ASR 2013 – Mt Gambier S.A. Larry & Wendy’s Trek across country

Day 1 – 23/03/2013 Saturday We left Perth at 8.06am on Saturday 23rd March on our trek across the country to the EH Car Clubs ASR being held in Mt Gambier S.A., driving the EH Panel-van, the Odometer reading 11629.4 “miles”. We met up with John Nolan at Greenmount and then continued on, John was travelling in his Commodore towing the then unveiled EH Station Wagon that he and Vera had just had fully restored. We allowed ourselves a pit stop every 2 hours or so and our first one was at Kellerberrin where we first filled up, then stopped at Merredin for lunch. Keeping to the regime we stopped at Southern Cross, then at Coolgardie where we filled up again.

First hic-cup of the trek happened, after leaving Coolgardie the Panel-van overheated, just our luck! We pulled over, lifted the hood and waited for the temperature to go down, filled the radiator up and limped to Norseman, arriving about 6.30pm. We did 533 miles on the first day, 12162.4 on the Odometer. Day 2 – 24/03/2013 Sunday Left Norseman at 6.50am: an early start for me! Our first stop was Balladonia where we filled up then I was actually allowed to drive, well of course I got the boring bit, the 90 mile straight (146.5km’s). Had to keep an eye on the temperature as our radiator needed a drink along the way too (later finding out it had a couple of small holes in it). Second stop was at Cocklebiddy where we had lunch, don’t blink, you may miss it.

Larry took over the driving, hated having his knees up under his chin whilst I was driving, and 10km’s out of Madura we took a hit! A bl.... big rock thrown by a big

truck hit our windscreen, lovely just bl.... lovely! Thanks goodness it was a laminated one, having a big ring just above the right eye area, not good at all! We filled up at Mundrabilla both fuel and water, arrived at Eucla where we stayed for the night. We got some really beautiful sunset photos too. Meals we had were huge! We did 527.7 miles on the second day, 12690.1 on the Odometer.

Day 3 – 25/03/2013 Monday Had to keep on having the early starts, left Eucla at 6.35am filled up at Border Village and on the road again. 20km’s from Nullarbor the oil pressure decided to play up so of course we had to pull over and check it out. The coincidence of it all is that it was 10am QLD time, the time of my cousin’s funeral, we looked at one another and we just knew. John helped out with his bush knowledge and used his packing tape to fix the problem – to high brow for me. Again we limped into Nullarbor, filled up the fuel, water and oil, could you have a better start to a trip, I don’t think so! So glad to have John with us as he rang ahead and organised for a friend of a friend etc to do some work on the Panel-van once we arrived in Adelaide. We arrived in Penong where we had our next break and lunch. We had kind of planned to stop overnight at Ceduna however there was still lot’s of daylight left so filled up and travelled on to Wudinna. Really the best place we stayed at on the trip, a cabin at the back of the Hotel, and included breakfast.

John towing the Station Wagon was having a few problems with the plastic wrap so had to do some repairs. We used up all of the plastic that he had and hoped for the best.

Must mention Vera here as she organised our overnight bookings, was wonderful and was greatly appreciated. After all the events that had happened we have now named our panel-van “Merle” after my cousin, she stayed with us for the rest of our trip. We did 523.6 miles on the third day, 13,213.7 on the Odometer. Day 4 – 26/03/2013 Tuesday Up and early once again however we had forgotten that we were travelling east and that the sun wasn’t getting up as early as we were and with the time differences....... We ended up waiting around for an hour or so until 7.30am as there was no way we were travelling in the dark, too much road-kill for our beauties. We arrived in Port Augusta at 10.45am, filled up and then the big moment, we unveiled the Station Wagon, didn’t want to however the wrapping was coming off big time, it lasted rather well but was just too far gone to repair/fix, also we had no more plastic to do so. Next pit stop was Port Wakefield where we filled up and had some lunch. The journey was almost over however it was really the beginning. We arrived in “Adelaide” where John led us to his mates, mate who was waiting for us to have a look at the Panel-van and the ensuing problems we had had. We dropped it off, grabbed what gear we could out of the back, stuffed it and ourselves into the Commodore and went and booked into the Motel at Enfield where we were booked in to stay for a couple of nights. After booking in we went for a walk, had a look around and found a pub for dinner and had an early night. We did 413 miles on the fourth day, 13626.7 on the Odometer. Day 5 – 27/03/2013 Wednesday A day off! Time to do those wonderful chores your know washing clothes etc, yum just what I needed to do. Larry went off with John to pick up our Sedan and their Panel-van that were put on the train. It was kind of starting to happen, Vera, “Johno” and Jamie arrived, then Simon and Tina and finally Mark arrived in time for dinner at the Empire Hotel. We collected our now mended Panel-van, so happy now we can get on with it! Only put a few miles on it here 9.7 miles, 13636.4 on the Odometer. Day 6 – 28/03/2013 Thursday Left Enfield in tandem, what a beautiful sight all the EH’s travelling together, made the club look great. Simon took this one, got out of his Ute, took the photo and still had to wait for the lights to change! Our first break was at Tailem Bend where we filled up, at this time I was driving the Panel-van and Larry the Sedan, so we were travelling by ourselves. We then stopped at Keith for lunch, parked the vehicles up in the street, got lots of comments. We reached Mt Gambier HQ, registered then went and booked into the Caravan Park where we stayed for the duration. Guess who our neighbours were: Neil and Sue!

