FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

Hi All
We departed Glenbrook at 930am this morning....so far so good as no wheels fallan off ...now at  Riverside caravan park at Nyngan.(being eaten alive by insect varmits.......Thank god fow Aero Guard........

Have a safe and good trip guys.
cheers,
Graham

Hi guys safe trip.  Might catch up with you somewhere on the way.  We are going to take a few days to cross the Nullabour sight seeing. 
Fred and Candy

Hey "Boys"
Hope you have an event free journey.
Enjoy the Nats and the adventure.
Regards
Alex

 ;)

Don't forget Pics of the adventure specially the veh set up.

Have a good trip

Rusty

We'll be in Broken Hill about 7.10 EST tomorrow morning, if you're out of bed by then ;D

Hi guys.  where are you up to?  We will be in Ceduna Thursday night.

Looks like we we won't get to cedunA till Friday nite Fred we are in broken hill tonight & quorn tomorrow arvo
Cheers Gary & Bruce

Is it too late to put our rig on the train? We are suffering Brocken tailbones and we are in Broken Hill,it's a long drive, you'll find out on the way home
Gary n Bruce

PS see you in the morning

Hi All
We have arrived safe at Quorn. Upon leaving Broken Hill we had help from Rob and his dad with a intermitenet problem of the generator light coming on. Rob whiped out his "ice cream " container full of electrical wizardry and had us sorted out in about 10 minutes, for which we are very greatful. A long hot run today.
(http://s16.postimage.org/tfy7abfsh/hub_cap2.jpg) ($2)

Hi All
Dennis and Dick's cars on the Indian Pacific at broked Hill this Morning
(http://s9.postimage.org/8b4s947ob/Dick_and_Denis_s_car_on_IP_at_Broker_Hill.jpg) ($2)

And another one
Rob & Stirling's FC Standard and the Ambo at Quorn South Australia tonight



(http://s17.postimage.org/kdy2m4drv/Rob_Sterling_s_FC_Standard_and_the_Ambo_at_Quarn.jpg) ($2)

(http://s17.postimage.org/nh3e38i4b/hub_cap_1.jpg) ($2)

Hi
Today we travelled from Quorn to Ceduna with a stopover in Port Augusta to repair the roof vent off the caravan. The roof vent was lost somewhere enroute between Broken Hill and Quorn. I wasn't too woried as it was over Gary's bed and not mine.....it didn't rain so all was well. Ted and Rohnda turned up in his mobile workshop hauling his FC van on a trailer. With a little help we were on our way to Ceduna (late )......We made up some good time with the Ambo performing well. Recieved a tex message from Jeff (gerty) at the Nullabour Road House telling us that they were held up with a galeforce winds making it unsafe to continue whilst hauling a van. We are staying at a caravan park at Ceduna......say no more.....Explain later we leave here. Ted and Rohnda and Rob and Stirling are staying at the Motel......While at Quorn a fellow aproached us, and as he was aproaching I said to Gary "this bloke reminds me of a camel driver from somewhere"....it turned out to br Noel Fullerton from TV fame the camel tour man, who wanted to show Garry a Sunliner van for possible sale. Anyway thats all for now.
Bruce and gary

(http://s16.postimage.org/uh6rbpxvl/069.jpg) ($2)
Rod sorting out our electrical problem at Broken Hill
(http://s13.postimage.org/p70darmar/081.jpg) ($2)
Gary fixing roof vent at Port Agusta
(http://s17.postimage.org/ew7b3tm17/079.jpg) ($2)
Rob greasing his FC standard at Quorn
Cheers Bruce and Gary

(http://s14.postimage.org/5dua5gpm5/063.jpg) ($2)
At Cobar
(http://s17.postimage.org/j52ueiaiz/068.jpg) ($2)
At Broken Hill
(http://s15.postimage.org/cwjuxc247/077.jpg) ($2)
At Quorn

(http://s18.postimage.org/rw8y60vyt/084.jpg) ($2)
Kimba...

