A great read Mick. Thanks for providing the entertainment. Its always useful to read about other peoples repair situations so that it adds to your own experience data base.
The trip you describe put me in mind of one of my best trips in 2004 with my recently departed mate, Damo, and our sons. We left the bitumen at
Marla, headed across the APY Lands to Pipalyatjara,
Surveyor Generals Corner. Up the SBJT to
Kintore, turned left to the coast near Sandfire Flat. Back then Len's Truck was still where it had broken down. Reaching the coast at 90 Mile Beach was one of those unforgettable travel moments. We then spent a pleasant week in the
Kimberley.
You mentioned passing
Mount Webb. This is where the
Lake Mackay track joins
the Desert Road. Damo and I did this trip in 2008. We had started in
Kununurra, driving up the Ningbing road to the coast, and then headed south to Balgo via Purnululu. Our intention was to cross the continent from the Arafura Sea to the Bight. Near Balgo, the plastic air intake on Damo's 80 series parted. Using stainless steel wire 'sutures' and gaffer tape we repaired it (Damo was a trauma surgeon so a useful travelling companion!). Later on, back home, the mechanic said the repair was so good he might as
well leave it. We headed south from Balgo on what we have named the
Lake Mackay Track. Close to
the Desert Road, Damo dropped the whole exhaust on the Toyo, so we decided to head towards Alice rather than down the SBJT, Mount Davies Road, Anne Beadell, and Vokes
Hill Corner to the coast as planned.
After repairs in
Alice Springs we headed south on the Colson Track before heading home (before I moved to
Echuca) to
Canberra.
So Mick, thanks for giving me an excuse to reminisce.