CANUNDA / BEACHPORT
TRIP REPORT
22/1/2011 TO 26/2/ 2011
Day 1
Both Lynn & myself met prospective members Kevin Kerrison& Kathy Ashton at the Shell Roadhouse at Tailum Bend. After a drink and chat we then made our to Kingston S.E.where we stopped to pick up some last minute supplies and bite of lunch in the park. Then it was on our journey to Canunda National Park. After taking the wrong turn we ended up doing a quick tour of Beachport and after getting directions we eventually arrived at Canunda National Park at 4pm where we were met by Garry Hallam Jacob & Ashley. We then set up camp at Boozy Gully Then Andrew Narine arrived and by the time he had set up his it was time for drinks and our evening meal and enjoying each others company, during which time we discussed where we planned to travel on Day 2 of our trip. It was decided to travel from Southend to Robe via Beachport; starting time 9am. This would give us plenty of time to greet the other two vehicles that were joining us on that day. So after a few more drinks and night cap it was time to call it a day.
Day 2
After a good night’s sleep and nice breakfast it was time to prepare our vehicles, both under bonnet & external checks, then a steady run down to the beach at Southend where we deflated our tyre pressures put sand flags in position and did Radio checks ( Our Trip leader for the being Garry Hallam) Then we were on our way to Beachport where stopped for a morning coffee break another check of our vehicles and we were on to Robe via Nora Criena driving through sand hills and along the beach. At the half way point we stopped for lunch and a general chat about the morning’s driving. Our prospective members Kathy & Kevin handled the tracks very well in there Toyota Hi Lux
Then it was back on the track again. We were heading through the sand hills on very soft sand when I took the wrong line with a little too much momentum and ended up on the beach bogged. After a bit of shovel work and little more pressure out of the tyres it was back on the track again. After another stop for an afternoon cuppa we made our to Robe .
We all increased our tyre pressures filled up with fuel and beverage supplies and made our way back to Canunda, half into our trip. Back there they were Coral Tillmans & Trevor Kenny. we made radio contact and followed the group back to camp where we were greeted by Deane Pearce & Sac. After Trevor and Coral set up camp we all sat around cooked a meal and enjoyed a few drinks We discussed day 3 of our trip to Carpenters Rocks; a night cap then off to bed.
Day 3
Another good nights sleep .
Until I climbed out our caravan To my shock there was Trevor Kenny walking around in a Ladies very light green dressing gown with pair of black hard cap boots on(What a sight to see ) I still couldn't believe what i saw. it was like going to fancy dress ball - poor Trevor.
After coming to terms with the shock, again we all prepared our vehicles checking radios deflating tyres and putting up our sand flags for the trip to Carpenters Rocks led again by Garry Hallam Trevor & Coral joined us in our vehicle and off we went This was a group of five vehicles and plenty of good driving along the beach through soft sand hills and some spots challenging; making our way to the out skirts of the Millicent Dump where again we played around in the soft sand dunes for a while. Leaving this area we made our back on to the beach. Parts were very soft so this meant plenty of concentration was needed on our driving skills Then of a sudden Garry took the wrong line and got bogged in the same spot as last year. After bit of digging and a tow, eventually we got him off the beach, making our way through the sand dunes where we found a spot for lunch and a chat about the morning’s drive. We continued our journey to Lake Bonney lookout and on to Cape Banks where we stopped for a look around, then drove along the beach to Carpenters Rocks. We then re-inflated our tyres checked our vehicles had drink and made our back to our Canunda camp for another evening of talking eating & drinking .
Day 4 ( Weather Overcast)
It was time for us to say goodbye to Andrew who had a prior commitment in Naracoorte / Keith .
Deane Garry and their grandchildren decided to stay in Southend and do some fishing off the jetty and relax
So Kathy Kevin Coral Trevor Lynn& myself decided to travel along the beach from Southend to Beachport After checking our vehicles, deflating tyres, sand flags etc we were on our way. When we reached our destination the ladies walked along the jetty and hung around the foreshore. We found somewhere to have spot of lunch then went for a stroll around the town looking in shops and points of interest, eventually making our way in the tourist information centre where read up a little about the area Kevin &Kathy led us on short drive around town and we then made our way back to our camp in the pouring rain catching up with the rest of our group. It was decided to go back to Beachport for a bite to eat at the Beachport Hotel. The food was great and everybody had a good relaxing time .We then drove back to our camp where the men sat under the canvas in the rain at Deane’s camp and had a drink while Lynn Coral and Kathy played games with Sac Jacob & Ashley in our caravan. Then it was time to call it a day and off to bed.
Day 5 ( Time to pack up our camp for us all )
Trevor & Coral left us around 730 am for their trip back to Adelaide via Cape Jaffa; Kevin & Kathy travelled to Yankalilla and were catching up with friends for a few days; Garry Jacob Ashley Deane Sac made their way back to Adelaide. We (Geoff& Lynn) made our way to Kingston SE. stopping at the Woakwine Cutting& Machinery Display, arriving back in Adelaide late Saturday night.
In closing my report, I think Kevin & Kathy will make worthy members of our Club if accepted into membership by you, our Members. They fitted into our group very well.
Thanks again to Andrew Garry Deane their grandchildren, Coral, Trevor and Lynn for making this a very enjoyable trip
President Geoff Green
