Crystalvale

10th - 11th September

We arrived at camp at 8.15 on Saturday morning and not long after Bill turned up. The weather was just perfect. Had just set up camp and Ian had us on the move for drive before lunch. 7 cars for this drive which was mostly having a good look around, playing on some hills and in a little mud. There was one hill that got plenty of interest. A deep washout out on the right, and another on the left then a steep jump up. Ian had a couple of attempts to get up and then we all got out of our cars to investigate. The next two cars passed, and against all advice Bill said he needed his adrenalin rush for the day and had a go, not once, not twice but four times. He then decided to go without his rush and follow the other two cars. Greg had a go but decided from then he should buy his wife diff lockers for Christmas. Then along came Steve in the Cruiser. Had no problems getting up. I don't thing he even raised a sweat. "Oh What a Feeling". Then a slow meander back to camp enjoying the beautiful scenery at the base of Springbrook. When we got back, Gordon and Lorraine were set up. Had a bit of a natter and then lunch. Not long after lunch Ian had us on the move again. 9 cars plus one this time. When we left camp Steve was tail end, but he had a tag along. I should remain polite and suggest that our tag along was a very knowledgeable fellow, he thought he had us believing that he was a very experienced driver, but did not do anything until Steve did first. We covered a bit of the same ground as we had in the morning until we found some different play hills. Went for a walk down the first hill, which was very greasy and badly washed out at the bottom. Steve decided to have a go but the rest of us went down the middle one. By the time I got to the bottom of the second track Steve was already down the first. Well I should say almost, as he was in a precarious position in the washed out section which was on the left hand side up against the bank. With a bit of maneuvering and lots of advice he managed to drive out safely. Then, you guessed it, his tag along had a go. After a bit of sideways excitement he got down safely. Then continued on our way and found a fairly serious mud hole. An easy entry in but a steep exit out. Steve was the only taker for this one. He had four attempts to get up the bank on the other side, and with a never give up attitude he got out. "Oh What A Feeling". and guess who followed. Oh and by the way, Linda I just made that up. There was no such mud hole on the map and Steve was not in one of those moods. We continued on climbing hills and through some more mud. Steve's tag along mate got bogged in a mud hole that we all avoided so Steve had to snatch him out. It was suggested over the two way, that we leave him there. For some reason he left us after that. We came back to the hill that created a fair amount of interest in the morning, and this time Ken was in his car waiting to have a go. Which he did, successfully a couple of times. "Oh What A Feeling". Soon after that he had to change a tyre. For some reason it was only flat at the bottom. Back to camp for a few drinks under the shelter shed, and we proudly showed off our photos of Cape York. After tea we all sat around the fire, listened to the football, whether we wanted to or not, courtesy of Bill and enjoyed scones courtesy of Jennifer for supper. We woke up Sunday morning to a very heavy sky. When Ian told us that it was time to go for a drive he had hoped that the rain would hold off, as it would not have been good getting caught on the muddy tracks in the middle of a downpour. So we set off again. Not long and our first point of interest. A Long deep muddy hole with a steep exit. I promised Gordon that I would not tell anyone that he got stuck and had to be snatched out, so I won't because I can't talk as I took the easy way round. Bill had a go and got through. You would have sworn that he had won the Lotto. He was pumped after having his rush for the day...The rest all came through okay. Then after going around in circles a few times we ended back at the base of the three tracks that we played on Saturday afternoon. The track that we were planning appeared to be a real challenge. Ian and Gordon got up okay and I had ago but after a couple of attempts had to back down. Greg was considering attacking the hill and finally said to Bill that if he got up okay Bill was to follow so the challenge was on. Greg made it up and I think Bill was a little disappointed. But Bill being a man of his word had to have ago. He had a couple of attempts and did not quite get there so he backed down to the bottom. Someone from the audience said that he has given up. But he belted it and went up flat out and made it. Well was he pumped...Good on ya Bill. Steve waltzed up and Linda had her turn without any drama. From there back to camp and unfortunately pack up time..it was time for home.

Thanks Ian for a great weekend and also thanks to his navigator Dieter and the company of all the other folks who attended.

Beven & Jennifer

Steve economizing on tyre wear
Bill showing his stuff