Another 331.6 miles added today, 13968.0 on the Odometer. After checking in and spreading our gear all about, it was time to find some warm clothes: wow did it get cold and miserable not to mention the rain. Back to HQ, checked out where all were staying and catching up with other members of the WA Club. Then walked around the back for the welcome Dinner/BBQ, we stayed long enough to get fed and watered, meet some people and then went back to the cabin to get warm! The start of a good time!

Day 7 – 29/03/2013 Friday The start of the ASR, and what a start, Breakfast - yummo! Today was a “free” day so what did I do - washing of course; you think we are dirty people! Larry spent the morning washing and polishing and generally playing with the two vehicles. The weather was a bit miserable so after we got ourselves organised we didn’t do much, just chilled out until dinner. We climbed aboard the bus provided and went to the Racecourse for dinner, not the best I have ever had however not going to complain as there was plenty to eat. All were again welcomed by the EH Club of S.A. and then the games began. Racing Cars, well what else would you expect, car club............... Up first were Sue and Vera, didn’t do too well, no podiums this time, then it was my turn, who would have thought that I could win! Well I did. Next up it was Johno, Mark, Jamie and Tina. Yes another podium, Johno!

Top night out with all the club members that were at the ASR sitting down to dinner together, a real good start to the week-end. Day 8 – 30/03/2013 Saturday All right get up and get ready it was Show ’n’ Shine day. First off Breakfast, what can I say if you didn’t have enough it was your own fault! We all got our vehicles to the ground and parked up, the Nolan’s did well with their display, brought in sand and all the goodies to make the display look great, which it did, was real hard work for them!

The worst part of it all is that I didn’t take photos of all of the vehicles however I have a lot of ones that I like so had added them some in here. My first panoramic with the new camera!

At the end of the Show ‘n’ Shine there was a lot of packing up to do and all gave a helping hand to the Nolan’s, they needed it as all the sand had to go, big effort for the display and it was good to see all those that did give a hand, I didn’t but I took some photos, that was my bit! They didn’t scar the soil, leave any marks or leave any sand, and as you can see by the following photos, there were a few spectators for this event, came first in my humble opinion. They were one of two that made the effort to display their vehicle, the other one was a Ute, country style.

After the event we lined up the five vehicles that stayed behind and had a photo session, don’t they just look sooooooooo good!!!!!!!!

Lunch and Dinner supplied was again exceptional, well done to the caterers! Dinner at the RSL Club, then those that wanted to went on a night cruise, we didn’t, just stayed at the club and listened to some great music and chatted to those that stayed, a good day had by all. Day 9 – 30/03/2013 Sunday A day of fun and games; the Driving Events! The cars on display here were wonderful and those that took part in the events had so much fun and brought lots of laughter and clapping from the spectators. It made me wish that we had entered our vehicles into the melee. Our club members that entered the events were: Simon in his Ute, Vera in her Station Wagon and John in his Panel-van. No smoking up but lots of fun.

Some of the Club Members who were at the Driving Events

A wonderful time had by all and we were ready for dinner after all the events. Dinner was held at “The Barn” and what a place, the setting and ambience was just right to relax in and have a good time. We snagged a table that we could all sit at and being Easter Sunday, I supplied a scattering of Easter Eggs along our table, made it rather festive too. I must admit there were not many left by the end of the evening. Again the food was delicious and again not much was left on the plates, soup, main meal and dessert, I don’t do that at home! Presentations were done and our table had three which was wonderful, Vera got two for her Station Wagon and John one for his Panel-van, all were well deserved.

Day 10 – 1/04/2013 Monday The end of 2013’s ASR, an experience that I will be doing again, look forward to 2015 at the Gold Coast. We have already got a room booked with John and Vera and Simon and Tina. After Breakfast there were the good-byes to be made however we were staying on for another night as were the Nolan’s and spent the day sightseeing with them. First to the Blue Lake, you can see why it is called that and why so many people make a point of taking in the sight, we spent some time walking around and of course taking numerous photos.

Next stop was the Umpherston Sinkhole – wow, it is really something and will be putting a lot of photos in here as it was one of the most beautiful places that I have seen, I can imagine it when it is in full bloom.

Day 11- 2/04/2013 Tuesday We travelled in convoy with the Nolan’s back to Adelaide where we put our Sedan and both of the Nolan’s vehicles on the train for the trip home. We stayed on for another 10 days and had a fantastic time. We really enjoyed our stay and will definitely be going back to S.A. for further holidays.