jul 12, 2005 at 22:20
G'day Trucky
Yes the bushes need replacing. They clunk harder when wet. Will be coming down to
Melbourne probably late Aug earely Sept to have Crazie do some work on the truck.
Next June going to do the WA tracks which we havent done on the way to the
Broome area. Going to be a slower three month trip. Have to get away from this cold place in winter. Doing the Anne Beadell,
Eagle Hwy, Callawa Track, Kidson Track to the WA coast
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Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Tuesday, Jul 12, 2005 at 22:27
Tuesday, Jul 12, 2005 at 22:27
You may want to
check your body mount rubbers too :(
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Follow Up By: Willem - Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 17:40
Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 17:40
The body mount rubbers look OK.....by that I mean I crawled under truck and had a good look and feel with a socketwrench. No movement there.
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Reply By: Kumunara (SA) - Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 00:07
Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 00:07
Willem
Sounds like you had a great trip.
Just got back from a four month trip myself. Did 23,686 kilometres almost trouble free.
I too have a Nissan and the only real problem I had was with the fifth gear. Nissan fixed that at no expense to me.
Travelled through WA and the top end of NT and then back to the Riverland. Four months wasn't enough to see what I wanted to. We are lucky to live in such a vast country with so much to see.
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Follow Up By: Des Lexic - Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 09:26
Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 09:26
"I too have a Nissan"
After having to replace them after and during trips, I thought you might have upgraded to a Cruiser by now but then you haven't been
home long enough to clean the dirt off yet.
Willie, keep in contact with this OLD bloke as he knows some
great camp sites above
Broome and he is handy for fixing up my computer. LOL
Cheers
Alpaca
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Follow Up By: Willem - Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 17:44
Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 17:44
Hi Kunmara
Although my Australia Map has many
places filled in as being visited there is still so much to see. And yes it is a special place to be able to travel so far and wide, safely.
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Reply By: Member - John (Vic) - Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 00:14
Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 00:14
Good One Willem
Nice to see you both
home safe and
well.
I look forward to the trip report, "One day".
Take care.
Catch you soon.
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Follow Up By: Willem - Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 17:43
Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 17:43
G'day
John
Hope to catch up with you somewhere in September. Maybe we can squeeze some High Country days in.
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Follow Up By: Member - John (Vic) - Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 19:40
Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 19:40
Cheers Willem look forward to catching up again in September.
The High Country may be an issue, still snowing and most tracks closed but we will look at it closer to the time.
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Reply By: Nudenut - Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 08:06
Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 08:06
glad the trip was safe and you are both
well
welcome back...i look forward to the trip report also
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Follow Up By: Willem - Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 17:59
Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 17:59
Hi Nudie
Cold enough for you? I should get cracking on the trip report soon but will most likely do it in stages.
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Reply By: Member - Crazie (VIC) - Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 08:34
Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 08:34
Welcome
home young fella, and Judy and of course Jeda
Glad your
home safe, we had the best timewith you all and thanks heaps for such a great time. We cant wait to catch up again. Kir and I sat at
home the other night, working our way through a family block of Top Deck, and wonder where you were hahaha
What is the name of that star night program??
thanks mate
Ads
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Follow Up By: Des Lexic - Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 09:28
Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 09:28
Starry Night
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Follow Up By: Member - Crazie (VIC) - Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 09:48
Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 09:48
hahaha Hi Des,bleepthat was a hard one to forget. Thanks mate, now on the search, Ta
Ads
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Follow Up By: Willem - Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 18:04
Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 18:04
G'day Ads and Kir
Yep we had a lot of fun out there in the desert.
Hope to be down your way in September. Will let you know
well in advance
Despite the low numbers we had a good time at the
Birdsville EO meet. I took the gang out on a few adventures in the mud.
I have Starry Night Pro 4....I think that it is downloadable from the net. Truckster knows where to get it...I think.
Now that you mention Top Deck it makes me think of going to buy one. Pity though, everything is shut already, here in nowhere. Bugga!