Hey Boys
Good to hear you are making smooth progress, and that you have picked up some travel buddies.
That last pic is a very cool pic.....love it.
Regards
Alex

Thanks for the update, glad to hear all is well. Say hi to Rob, Sterling,Ted & Rhonda.
cheers,
Graham

(http://s13.postimage.org/bpl18xq5v/road_trip_wa_022.jpg) ($2)
Parked next to a Queensland locomotive being transfered by road to Perth

(http://s12.postimage.org/r40rqau61/road_trip_wa_026.jpg) ($2)
Well known sign
(http://s16.postimage.org/nhpwgkzip/road_trip_wa_030.jpg) ($2)
Another well known Sign

******Teds Page********
(http://s7.postimage.org/5b0dz5dl3/083.jpg) ($2)
Ted's mobile workshop and tuck truck lending a hand with some tools



(http://s17.postimage.org/vs74ao5p7/087.jpg) ($2)
Ted keeping a watchfull eye over his FC van whilst Rohnda pays the fuel bill
(http://s14.postimage.org/4y70p6qil/road_trip_wa_035.jpg) ($2)
Gary Rob Rohnda Ted and Myself

(http://s7.postimage.org/xfh520wzr/road_trip_wa_038.jpg) ($2)
See we do take pics of the scenery.....GREAT AUSTRALIAN BIGHT MARINE PARK......Beautiful Scenary
(http://s14.postimage.org/7rnnpaqpp/road_trip_wa_040.jpg) ($2)
AT THE Western Australian border Quarantine check point
(http://s13.postimage.org/4o5xp2x0z/road_trip_wa_041.jpg) ($2)
Teds car......
We are at Eucla in the caravan park....(not like last nights dive at Ceduna).....overlooking the Great Australian Bite..Just beautiful. Tomorrow striking out for Fraser Range, the next stop on Rob,s itinary just over 600 ks away.
Good Night ALL

Looking good Boys... Cool Van Gary ;)

(http://s13.postimage.org/tjcuz8hpv/pitstop.jpg) ($2)

Last time I did the Nullabor... return trip adjustments. :D :D
Nick

Thanks guys. Really appreciate the updates. Lookes great wish i was there.
Cheers,
Graham

Keep the updates coming! Loving the pics!!

Looks like awesome weather too....

Great pics guys ... looks like a great roadtrip !!!

Can't wait to see all on Saturday ...

(http://s17.postimage.org/69pzgai7f/Kalgoorlie_022.jpg) ($2)
Stirling adjusting the shoe tree
(http://s18.postimage.org/vt3x3t5ud/Kalgoorlie_023.jpg) ($2)
Robs car at the Shoe tree
(http://s16.postimage.org/va3f8be3l/Kalgoorlie_025.jpg) ($2)
The old meets the new at Cockabiddy

Signs along the Nullabor
(http://s13.postimage.org/j9h24u8sj/Kalgoorlie_026.jpg) ($2)

(http://s16.postimage.org/qv3dm0v8h/Kalgoorlie_027.jpg) ($2)

(http://s7.postimage.org/d8dweygjr/Kalgoorlie_028.jpg) ($2)

(http://s7.postimage.org/mvm02eyx3/Kalgoorlie_029.jpg) ($2)
Having lunch mid way along  "The 90 mile Straight"
(http://s14.postimage.org/fxbepjy19/Kalgoorlie_031.jpg) ($2)
Ditto
(http://s13.postimage.org/s0fcqzu9v/Kalgoorlie_030.jpg) ($2)
The Bottle Top Seat

(http://s13.postimage.org/fyt5obzsz/Kalgoorlie_032.jpg) ($2)
We Looked & Looked but we didn't find her
(http://s15.postimage.org/pkas4wqav/Kalgoorlie_033.jpg) ($2)
Fraser Range.....a great place to stop

Running Repairs To Caravan
(http://s15.postimage.org/4v6sahsmf/Kalgoorlie_042.jpg) ($2)

(http://s16.postimage.org/7lfnob0o1/Kalgoorlie_043.jpg) ($2)

(http://s13.postimage.org/hbxtmxg5f/Kalgoorlie_048.jpg) ($2)
Having breakfast at  Fraser Range in the shearers kitchen

(http://s15.postimage.org/g47xuzpd3/Kalgoorlie_046.jpg) ($2)
Fraser Range
(http://s16.postimage.org/e37qzapsx/Kalgoorlie_049.jpg) ($2)
Leavin Fraser Range
(http://s16.postimage.org/99sl86iox/Kalgoorlie_050.jpg) ($2)

