fbekholden.com

This will be the first time I’ve managed to drag Elle along on the full trip, or so I thought. The plan was to do the after cruise, and then head home via Lakes Entrance, Mornington
Peninsula, Queenscliff Ferry, Hamilton and Robe. Unfortunately we have fallen short on dog sitters for our ancient mutt, and Elle is going to fly home from Canberra on the Wednesday after the after cruise.

Here is the mutt, Monty:
He is about 16. I gave him a haircut today, hopeful the last time I will have to do it, as I literally had to muzzle and hog tie him. He does not like it!

“Elle’s” car is ready. We just have to throw some suitcases in the back. I hope the tyres don’t rub too much as she does tend to over pack. It is going to be bloody cold but hell, it is only seven nights for her.


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

Safe travels and have fun. Hope you leave the heating on for Monty!

Thanks Stephen. The kids are dog sitting until she flies in.


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

Have fun you crazy kids
Lots of pics please

First breakdown. The 235/60s were rubbing bad on the outer guards all the way to Mt Compass, 7km. Met up with Gary and Julie, took out the spacer and moved some heavy stuff from the boot to the back seat. Rubbing reduced to an acceptable level.
Who the hells idea was it to come this way, Gaz…..


Bloody roadworks.

First river crossing at Muddy Bidge.
We get pretty excited in SA when we cross a river.

Breakdown number two. Quick stop at Karoonda. Gaz’s wagon had a scraping noise coming from the back.

Picked up a stick.

Got go Renmark as the others were about to leave. Now we’ve joined up with the northerners, buggers are forever in a hurry to get on the road. Here we are other side of Midura in NSW. Note that I’m using local place name pronunciation
.

Gaz tried to run me over on the way out.


Arrived safely at Balranald to our dilapidated cabin by the river, but closer to the highway actually than the river. Mad dash to get fed at the club. Everyone seems to be in race mode. Some debate about departure time. It is only 4 1/2 hours to Temora. Hopefully things slow down a bit tomorrow and I’ll get some actual photos of the cars and other sights. Nine cars in convoy including one trailer queen.


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Found the cheap fuel this morning and unexpectedly good coffee.
I had to circle twice to find a working pump though. BP truck stop just east of Balranald. Car started no problem with the -2C temperature. Trans fluid down 250ml and oil about same over the 400 miles travelled. Probably just cooking off accumulated volatiles. Averaging 21.3mpg which is about right for an auto 202 with a bit of a load on. Happy days.


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-2 you can keep that !!!!

Wagon looks like it has some rubber under the back of it

You planning on being in Temora a day early or have I lost track of what day it is

-2 degrees ……….Hope you have a heater in the sedan!!

Have fun Clay and Elle

Just 225/60 14 on Neale rims blackly. We got here a day early. Roger’s idea. Warmer this morning. Sedan has a great heater thanks guys. Elle is not keen on our motel. Seems like they have kicked out a bunch of government funded long term residents for our stay and they haven’t cleaned the place too well. I had the best nights sleep in a week.
Yesterday arvo we stopped at this flash new pub for a shoot. Opening tomorrow. No beer so shared a roady for the last leg.




Haven’t seen Lenny’s van since Nuri.


Sulking since Roger told him off for tailgating.


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Found a motor for the van. None of this V6 V8 rubbish.


V12 Rolls Royce Merlin 1648cui from a Spitfire. Even got a 7 bearing crank like a 179. At the aviation museum just up the road from our new accomodation.

The place I booked a year ago turned out to be a dirty flea pit. Long term residents on government support got kicked out for the weekend. There seems to be plenty of good options around town and still vacant rooms here.


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Errol62 wrote: Fri Jun 06, 2025 2:23 pm V12 Rolls Royce Merlin 1648cui from a Spitfire.

Dave Pagano’s hydroplane Agressor runs the tank version (RR Meteor) of that engine. Before I die, I want a full-noise ride in it

Cheers,
Harv

Called in for a chat with spanners and look at his rocket.

Sure makes a noise alright.

Then caught up with briby, blacky, ek283 and all the other regulars at the Terminus Hotel for dinner. $6 Resches “schooners” all day and night. You can get used to it. Well, I can….


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That looks cool, I can imagine the racket with those pipes

It only about 600kg and solid mount LH banjo rear, welded spiders I dare say. All synch 3spd. 98mph 1/4s with the spare motor.

Fun run to Ariah park pub today. Nice pub and good company. No stout. Some very nice cars. Photos at show and shine tomorrow if not too wet.


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