The Long Drive Megalong Valley to The UK

April 28 to May 17

Linda went blackberry spraying with the quad bike. Later I had a phone call from Linda “I have broken down can you come and tow me home? I am in the Euroka Field” It was almost dark! “OK” I said” but where is that?” “Oh it is near the air strip, great, and where is the air strip?” Blah, Blah, Blah, eventually I knew roughly where Linda was. I got in the newer Land Cruiser (1978) no keys! So I hopped in to the older Land Rover (1971), after having to find a rope suitably strong enough to tow her home. Foot down and off I went! I stopped at a ridge just to make sure I was not driving over a precipice with lights fully on, hoping Linda would see me. I heard a shout in the far distance thank goodness I was on the right path.  “Well, not really a path but long grass with a few large rock boulders on route. We towed the quad back to base for my inspection the next morning.

On inspection I found the Quad had no oil or at least very little. I cleaned the machine up changed the oil, oil filter and put in a new spark plug which was well over due (it was rusty on top). I tried to start it and no go at all. After a few tests I found it had completely ceased up. 

A trip in to Katoomba the next morning to see Charlie, an extremely knowledgeable man, on motor bikes, for a new piston, honed, etc.

Whilst in Katoomba Linda and I cleared up a fallen tree in a garden plus we chopped one down. We had four trips to the rubbish dump and what a palaver that was too! We had a handful of grass on top of the trees, at the weigh bridge the woman said mixed load, that costs more etc’ “NO” we said, we will take the grass back! A mixed load was around $100 what a ripoff! No grass No Privet and a few other rules were enforced! We just about survived all the red tape! Rules are rules and they are only doing their job. Just like a police man does, but do they have to be so officious!

Lyle (a helicopter paramedic) arrived at the farm, for a night and a days relaxation. He camped out all night without a tent! Enjoying just a small camp fire and trying to have a shoot at a few foxes. The nights are cold but Lyle is tough. He shot a duck on the farm and what a shot it was too! He was 150 m from the duck, and he got a clear head shot, with a 22!

Linda went off for a swim plus many jobs to do like shopping and getting her holiday organized.

I had quite an easy day mowing the lawns on a sit on mower, mind you I had a lot to mow by the time I had finished my legs were a little stiff.

Again another few days had passed I decided to cut a few branches 

 Julia up a tree

 Julia up a tree

Sun Set

Another rotten job was to wash the cow dung off the truck. Repair the motor bike change the oil tighten up a few nuts and bolts. Repair the ride on mower making sure every thing is running well.

 Linda’s Truck 

We had to sort a few more cows out. John came over with Horse and dogs to round them up. The young ones had to be separated from there mums a successful mission for us but the cows certainly did not like it there were bellowing all night long and the little one’s were walking up and down the fence line making quite a racket. During the night one got away and tried to get back to Mum that was another job on the cards out came the lorry this time so Linda and I had to load him up in to the truck and put him back to his paddock never a dull moment on a farm.

I chopped down a few large fir trees that lined the drive way.

Saturday 12 May, The time had come to park up Plod at Richards place near Windsor I Plodded along taking the scenic route. Unloaded a few items washed and put Plod to bed.

A few drinks and a meal in the evening plus a few more drinks. I had a very relaxing evening there was only one thing wrong in the morning I was a little worse for wear.

Richard drove me to Penrith to catch the train back to Blackheath Linda fetched me from the station and after a few more jobs Linda had to do we headed back to her farm.

Resting at Richards home

 Richard’s shed

Plod standing ready to be covered 

I cut a few more trees down, this time I left Linda to clear up the boughs while I cooked a roast beef dinner.

Linda and I got a lift in to Katoomba ready to catch the train on Wednesday to the airport.

I drove 26,330 Km: 16,360 miles in my 9 month trip right around Australia I had a fantastic time meeting many lovely people. Everywhere I went was good. I very much enjoyed Litchfield Park near Darwin, Exmouth was very much a favorite spot snorkeling in amongst the beautiful corral and fishes. Not to mention all the Morgan people I stayed with around different parts of Australia.

Back home in Shebbear

Back home in Shebbear

Good to be back home. The End until next time.