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It
was a fine, early summer evening as our intrepid Group assembled in Rose
Ave. The Rossiter’s, Hendry’s, Wirubov’s and Giles’ vehicles merged into
the rush hour traffic jam on the Monash Freeway, as the more sensible
McGregor’s decided to avoid some of the traffic by joining the freeway via
Jackson’s Road. With the use of that technological marvel UHF CB, we made
contact with Trevor Adcock, who would be joining us the following morning in
Licola. Trevor was on his way to visit a patient in Wantirna when his dulcet
tones came booming through the CB. The traffic thinned after we cleared
Pakenham. We were able to maintain the legal speed limit for an uneventful
trip to Traralgon and the obligatory pizza stop. Revived and refreshed, we
headed through the back blocks as darkness fell upon Gippsland. Onwards and
upwards as we ventured through Heyfield and into the hills.
We
arrived to take up residence in the aptly named Bunkhouse No 14 at about
10:30pm to find that Trevor Cooke already ensconced. How we marvelled at the
ornaments that had been artistically arranged on high ledges by previous
occupants. Pity they were all empty! Time for a brew and a chinwag. Check
out the now familiar Sheet 8222N – Licola to check that the B1 track was
still there. Healthy debate ensued about the relative merits of Landies,
Patrols and Tojos, VHF and UHF, All Terrains and Desert Duellers. The usual
riveting stuff. Rod elected to erect his tent on the grassy sward outside
Bunkhouse No 14 muttering something about snoring keeping people awake.
The
next morning dawned bright and sunny as we awoke with eager anticipation of
the day’s events. Trevor A said he’d check in at 8:30, so we were all up and
ready when, true to form, he called up on the CB at 9:00 to say that he was
just round the corner. We stopped at Bennison’s Lookout for the obligatory
look at the view and group photo (see inset). Shortly after the lookout we
left the Tamboritha Road and ventured down a steep descent on the B1 track.
After about 20 minutes Trevor A reported an unusual noise emanating from his
transfer case. Trevor C was despatched to give a professional opinion. All
was not well and Trevor A decided to call it a day. Trevor C accompanied him
back to the main road while the rest of the group waited for his return.
After negotiating a couple of steep inclines and descents, as well as
several river crossings, we encountered a fallen tree across the track.
Chain saws at the ready. This is the stuff that real men are made of! By now
our stomachs were telling us that it was lunchtime. Just past the fallen
tree was a superb grassy clearing with the Wellington River flowing past no
more than 20 metres away. It didn’t take much to persuade TL that this would
be a good camp site. Who cares if it wasn’t the chromite mine where we had
planned to camp?
We negotiated several river
crossings
Following lunch the more energetic among us, namely Rod, Andrew and Graham
decided to walk to lake Tali Karng. Nick had a snooze and Dick and Chris
went fishing. Only Nick was successful in his endeavour. The boys didn’t
quite make it to the lake and we didn’t have trout for dinner. Dick claimed
a couple of bites but there were no witnesses.
Dinner was a magnificent feast around the campfire. Trevor’s excellent
barbecue worked overtime. Never have so many T-bones been consumed by so
few. Good company, good food and good wine. What more could you ask for?
Well maybe a hot shower and an interior sprung mattress. Well who cares,
this is LIVING LIFE TO THE FULL.
Sunday dawned overcast but fine. After a sumptuous breakfast of bacon and
eggs we broke camp and made our way to where we should have been, the
Chromite mine, only to discover that where we camped was where we shouldn’t
have been. Well never mind – it was a great site and yes, we do have the
coordinates on the GPS for future use. The mine was an interesting spot.
More a sort of dozer scoop on a high plain than a mine in the traditional
sense. By the way, for the person who asked on the trip, chromite is
chromium ore - chemical formula FeCr2O4.
Following the mine visit, we took the rather
long Mount Margaret Track back to Tamboritha Road. A stop for lunch and it
started to drizzle so we were glad to hit the bitumen after a very pleasant
24 hours up in the hills, lots of fresh air and some great company.
Afternoon tea at the tearooms in Yarragon and we were all safely back in
Melbourne by 6:00pm. Many thanks to Andrew for organising a great trip. May
your GPS keep you on track! |
We encountered a fallen log
across the track
It's a dirty job but
someone's got to do it!
I think I'll go
fishing...and then I'll have a snooze. On second thoughts we'll just sit here and
have a beer!
Trevor and Andrew discuss
tactics
Josh and James
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