Everyone had a really good time, enjoying the adventure apart from the flu contracted by a few people and Robbie Jacobs having to return home early ( we think it was a Canadian version of the MAN FLU).
The first few days of the trip we had rain which was good to see but spoilt our plans. Swiss Chris liked the driving through the mud on these days. We called in to see Reola shearing shed, which was massive in every proportion, they used to shear up to 30,000 sheep before the drought hit. The road from Reola to White Cliffs was some of the roughest road we travelled with washed out creek crossings. Whilst at White Cliffs the crew went for a tour of a opal mine. When we arrived at Tibooburra there was a message from the service station at White Cliffs saying someone with the military vehicles didn't pay for their fuel, it turned out the people at White Cliffs made the mistake and didn't put the transaction through the register.
We all made it to Camerons Corner (where the dingo fence is) for a photo session, the ladies complained about their sloping toilets scared they could fall thorugh the floor. After leaving a new driver of the blitz bumped the handbrake on with his knee eventually causing a fire on the transmission brake (this was Kathys most exciting event), the Canadians hit the panic button worrying about their luggage, as these things have happened before Robbie Jacobs got his extinguisher and put it out in a flash, along came Max and stated OH it's only the handbrake.
Then we went down the Strzelecki Track and had a very isolated camp near the hot bore. We could hear the dingos howling in the distance during the night.
We stayed at Marree for three nights to allow time to have flights over Lake Eyre and to go up the Birdsvile Track to Coopers Creek and the ferry. The first time the ferry has been used for 20 years. There sure is a lot of water around.
After driving on flat country the Canadians got the experience of driving into the Flinders Ranges on a winding steep road. More gear polishing and this certainly woke them up.
We finally travelled through farming country and down to the mighty Murray River where we stopped to visit a winery, then moved on to the Sunset National Park.
Not long after entering the park we came across a large sand dune which proved to be a challenge for the old blitz, the old ute, the old Canadians and the young Swiss. After a good photo session they finally made it over the sand dune when the old Aussie got in and showed them how to do it. This is where Swiss Chris learnt you must put your thumb on the outside of the steering wheel on the blitz.
From here we moved onto Kerang, which has now been renamed Kerbang, as this is where the valve went in the blitz. Thanks to Tim and his crew for all their help. Tim did the same thing to his tank giving everyone a ride.
Moved onto to Echuca where Emma joined us for her birthday and we wined and dined on the paddle ship the Emmylou on the mighty Murray.
Coming home we went through Hay and visited the Shearers Hall of Fame.
Visited a wheat farm near the black stump at Merriwagga. From here we travelled home.
We travelled a total of 5,500 kms and depending on the driver the blitz got up to 190 kms on 50 litres of fuel.
We had some good fortune on this trip in finding some great camping sites in out of way places, even the good old country hospitality (at one camp a local turned up with half a bag of freshly dug potatoes for us to use)
( at Blinman one of the Canadians went ahead of the group and found a great camp site on a farm), we enjoyed some terrific meals, had wonderful scenery most days and we all enjoyed the fantastic company of everyone who came along.
Max and Kathy