"Trip to Cape York "

Monday, May 04, 2009 at 00:00

N/A

The marriage of T Van and X Trail is now confirmed for late May. I as best man will be driving them on their extended honeymoon in FNQ and then Cape York. My job will be to make sure that they arrive at their destination safely. This will keep me on my toes as this will be my first attempt to drive to the furthest point North. Well everything is packed up and ready to go. I plan to drive to Cairns and stay for a few days to have a look around and to stock up the pantry and bar. Well it has happened at last. A bit later than I had planned. Set off today Monday 13 July. Made my way north to Taree for the night. I surprised myself, not realising how the Tvan would perform behind the X-Trail. I had to look back a couple of times to make sure that it was still connected. A bit slow off the mark, but I never expected it to do nought to a hundred in six seconds. Once rolling it cruises better than I expected. Travel from Taree to Coolangatta Qld, today Tuesday. Weathers great, still a bit cool at night. Setting off tomorrow Wednesday on leg three. Well as I said, Leg three was great until I got to the end of the Bruce Free way. Speed from then on was almost walking pace. This state of Qld must be great as most of the rego's that past me were from NSW or Vic. Things got a bit better after the turn off for Harvey Bay. They must of been off to Fraser Island. Staying at Gin-Gin tonight. Another long drive tomorrow. Thursday. The day ended at Proserpine. It was put up for discussion that I might stay in the motel that suddenly appeared on the left on the outskirts of the town. As there was no argument put up against the idea, I made a sharp turn left and booked the room. It's great when you can make decision like that. Slept for nine hours straight. Set off for Cairns Friday morning long drive, making good time Traffic minimal, relaxing drive. Arrived in Cairns flourish, will stay for a few days before setting off for the next leg. Spent today Tuesday driving to Laura. Stopped for lunch and stayed for the night. Great bunch of characters. Very relaxing after a few beers. Heading for Coen tomorrow. Wednesday July 22, heading for Coen. Pulled in at Musgrave Station. Guess what. No Fuel. Car Rally had been through 120 vehicles, bleed them dry. Diesel only. Set off the Coen, That's where the Rally had come from. Probably no fuel either. Was lucky put on 90 It's. Had a break and set off for Archer River. Decided to keep going on the Weipa. Thursday. Rest day. had a look around in the morning. Mine tour @ 2-30 pm. Board the coach and had tour of the town. Then headed out of town to the mine. Got as far as the course way. Coach dies, Loses all eletricary. Not one mechanic on board. There were three but they were no owning up. Mechanic turns up and finds Alternator belt gone. Coach returns to town. 52 people, Not Happy. Refunds made, as no coach available tomorrow. I head off to the find the nearest bar. Lets hope tomorrow brings better things. heading North Friday. Friday. Set off from Weipa after stocking up the fridge. So this is it up the OT. Road good until Bramwell Junction. Stop for lunch. People returning south tell us the the road is good for the next 60/70 Kms. Then watch out for the rough stuff. Hell I wondered what hit me. I was driving along at 80 on a smooth stretch off road, rounded a long right hander at about 40 ks and bang. I hit the realy rough stuff. This went on for the next 20 Ks. This was my first experience of this. The only thing that worries me, is I have to do it again on the way back. Heading south tomorrow Tuesday. I am travelling home at the moment from Atherton to Roma. I have always wanted to see some of Qld's back county. I plan to head south to Goondiwindi, Tamworth and then home. I have realy enjoyed the pass few weeks. The people I met on the road and the places I have visited. I can not wait to do it all again. I wish Sydney was as great as FNQ. By the way, I have a truck load of Qld dust to give away. Large lumps on the outside and Finer size from the inside. First come fist served. You have to scrape it of the 4X4 & T-Van though. By the way Xtrail and T-van survived the honeymoon and are still together. just for the record I have added my fuel consumption for the trip. 8200 ks round trip, 585 lts of unleaded, average consumption 14.2/100. As I get 10/100 from the Xtrail. So I am pretty happy with the over all fuel usage.
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