2014 Red Centre Trip - Daily Diary!!

[JCOJ]

July 9th: Owen Springs Reserve to Ross River Resort
Today was a pretty relaxed day as we had less than 250kms to travel and we had the opportunity to stop in Alice Springs along the way.  It was also here that we said farewell to Blueroo, MrBitchi, and brianm, who were having a few days R&R in Alice Springs before heading across the Simpson.

People packed up and left at their own leisure, but as we were airing down brickiematt heard a squealing soundscoming fron his front wheel.  Jacked up, wheel off, the culprit was fopund - a tiny little stone caught scraping against the brake rotor!! 

Many converged at the same places while in Alice Springs.  These included the laundromat, supermarket, and even just on the street.  JCOJ went to the Bridgestone shop to get the two tyres checked out.  The one that went flat due to the spike on the Finke track was a write off, however the other one from yesterday was all good – the TPMS must have been reading faulty or not put on properly and letting air out!!  Darren253 also had a tyre fixed as he found a slow leak in his camper tyre while at Yulara.

We also bumped into DanAdelaide who said that a replacement shock was being flown in that afternoon and they had found a mechanic who would be able to replace it so they were hopeful they would be able to meet us at Gemtree in a couple of days time.

After all the domestic duties were completed, people made their way up to Ross River Resort, with some taking advantage of viewing Emily Gap of Jessie Gap along the route.

The campground at Ross River is just stunning, a big open grassy area surrounded by red cliffs.  The amenities block is also excellent with nice hot showers (although showers have to be taken in the afternoon/evening, as the pipes freeze up overnight!!)

We were fortunate enough to have a whole lot of firewood dropped off to us so the fire was started early to get the coals accumulating as tonight was the camp oven cookoff.  All the main meals were absolutely delicious and we all had a taste of lamb, beef korma, bread with lamb, mashed potato, roast veggies and roast lamb, then for dessert we had apple crumble and donuts with ice cream.  Everyone was full afterwards, then the fire was stoked up to keep warm as the evening was becoming quite chilly.

**I didn't take any photos today 

[JCOJ]

July 10th:
True to form, it was a very chilly night last night with some reporting icicles coming out of their kitchen taps!! Today was a day spent exploring the area around Ross River Resort.  brickiematt, Jacko, KingBilly, and JCOJ set off at 9am and headed on the long journey towards Ruby Gap Nature Park.  The drive was a little longer than anticipated and after 3 hours we had arrived.  Some of the driving was interesting and challenging, but fun all the same.  Once there we discovered that there were garnets all over the ground so we spent a while digging, sifting, and collecting them.  There was a walk that could be done, however none of us chose that option.  We then drove back, with the return journey taking less time.

Others headed to N'Dhala Gorge which included going across a few water crossings along the way.  There were some Aboriginal carvings along the walking track into the gorge which was approx an hour long.

That afternoon was one spent filling the water tanks, enjoying the hot showers, and then once dinner was finished, spent in front of the large campfire.

[JCOJ]

July 11th: Ross River Resort to The Gemtree
Although  nothing official, it felt like it was our  coldest morning this morning.  When we had packed up and left at 9.30am, the car thermometer was reading 0c!  However, before that, a presentation was made by everyone to JCOJ for organising the trip and a gift in the form on a Speedy Seal Kit (no guesses why this was chosen considering they changed two wheels  and no one else had to change any!!!, and also an ARB gift voucher.  Both very appreciated yet totally unexpected – thankyou!!)

KiingBilly then left back for Alice Springs before they head off across the Simpson with the others that left us back at Owen Springs.

The rest of us left together and after a short journey stopped at the Arltunga Historical Reserve.  This is where the first white settlement in central Australia occurred when gold was discovered back in the 1880's.  There was a visitor's centre which had informative displays and a dvd, and we were told that the temperature overnight was -4c, then we had a short talk on the process of gold mining before going out the back and the kids having a go at panning for their own gold.  However the kids soon gave up when they saw that what they were looking for was the size of a grain of sand.  The adults pretty quickly lost interest at that stage too realising that they weren't going to strike it rich today!