(http://s16.postimage.org/44rdqk5r5/Kalgoorlie_052.jpg) ($2)
Rob arrives on the scene after looking at the old road
(http://s14.postimage.org/dk349efbh/Kalgoorlie_053.jpg) ($2)
Making arrangements to meet up later
(http://s17.postimage.org/uqwjh4t63/Kalgoorlie_055.jpg) ($2)
At Norsman......To have lunch with Ted & Rhonda.....Rob and his dad also were there

Good to see someone spotted one of our markings

(http://s9.postimage.org/qznqzcosr/Kalgoorlie_056.jpg) ($2)
Ran out of fuel....Ah well it happens :)
(http://s15.postimage.org/efvguho9z/Kalgoorlie_057.jpg) ($2)
At Last Kalgoorlie
(http://s14.postimage.org/q8afwd2j1/Kalgoorlie_059.jpg) ($2)

(http://s17.postimage.org/v4kjuvq23/Kalgoorlie_060.jpg) ($2)
At Railway station
(http://s15.postimage.org/540qcyqef/Kalgoorlie_061.jpg) ($2)
And time for bed..........Hope to post tomorrow night....Good  Night

Only about 800k to go; you're nearly there!

Fantastic effort. Well done all.

Thanks Gary and Bruce some great shots there. Glad its all going well.
Cheers,
Graham

(http://s7.postimage.org/f78ep0iiv/Merreden_021.jpg) ($2)
A quick visit to the Royal Flying Doctor Service @ Kalgoorlie
(http://s13.postimage.org/kf5fswa1f/Merreden_023.jpg) ($2)
Yet another roadhouse
(http://s18.postimage.org/js7g64y7p/Merreden_024.jpg) ($2)
At Southern Cross.....Gary liked the shed
(http://s16.postimage.org/hjlyqb2k1/Merreden_025.jpg) ($2)
Makes us feel very smalll

(http://s17.postimage.org/8th0wlyd7/Merreden_027.jpg) ($2)

(http://s14.postimage.org/mwlbui7j1/Merreden_028.jpg) ($2)


(http://s16.postimage.org/yi49xv3ch/Merreden_032.jpg) ($2)
At Merreden

(http://s15.postimage.org/p5p8gtm1z/Merreden_033.jpg) ($2)
A quiet day today....Hope to arrive in Perth tomorrow........

(http://s12.postimage.org/s9nb8tx2x/022.jpg) ($2)
Ran into TrevorB & Chris at merredin last night
(http://s16.postimage.org/4gdfh1ofl/023.jpg) ($2)
This is what greeted us at Kellerberrin.......A private collection of Holdens being restored.
(http://s14.postimage.org/8tou1yiv1/024.jpg) ($2)

(http://s15.postimage.org/3qscftqmf/025.jpg) ($2)

(http://s13.postimage.org/hnl8ziqhv/026.jpg) ($2)

(http://s12.postimage.org/ppw9sgywp/027.jpg) ($2)

(http://s16.postimage.org/v5iykcb1t/036.jpg) ($2)

(http://s9.postimage.org/718cg830b/029.jpg) ($2)
Farther & Son....... :D
(http://s18.postimage.org/8cl8wj6qt/030.jpg) ($2)
There is a long history of this car being a bash car raising money for charity
(http://s11.postimage.org/tta9obwj3/032.jpg) ($2)

(http://s16.postimage.org/x0a1qoj5d/034.jpg) ($2)

(http://s15.postimage.org/h8hbsiq6f/035.jpg) ($2)

(http://s17.postimage.org/eidibt1bv/037.jpg) ($2)
This is the fellow who is restoring the collection of Holdens.There are a couple of FEs,EJ wogon,HDs and other old cars. This little stop put us behind at least......a very nice delay at that.
We then motored on toPerth stoping at a lovely pie shop......
(http://s18.postimage.org/bk7t9zgf9/038.jpg) ($2)
After that there was a quick stop at a car wash for the caravan to be washed, then on to Perth...
Arriving mid afternoon.......The old Boonah Ambo got us here.......Now for the Nationals.........
Bruce & Garry.....
(http://s13.postimage.org/r95moc2w3/040.jpg) ($2)
Central caravan park in Perth.......

