Sandy Creek Camping

19th - 2th November

Attended By -
Gary & Betty Chapman - Jackaroo
Ian & Hanne Menzies - Patrol
Graham & Sandra Moore & Casey – Patrol
Neil & Desley Middleton – Patrol
Arthur & Annette Davis – Toyota
Gordon Bishop & Lorraine – Patrol
Bill Freeman – Patrol
Paul & Brendan Bishop – Patrol
Phyllis & Greg Hutchinson - Patrol

Bet and I left home just before midday and arrived at Sandy Creek camping area around 1.45 pm to find the Menzies, Moores, Middletons, and Cruices already set up. After setting up ourselves it was not long before the Lenehans arrived, then the Davis, Williams, Lucas, and Greg Sims with a couple of mates, Alex and Andrew. Most had a relaxing afternoon and a walk along the creek and watched the kids playing in the creek. Later, some of the younger children had some fun riding a Toy trike down the grassy slope next to the camp site. The adults had the usual good time and laughs around the camp fire - many thanks to Desley for sharing her Dr. Harden pills around. For those who didn't go, I'm not going into more detail (you will have to ask Desley). Bet cooked a damper which was quite tasty, everyone had one or two pieces. Even the children had pre-bedtime relaxation - DVD movie supplied by the Robsons. Thanks Craig and Kaarina.

Saturday morning dawned bright and clear. While waiting for the Saturday arrivals, most of those already camped came on a short drive, and on one loop track which, when the recce was executed, had a fairly steep and loose descent. This descent now had quite a large erosion gully at one side, which made for an interesting ride down, which made my co-pilot very nervous. I avoided this loop for the rest of the weekend. Greg Sims popped the bead on a front tyre. This meant a wheel change, which was accomplished quickly.

By the time we arrived back at camp, most of the others had arrived and were setting up, so we decided to have an early lunch and set out at midday for another drive. After traversing a few tracks, we stopped and looked at track 5 which is a steep, loose, hill climb (this is a one way track as the descent is worse). Paul Bishop decided to give it a try and after a couple of attempts, decided to retreat but nearly went into a deep erosion gully, but with some assistance and big logs placed in the gully, managed to reverse safely down. Gordon also tried once followed by Steve Sims, who managed to get to the top first go. Greg followed in Dad's tyre­tracks but after several spectacular showers of stones and dust, got snatched the rest of the way by Steve. Chris decided to try and was successful first go. No need to buy a locker now Chris, that new exhaust was all you needed. We waited a little while for the hill climbers to complete the loop back to us and then continued on a few more tracks around the play area. Then we continued around to our campsite for an early happy hour(s).
After tea, all sat around the camp fire, which was quite large thanks to Greg and his mates who enthusiastically chopped and dragged logs from the bush, even though we had quite a pile of timber next to the fire. Bet cooked another damper which she managed to cut so everyone had a taste, while we all yarned the night away.

Sunday was another beautiful fine day. We left on the morning drive at 8.30 am with 14 vehicles, did track 13, which I call the gully track as there is one in particular which is fairly deep. But all managed 0K with only a few having a couple of attempts. We continued on and did the same track as the main trip yesterday, but in the opposite direction. Not many problems until, a few hundred metres from the property owner's house, I experienced a flat tyre. I thought I must have disturbed the bead on a rocky section we had just passed, but on closer inspection, I could see a split in the sidewall. By the time I had unbolted the spare, the young team of Greg, Alex, and Andrew had the front jacked up & the flat tyre loose ready to pop the spare on in next to no time. With the tools put away, we were off again with only a climb up the track next to the owner's house to the top of a ridge and then the descent back into the camping area, where we said cheerio to some who had packed up before going out on this drive, while the rest of us had lunch and slowly packed up for the trip home.

I would like to say it was really nice to see all the younger children playing together and seeming to behave well and get on with each other. Paddling in the creek was a popular pastime.
Thank you to all those who attended and made it a very enjoyable weekend, and judging by the positive comments, I'm sure we will be doing another trip here in the not too distant future.

By Gary & Betty Chapman