Thread: We are on the road...

Nice images mate. That wheel carrier must be made with a very thin tube
It will be good to make one the same using steam pipe for the next trip
Cheers

Well wheel carrier all fixed up for $40. Can thoroughly recommend K T Weld in Kununurra. Did it on the spot and helped fit it back on.

Spotted a white Defender today with checker plate on the bonnet and had a nice chat with a couple from Victoria in a dark green 09 Puma who had done the Canning and a few other bits already.

Off easterly again tomorrow.

Well made it Katherine today. Wasn't intending to but Victoria River Roadhouse was a dusty mess due to road works and two other spots we'd planed to stay at work closed for "Feral Animal Eradication" (I think that usually involves a helicopter and a large rifle). Couldn't go over the old crossing of the Vic either as this was also closed off. Now have 3 days to get to Darwin for the weekend.

30-40km west of Katherine we drove through a fantastic and very heavy rain storm which was a welcome relief for about 10km. The inlet air temp on the Puma went from 47C down to 26C in about 3 minutes.

Derek, as your wonderful journey draws to an end you must be experiencing that bitter but sweet feeling of relief to be home but yet the regret and realisation that home brings closure to your adventure.

I know this, for it is a feeling I have and dare I say, many members of the AULRO. We are feeling the same emotions as you.

You have not relayed tales of your adventures to us. You have done more. Derek, in your photos and the stories told, you have taken us on your journey. Every picture tells a story but your words have brought life to those photos.

Derek, you are nearly home. Take care and thank you for taking us to many parts of this land that until now I/we have not experienced.

Yea, Onya Derek

Well we are now sitting in Darwin, there is a cool breeze and we had an enjoyable couple of days in Litchfield. Can recommend the Litchfield Safari Lodge to camp - and not just because the owner has a 110 tray back and a 130 DC ute (both Tdi's).

We drove up from the (expensive) Douglas-Daly Tourist Park to Litchfield via the Day River track. Absolute doddle of a track except for two things. The galah in the Nissan ute that came flying towards us as if it was a WRC course.

The second was the Renolds River crossing. I had to winch myself up this, we had already been warned by two other vehicles about the norther side departure being chewed up. We got there as a family in a shiney new LC200 arrived on the northern side to survey if they should cross. We came through and despite the TC giving it everything it had, rearranging the logs in the holes it all came down to two things: I have the standard Genral Grabbers on the Puma and a 1.5 tonne boat anchor - I mean Trailer - behind it. It was easiest to winch out as the trailer was still on level ground in the river bed and the Puma was at about 30 degrees pointing up hill in a dusty washout. The LC200 owners parting comment was priceless: "Geeze if a your old Land Rover won't make it I'm not even going to try in this".

Today we left Litchfield via Berry Springs and ended up in Darwin. Now its stock up on things we can load the Puma down with that we need in Gove, get the car serviced, cinemas, markets and retail therapy before heading back to Katherine next Thursday and then in to Gove Friday.

Thanks all for your comments, I guess this is almost the end I'll have to look at doing a "Mutli-State" trip report when I get home. We have, in 3 months, managed to do 6 states and both mainland territories so I don't suppoes it belongs anywhere else

A few of my last images (I did't break the 5000 shot barrier)

Douglas River


Florence Falls


Both the abpve are with an ND10 filter in full daylight. The last is with a Sigma 150mm Macro.

Symmetry of nature



Most used lens on the trip was the 24-70mm f/2.8 Nikkor

Good One Derek & Brenda


Enjoyed your posts - only missed out when we were up in your area

Glad you have made it back to (almost) home without major incidents. Hope we can catch up next year (or maybe earlier if the 130 gets delivered to Gapuwiyak before the Wet...we'll see what eventuates).

Thanks for your company a couple of months ago, a great report and some really beautiful photographs.

Now....Back To Work...

Cheers, Erich & Sheila