Co-drivers log Sunday 18-1015

SUNDAY 18TH OCT - NARRABRI - ST GEORGE

Up at 6am for breaky at the aquatic centre.

Got passport stamped to start the passport challenge - todays challenge was to make a giggle face out of natural items. This challenge was completed on the side of the road at a fun stop using feral pig bones. 

Breath tests done for all drivers and navigators - all passed. started the colored collection of "sober' bands .

First driver briefing from Ben , just a morning round up of the track and reminders to drive carefully and not to speed. Road safety is paramount in these types of events and those cars that don't follow the rules are given only one chance to redeem themselves before being told they will not be given route notes and must drive from town o town via the main roads.

Left out of sleepy Narrabri about 8.30am headed to Mungindi for lunch .

Ice Cream in the outback , not a shop for miles and Ben pulls out ice cream from the back of his car.

Onto st George for evening stop and dinner.

Had a well deserved swim when we has unpacked and sorted the car - Daz had the great idea to jump into the pool in his clothes to give them a wash.

 St George dinner - what a night - out under the stars with a camp oven stew and damper with delicious poached pears for desert. The atmosphere was so relaxed and friendly - the sign of more to come..

Daily Co-Drivers log - -- Saturday 17-10-15

SATURDAY 17TH OCT 2015

Woke up early in anticipation of EsCarpade -

Up early and out to Scrutineering at KAPUTAR FORD - (could have been useful as we woud find out later in the week!).,

We started our EsCarpade fundraising by selling our "What happens on EsCarpade - goes on Facebook " stickers - 

Passed final scrutineering with flying colours - received our bible (missing the most important part - the route notes- they would be given out ta breakfast each morning now , due to cars skipping breaky and heading out on their own to do the dirt routes with no support from the event officials).

Was great catching up with all our EsCarpade mates and meeting new entrants.

Daz being the ever helpful , helped out the clown car with their broken side mirror - that got blasted off at the car wash . Between Daz and Jaggy it was fixed in a jiffy and would last the distance - all 2989 km of it!

It was going to be a long journey , with some days being 550km + between evening stops.

Lego mobile got in on their tennis ball enhanced springs . 

Again Daz helped out Geoff to change the shocks in the Lego mobile.

We started our themed week here - Where's Wally? gear from now until Sunday next week - morning noon and night.

Opening address by Kim , the CQ chairman  . Kim and his son in law were entrants in this years event - to get a feel for the event and the people behind it.

No Simon this year - but Kim would be Darreen's target for odd fundraising ideas.

Darren received his 5 years EsCarpade bage and a great trophy - one of two that Daz would receive on the trip. 

Early to bed - to get ready the first of mny early starts.

DAILY CO-DRIVERS LOG - Day 1 - Thurs 15-10-15

Leaving for ESCarpade. The day we were all waiting for had arrived.

After the whole crew being awake at 3am we left Brisbane at  4.50am,.

Caz , Jason's wife sent us off with great wishes and loads of luck in dealing with Jason and Daz for a week... it was going to be interesting. 

Car driving nicely - until Toowoomba - when we stopped at McDonalds for breakfast -

there was a horrible grinding / rattling noise coming from under  the car.

Quick running repairs to the heat shield over the muffler - daz quickly under the car to adjust - all done.

An uneventful drive to  Goondiwindi.

First fuel stop for the trip and a photo opportunity under the EsCarpade banner in the main streets.

Jason needed to stop at a convenience store - as he went into the store , he noticed an elderly gentleman slumped in a chair,turning a light shade of blue and gradually falling to the floor.

Jason raced out- yelling to Darren to bring the oxysock and BP cuff.  then the guys went to the gentleman's aid .Then handed over to QAS. 

Turns out he was 94 years old , had driven from Sydney the night before heading towards Cairns . He had decided to stop at Goondiwindi and bus the rest of the way - lucky he did.

So the boys have done their good deed for the day and hopefully the karma gods will look favourably on the crew as we make our way from Narrabri to Goondiwindi.

Arrived in  Narrabri about 1.30  ,

Settlled in , got comfy then headed into town to check out the shops and find some lunch.

Walking down town , we discovered a pop up shop - . Then just as we were walking out - would you believe it? WHERE'S WALLY THONGS .... wow Treen was so psyched .

We were there - in Narrabri just waiting for friends to play with - bring on Friday.

WALLY UPDATE

It's been a while since our last post - but be assured we've been busy.

Wally's ride for EsCarpade has been through the pits at Pre-Scrutineering and had a run on the dirt .
We just have a couple of things to attend to before Gordon will willingly hand over our bible for the event.

The fundraising wagon has been rolling on with the guys being guests at the Logan Village Country Music Festival , thanks again to the Logan Village community for their great support of our team and Camp Quality.
Things are looking strong again for next years Logan Village CarNival in either April or May - Camp Quality will again be the beneficiaries of this fantastic day that promises to be huge......