There were many ruins sites to look around, and some took the opportunity to do so, while others left and started making the journey towards our next destination being The Gemtree.

The track was more difficult and windy than the flat straight dirt road we had expected, therefore the journey taking longer than expected.  Mandrake and DanAdelaide were already there and set up when the first group arrived, and JCOJ eventually made it at around 4pm after spending a fair bit of time including having lunch at Arltunga.

The afternoon and evening was spent around the campfire keeping warm, with a few putting coals under their seats to keep their bums warm!

[JCOJ]

July 12th: The Gemtree
After two weeks of perfect weather where we hadn't even seen one cloud, today we awoke to a few high clouds in one direction, and what looked like a front coming from far away, howeever for the moment the sun was still shining, although once again the Centre turned on a very chilly morning!!

Today was our free day where we could do what we wanted and some left at 9am for The Fossicking Tour where people drove to a fossicking spot to see what gems they could find.  Little Reuben was in his element when he was able to look around and see all the adults digging in the dirt just like him!

Others that stayed behind had the opportunity to fossick for $5 per child in the Gully, with some good finds being made there.  The next level up was a $30 bucket, which Steven and SharonB plus JCOJ had a go at, and both made some good sized finds of garnets.

Lunch was had, some at the little cafe there, then in the afternoon, some took the opportunity to do some packing up before tomorrow's departure.
Darren253 was looking under his LC200 when he noticed the diff breather hose had come off so he checked thediff oil only to find that it was extremely milky after playing in the water while at Ross River the other day going across the three creek crossings.
As he had over 2500km's back to WA, and tomorrow being Sunday, he made the decision to travel the 140kms each way into Alice Springs to get some more diff oil - which he changed in the carpark once he had bought it!!

For the rest of us, that evening we made our way down to the dining/bar area for our Camp Oven evening, where The Gemtree puts on a magnificent Camp Oven dinner for their guests for only $15per head.  Darren253 made it back from Alice Springs just as they were serving up so perfect timing for him!!

This was our last evening together but we did have some time after around the campfire after the dinner where Catie sprung a surprise on John in front of the group.  Back at the beginning of the trip while visiting Standley Chasm, John wanted to buy a book on learning to play the digeridoo with Catie saying it is a total waste of money.  John then said he would learn it my the time the trip had finished.  Now on the last night around the campfire and in front of everyone, Catie pulled out the book and handed John a didge!!
Needless to say the book hadn't been opened since it was bought, so John's playing was a comical to say the least!!  However, promises were made that a better effort would be given by the time the next trip came up!!

[Jacko]

Great report John, love reliving all the memories

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

[JCOJ]

July 13th:
Pack Up Day!!
For the first time in two weeks, the heavens openend up on us last night which meant that everyone had a wet pack up this monrning.  The dirt turned to mud so walking around in the same spot meant the ground got mushy and your shoes got dirty!

Due to the weather, and some having long distances to cover and flights to catch, there wasn't any big ceremonious goodbye's, but rather individuals just saying goodbye to everyone as they were departing.  shrek4 had a flat battery but was soon underway after getting a jump start.  Everyone else left without a hitch.

In Summary:
Nearly 12 months in the planning, 13 vehicles attended and I am sure that all would say that they had a magnificent time.  The group as a whole was just brilliant (in true MySwag Spirit), people helped others where needed and we all got along well.

Many great sights were seen along the way, and many experiences shared among us that will forever be in our memories.

Mechanical issues were few and far between with JCOJ changing two tyres (although only one change was really needed), brickiematt broke a u-bolt on the camper but was able to stagger along until a permanent fix was done in Yulara, DanAdelaide broke a front shock but got a replacement in Alice Springs and was then able to continue on, Darren253 got water in his rear diff but was able to sort that out with a 'thereand back' drive to Alice Springs, and shrek4 suffered a flat starting battery but was soon fixed with a jump start.  For 13 vehicles and campers, that is a fine effort!