Hi All
What a great Nats....I have left the reporting of the nats for others and all our thankyous will be at the end of this adventure........well read on...."not sure when"....We got off to an early start on Monday morning travelling with Denis & Lyn. We stoped at Bakers Hill for a pie and then of to Coolgardie........About 20 Ks out from town the old girl started to play up. We stoped and tried to rectify the problem. Both Garry and Denis played about with the points witch apeared to have clased up causing rough running. We managed to limp into town booking in to a caravan park, and headed off to the pub for a meal leaving it to the next day to rectify the problem.

(http://s13.postimage.org/unyvoz5vn/The_return_052.jpg) ($2)
At Bakers Hill........First day out on return when all was well
(http://s18.postimage.org/5t8wo7v6t/The_return_055.jpg) ($2)
Denis and Gary working at the side of the road
(http://s17.postimage.org/5j7vbktln/The_return_056.jpg) ($2)
Tuesday and the sarga continues......Denis fault finding

(http://s13.postimage.org/c9fmcvvr7/The_return_058.jpg) ($2)
Lyn doing her bit in readyness for the trip
(http://s13.postimage.org/ck1dktvgj/The_return_059.jpg) ($2)
Faults started to raise their ugly heads again......although Denis wanted to keep fault finding we decided to call road service to transport the car to Kalgoorlie. Although Denis wanted to stay with us we sent him on ahead. A big thankyou to Denis for his help. we called the NRMA who organised the local road service to attend and arrange to transport us to Kalgoorlie. Here we farewell Denis and Lyn
(http://s15.postimage.org/8su3nehmv/The_return_060.jpg) ($2)
"GP"arrives on the scene......Give me a look!......tinker tinker tinker and finds a loose wire on the coil.
Gary takes the car for a run. A lot better but not a 100% The tow truck arrives but the ambo wouldn't give up and follows the tow truck into Kalgoorlie. Minor parts are ordered for next day delivery and we should be on the way in the morning. Thankyou Graham...
(http://s7.postimage.org/dshg1f82v/The_return_061.jpg) ($2)
While waiting for parts to arrive its off to McDonalds for a coffee......and later to the Pub :)

Best of luck guys. Hope the problem gets sorted.
Cheers,
Graham

Good luck guys, hope everything gets sorted soon and that you have a smooth trip for the rest of the way.

Well
All seems well, we picked up the car from Ultra Tune at kalgoorlie and travelled to Norsman where we are now.
We will be away from internet and phones for a couple of days Bye for now Bruce & Gary

No we're using Baledonia's service, all going well, travelled about 400k's to here today with a late start of 11am
The Ambo is running well and seems to be using less petrol after a bit of a tune up

Hope to make Nullabor Roadhouse tomorrow or even a bit further

Cheers Gary & Bruce

Good to hear. We went through the Nullarbor Roadhouse about 2pm Central time today, and are now holed up at Ceduna.

Very glad to know you're on the road and motoring along again.

cheers
RET

Well....Sadly the adventure is over as it apears that we have a blown head gaskit at best or maybe worst.
The car and the van has been picked up and transfered by tilt trailor to Ucula.
(http://s16.postimage.org/6a1xfy601/024.jpg) ($2)
Car being loaded at night for transfer to Ucula for fowarding on to Sydney.
(http://s14.postimage.org/9w85ohlyl/025.jpg) ($2)
Sadly "The Boonah Ambulance" Has finshed Her Adventure, it is now in the transport handlers hands to get her home.

A couple of happy snaps
(http://s14.postimage.org/7f0zuyrfx/009.jpg) ($2)

(http://s18.postimage.org/waoypf3cl/016.jpg) ($2)
While waiting for the road service the Adelaide group pulled in for a few running repairs.
(http://s10.postimage.org/lu2qp03ut/021.jpg) ($2)

(http://s13.postimage.org/o4xocc39f/014.jpg) ($2)
Learn something new everday....Australia has 4 time zones ...I allways thought we only had 3....

. . . and I thought the ambo was going so well too.

Commiserations.

Our return adventure begins on Thursday, although I'm doing a Perth-Kondinin-Kellerberrin-Perth jaunt on Sunday and Monday.

Rob

Hi Bruce,
Sorry to hear the adventure had to end that way.Its been great being able to tag along with you and Gary on the Web almost felt like i was there.
Safe trip home to you both.
Cheers,
Graham

G'day Gary & Bruce
Sorry to hear about the Ambos breakdown after such an epic journey.

