Driving conditions

G'day John,

Yeah mate, don't think I'd like to be paying a recovery fee. Puts a damper on the holiday somewhat.

Bugga !!! Don't tell me the little ones are having boiled eggs again :)))

They loved them hehehe

As well as the vegies and fish fingers LOL

Mum is home now so it is her turn to feed them tonight :)

Well I'm glad you had one of the main food groups ( fish fingers ) in there hahahahahahahahaha

HI Willem,

Must admit that when approaching ponded water I always wonder what new problem I'm about to enter. Once I've done it - perhaps the first of many - I tend to lighten up a bit. The more remote ones get alot more consideration.

Have gotten stuck in Simpson water with deep mud - followed the advice of keeping to the track against my judgement. Had to back out with help and then followed a small informal detour with no probs.

What's your routine?

(PS Also walked tracks in Nowra area after rain. Saw bush track entering water with the centre area between the wheel ruts still exposed. For interest, I pushed a stick into the water a full 2 feet before finding the bottom. This would have stranded me big time.)

Chris

G'day Chris

Before 4x4's I used to stick to the track after walking it. I had a Renault 10 go anywhere within reason machine. I got it bogged once in the mangroves and it took 2 4bies to rescue me :-)

In later years I did some equally dumb things with 4bies. Once I got a Suzuki balancing on its diffs in a puddle of water with all wheelsoff the surface. It was hot and steamy in the tropical jungle and it took a lot of effort to get out of trouble. Then some years later we were doing some wetseason filming. I had just bought a new MQ Nissan and drove into a puddle just off the side of the road without checking it. It nearly tipped over in the water as the hole was that deep and I had water coming in through the window. The rescue was embarrassing.

Made roads with water across, I will walk first.
Bush tracks with ponded water, I will walk first.
Flowing creeks or floodways....boil the billy and wait till the water level drops sufficiently.

Never but never go off the road/track near the ponded water. It is invariably softer there. Sometimes road building is required to move on.

In the past 20 years I have chosen my travel times away from the rainy season and when it has rained unexpectedly I have managed to get through unscathed. Never been in the Simpson in the rain but if I were to come across a salt lake under water I would go bush and drive around it. Being stuck in salt or mangrove mud is not the fun it used to be....lol


Cheers

Aaaah the Renault 10 ... what a car Willem .... bought one new in 69 (for $2085 I think) and had it for 6 years - a fire breathing 1108cc, very comfortable and very affordable - ok the fuel filler was IN the engine bay - ok the tyres were skinny (Michelin but)...... but at 7L / 100km on the highway, maybe it could sell today (with power on the brakes, windows and steering ?)..... can't see me towing the Campomatic across the desert though.

Darian, yer memory may be fading..or is it mine...lol

I recall paying $1200 for a new Renault 10 in 1970. Was working for the Renault Factory at the time at West Heidelberg. Maybe I got a good discount.

Twas a good little car. I called it my first 4wd...:-)))


Cheers

Willem,

Can't get out of the car, they'll get mud on their boots and throughout the vehicle. Besides they have limited time for their hols so they just push on.

Hope they've got fat in their trip budget for a recovery fee.

Well there you go Willem, I was delivering parts made by Wilmot Breedon in Preston to the Renault factory in the 70's, might have seen you there?

Cheers, John

John

Geeeez!!! Alas you might not recognise me now....LOL...in those days I was a beardless skinny fella.........

I worked in the office overlooking the build line, working with vehicle allocations.

Ouch!!! that was a long time ago.....................



Cheers

Yeah dat 'lation of mine might still see his R's without using a mirror...hahahahahaha



Cheers

Ruth,

Hmmm that'd have to be expensive bread for him to have stayed :)))