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Reply By: Bob of KAOS - Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 13:14
Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 13:14
Willem
at least with the dodgy winter weather you will be able to work on your latest trek notes. I am looking forward to the next chapter in what is one of the most interesting reads on the web.
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Follow Up By: Willem - Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 18:07
Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 18:07
Thanks Bob
The nights start here at about 4pm
I will endeavour to make a start soon and get it on to my website.
The days will be taken up reorganising the back of the truck, small repairs and as usual lots to do around the house
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Reply By: Member - iMusty (VIC) - Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 13:19
Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 13:19
I can't imagine 89 days on the road.
I hope it was all good.
You are truly inspiring.
iMusty.
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Follow Up By: Willem - Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 18:10
Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 18:10
Hi iMusty
Yes mate it was all good....even when we had to replace the waterpump on the GQ. For 95% of the time we stayed ahead of the rain and even managed to work up a sun tan!
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Reply By: Member - Toonfish - Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 14:55
Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 14:55
good to hear ya had a great time mate.
so when will the trip notes be on the new website?
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Follow Up By: Willem - Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 18:11
Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 18:11
Hi Toonie
Trip notes should be in the making as soon as I can unfreeze my hands. Typing with gloves on, sucks.....hahahahaha
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Reply By: Jenmcd - Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 18:33
Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 18:33
Hi there.
Glad to hear you had a great trip and that you are all
home safe and sound. Already planning the next one hey.....don't tell Andrew.....he'll want to join you! We have only been
home 3 days and the weather and the pressures of work are stressful already!!!
Would love to catch up if you have time when you are next in Melb. Say hi to Judith.... take care
Jen ( and the other kidz).
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Follow Up By: Willem - Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 19:16
Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 19:16
Hi Jen
Hope your trip turned out OK and that all expectations were met. It is definitely a lot warmer up north!!
Yes we will make time to drop in when we come to the Big Smoke in September.
Please tell Andrew to stay calm.....lol
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Reply By: Member Eric - Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 18:53
Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 18:53
Hi Bud , thanks for thinking of us and turning around to make our Simpson trip a memorable one.
Looking forward to givinh you a scare in the high country , if that is possible lol . But I will have PTROOl going , so i might be wetting my pants also lol
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Follow Up By: Willem - Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 19:18
Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 19:18
No worries mate.
Looking forward to a challenge in the High Country. Must have a few things repaired first .......lol
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Reply By: Member - Timothy N (NSW) - Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 21:35
Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 21:35
G'Day Willem. I got
home from
Broome a couple of weeks ago. Came back the way you're thinking of going next year. Kidson, top of the Gary, eastern bit of Talawana, shot line to
Warri site, down the Eagle/David
Carnegie, cut down to Yeo and across the Anne Beadell. I was quite amused to see the exploreoz sticker at
veevers meteorite crater! I also wondered if you had a tear in your eye when you passed that wrecked G60 south of there!! Also saw your note at
Windy Corner and later Neales
Junction ( I think there was a sticker there too?).
Pleased to report my Nissan also gave no trouble and survived with only a couple of new scratches. Gotta love them!
Did you run into Connie Sue Beadell out there? I seemed to just miss her everywhere.
What a great country. See you in the bush. Tim.
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Follow Up By: Willem - Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 21:51
Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005 at 21:51
Hi Tim
I will claim responsibility for the stickers at Veevers and
Neale Junction and a some other
places but have not been to
Windy Corner yet. Also didnt see the G60(had read about it somewhere though) as I havent been south of Veevers. Might see it next year. Also going to take more time to visit those
places. No missed Connie Sue Beadell as
well by about a week or so.
It definitely is a great country and I must see more before I fall off the perch lol
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Reply By: Wombat - Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 at 12:10
Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 at 12:10
89 days - you lucky B! It sounds like you had a ball Willem. And the best part of it is you're already planning the next trip. Welcome back . . . to Winter ;0(
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Reply By: Richard - Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 at 19:35
Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 at 19:35
Willem,
Great to meet you at
Birdsville for a bit of a yarn.
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