We are now in Injune, will be here for another night, using delaying tactics as the weather still aint want I call GOOD? further south,
Van all sorted and packed proper,  had a mud wasp build a block into the open tap on the chassis but all cleared now,  all systems now go,
Road from Rolliston to here and pass the Carnarvon Gorge was littered with road kill, we had a competition tween us who spotted it first, counted 93 all up
Only upset was the  pilot of a wide vehicle called us on the CB telling us of a wide load coming at me , then around a bend came  a police car driving straight at me and I had just got to a part of the road which had crash barriers on both side,so I had to back the van till I could get OFF THE BITUMEN, A BLOODY BIG HOUSE 9.5 METRES WIDE , AND THE BITUMEN WAS ONLY 7 METRES,
sWORE AT THE PILOT FOR BEING TO CLOSE TO THE LOAD AND NOT GIVING ENOUGHT NOTICE
Doona last night instead of blanket, and Tisha,s coat comes out of the drawer, think this is the furherest south she has come, excellent traveler, and seems to be enjoying it
Recommend Injune C/P, big billabong just at the bottom of the park with a bitumen walkway all around and at $12 a night good value all the ablutions appear new,
Parked next to a fella who said he was an Engineer and who complained about the dust, (renovations and an increase in sites) and the ventilation in the showers, and the lack of management at the park, bit of a snob I think, Fulcher van, never heard of it and a VERY new Pajero,  sort of looked down his nose at my old rig, I felt sorry for him,
Roma, St George, to Hebel, then we might stop at Walgett as it was featured in this magizine, then we cope with daylight saving 

ah c/park snobbery is still alive and well, how do you keep the dog out from under the blankets, our little blokes play "run up and down dads back all night" those pilots are an ignorant mob they drive straight at you and berate you when we cant get off the road

Hey Mike and Judy. One day I'll get Roger to tell you his thoughts on some "pilots". He quoted the law to a couple and they sure didn't like it. Before you get to Walget, hang a left at "the Ridge" and have a feed at the Bowls Club! Great meal and easy parking. As for snobs mate, you probably have experienced more in life than they could ever imagine. Thats what make you rich and them in need!!! Safe travels. We'll look forward to following your exploits. Cheers , Dellie

Mike and Judy, have you been to Lightning Ridge before? Recommend a stay at Lorne Station, 5km out of the town - great base to explore the area.

That confrontation with oversized loads is very scary when towing. Some of those pilots must have failed the training course by their behaviour. Sometimes I hear them talking on the UHF and ask where they are and how wide. I then tell them "what I am", and when I'm safely off the road. It's very hard to get off the road outside the white posts in Qld. Bloody dangerous roads, no verge or shoulder to get off the road. The widest I've faced was a 7.5 metre bulldozer complete with blade out on the Barkly Hwy, and a house in WA where the shoulders are very generous, or if you're lucky, you get to pull off on a wide floodway. You're passing through some great and beautiful country. Pity about the wildlife, but I suppose there's plenty of feed out there. Take care.

we passed a couple of big huge tractor/ harvester thing with the pilot guy in front, while on the way to Condobolin in NSW ,were here till monday tuesday, and they do need to be further down to let you know i think.. and there are places where theres no way I'd want to pull over, just too hazardous

It can be a treacherous life out on the road when faced with the unpredicted.Road builders obviously don't anticipate and plan for the people and traffic which use the roads they build. It's a hard life, but a little common sense can save lives. I find the UHF radio extremely helpful in these instances, and for lots of other traffic and road conditions along the way. Just listening to what's going on can prepare you, but it's handy to have a chat occasionally, but not on the truckie channel 40. It's a call channel but then you go over to 18 or 20 if you want to have a yarn. Somewhere way back on this forum someone wrote up a very comprehensive list of channels and uses on UHF. Milo, I hope you and your dad are really enjoying this experience together.

We have just arrived home from Wagga Wagga. we weren't towing the van this time and I was very pleased not to when we were confronted with some enormous vehicles coming at us. Again there was little distance between the pilot and the wide load. There were also some crazy detours around road works. Some cars in front of us didnt appear to know where to drive. We were in Wagga to witness my son graduate from the Air force training. He was awarded Dux of the course, and then proceded to propose to his girlfriend. This occurred after the Grad ceremony, but on another parade ground with the assistance of his entire company, all marching in formation. It was quite a sight.

Know how proud you must have felt, we did the same thing with our son Feb 07.  He's now in 37 SQN at Richmond.

Following in his Dad's footsteps albiet a different SQN



-- Edited by Ma on Saturday 10th of October 2009 01:11:53 PM