So with only 25 days until we head off to Narrabri to start our adventure - Wally has done his washing and getting the car packed.
We are so excited to get going , to catch up with past and new EsCarpadians .

Look us up on Facebook to follow along on the trip.

This week the team wil getting the odd jobs done on the car - Thanks SEAN ,your a legend and a fresh look for the car too -Thanks Alex from Team Childers.

Pre Scrutineering - get ready , set , GO!

It's been a while since our last post , but rest assured we have been busy - very busy!

Our new trusty ride , nicknamed "The Wally Mobile" or "Wally" for short has had everything that is possibly needed to take on the EsCarpade journey with as few hitches as possible. 

The only small (we new it all along) problem we have encountered lately the oil pressure gauge  not performing to it's correct specs -ie: not showing any pressure! 

Had that checked out and the great news , the engine is giving the oil pressure of a new car - cool .

Other bits and pieces we have done to the car are , having bash plates fitted ( to protect the delicate underbelly of the car form nasty damage), had all the wiring checked out and made Wally a sight to behold- you certainly cant miss a red and white striped car ambling along the street.  

EsCarpade is not only a fun trip - but supports an amazing children's charity.

It is through sheer hard work on both the car building front but also through fundraising - 

sausage sizzles alone can not raise over $1.2 million dollars , it is through generous company and individual support that gets this type of funding to help kids living with cancer. 

 If you or business you know would like the opportunity to be a valued sponsor of our car and be aligned with Australia's #1 Children's Charity - CAMP QUALITY - send us an email (cqwally@yahoo.com.au) or go online at www. escarpade.everydayhero.com/au/car51 to donate.

Tomorrow, the day we have been eagerly awaiting will take place - pre scruntineering - a chance to give Wally a run and check out how he'll perform on the roads of EsCarpade and catch up with fellow EsCarpadians. 

Watch out for many photos of the day and a report on how the old boy performs!

Stay happy and keep looking for me.

Wally & crew. 

More building on the car

Starting from scratch with a new car has been a barrel of laughs for our fearless crew.
Armed with a blank canvas and the scrutineering  list we have now got the car ready.

Thanks to Tony from car 808 for helping with the last task of getting the bash plate and front tow hitch .

Fun and games in the rain

With true dedication to the cause , Darren set up a makeshift workshop for Sean , our ever faithful and hard working mechanic to do his magic out of the rain.
The days plan was to install new springs and shocks , a harmonic balancer , and Dave was entrusted to fit a bullbar to the car.

Not all the jobs got completed due to time factors , but there are still 6 months to get it all done.

Calling all EsCarpadians -

To round out a full month , Daz , Treen and new team suporter and support car driver Dan headed up to Redcliffe to catch up with fellow EsCarpadians for lunch and presentation of certificates from 2014. Luckily the decision had been made  to change the venue from a picnic at the lagoon to the RSL was a wise one -  it was the start of a very rainy weekend.

Tales of last year's event , stories of new cars and teams abounded . It was a great introduction to the event for new staff members in QLD office , Theresa and Emma - i'm sure they are wondering how this this crazy week  on the road was going to pan out.

This year is sure shaping up to be a another great o for Queensland's EsCarpade crew, with the route annoucement earlier in the week - Narrabri (NSW) to Goondiwindi (QLD) via St George, Charleville , a lay day in Longreach ,  then onto Emerald, Roma and finishing the home of Scooby Doo Goondiwindi.
Hopefully QLD regains victory in State of Origin so we can enjoy travelling through our great state.

Thanks again to Logan Village Lions and Community .

Our team was approached by Logan Village local Craig to be the beneficiaries of a great night of magic hosted by the local Lions Club.
The night was great fun , with Giggle and Wally making a well received appearance.

Fabrice delivered an awesome show of illusion, stories and wonder for the crowd , encouraging crowd participation.

During the intermission, Craig spoke about is daughter's  cancer journey , along with a slide show of her - much to Bree's embarrassment.
The slides showed her  just before her diagnosis, in hospital  , at Camp Quality events  and ultimately as she is now - a healthy ,energetic and vibrant young girl who has been been through so much for a 12 year old.
Craig emphasised the role in which Camp Quality played in their family's lives through this time - and urged everyone to dig deep and donate and buy raffle tickets to support the work of Camp Quality.

 

WHAT'S WALLY BEEN UP TO LATELY?

March was a busy month for the Where's Wally crew - revealing the new car , a Bunnings BBQ , a fabulous fundraiser at Logan Village and a catch up with EsCarpadians in Redcliffe  for lunch and continuing on the fundraising trail.

Along the way the guys have been finishing off the car , lights, bullbars, suspension and engine upgrades.

Follow he next few posts to see the fun we have been having getting ready for EsCarpade.

Thanks to all our amazing sponsors and supporters

Without the generosity of our sponsors, we couldn't do this event for Camp Quality.
Whether it has been financial donation or products for raffles or donation of time or services.