Quart Pot RV Park
Easter Long Weekend 2010
Attendees:
Max, Rose, Steph & Shanice - Triton
Gio, Mon & Carina – 100 series
Glenn, Sarah & Jordon - Prado
Steve, Kat & Luke - GQ
Charles & Jenny - GU
Brett & Cindy - GU
Andrea - GQ
JohnJohn - Hilux
Friday
We all met up for an early 8:30am start at the Mobile Servo on the Hume Hwy at Pheasants Nest. Breaky for some, coffee & hot x buns for others.
After a quick look at the Grima’s new camper trailer we headed off towards Braidwood. Being a double demerit point long weekend we were all cautious with our speed as we cruised south on the Hume. Suddenly Scuba’s on the radio alerting us to a Highway Patrol vehicle that has just pulled out into the traffic from behind the bushy median, lights ablaze and in pursuit of someone.
That someone turned out to be Max & Rose in the Triton! With Sarah making contact with Rose on her mobile phone we are shortly informed that Max has been clocked at 135kph in a 110kph zone… ouch!! Immediate mental arithmetic over the airwaves between the convoy has us guessing as to how many points Max will lose and what the fine will be. After a further update from Sarah we find the police officer has been kind enough to only issue an infringement for exceeding the speed limit by no more than 10kph. A better than nothing outcome for Max, but still an excuse for the rest of us (mostly Monica) to rib him for the remainder of the weekend!
We arrived at the Quart Pot property in the early afternoon, met the friendly owners David & Kristy, and went about setting up camp. After a quick drive around the perimeter of the property, led by David late in the day, we settled down around the campfire and planned our activities for the following day.
Saturday
Up bright and early with a nice sunny day ahead of us, we loaded ourselves into our trucks and headed off toward Bendethera and Bendethera caves. With JohnJohn leading the convoy we made one or two minor detours until we found the road we wanted. Arriving at the Bendethera camp grounds we decide that lunch by the river sounded nice. Driving past the many campsites we spot some members of the Kamikaze 4wd Club and the Suzuki 4wd Club amongst the throng of campers. We relish amongst ourselves over the fact that we are so fortunate to have Quart Pot all to ourselves!
After lunch it’s onto the caves. The sign at the start on the walking track says it’s an 8km return trip. Take a touch, wear good walking shoes and take some water with you. Straight forward enough for us we think and all head off with eager enthusiasm!
Within only a distance of about 50 metres, Steph slips over walking the first creek crossing and plants her foot and jeans into the cold shin deep water. Good start! As the track winds on, our group of walkers spreads further and further apart. The creek crossings are starting to add up and we’re up to about crossing number 7 as we tiptoe over the unstable river rocks and fallen tree branches that make up the path from one side of the water to the other.
A final steep, treacherous climb through over grown bushes, dead trees, loose, slippery rock and soil, we (as in JohnJohn, Charles, Glenn, Jordon, Jenny, Cindy, Gio, Carina and myself) finally make it to the cave entrance. The remainder decided to head back to the vehicles and relax on the grass until the caving group returns.
A NPWS metal sign at the entrance to the massive limestone cave informs us that the cave is 250m long and has a roof over 30m high. We scamper into the darkness with torches alight. Sliding down the damp slippery limestone rock and a manmade metal ladder took us further into the dark depths of the cave. A very slippery chain rope with posts and foot pegs allows us to drag ourselves up onto a higher level. We turn off our touches at this point and amaze ourselves at the absolute darkness that surrounds us, where no daylight penetrates. A very, very small gap through another section of rock halts any further exploration as no one is keen to squeeze through the narrow opening. Back outside and into the now cloudy skies we carefully slip and slid our way back down the steep hill and then trudge our way back our group at the carpark.
A slight drizzle of rain on the walk back and with our sweaty, dirty clothing, we all can’t wait to get back to camp for a hot shower and a hot dinner. Unfortunately though, this would have to wait…..
Heading back to Quart Pot along the many hilly dirt tracks that allow access into Bendethera, JohnJohn finds a slightly more direct route back to camp than the one we had driven earlier in the day. With the daylight fading and the low misty clouds thickening across the tracks, all was going well until Charles mentioned that this feels somewhat like a ‘Tapper Tour’. Not more than 10min later it happened.
