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.