We're moving on today - destination is the free camping at Calliope River. Bacon & Egg rolls for breakfast again and then we started packing up slowly. No point in rushing the tide is in, so we can't get along the beach until about 10.30 - 11am. Craig was kept amused for 1/2 - 3/4 hours watch with curiosity as a car tried to come along beach while the tide was still high. He seemed to get hung up on a tree lying across the beach, he was snatched off by the 2nd car eventually.
Time to close up the camper and get organised to go. Something doesn't seem right with the camper, it doesn't seem to be closing fully. Craig thought we might be on a big enough angle for it not to close up properly, so he moved forward to a flat area and we tried again - hmmm same result. Got it close to closed up and locked down. 11am said our farewells and we'll off after all that drama. There have been plenty of roadworks along the Bruce Highway today, obviously still fixing it up after Cyclone Yasi. Stopped in at Rocky on the way through for some staples. Never called into Marlborough, so we stopped in for lunch - it's a very small town and luckily the general store did hamburgers. Frustrating drive today, with lots of slow drivers and caravans to deal with. Eventually we arrived at Calliope River about 5.30pm, we only had about 420klms to travel today, but it took forever and Craig is quite tired.
Found a nice grassy spot amongst the trees and away for everyone else. You can camp on both sides of the river, while the other side looks better we decided due to the timing we'd stay on the side with facilities. Now, this is where the day got worse - Craig started opening up the camper, it got to about a 45degree angle and just stopped. First off he thought it was low voltage in the batteries (we need to replace the batteries in the camper after the trip), so turned to truck on - camper wasn't opening or closing. This all adds up to one grumpy Stork at this stage. He kept saying "I don't know what to do", I don't know whats wrong". Craig gave me the remote and lifted the floor up to take the pressure off the linear ram, while I pressed the close button - that worked, we were at least able to close up (however the ram was make a terrible racket while it was working). Craig suspected the nut had stripped itself again = broken ram, again! Still have nowhere to sleep at the moment, so Craig put some positive pressure on the ram and we got it fully opened - thankfully. Got dinner underway, while boy had a beer and settled down. I could see he was tired and disappointed that we have a 2nd ram that has failed - at least it didn't try and kill this time. After dinner we had a shower and went to bed. We'll deal with the ram tomorrow after a good nights sleep.
(Due to the dramas that occurred at Calliope River, I don't have any photos of the area sorry, but it's a very pleasant free camp area).
Tuesday 27/9/11 - First was coffee this morning, Craig had a little sleep in - then he'll call the supplier of the linear ram, to see what we can do. However, my ever resourceful boy does have plan, he disconnected the ram so at least we should be able to close the camper up manually by lifting the floor up ourselves. 8.30am on the phone explaining to the supplier what had happened, where we were - they all recalled the failure on the first ram we had. Craig was given permission to pull apart the ram to see what had happened and if he could fix it. Upon investigation, same problem as last time but with more bits broken = ram is terminal :( Another phone call to supplier to tell them of the findings - outcome: Craig to call Qld Rep upon our return and hopefully it will be returned under warranty for repairs or replacement.
That sorted, we packed up - we had decided we'd still go to Monduran Dam to see Rob. Craig called Rob to see if he had any cabins available and explain our issues, he was kind enough to allow us to use the houseboat for one night as it was free. So we got some clothes, bedding and bits n pieces out of the camper and put them in the storage cavity, which we can access from outside. Time to see if we can close this sucker up by hand. We lifted the floor up to shoulder height, then walked it up to vertical, while I held it Craig raced around and climbed up the side of the car to help lower it down onto the base and then I tucked the tent in - all done and it was surprising easy and light (that might have something to do with the fact Craig built the unit) :)
On the road by 11.15am, heading south to Monduran Dam. More roadworks & slow drivers today. Of course we had to stop a MiriamVale so Craig could have a crab sandwich. On our way to Monduran we decided we would be able to open & close the camper by hand, so wouldn't stay on the houseboat (it'll be easier being in our own little house anyway, where everything is there). Arrived at 1.30pm, got an ice cream and rang Rob who was having lunch at home. Drove up to Rob & Kel's house to sort out what we were doing and have a chat of course. That sorted, Rob told us to go and find a campsite (someone was in our "usual" spot, which Rob thought might upset us he told us later with a chuckle). We found a flat spot, unfortunately we didn't have a fireplace though. Rob was going to give us a hand to open up the camper, but we managed to open it easily before he got down to us. While Craig & Rob went off to try and catch some Barra, I remade the bed and packed our clothes away, then I settled in to work on our blog - very slow going uploading photos & videos.
Got our dinner going on the stove about 6pm and the boys eventually got back somewhere between 6.30pm & 7pm - empty handed of course!
The boys got Boris & I to jump into Rob's car with them, because we were going over to feed the captive fish in the tanks that they have there (biggest Barramundi in the tank is about 106cm). It was interesting watching all the fish feed, it became obvious that Barramundi are lazy fish and it's not a wander Craig can't catch one - you'd have to hit it on the head with your bait or lure!).
Rob came back to our camp with us for a beer and a rum. We showed him some photos & video of our trip, they discussed various ideas to make money & have quality of life until Kel rang to chase Rob home because it was 10.45pm and he had a charter the next day! We hadn't even had dinner either, but at least it just needed re-heating and rice to be cooked. While that was happening, I noticed the boys had consumed 1/2 of a 40lb bottle of rum, that explained why they were both rotten drunk! I think Rob is in trouble when he gets home.... We had dinner quickly, just rinsed the dishes and I'll deal with them tomorrow - too late to do them now. Bed time now.
Wednesday 28/9/11 - Told Craig he could deal with Boris this morning when he wanted to go outside at 6.40am - not my fault boy feels a bit average this morning! Eventually when we got up we had a yummy bacon & scrambled egg breakfast - should help someone with their hangover.... Plan today, relaxing at camp, watching campers come and go, went for a walk around with Boris and found our campsite for next time we stay. Did some more work on the blog.
Cooked our spaghetti bol up at the camp kitchen tonight. I spyed Rob driving down to our campsite and went over to let him know we were at the camp kitchen. After a bit of back and worth we were back at the campsite, we had dinner while chatting and Rob stayed for one rum.
Thursday 29/9/11 - Packed up this morning and were ready to leave about 10am. Popped into the office to say goodbye to Kel and then we looking for Rob up the hill. They were moving an old water tank out of one of the holiday houses, so Craig gave them a hand to load it onto the trailer then we said goodbye to Rob and we are off. Talked about our holiday on the way home, contemplated where & when our next trip will be. We actually stopped at Apple Tree Creek at "Sticky Beaks", it was open - had pizza for an early lunch about 11.30am and it was yummy. We were chatting with the owner/chef and he gave us their menu and opening times before we left, he said we can plan our future trips around when they are open - funny man. I asked Craig if he was happy to be going home now - answer "yes, it'll be nice to get back to our home", then about an hour away from home he says to me "how much meat & food do we have in the camper? I've got 1/2 a carton of beer, how much wine do you have?" Haha, I looked at him and said we have enough food for about a week and can get beer & wine anywhere...... We were sensible and drove home - how silly are we! We arrived home about 4pm, unpacked the fridge and galley and decided to leave the rest until tomorrow. Sad now, this adventure is over :(
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