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Published: December 1st 2018
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Here we are about to set out on our 3rd Murray navigation. From Mildura to Murray Mouth.
As you all know we spend a lot of time planning these trips. First we have the spreadsheet that details the itinerary, fuel stops, overnight stops, locks and all the shopping items. We called every tourist office to check on fuel availability. I was a little disappointed when Sally at Renmark (the last one I called) said “let me just check my fuel stops on the Murray sheet”. Now we’ve done this 3 times and no one has ever mentioned the fuel stops on the Murray sheet. I said can you send me a copy of it and she did. This sheet has completely de-risked the whole trip!
Another area that Brooksie, Mike and I discussed at length was spare wheels for the trailers. We decided that a puncture was unlikely however we would take one of those aerosol puncture repair cans.
So I had got the boat serviced, the car serviced and the trailer registered. Unfortunately I had neglected to pay the rego so I needed to get a blue slip. I was a bit nervous so before taking it
I checked the lights and the rear brake light wasn’t working. When I got to the inspection (NB Central Coast) I told the guy. He looked at me and said “you won’t be driving at night will you?” I wasn’t sure where we were headed but told him no. He said “ well no issue then and it was working when I saw it!”. So he signed the form.
We had arranged to set out from Sydney to Mildura at 6am. I was a bit surprised to find Ian and Mike in their PJs at 5.45am (but they did go to Riverview). After an hour of complete stupidity we headed off.
Wilko and I were having a great time in the Landcruiser listening to Grandstand. Just after Goulburn there was a slightly funny sound. We decided to check and unfortunately we had completely shredded a wheel on the trailer. The others who’d been driving like they were in “Driving Miss Daisey” turned up. Brooksie didn’t seem hopeful that the aerosol can would repair the wheel so we jacked the trailer and the boys took the wheel in to Goulburn. After an hour by the side of the road Wilko
and I agreed that 12 years is probably more than a tyres useful life.
Anyway all was good and we were back on the road. We stopped off at the Quintrex dealer in Wagga Wagga who sold us and their apprentice installed a new mud guard in the trailer. Wilko practically chased him around the car park with a $20 note but he wouldn’t accept it.
As we were approaching Mildura, with a big dust storm brewing, Wilko kept calling MacKenzie at the Budget rentacar office making quiet little arrangements to pick up the rent a car tomorrow. Now I’m confident that he will be disappointed, even though Becs has forbidden me mentioning black tights.
The rest of the trip was uneventful except we did have to duct tape a moulding on Adams car. Great steak at the Quality Grand Hotel.
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James
non-member comment
$20
It was always highly probable that on this trip, Wilko would chase some-one around a trailer, for what-ever reason ..... but to give money away! Really Chris??