But the adventure isn't over,  it's just changed a little.

You'll be driving to Tassie in 2014 reminiscing about your unplanned stopover in WA in 2012.

Timezones ??? going through two before you even leave the state gets me confused

Hope the rest of the adventure home goes as smoothly as possible

 8) 8) 8)

Hey Gary and Bruce.
Sorry to hear your journey has ended in such a way.
The good news is that in no time at all the repairs will be made and you can chalk it up to experience. Safe travel home.
Regards
Alex

Thanks for all the offers of help and assistance, the bloke that towed us into Eucla dropped me up the road at Border Village on the state line of SA & WA where I hitched a lift on a road train straight through and I mean straight through! To Ceduna No stops, nice bloke, he drives at least 12 hours a day

Any how, I'm hoping to catch the plane in the morning from here to connect with a flight to Sydney with the Ambo & caravan to follow via road transport in a few days

Cheers Gary

G,day Gary

Glad to hear its all ok and you got transport for the ambo/caravan , hope you get an early flight ....at least your ok and the vehicles are undamaged...it should be a major talking point at Tassie...
"The Adventures of Gary & Bruce"

Cheers
Gary

Hi Gary & Bruce

I to am sorry to hear about your car, alls well that ends well and as long as you, your ambo and caravan make it home safe the adventure was a success.

Your adventure just took another turn. Its would have been another adventure getting a lift on the express road train to Ceduna looking at the road from higher up.

Safe travels, Cheers Jim, Sonja & William

Hi All
At home in the "man cave"..... Waiting to hear Gary is home safe and sound !
Debbie is looking forward to having him home. Then the waite starts for the Ambo and van to arrive which will signal the end of this adventure.
I wish to trank the Following
WA FE FC Club for putting on a GREAT Nationl get together.
Rob & Stirling for a great time on the forward trip.....& fixing the electrical problem at Broken Hill
Ted & Rhonda for their valued help...(thanks Ted for keeping a eye on us)...also good humor en Route.
Denis & Lyn for their help on the return trip.
Graham Price for fault Finding at that roadhouse near Kagoorlie.....
The South Australia FE FC members for their help transporting me to Ceduna...600 km nearest airport.
The Truckie of the roadtrain for transporting Gary 600 km to Ceduna.
A big thankyou to Rex airlines for getting me away from the millions of flys at Ceduna.
and....
The caravan park at Perth can go to hell...shity barsteds...my personal view
And how I didn,t get food poisoning from some of the road houses is hard to believe.
And to those 2 lovely ladies that got in the way of me camera at the Great Australian Bight lookout, "all is fogiven"
Last but not least "Thanks Gary for taking me with you .....you filled a lifetime dream to cross the Nullabour.
Oh! NO we didn't see the "Nullabour Nymph"......pitty that
Bruce
P S The food at the Nationals was GREAT........In short the WA Nationals was Excellent.....

Ditto that, thanks to all of the above from me also, and apologies if I have left anyone out, I am now home also after being squashed into 2 economy flights

Here is another pic of the Great Australian Bight, bloody Bruce got in the way of this one
 
(http://s12.postimage.org/g83gidhg9/GREAT_AUSSIE_BIGHT.jpg) ($2)

And another, this time with Rob and his dad Stirling in the foreground, just couldn't get a clear shot!

(http://s17.postimage.org/wwfq3lrzf/GREAT_AUSTRALIAN_BIGHT_with_Rob_Stirling.jpg) ($2)

Despite the disapointment of not finishing, I still had a great time, the 600 k's in the road train
was unreal, it was a great Nationals and I advise anyone who is considering going to the next one in Tassy to just do it!

Mark Bannister was the blokes name, him, his dad and his brother run a family trucking usiness out of Dungog

His Grandfather before him and his Dad started with 12 teams of horses! so a real family empire, they operate 10 trucks and several sub contractors as well, hauling huge loads to service the mining industry all over Australia

I was a bit sheepish about asking for a lift but I needn't have been, the 1st bloke knocked me back because he said it was againt company policy, but said his boss was likley to be following so ask him

So sure enough, after a while this other road train pulls in, I waited until he had had a feed and asked if he had any room for a lift to Ceduna, I think he felt sorry for me standing there with all my stuff in 1 bag, and he said yeah, ok, so long as I didn't smoke

