Here We Go Again - Chapter 7 - Woodford Day 3

Oh what a night.

We have miscalculated the power usage in the van and we lose it all just after midnight. The generator would not start so I am reduced to saving the fridge by backing the Cruiser up to the vane and plugging that part of the electrics back in.

Add to that encounters with deer and the long horns and we have the makings of some very second hand versions of us in the morning.

Robyn had dealt with the deer. She had gotten up, yelled at them and opened the door which was enough to scare them on their way. The Long Horns however were a different debacle.

Deciding it was my turn to deal with the rocking of the van – the deer and the cattle seemed to enjoy rubbing up against the van – I wander out to see the back end of a very large bull, the guide rope for the awning dropped over one horn, having snapped it from its position, with apparently no intention of moving on. Walking towards the animal it is easy to see he is not caught up in any way, the guide rope is just sitting there, so I get more forceful with my reminstrations. He meanders away

I wake at day break and head out to see if I can sort the generator issue. I had a thought over night that perhaps the oil level had dropped. I seem to remember the manual suggesting it would not start if the level ell below a certain level. Forbsy, the last one tro leave the fire had not put the security rope across the fire area but no damage. The cattle seem to have enjoyed playing with the vans rather than wandering into the enclosure.

I start the Cruiser looking to get some charge into the batteries before the sun starts working on the solar panels and look to reinvigorate the fire. There are enough coals to generate a flame and it is soon back to life.

My phone is flat too. I plug it into the Cruiser to charge and notice 2 long horns standing by Silver Leaders van. I quickly get a snap of them looking as if they were peering in the window. If only Rose knew!!

Today we are going to Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo. We want to miss the rush so the plan was to go early but with the power issues we are running a smidge late. I disconnect the generator and place it in the back of the Cruiser with a view to having it looked at. Forbsy has identified a potential repair place on the way.

The Big Mower is a business just short of the zoo. We wander in, it’s at this point I realise I should have tethered the generator as it has fallen over in the back and leaked onto my jacket. I take it in and have the machine booked in. I suggest it is probably “user error” or a spark plug issue. Theta gree and suggest they will look at it, and if they need to order in parts they will call during the day, otherwise drop in on the way home. The business is a couple of younger guys, who we find out later come highly recommended by Wallie.

Off to the Zoo.

If you have been to Australia Zoo, you will now its 100 acres plus of attractions. They run shows, including wild bird and crocodile exhibitions. Every staff member seems to have time to talk to you and is extremely knowledgeable.  We wander her, we wander there, we wander between the set times of the demonstrations.At one stage we hop the shuttle between the entrance and Africa World. In the far corner of the zoo are the Meerkats. Meerkats are amazing creatures, mesmerising in their habits. Today is no exception, whilst some are playing, others are digging or even sleeping but there is always one on sentry duty. Robyn and I find a face through a hole photo opportunity for the kids back home

We luncheon beside the rhinoceros enclosure and can see the giraffe being fed in the distance.

A quick walk to the main arena just in time for the wild bird and crocodile show. The birds circle the arena, landing in the stands to the hysterical joy of the crowd. At one stage the comperes, looking to gee up the crowd, get us all to do our best Steve Irwin “Crikey” impression. Forbnsy catches this on his phone.

Its a tiring day but before we leave there’s the obligatory shopping experience. I cannot go past a polo tee shirt like the one I already own. They are of the greatest quality and they FIT. Robyn too grabs a shirt.

Back to the car we start the ride back. First collect the generator.

Yes it was “user error”, but because I had left the generator so long and the old fuel had evaporated out, it had clogged the carburetor. They had to clean it twice and are unsure they have fixed the issue. Perhaps if we run it all night and use some fuel enhancing additives it may come good. Their fees are very reasonable and it starts the first time when they show me what they have done – very promising.

Not yet done with the day, we take the list of potential attractions Wallie has made form su and pick on that is enroute. A tea house, high up in the hills, offering not only the chance to sit and enjoy a cuppa but has spectacular view across the escarpment, the Glasshouse Mountains and even as far as Brisbane. 

The road towards Melany is windy and at time steep. Off the main road it is more so. Just the thing for a budding Fangio as I look to apex each and every corner.

The venue is as spectacular as Wallie suggested with one problem. There has been a fire in the valley and there is a mist like impediment to the “normal view” Rose buys a postcard with the mountains each named with their respective height, which I snap as well as the misty vista.

Time to return, but first I need fuel for the trip to Hervey Bay tomorrow. We have not seen a fuel stop all day. I ask Silver Leader, who has an app on his phone, to suggest an option. Both he and Robyn set out to find one. SIlver Leader suggests we turn around and go back quite some distance while Robyn finds one just the other side of Woodford.

Here is an enigma, right around the days efforts to find fuel. We drive into Woodford, a bustling little community and there are no service stations. The one Robyn has selected is in the next town and although it is presently 4.45pm, supposedly closes at 6.00pm. When we arrive at 4.50pm the attendants are well into close up mode. One of them smiles as I pull up to the diesel pump. The last sale of the day is going to be around $150, well worth staying open just that 5 minutes more.

Wallie is home and is wondering where we are. I suggest to him to ensure the fire is well and truly going for us and the sledging starts. Based around the tribulations of last night, stories and lies that were told in the Secret Men’s Business Meeting, Wallie seeks to embellish on his efforts with the fire.

When we return we are bailed up by the longhorns. It’s an effort to get them to move and both Robyn and Rose are more than happy with this as it allows them to snap more shots of the bovine behemoths.

Wallie has the fire raging and although protesting fiercely takes a bourbon offered to him. Before being able to join him proper all the awnings need to be secured; one to ensure they are dry and two just in case we have another attack of deer and longhorns like last night.

The banter around the fire continues with Walie regaling us of his extensie yachting experiences. From running alcohol to coming through the Panama Canal and pirate encounters. He has brought some water pellet guns to hunt the “vermin” should they arrive in the middle of the night again tonight.

The fog drops in and not the one created by too much alcohol, a real one. There is a blackout in the valley and the van, with the generator blasting away and every external light blazing in the ist is an eerie sight. I take some shots of Silver Leader holding his torch aloft capturing the mist in the heavenly seeking beam. Given the pitch nature of the darkness I also seek to take some more stars photos with the phone – tonight the results are spectacular.

Tomorrow we must leave Woodford and head to Hervey Bay. IN the morning I have a little “real work” to do with Wallie and he needs to be at another Secret Mens Business Meeting at a coffee shop actually on our intended route. Rumour has it Mark, the self appointed secretary of the group is holding an investigation into the no shows from last night. Apparently they may need to re-register to join the group.

Wallie has driven his electric powered farm vehicle to the site and now with the dew all around he is finding it difficult to start. Robyn goes to help and I stand to the slide sledging as I should. Firstly he opens the engine bay and talks the terminals on the battery with a screwdriver to no effect. Then he resorts to a pair of pliers with much better result. He drives off into the night, unable to see through the windscreen as the dew has fogged both internal and external surfaces. One wonders how he is going to get home. At least the house lights are on given being off the grid, the blackout does not affect him.

He is easily tracked as first he climbs the hill behind the site, down behind it then into sight again as he traverses the last of the trip to the house.

His trip as does ours is quickly finalised by snoring under the covers. Today the pedometer suggests we have done well in excess of 11,000 steps, and for those who average far less than that, it has been a big day.