Easy way out?!

In the lead-up to Elmer's purchase in September 2010, Nick had carefully researched 4WD recovery options. Prior to setting off on our Yowah Christmas/New Year adventure that year, we bought various quality items including a high-lift jack and snatch strap.

Even back then, we both were very impressed by demonstrations of the Maxtrax Vehicle Extraction system. The tracks were too dear for our budget at the time, so we put them lower down on the wishlist.

Of course, after shelling out $330 for our recent off-road recovery (receipted as Stockton Beach salvage!) we now see the MaxTrax price-tag as more reasonable - and purchasing a set has a higher wishlist priority!

Perch for a picnic!

Perched on a hill in the Watagans National Park

We purchased our vintage (1960s) "industrial style" folding picnic table just before Christmas.

A modern (but flimsy) aluminium version wasn't much dearer but we rather liked the eBay description for ours:

"Table and seats are still strong after years of use. Folding mechanism is good. Rust on the metal and some nicks and areas of missing veneer on the edges."

Yep, it has character! It's strength is without question as it weighs half a tonne and we can perch (more or less) comfortably without any fear of the whole contraption collapsing under us! These considerations are very important!

Given the table's age and condition, we are not too worried about it bumping over rougher tracks (on the boot side of the cargo-barrier). We have enjoyed a few civilised picnics so far, at places were there are no other facilities - and will look forward to more yet to come!

Stuck on Stockton!

Although we had talked about a beach-driving adventure on a few occasions, it was a long time before we got around to going. When we did go, the adventure became much bigger than anyone had bargained/budgeted for!

We collected Erin from work en route to Stockton Beach (about 60km North of home). We stopped along the way to purchase a $30 annual beach driving permit - because it seemed better value than a 3-day pass for $10.

Once we got onto the beach it felt quite odd to be driving on so much open-ness. We were all giggling at the fact that the sand squeaked under Elmer's tyres. We were barely 20 mins into the adventure and just starting to relax a little when Elmer became quite substantially bogged, fairly close to the water. Erin, Vaughan and I worked with our plastic picnic plates to scrape away some of the sand while Nick walked back to a young guy, who interrupted his fishing to help - and promptly got stuck too.

Another car stopped to offer assistance but given the fate of the first assistant's vehicle, we were wary of causing anyone else to become bogged. The best option seemed to be to call the recovery vehicle number listed on the info sheet that came with the beach driving permit. Cost of recovery vehicle? $330.00 up front before they leave the depot! Good thing we economised on purchasing the permit, eh?!

The recovery guy said he would be 50 minutes but took a little longer than that.

We were feeling edgy as we waited because the water was getting higher.  As usual we were well provisioned so I made some sandwiches but couldn't eat mine. 

All felt quite relieved when "Ken" turned up. He pulled Nick a fair way back but seemed in danger of hitting the other stuck car, so un-hooked Nick and "snatched" the white ute first - then "snatched" Nick/Elmer the rest of the way.  There was considerable relieved banter once Elmer was out again. We chatted a bit with Ken, the recovery driver. In a perverse way it was reassuring to hear that he (driving the same model Landcruiser as Elmer) gets bogged also. He had a 40m snatch strap though, which is twice the length of what we and others carry - specially to keep himself further away from the trouble area when hauling others out.

Although Ken encouraged us to stay on the beach and have the fun we had planned for, we decided we'd had quite enough adventure for one day and headed back off the sand. Vaughan was quite vocal in his disappointment that we hadn't gone cardboard sledding down the dunes but I expect we will go back another day (when our nerves and budget have recovered somewhat)!

Festive Thermal Cooking

I have never made Christmas pudding but decided this was the year to try!

I used a recipe from Simple Savings intended for a slow cooker - and I did use the slow cooker for some of the mixture, to make six mini-teacup puddings.

The remainder of the mixture was used in a normal-sized pudding bowl cooked in the thermal cooker, following the method described here.  We went out looking at Christmas lights last night, so I checked on the pudding after we got home and had settled Vaughan with a story etc.

In all our pudding was in the thermal cooker for around 10 hours - and looked perfect when turned out.  Of course, it smells pretty good too and we are all looking forward to the official tasting!

Festive Fudd!

December 2010 - The Bluff, Yowah

December 2011 - Festive Fudd!

There was considerable disappointment last year that Elmer wasn't decked out as a reindeer for our Yowah Christmas/New Year adventure. The notion came to us quite late in the preparations, after shops had sold all their antler stock (and we did ring quite a few, just to check)!

The night prior to departure, Nick wrapped Elmer's bullbar with tinsel.  Even that simple gesture drew a fair amount of attention on the roads, though Elmer generally does get looked at!

We were determined not to miss out this year.  Nick and I spotted the set of car antlers back in November - and they have been safely stashed since. The ongoing rain interfered considerably with Elmer's costuming but clear skies this afternoon saw us dressing him for the festive season!

Armchair Travelers

As much as we would like to be on the road/camping more often we have work, school, Uni/TAFE (and other) commitments. When we aren't traveling, we spend time researching destinations and sometimes just enjoying stories of other people's adventures.

We have made good use of the library throughout the year and borrowed a number of 4WD trekking DVDs. In amongst those was 'Too Long In The Bush - Len Beadell Looks Back', which we highly recommend.  'Len Beadell is regarded as the "last true Australian Explorer" for opening up over 2.5 million square kilometres of rugged Australian Outback.'

Since watching that DVD we borrowed one of his audio books, which we also thoroughly enjoyed.  The library stocks many of his (printed) books and praps we might get to read them over the Christmas break.

Seat Swap

Prior to heading up to Yowah last December, we bought Elmer two lumbar support cushions from SuperCheap Auto - one for each front seat. The total outlay was $30.00, in keeping with our budget at the time! While the support cushions were an improvement on using the seats without enhancement, our backs were still crying out for a far greater degree of comfort.

In early December Nick spotted some older model Recaro seats on eBay, which we subsequently won at auction. Nick's first welding project was to modify Elmer's existing rails to suit our "new" seats. We now sit slightly higher than previously and although we are yet to drive a long haul, the seat swap-out seems a very worthwhile exercise. (The old seats have sold on eBay to offset the cost of the changeover).