EASTER AT ARCOT

Welcome to a first trip report by the Sims family.

We set off after lunch on Friday as Linda had to work the morning, on board Steve, Linda and daughter Vanessa and her friend Kimberley. After about 3 hours driving the silence was shattered by a tyre blow out on our van. We finally got to ARCOT about 5:30pm and were amazed to see a sea of caravans with only a few camper trailers and a few tents. We actually asked for a site number as we drove past the happy hour members. Anyway not long and we were set up (thanks Chris for some torchlight as I tried to belt the pegs in hard ground). The dirt road in was surprisingly dusty and this was the case for the weekend as they haven’t had much rain of late. A pleasant evening by the camp fire and off to bed in anticipation of the Saturday drive. We set off faithfully following Phil and after a couple of gates realized this was going to be a great drive as the lollies were plentiful for the gate persons. Back to the drive and we came to a bit of a pinch. We had the choice of 2 climbs hard or nearly as hard. Didn’t see which way Phil went, but saw Chris in the hilux get up the harder one of the two, most then headed for the other. I had a couple of tries and dug some holes to make it harder for the others, but finally got up with a bit of the old mate momentum. Although Katie wasn’t sure if I was about to run her over or not, as she was standing amongst some saplings (in complete safety of course). Bill had a few tries but could not select low range so I snatched him up with the mighty pathfinder. The Cruises, Lenehans, Forests, Griffiths, Lucas, Hiscoxs all made it look easy. Merv was at this time toying with the harder hill (up and down for practice) anyway Dave Pebbles decided to make Graham Forests day by getting all crossed up, and for safety reasons, out came the strap for Dave quicker than you could say ‘pull that Nissan with the mighty Toyota 100’. The senior Middos had no trouble but poor Pete gave the Frontera a boot full and when we all thought he’d made it up, an awful crunch from the front signalled that all was not well. Middo’s senior and Pete decided to head back to camp at this stage.

We continued on and after a couple more up and downs Bill decided the 4runner had better be parked to save the auto from having a hernia. Bill and his mate Jerry joined Linda and me for the rest of the drive which was up, down, around and up, down, around some more. We drove tracks 2, 5, 7 (I think) and some others. These were quite rocky and loose due to the dry. One hill we decided to leave after a few got up and one car reversed down, this was very loose. After this we stopped for lunch/ late morning tea. After Phil carried out clutch repairs with a slave cylinder acquired from a Brisbane club member (several of them were lunching here also). After lunch we tackled a few more tracks before heading back to get ready for the Saturday night cookout that had every thing from camp bread and soup, to roasts, to stews and lasagne. A great feed was had by all then retirement to the camp fire after clean up. Pete amazing us all by saying good night at 8:30 although I’m sure he went about 9:30. He made up for it Sunday though.

Sunday saw a lot of us heading to Tenterfield for a scenic drive via Mole creek; Ghost Gully and Mackenzie lookout, after which Phil went the wrong way for a few hundred metres (fine in there somewhere). Lunch after this, some at the bowls club, others at the park, with some heading to a winery we had past on the way.

Back at Arcot later, several of us drove to a hill top selected especially by Phil to watch a lovely sunset. Gary Chapman had to face Judge Judy (Fran) and the Jury( Neil, Desley and Betty) after he had gone for a 2wd to charge the battery (front diff problems from another time) and had returned with damage after running over a stick that flicked up and clobbered his passenger door.

After much arm twisting Phil and Merv also agreed to take us on a night run after dinner. The stand out drive on this run from the Peeble car crewed by Fran & Ashley Peebles, Trish Hiscox and Sue Cruise. Dave, back at camp, listened nervously on the radio at the camp fire. I’m not sure why as the commentary from the rest of us in no way gave him any reason to worry, well maybe just a little. This was a good drive with many tight creek beds (no water) and tight turns. Fran had to park the patrol at the camp fire after for damaged inspection by Dave, but he could only see the duct tape holding the rear bumper lights that hadn’t handled the punishment Fran had handed out.

Monday saw most of us casually packing and not really wanting to head home, Marty Cruise leading a small party on a morning drive. The retirees were of course staying on, but as the rest of us drifted home I’m sure we were all thinking about another great Easter with the fellow club members.

Thanks to Phil Kilpatrick for leading this weekend I think we all had a tremendous time.

Steve Sims