A small group headed out to Hale River Homestead, leaving HeaviTree Gap about 1.15 pm on Saturday 12 th August 2017. The timing allowed for participants to partake in the Old Timer’s Fete until lunch time if they so desired. It also allowed for a leisurely, if not direct drive to Hale River.
The trip included Alison Pyper & 2 guests, Kathryn Howitt & the children, Bernhard Kuepper & Ian
Clarke as Trip Leader.
Tyre pressures were reduced at the turn off to Arltunga where the dirt begins. It was pointed out that the rear tyres on the Ranger had rather tired looking side walls, an issue which had been assessed by Ian Clarke the week prior, as new tyres had been purchased & paid for, but the last bit of life was being squeezed out of the original tyres. The fitting of the new tyres could wait until the next trip, despite an ominous premonition about flat tyres the preceding week
The deviation to the abandoned gold fields was undertaken, and the arrival at Hale River was
uneventful & perfectly timed for a selection of cheeses, pate, dips & fine wines shared on the veranda of the former Generator Shed prior to dinner provided by the Homestead. It was a true glamping trip, no swags, tents or trailers on this one, all bunkered down in the old quarters or the Generator Shed.
The evening meal was amazing, loosely described as a Burger. You built these yourself from an array of meats, vegetables, salads, breads & condiments, not your average Burger. More wine was consumed. There were about 20 in for dinner from the surrounding stations, tourists & a drilling rig.
Alison was in fine form, entertaining all & sundry around the fire with superb renditions of her poetry. I think that really, some may have over indulged in wine, whisky, rum and song.
Despite the evening had, everyone appeared in fine spirits the following morning. Alison was
required back in Alice Springs for a singing engagement at the races, so it was mutually decided that we wouldn’t tackle the Gem Tree leg, but instead have a more leisurely cooked breakfast and take the shorter route out to the Highway, allowing the group to stay together.
It was only a few kilometres from the bitumen, when the lead vehicle, that Ranger, the near side rear wheel which had been so kindly pointed out at the airing down by Kathryn, popped, shredded & brought the convoy to a halt.
Alison was eventually waved on to try to meet her commitments in town, Ian had to chase a willy-willy which wanted his hat, & Kathryn & Bernhard participated in tyre changing training & practice.
As expected, Bernard produced impact sockets, a better jack than mine, & a torque wrench. My only answer when asked what torque I wanted on the studs was “tight”, not 130NM or so he was expecting.
Eventually we were back under way, airing up at the Highway.
I thank everyone for an entertaining, enjoyable trip, with all the comforts you would expect, and rest assured, I did contribute adequately to the Dobber’s Diary, and replaced all tyres the following week.