Negotiating one of the steeper hills on the track, Rose’s new Triton has a major issue. Loss of traction due to the only the rear wheels spinning has them unable to drive the hill. Kat & Scuba are following and Scuba says it doesn’t look like the Triton is in 4wd. Max assures him it is. A closer under car inspection reveals the big problem. A large section on the front of the transfer case is missing and a huge gaping hole can now be seen revealing the transfer case internals which have also broken!
With us all now at the scene, Charles & Scuba slide underneath to check out the damage and come to the realisation that the only option is to tow the vehicle back to camp. Furthermore, JohnJohn has scouted ahead only to find the track we’re on only gets harder and steeper to negotiate. So it’s turn around and head back the way we came with a long tow back to camp. As we attempt to maneuver the Triton to turn it around, we further realise that both the front and rear drive shafts need to be removed as the transfer is locked up and won’t spin.
15min later and both shafts are in the tray of the Triton, the Triton is attached to the back of Charles and Jen’s GU and we cross our fingers that nothing else goes wrong. Unfortunately, to tow the Triton back the way we came we need to tackle a few more steep hills.
JohnJohn once again scouts ahead but becomes stuck on the first hill heading back. This is not a good sign. A second attempt has him up. Gio follows with no issues. Charles selects first low, punches both lockers in and begins the ascent. About halfway up forward progress comes to a halt so it’s roll back down for another go in a higher gear for more speed. After a few more red hot goes, we bring up Cindy’s GU as a second tow vehicle. With Cindy’s truck now attached to Charles & Jen’s who are attached to Max & Rose, its game on for a successful tow. And it would have been too on the first go if I hadn’t left the bloody handbrake as we drove off up the hill..!!
With that minor momentum issues sorted a second attempt with more right foot, more dust and more speed had us up the top of the hill in spectacular fashion. The decision is made to continue the 3 vehicle tow combination and the system works well for the next hour or so until Charles missed a gear whilst attempting to see through the thick powdery dust and bang goes the snatch strap between him and us. At this point we decide that Charles & Jen’s GU alone should now be able to tow the Triton by itself, which it easily does at a much higher speed, so we all snake along in convoy back onto the tar and eventually return to our campsite, tired, dirty & hungry. A very small number of us gather around our tiny campfire before one by one we head off to bed.
Sunday
Everyone has a nice sleep in whilst the Easter Bunny hides Easter Eggs for the kids. With the Triton out of action and most of us not really in the mood to do much, we just bum around camp all day, kicking the footy, riding bikes, eating chocolate eggs, reading books and generally relaxing. A bit of canoeing in the late afternoon had Jordon showing off his new found water sport skills and Carina attempting to splash and ram everyone in her path.
Max & Rose organised with the NRMA to have the Triton picked up on a tilt tray and towed to Wollongong to be fixed. After a few phone calls to and fro, the towie found his way down to our campsite and winched up the Triton as Rose bid it a tearful goodbye!
Our much anticipated combined camp oven roast dinners turned out a treat with everyone cooking up beautiful pots of veggies with juicy marinated cuts of lamb and beef. The aromas and flavours were absolutely mouthwatering! Rose even baked her famous upside down cake and Sarah whipped up another batch of yummy homemade custard to drizzle over it.
Monday
Packing up camp by mid morning had the Serra camper trailer hitched up to Cindy’s GU. The club trailer loaded right up with Gio & Carina’s bikes, our tent, chairs and random other gear. Gio & Mon with the rest of the Serra’s belongings in their camper, together with Steph & Shanice in the 100 series and Rose & Max with Cindy & Me.
Stopping at Marulan for fuel and a late lunch ended our Easter Long Weekend. With such a pleasant camp spot, very friendly and hospitable owners and with some many other places we didn’t get to visit, AT4 will definitely be returning to Quart Pot in the not too distant future. Maybe Rose & Max will bring the GQ next time..??!!
Thanks to Rose for organising trip and booking the weekend.
Brett.