The weather was just perfect (except on the last morning) with sunny skies each day and temps around the high teens to low twenties, although the early mornings and evenings it  did get chilly, but nothing a good beanie and a roaring fire didn't cure!

Overall we had a wonderful and memorable time, viewing stunning places, with a great bunch of people and would have no hesitation in organising another such trip for the MySwag Community. 
Did someone mention that JCOJ will now organise a Flinders Ranges trip for 2015?


Stay Tuned!!

[Darren253]

Yes... 2015! That's what i wanted to hear!!!! 

Top trip and great report. Thanks again trip leader...
Can't wait for the next one

[Paul (SA)]

I was hoping for a trip to Cape York via the Plenty, John.......

Great trip report, just sorry we could not meet up when we were up there.

[StevenB]

Yes... 2015! That's what i wanted to hear!!!! 

Top trip and great report. Thanks again trip leader...
Can't wait for the next one

I thought 2016 sounded better

It was a fantatic trip and alot of that has to come down to the excellent work John did organising it

[Bookleaf]

2015 HMMMmmm  Sounds interesting.
I'll keep an ear out

[DanAdelaide]

Great Trip John and Kate thanks for the organizing and thanks for great company of the fellow myswag'ers who also went
Ended up pulling into the drive way (Adelaide) having done 4855km
We got home safe and sound, via the Oodnadatta track on the way home 

Will post some pics up soon
Dan and Mel and the Kids

[scoot]

Thanks for the report. Nice trip.

[McGirr]

Great report John and Kate, well done organizing the trip. It gets on your blood arranging these trips.

Your hooked now

Mark

[lindamc]

we arrived home last night after travelling 8000km. We had an amazing time travelling with the best bunch of people anyone could possibly hope for! Thank you John for the fantastic organization of this trip and thankyou to all on the trip for helping to make it so good! Special thanks to BrickieMatt and family and also the Jacko family for being such awesome travelling companions, and looking out for us girls. But in saying that, everyone on the trip really did lookout for everyone else!
Can't wait for flinders!!!!

[brickiematt]

Great report from a fantastic trip John!
A huge thanks to you and Catie for organising what Chloe proclaimed "the best holiday EVER" 
We saw some stunning scenery and visitied some iconic places, all in the company of a fantastic group of travelling companions. Firm friendships have definitely been made on this trip.
Arrived home this arvo after a week travelling south with lindamc and the Jacko family. A fitting end to the Red Centre Adventure!
So again, a ripper trip, and can't wait for the next one

Matt

[MrCruza]

We arrived home on Friday evening. 8000Ks, 2, yes 2 windscreens   , one small puncture on the camper and one magnificent 5 day crossing of the Simpson Desert. A most memeroable way to cap off a brilliant Meander around the Middle.

Thanks again John for a magic trip. It was wonderful to spend time with a whole bunch of "forum handles" who have become good friends.

[Blueroo]

We also arrived home Friday after an awesome Simpson crossing. Thanks to the group we crossed with, it was fun and we got to experience rain in the desert on the first 2 nights into the crossing which was remarkable. A few nights previous someone said what was the most useless thing brought on the trip and it was quickly determined that rain coats, umbrella's and gum boots were the most useless. Then all of a sudden in the desert there we were some wearing gum boots, rain coats and all sitting around the fire with umbrellas. Items not so useless now. 
We got up Big Red first go. Excellent. Then we had a quick 2 day trip from Birdsville to Charleville to Brisbane.
By the time we hit Charleville the cruiser had developed a few very loud rattles which were worse when the vehicle was hot. Weird. It turned out to be two missing nuts on the flange where the exhaust pipe bolts to the exhaust dump box. They must have been a bit loose and finally vibrated off in the last few days of the Simpson crossing.
The only carnage we had was the engine chip which had a mechanical failure in the connector (corroded pin). It didn't affect the reliability of the cruiser which performed magnificently the whole trip.
Thanks John and Catie for organising this fantastic trip and thanks to the group for such a great Meander Round the Middle.
Also thanks to Jillsy for the great Tee shirts and coolers.
Cheers
Stue and Jean