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zulu Delta 534
6th March 2010, 05:20 PM
What was supposed to be a great sunny dry drive around the countryside in fact developed into something else with miserable showers and mist for most of the day. Roads and vehicle may have been dampened but not spirits. Speaking for Mrs ZD and myself, we had a most enjoyable day and thoroughly enjoyed the outing and the company.
Quite a few really amazing facts came to light during the day, like, Series Land Rovers do leak in rain whether they be hard tops or soft tops. Strange Eh?
Colonel Coleman and the General, accompanied by Jasper and Lily, ably led this little outing and were accompanied by Easo in Richard O's 2a military station wagon, Mrs and Mr Ho Har travelling in "Zara" the newly completed S3 88" soft top, Killer and Mrs Killer, Haddo and Darcy in their S3 Game 88", TimJ and Mrs TimJ in "Clancy" their S3 Game 88", and myself and my spouse in "Daisy", our S2a 88" Military soft top.
Once everyone had arrived at the pre arranged FUP, an impromptu discussion was held about the amended route for the day because of the inclement weather, and the convoy set off into the mist. Travelling through Fernvale the convoy turned off and travelled via Splityard creek Dam, (source of a percentage of Brisbane's electric power courtesy of Hydro electric generators), around the Eastern side of Lake Wivenhoe, crossed the Stanley River and stopped alongside the outlet valve at the wall of Somerset Dam.
The following shot shows the line up of intrepid travellers at this spot and the spray behind the vehicles is from the water being let go through the dam via one of these valves.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/11/191.jpg
By the time we had all stretched our legs a bit the general consensus was reached that it was coffee time so we headed upstream a bit to the Ski area of Somerset where we found a shelter under which to shelter from the drizzle and also to have morning tea.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/03/1341.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/03/1342.jpg
Tea, coffee, biscuits, cheese cake and Macadamia nut and golden syrup cake, compliments of the good ladies on the trip. (Even though it was raining there were still water skiers playing on the water.) Decision time once again. It was raining fairly steadily so the decision was made to head on over Mt Glorious to a pleasant little restaurant that could feed the hungry horde.
Unfortunately there weren't that many photo opportunities on this trip, not because of speed of travel mind you, but because possibly 50% of the trip (all of it over the mountains) was in mist or fog. (The Colonel ensured us that it was "mist" as long as vision was possible for 100 metres and "Fog" if the vision was less.) We saw a lot of both today, hence very few photos except for parked vehicles.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/11/192.jpg
From Mt Glorious the convoy followed the range through to Mt Nebo then descended to the Gap to arrive at Ashgrove where the official debrief and dispersal took place. From here it was a peaceful run back in to the city and (for me anyway) a pleasant run out the freeway. During our absence we recorded 6mm of rain at home and I reckon I poured in excess of 8mm out of the footwells of Daisy.
During the trip and at the various stops quite a lot of interest was created by this convoy of crazy people in their old Land Rovers and we also received some most energetic waves from Discos and even Rangies as well. We also saw a Brit Mil lightweight on the road and also a very nice S2 88".
Many thanks Colonel for a great, even though damp, trip and thanks also to everyone else whose company makes these trips the happy events that they are.
Regards
Glen

Col.Coleman
6th March 2010, 06:16 PM
Well with the weather the way it is at the moment, a decision was made to stay clear of the Border Ranges, due to the possibility of swollen creeks, cut roads and more rain on the way. The start point was changed to the BP at Blacksoil, and relaxed to a 9am start.

We had a total of 6 cars for the trip.

Myself and Family - Series 111 Stage 1 Isuzu S/Wagon
The Ho Hars - Series 111 Basic
TimJ and Laurelle - Game
Killer and Family - Game
The Zulu Delta's - Series 11a ex-military
Easo - Series 11a ex-military S/Wagon

After a drama packed morning I made good time to the BP to be the first to arrive. Peering through the rain came the faint warm glow of a couple of pairs of series lights. Then another and another untill finally the Zulu Delta's checked in.