600 k's and many hours later he dropped me in Ceduna, refused all offers of money, food and coffee, topped up the tanks and off into the darkness again, what a trooper, only sorry I din't get a pic, but not much opportunity as we didn't stop

A few facts,
the all up weight was about 75 tons
the fuel tanks hold about 1500 litres of diesel
It was a Cummins diesel in a Mack Truck, it was nearing either a complete overhaul or trade in with 700,000 k's on the clock
It uses 1.5 liters of Diesel per kilometer....but thats only because he drives it economicaly !
18 forward gears, and he used all of them to get away from a dead stop and didn't need to change again until we hit the hills on the other side of the Nullabor
Many more bits that I have left out

Cheers, Gary

 

Hi Gary & Bruce,

Glad to hear you both arrived home ok.
Let me know if I can be of any assistance with the car when it arrives.

Cheers,
Mal.

Sorry again guys about all the dramas but great to hear that you've both made it back home safely. Let's hope the same can be said about the ambo and van. Cheers, Tim

Well after all that, you're home before us! Very pleased to hear you've been able to sort it all out, and had a different, unexpected adventure along the way. Hope the problems with the ambo aren't too drastic, and trust she'll be on the road again soon.

We'll be back in Sydney tomorrow. What a fantastic couple of weeks!

cheers
RET

Gary and Bruce.
Home safe and sound.  ;D
You will be able to say you "cruised the Nullabor in a road train"....another experience to tick off the list.
Regards
Alex

Sorry to hear about the Ambo problems. We are in Busselton checking out the wineries etc and have another few days of travelling in the South West until the return home journey on Monday. Glad to hear you are both home safe and sound. Hope the Ambo and van are handled gently by the transports.

Geoff & Marg

Glad to hear you are both home safe and sound.Thank goodness for helpful people from our clubs and the trucking community.Thanks for getting our mates home.
Cheers,
Graham

Another update-

My Sunday-Monday Wheatbelt trip went well.  I spent a pleasant night at Kondinin with my cousin, and then returned via Narembeen, Bruce Rock, Kellerberrin and Cunderdin.

Richard Marek opened up his garage at Kellerberrin and showed me his growing collection of Holdens.  And outside No. 3 Pumping Station at Cunderdin I got talking to one of the locals, who has a 48.

The car went fine, except that the starter motor went all lazy on me, and then ceased operation altogether.  I pulled it apart yesterday.  Badly seating brushes, so I cleaned up the commutator and brushes, which woke it up again.

We're beginning the return trip tomorrow, via the Murchison and Northern Goldfields.

Rob

All the best for the journey Rob, hope all goes well with no more issues.

Good to hear you were able to have a guided tour of Richards garage

Regards, Gary

Just another snippet, I took enough oil for an oil change while in Perth for the return trip

While at the car wash I asked the operator if he knew of anyone with a hoist where I could change my oil and grease the Ambo

he directed me to

Mike Holmes
Car Service & Electrics
08 9274 6606
Unit 2/11 Bushby St Bellvue WA 6054

I asked Mike if I could have some hoist time, he said come back later which I did, we put the car on his hoist, he changed the oil, greased it, asked me if I wanted to check it over, then he checked it.

Not so unusual, but when I asked how much he said forget it, free for a fellow car lover, so if any of you WA mob need anything done this may be of help, he had an FE in there as well

A very obliging bloke

Gary 

(http://s13.postimage.org/4sd7par1v/MIKE_HOLMES_GARAGE.jpg) ($2)

G'day boys

What a bugger about the Ambo...still could be worse...could have cleaned up a roo or two..then you would be really pissed

Another great happy friendly couple of mates travelling across the paddock and back

Always up for a chat or even ready to tow a car away from impatient moden car owners to get it back on the road or just offer advice

Just glad it all ended well and glad you both got home safely

Cheers
Gary & Lorene

Hi All
Juat uploaded a short (10 min 48 sec ) vidio on Youtube of the Ambo on its rorward journey to Perth. Its in my channel (FA7273).....
http://youtu.be/uohAICiXRRc     Titled ....FC Holden Ambulance (14th FE FC Holden Nationals Perth)...
Hope you Find it.
Bruce
PS Hope I got the link right.. ;D

How good is that video !!!!!! Well done very enjoyable and thanks for sharing!
Brett

  Thanks Bruce - great stuff!!

