www.foxtrotpapa.org

Day 10 Tuesday, July 5 2006

Yulara - Boggy Hole

We were packed up and left by 9am headed for Curtin Springs for fuel and drinks. Turning off the highway for Boggy Hole was our first real 4WD experience with long sandy, rutted stretches and our new convoy leader keen to take credit for everything and real quick to point out all mistakes are the responsibility of his navigator Don. Sheriff had mechanical problems, which Paul quickly rectified. Not far from campsite Karl's trusty steed was stuck in the sand (stopping to take a photo) along with Wayne, Bob and Stu. The trusty Landcruiser managed to snatch them through the sandy spot. Novices Pam and Carolyn showed them how it should be done. It was getting dark and not being sure how far we were from our original campsite destination, a bit of exploring was done to find a suitable spot to camp for the night. Headed back to the group and found Karl parked on a log - going nowhere. Margaret with the trailer was well and truly bogged. Paul hooked up chains and straps and called the shots. It took some time but we got it out. The selected campsite was very sandy and the wheelies needed to be pushed everywhere. Karl and Don helped with dinner - sausage sizzle, eggs and bacon. We were able to pick up the ABC coverage of the 3r° match of the State of Origin. We didn't bother setting up full camp, just the bear essentials with some of the wheelies sleeping under the stars. With the howls of dingos earlier in the night, Robyn wasn't real happy when one of the dingos started scratching on the side of her tent.

Left Yulara and pulled into Curtin Springs to top up the fuel, gas bottles and grog and headed into Finke Gorge National Park to do some 4WD-ing through the dry river bed of the Finke River. Oh! The Bush Fairies that live there!!! What a magic journey through yet another one of Mother Natures’ spectacular shows of the great Australian Outback. Took care of Russell with a few truck problems on the drive and sat back to enjoy the ride. Almost landed at Boggy Hole when the first of 6 trucks got bogged – with 3 of those getting bogged twice! Oh what fun we had! Knowing our crew, we just had to do the “get bogged at Boggy Hole!” Hence, by the time the laughter and wise cracks, photo shoot, hitching, towing and wheel spinning had finished – the sun had gone to bed and camp was made in the dark at that very spot. Weary from the long day, the bogs and the laughter, the wheelies got out of the trucks, and with about 2 or 3 pushes, they themselves were bogged – axle deep in the soft silty sand! Where they parked is where they stayed! There is a positive to everything though – the wheelies got 5 star service with meals and drinks delivered and every request for them was served with a smile! The bones were chilled with the sub zero temperatures with lips turning blue and wheelies curled up in the foetal position in their chairs trying to keep warm! Woke in the morning to crack the ice off the swags and tents and heading off, we realized that we were only a couple of kms from the actual Boggy Hole camping spot – and what a beautiful oasis in the desert it was!