With all the rain about and the dam being full, we thought it would be a good idea to go around the back of Wivenhoe on the B roads to Somerset Dam where the water is being released in a spectacular show. We formed up and meandered our way to Fernvale.

Turning onto Splityard Creek Road, we travelled until we came accross Splityard Creek Dam and the upper reaches of the Wivenhoe Reservoir. It was good to see water backing back up into the creeks like it used to.

We turned right into Somerset and pulled up on the right to take in the sight of the water being released. It was then on to The Spit for Morning Tea. No Scones on this outing:(, but we did have a lovely cheescake and Macadamia nut slice. We couldn't have picked a better spot.

A discussion was needed as we were making this trip up as we went along, and after presenting some options, I led the group back towards Northbrook Parkway to ascend Mt Glorious. Halfway there, my artistic eye caught a photo oportunity spot, so I turned everyone around and followed some overgrown muddy wheeltracks down a slope to underneath the road bridge. I clambered up to the top with Zulu Delta's Camera and snapped away. It was then time to make our way back to the road, with some having more sliding fun than others.

We made our way to the lower reaches of Tennyson Mountain, along Northbrook Creek, where Mrs Ho Har was to relish in her 100% strike rate for landy waves. To the point where a Rangie driver was half out of his window waving like a man possessed. As we climbed up the range, some needing 1st gear:D, we entered a bit of mist at the top. Another stop at the lookout, but it was all in vain with the clouds blocking the veiw.

The lunch stop was at the Bikers Cafe on top of the Mountain, which we managed to find parking right out side. We couldn't have timed it better to get the parks and a table where we could amuse ourselves at the onlookers going over our trucks while we ate our fantastic lunch.

After the break, it was time to head on for the last leg towards Mt Nebo. We had come through some very heavy rain before lunch, and where now heading out into some thick fog. All in all it added to the atmosphere of yesteryear, driving our old friends on tight twisty mountain roads, just like thay were designed to do. Looking in the rear view to see those yellowy lights and world famous profile just added the icing to the cake.

We dropped into the back of the Gap, and wanted to go around the back of Mt Cootha but the road was signed as closed, so as soon as an opportunity presented itself we pulled in to debrief and say our goodbyes.

Our family had a very good time, with excellent company and although we didn't get too much dirt under the tyres, it was still agreat day out. I will reschedule the Border Ranges trip for a later date, and hopefully we will have some more club members with leafers ready to join us.

Thank-you all

See you next time.

CC



Who can spot the rabbit?


:D:D:D

Timj
6th March 2010, 06:37 PM
We had a good day despite the weather. Good company always helps when it is raining :). I forgot the camera so no photos. Very nice burger for lunch too. The Game may not be the fastest car I have but it is fun to drive around despite that.

Thanks Colonel for organising it.

Tim.

The ho har's
6th March 2010, 07:10 PM
top day for us too.....and easo said he had a smile on his face all day...we will be there for the next leafers trip:D


ps "zara" didn't miss a beat:D:D:D


Mrs hh:angel:

Hendrik
6th March 2010, 09:22 PM
Looks like you lot had a great day out. Great seeing the old vehicles out and enjoying the sunshine...not that we've had much of that lately.

Oh CC I have to ask if you don't mind, have you been AULRO profile raped, with all those crazy pics? Now for those who might not know, there is something called Facebook rape where an individual's Facebook page gets all kinds of nastys written on there and in some extreme cases profile pictures gets changed by mates....this has happend to me on a few occasions. Now I seriously did not think AULRO Profile rape would ever occur ;)

Aaaannyway, back the series vehicles, again looks like it was a great day out despite the weather.

Col.Coleman
6th March 2010, 09:56 PM
Nope. I was graped.

































There were a bunch of them.

:D:D:D:D

Outlaw
6th March 2010, 11:04 PM
Glad to hear you all had a great time and Zara and Easo had fun ;)

Aiming for the next one :)

Killer
7th March 2010, 11:37 AM
We had a great day also, I had wet feet all day but thoroughly enjoyed myself. Great company and great vehicles, thanks everybody.

Cheers, Mick.