We had to get Hugo kitted out with spotlights in preparation for our journey north since everyone scared the shit out of us about hitting Roos (please see previous post for pictures of Hugo's new lights!) We managed to get a sweet as deal from Albion Repco, the dudes gave us a massive discount on a new Navig8r Sat-Nav and the spotlights etc (we saved $108.10 from retail price - Ah thank you Mr Eak for pleading poverty).
We took a quick trip to Kmart to get a 10L water canister and 20L fuel can as we were not sure how well Hugo would handle the jandal, and given our previous issues with cars we were not prepared to be stuck in the middle of Central QLD up a creek with no F'ing paddle!
We also had to buy Eak some more shorts and T-shirts, seems he packed his bag full of Thermals and long pants [a small oversight on my behalf] (after leaving Riverton in 10 degrees weather and arriving at Brisbane in 30 degree heat it seemed a bit of a necessity!) he obviously forgot that heading to Australia = constantly sweating!
We left the kind hospitality of Buxton Street - Thank you Craig for letting us stay! Hugo was all packed and ready to go!
So off we trotted from Brisbane to Emerald. Google Maps says 10hrs 29mins and 897kms! Uhhhh not really looking forward to this...... We left Ascot at 6am all ready to rock and roll!
Stopping for a stretch and a much needed toilet break. Shahn in the car, pretty excited!
In typical Shahn & Michael fashion, we had some minor car issues. We were about 4hours into the trip and the "check engine" light came on. So we stopped and had a look see, nothing out of the ordinany visually, so Eak reset the car's computer and we carried on our merry way. Our logic was, if its something major then the light will come back on. It did, BUT only when we were parking the car nine hours later at Richard's, our destination... Phew! worry about it in the morning!
The massive problem was the road works. We stopped about 25 times! Crazy, so slow and it took ages with at least 100km of stop go lights.
We stopped at Childers, at the famous Peanut Van. Yum as peanuts too! Talked to them for like 30mins then carried on again! Definately stop at one of them if your driving the coast road... YUM! That's Eak below having a few tasters and yarning!
Then onwards and upwards to Rockhampton (we didn't actually have to go to Rocky but we were on the way there so thought, "Bugger it! Lets have a gander". Rockhampton was a bit tired but not bad, so we headed to the Marina to see the river. But I'm keen to come back and check out the beaches and all that The signs there were AWESOME! There are a few (sorry!) but very worth it!
Hahahahaha! "Warning! Crocodiles inhabit this area - attacks may cause injury or death! Excellent just what I always wanted... wait until you see the water - I wouldn't swim in that anyway!
The beautiful Rockhampton Marina, complete with dirty as water full of crocs... awesome! There were loads of yachts in the river too
Eak having a gander at the water...
Then we meandered onward to Emerald, another 3hours from Rocky, to Richards place. It was a great relief to hang our heads and luckily Richard had dinner made for us. An excellent end to a friggen long day! It took us over 12hours to get to Emerald BUT we did stop alot!
So we travelled 900km on $62.00! Man, the Echo is economical! We also saw not a single live kangaroo although a few squashed juviniles and a massive pig. We are yet to see any snakes or crocs. Although, a few massive spiders and geckos but a few nights are to be planned to go out hunting for them hopefully....
Sorry this is a long post! Until next time...
xxxx Love Shahn & Eak
No comments:
Post a Comment