Thanks Bruce that was great.
Cheers,
Graham

Hi All
Just a few pics of the South Australians whilst giving me a lift from Ucula to Ceduna after the breakdown at Mundrabilla.
(http://s8.postimage.org/wgneqh201/026.jpg) ($2)

(http://s16.postimage.org/m6iqpo6s1/027.jpg) ($2)

(http://s18.postimage.org/l7xs9om39/028.jpg) ($2)

(http://s13.postimage.org/lqfwm69yb/029.jpg) ($2)
Thankyou for your help....see you all in Hobart

Thanks Bruce, great job. We are about to do it in reverse. (not reverse gear although it could be a record)

Loved the video.....thanks.
Those trucks were amazing.
Gave me some small perspective of what I missed.  >:(
Regards
Alex

Well, Ted & Rhonda were passing through Port Augusta the other day and guess what they saw

(http://s16.postimage.org/71snfi1tt/AMBO_N_VAN_ON_CAR_CARRIER_P_AUGUSTA_esperance_to_cobar2012_238_3.jpg) ($2)

Yep, it's on the way home, thanks you 2 for spotting it and giving it and the driver the once over to make sure it was ok

then this morning I got a phone call to say it was not far away! and there they are, great to have them back
 
(http://s18.postimage.org/cc1r17rz9/rig_on_rig_3_23_4_12.jpg) ($2)

The head came off, after a bit WD40 and some pulling in the form of an engine lifter as the head gasket had sort of cemented the head and block together, there was clear evidence of the head gasket having blown, and the bores all look ok with no visible cracks in the head, so heres hoping

(http://s7.postimage.org/ht93h015z/CROW_BIRDBATH_BP_BORDER_VILLAGE.jpg) ($2)

I took this pic while waiting for a lift at Border Village, this birdbath is for the enjoyment of CROWS ONLY, just before I got the camera out there was no standing room left around the edge

cheers, Gary

Hi Gary,

Great news they are both home safe & sound with you, hope they travelled o'k & with no damage.

If you need a hand with the repairs please let me know.

John

Pleased to hear the Boonah Ambulance is home at last. The prognosis sounds hopeful, so with any luck she'll be back on the road shortly.

cheers
RET

Good to hear they are home safe and sound....could have been a lot worse ...maybe a roo or two, that would have been tough

Cheers
Gary

Hi Gary,
Glad to hear the Ambo is back where it belongs.
Cheers,
Graham

Great to hear the ambo is home safely and nothing too serious wrong with it.

Cheers
Paul

Phew Gary , what an epic saga !!!

Sure we are all pleased all's well ... PS was good to meet in Perth ...I did catch up with "fink" too

Cheers , Dave .

This ends this "Boys own Adventure"......What next?......MMmmmm
With the car and van home safe and sound we can now relax...
 That was some trip.....!!
Bruce

The sister caravan is at Kalgoorlie at present and heading for Balledonia tomorrow. All well so far.

Hi Geoff n Margaret

Don't forget the short drive to the Super Pit on the way out of town if you haven't already done it, you can take the van up with you no worries

It's well worth it

Cheers, Gary

(http://s14.postimage.org/vrw1vn4v1/The_return_010.jpg) ($2)

(http://s13.postimage.org/4o3li7jrn/The_return_012.jpg) ($2)

(http://s10.postimage.org/3tfrfi2ed/The_return_014.jpg) ($2)
The sister vans at Perth.........

Thanks Gary been there and are now in Nullarbor Roadhouse caravan park. Gertie is humming along with a daily dose of half cup of oil. 1200 ks in the last 2 days.

Just reading about the trip... Wow, sounds like you boys sure had an adventure to remember!!

Glad to hear everyone & everything is back and in relative good nick!

Loved the pics along the way and am looking forward to hearing more about the Nats one day!! ;)

Cheers, Les...

Stirling and I are back in Sydney, as of 5 pm this afternoon.  What an adventure.

We took the long way home - Perth to Mullewa; then to Murchison Roadhouse and Wooleen Station (of recent Australian Story fame); a radio telescope site, where I was pretty much turned away from my own workplace; Yalgoo; ~30 km of bush-bashing to find an orbicular granite quarry (ask Stirling); Mt Magnet, Sandstone, Leinster, Leonora, and Kalgoorlie, where we dropped my uncle off to catch the train back to Perth.

