DOWN THE BEATEN TRACK!

         

Whilst we were back at home on

The beautiful Central Coast of New South Wales
over Christmas 

We decided to go on a little picnic up to the

Wattagan Mountains

Seeing as we were only a stones throw away from there & the rain had stopped for a few hours
We decided to pack a Picnic basket & set off! 

When we left Dooralong we thought there were accessible ways up to the

Mountain via four wheel drive tracks!

As we approached these tracks there were signs saying no thru road!

This we couldn't work out as Mark had seen the tracks in the camps 4 book!

 The Navman was also guiding us in that direction
 Seeing as she has been known to be wrong on many occasions before
 We decided not to trust our poor out dated old girl this time!

Well that was the end of our thoughts of
Doing a bit of off roading..........Or so we thought at the time!

We took the long way around & obeyed the signs

Which was a pretty drive through lush valleys & quaint little townships. 

  Once up the mountain we enjoyed a very tranquil lunch

 surrounded by acres of beautiful old & very tall pine trees

Hence the name of this particular picnic spot

The Pines.

Yogi getting out the picnic basket.

After our little forest walk we decided to head back down the mountain 

What a spectacular drive as we meandered our way back down the

Wattagans!

Not long into the trip, we saw tracks with signs reading

Wyong Via Dooralong 30kms

Oh very good!
This must be the track we were looking for when we first set off.

We could see tyre marks in the dirt which meant others had come along here recently!

Hubs locked four wheel drive engaged & we were off!

The first 10 kms were OK little bit rough but hey we had been up to
Cape York & back via the Old Tele Track
This was pretty easy driving really!

Well that was not to be for long as we came to a few deep dug out mushy parts of this track

Which mark navigated around with great expertise!
 As you know the weather has done nothing but rain for like 40 days & 40 nights

Well maybe not that many but it is pretty wet up here!
As it is in nearly the whole of
Oz at present!

As we turned the next bend 

Low & behold we drove straight into a deeply rutted quagmire

 the ruts were too deep for the wheels & bang down
she went with a massive big thud!

Holey Dooley!!!

There is no way we could possibly turn back!

So how the heavens are we going to get through the rest of this???

This was starting to look & feel a whole lot worse than the Telegraph Track!

Also it was getting late in the afternoon & we had told no one where we were going

 plus there was no phone signal!!

 I was now getting very concerned!!

We both got out to check if there was any damage to the truck luckily none, we could see!
  The tow bar saved the day!
 This is one tough truck!

We stood their in amazement trying to work out the best way
to get through this mess??

The only way mark thought, was to gun it straight through there!
2nd gear low range & plenty of right pedal as he puts it!
I stood back & I said my prayers!

Now I must add these next few words are Marks
First attempt I missed it by a bees dick
Second attempt missed it by a flees dick
 ( Sorry that last line was mine
I couldn't help myself )
Anyway enough of that rot & back to the business at hand!
Third go
 He Did It!!!

WOW!!!
What a relief that was!
That was seriously the most worried I have ever been
Not even any of our outback adventures were as scary to me as that little episode!
I think it was made worse by the fact no one would be able to find us!
When they did finally realise we were missing it would be too late!

Plus we had no water, food, phone & most importantly

Beer or Wine!

Back on track & it was out of there quick smart for us!

As we got towards the end we saw a sign facing the
Opposite direction which read
Road Closed!
Well......It would of been nice of them to have put that
Sign at the other end of the track!!!

Back at the safety of Dooralong we enjoyed our farewell dinner with our family!
Thank you to my Beautiful Brother & Sister in law for a
Fantastic, Fun & Very Welcoming Stay!
We will miss all our Family & Friends
But the trip must go on!



Queanbeyan Here We Come!