Monday 28th March

 As late arrivers to the trip we met with those continuing on at the service station in Andamooka.  The station was opened early to attend to the needs of the intrepid travellers and we departed about 9.30am.

 The first part of the trip was on the Mulgaria Track which took us from Andamooka, via Mulgaria Station over Lake Torrens to Farina where we camped the night.  The track was largely open country with a few sand dunes which had to be negotiated – not always successfully by some members of the club.  Kim practiced backing up sand dunes in his effort to rescue Gerry & Bev and only took 3 tries before getting close enough to attach the snatch strap.  Lunch with the flies was fun!!! 

On arriving at the homestead we found only a very friendly dog so a calling card was left with the promise of a cheque in the post.  Think that is what you call Use Now, Pay Later.  There were gates to be shut and TC (alias Jock and Graham) were rewarded with goodies for this job.  Arrived at Farina late afternoon to welcome hot showers and flushing toilets.  The evening was pleasant with a beautiful sunset and a presentation of wings, wand and tiara to the (now proclaimed) fairy of the club.  Paul, the Am-er-ee-can kept us entertained during the evening and Kim became Tim, remaining that way for the rest of the trip.

 Tuesday 29th March

Headed off by 9am and toured the ruins and cemetery at Farina.  Some decided to go straight to Leigh Creek to get supplies, others detoured via the Copley Bakery for morning tea.  Mind you the pasties were big enough to be more than a meal, but were still just morning tea to the “bigger” members of the group.  We met Leonie and Greg just south of Leigh Creek and had lunch at Aroona Dam, a very pretty spot where we did some turtle spotting.  After some tyre problems for Stuart & Gerry we arrived at Warraweena late afternoon and were taken to our camping spot by Stony Steiner.  The evening was a very quiet one, I suspect because most of the group were still exhausted from their busy time at Andamooka and had some sleep to catch up on.      

 Wednesday 30th March

 The convoy of 11 cars left camp at 9am to drive the Cockatoo/Dunbar track.  We had a great day on what was quite a demanding and challenging track.  The weather was beautiful and we were rewarded with some beautiful scenery.  The track took us along dry creek beds and along the top of ranges and the highlight (for the drivers) was negotiating the Suicide Track down to Dunbar Hut.  It was too far for Jenny to walk so she just had to trust Ian and make the trip with him.  A group photo was taken at Dunbar Hut and we are so glad for Paul that his mobile phone worked there so he could make a call.   The evening was spent around the campfire – who cares if it is a warm evening, you must have a campfire – and there was reminiscing about the day.  Ian and Greg discovered they are both ex scholars of Roseworthy College and we all now know where the college colours of pink and black come from.  It all has to do with Clydesdale horses and if you wish to know more, please feel free to ask them!  As with the other evenings on the trip much of the night was spent looking for satellites in the clear night sky – some of us never found one but Jan was the expert spotter.

Thursday 31st March

 Happy Birthday George!!  Today was deemed a lay day so that was how it was spent.  It was also roast night for the club so there was much preparation to be done.  George was presented with his birthday hat and a DVD of his club exploits very expertly prepared by Denise and Stuart.  We hope to see the hat at one of the meetings so that all may admire it.  The DVD is a real keepsake and congratulations must go to Denise and Stuart (as producers, narrators, directors and everything else) for a fantastic job.  Maybe they will go into the DVD producing industry.  The evening was one of much hilarity – the antics of the Marshmallow Tart (Jock) with fingerlicking good marshmallows (just ask David and Kim alias Tim), the fine voices and quick wits of Denise and Dean, and Stuart with his rendition of Wild Thing. Only one guess is allowed for “The Young Ones” who now have a song dedicated to them.  Of course we must make mention of Gerry’s version of Wandering Star.  There are some real stars in the making in this club – if they ever give up their day jobs and 4WDing. 

 Friday 1st April

 Another day of 4WDing as the convoy set off to do the Old Coach Road.  It was another beautiful, if not a little hot, day and the track was again quite demanding in places.  Someone should tell Nissan to change the positioning of the tail lights which both Ian and Gary●managed to pop out when bottoming out on washaways.  This track had a terrific lookout which involved a tricky drive up and down.  Dean uttered a few words when he almost left the track.  The more energetic members of the club walked to the top and down again.

 Submitted by Wendy Perkins