That was just the first part. Ha.  We turned up at Leinster at lunchtime on a Sunday very low on fuel, only to find that the town had essentially shut for the day.  The "emergency contact" number at the fuel station didn't answer, the shops were closed, the caravan park had no on-site accommodation, and the office was in the (closed) supermarket.  The police station was only manned during office hours.  The only open business was the nursery, so we talked to the owner to see what options were available.  A young couple was there, and we got talking cars, and they had an HR Premier, and they said we could siphon as much fuel out of the HR as we needed to get us down the road to Leonora.  So they invited us around to theirs, cut up the garden hose, gave us coffee while I got petrol-mouth, and finally refused payment for their fuel.  What heroes.

The 400 or so km of dirt around the Murchison district left us with two slowly leaking rear tyres.  I could just keep up with the leaks by pumping up the tyres every time we stopped.  At Leonora Caravan Park I repaired one of the punctures, while the other one (scratches head) sealed itself up.  That was more than a week ago now.

Seventy km out of Kalgoorlie the speedo seized up solid and sheared the cable off inside the driven gear.

Oh, and I had to do the "hand over the air intake" trick a couple of times to clear some crap out of the main jet.

I think Geoff and Margaret saw us at Kalgoorlie on the 24th.  At Kalgoorlie Railway Station carpark I did a lube service.  Good thing that.  I'd pumped all the gearbox oil out through the rear extension housing, where most of it ended up on the muffler.  Wondered why the car smelt of gear oil after driving for a while . . .

Kalgoorlie to Madura to Streaky Bay (oysters!) and down into the Eyre Peninsula to call in on the panelbeater at Cummins, then Cowell, where we took the SeaSA ferry across Spencer Gulf to Wallaroo.  I can't recommend the ferry highly enough.  From Wallaroo to Gawler, stopping to fix the exhaust (loose flange nuts).  At Gawler we called in on Phil Ivanov at the wrecking yard and saw his Red Dog FC, and "Phil's Corner" of the yard with all things '56 - '62.  Phil had a speedo cable. Yippee!

Gawler to Adelaide and then Robe, Mt Gambier, Warrnambool, the Great Ocean Road (with a night at the stunningly pretty Apollo Bay), Torquay and Geelong.  And here we flirted with the dark side.  Yes, that's right, we visited the Ford Discovery Centre.  I'd recommend it to anyone, even diehard Holden nuts.

And from there it was just a trip around the Western Orbital, onto the Hume, and a day and a half home.  We had a small "Route 66" moment, where we took the old road from Gunning through Cullerin and Breadalbane.  Strewth.  The Hume Highway in the '60s and '70s must have been lethal.  And yet you'd still drive Sydney-Melbourne in a day, on a narrow, twisty strip with drum brakes and crossply tyres, because that's what you did.

The car just went.  The cylinder head gave us no trouble, apart from having to tip a pint of water into the radiator every couple of days.

Rob

Hi Rob and Stirling
Great to hear you are both home safe and sound. Thanks again to both of you for organizing a great trip.
We have great memories that will last forever. Now whats the plan for Hobart  ;D
Bruce

Wow, I wish we had had the time, not to mention a working vehicle, to have tagged along with you two on the homeward journey.

Good to hear you have made it back after all of the adventure, and it's encouraging to know that there are still people out there with hearts as big as the outback they live in to help out now and then

As Bruce has mentioned, Deb and I also look forward to Tasmania, with possibly a few of your detours thrown in for good measure

Cheers, Gary
 

Hey Rob and Stirling,

Good to see you made it home safely  :)

cheers

"the bloke on the pushbike in Port Fairy"

Great to hear you have arrived home safetly and have had an EPIC journey, well done guys. We look forward to catching up in Tassie


regards

The Weddo's

Bill & Judi

 Glad to hear that Rob and Stirling made it back. We were in Kalgoorlie on 24th and ended up in the Bert st Boulder caravan park but did not see Rob and Stirling. A very interesting trip with a good result.
We attempted to text and call R and S on several occasions without success and are now in Renmark on the home leg (saturday) I hope. Gertie still likes her cup of Penrite once every day or so and I have just done a grease job on her in the caravan park. 

Roll on Tassie.