Dawn and I where traveling along the freeway, when near Mount Barker we passed Ian, we finally got his attention at Tailem Bend and we decided it was time for a coffee break. Just as we where ordering Andrew pops his head in and asks, Can I join you?

Gary H with Ashley, Jacob and Len T had decided to travel the day before to the campsite, to ensure that we would all have good camping spots. The Grants said they where leaving on the Saturday.

After coffee we took off for Menigee to wait for the Mckeown’s if they were coming. Andrew made a beeline for the bakery, so we all had morning tea.

Right on schedule we left Meningee at 11.37am, next stop Mount Benson wine sales where we had some wine tasting.

Sometime later that afternoon we arrived at Boozy Gully campground, to find that the Grants had arrived some hours before us. We chose our spots and set up our respective camps, Andrew’s camp seemed to resemble a pigeon coup.

We then settled in for a long happy hour including dinner and supper. Somehow Andrew had managed to sucker Denise into washing up his dishes. (I don’t know what it is you have Andrew, but can I have some?)

Stuart and Denise volunteered to stay back and guard the camp on Saturday, so five Patrols headed off for a day of sand driving toward Robe. We started with the beach between Southend and Beachport, about half way along the beach Gary, Len and Andrew decided that just driving along the beach was boring, so they stopped for a play in the sand.

After some shoveling around and me giving Len and Andrew a pull we where on our way again to Beachport, as the play had taken some time, it was decided morning tea would be taken at Beachport. On arrival Andrew couldn’t resist the urge to buy food. (I was quickly coming to the conclusion that Andrew loved food and wine)

We proceeded to drive toward Robe along the Beaches and tracks, enjoying the serenity of the day as we went, after some sand play a lunch break was taken. During lunch young Jacob was attacked by huge biting insect, that caused him severe pain on his leg, luckily Dr. Ian had some special Sunseptic cream that eased Jacobs pain very quickly.

The rest of the days sand driving passed without any incidents, but with much satisfaction and enjoyment from all and upon reaching Robe, Andrew bid us all farewell and drove home. We all headed back to camp, stopping for a look at the Wokewine cutting along the way.

We arrived back at camp to find the McKeown family had arrived and another night of happy hours and food followed.

Next saw the group heading off for a day trip to Mount Gambier and the Princess Margaret Rose Cave, first stop was coffee and then the Aquifer tour.

The tour was very informative and we all learnt a lot.

After the tour we had a long lunch on the beautiful lawns at Valley Lake, the kids had much fun playing with the ducks.

After lunch we drove to Mount Shank (a nearby extinct volcano) for a look. Stuart, Ian, Ashley, Jacob and myself proceeded to race to the top for a look, whilst the others stayed back for a rest. Ashley beat us to the top and also won the race on the way back. After this burst of youthful insanity it was time to head off fro the Cave Tour.

The Cave tour was well conducted and all of us found the formations to be spectacular. Then a quick dash back to camp for a long happy hour and some food.

Next day everyone headed off home leaving Dawn and myself to stay on for another day, Dawn soon missed the companionship of young Jacob, so I had to play with her instead and we had a short 4wd drive trip in the afternoon along the southern tracks. We packed up the next day and headed home to a 43 degree Adelaide.

The weekend was marked by 24 degree days and very cold nights, happy hours saw us all reaching for warm clothing. I am sure everyone enjoyed the trip and Dawn and I wish to thank everyone who came.

By Ralph.