The front springs are still going strong...
The rear ones not so much...
Passenger side looks good too (at the front).
Not so much at the rear...
The boys fuelled up Booger mobile and headed to a coffee shop to get some fresh brew... Booger Mobile looks like it's having a burger (in a frame).
Arriving at the Mudgee Showgrounds, the boys found Team Afro with the bonnet up again... They have been having an interesting trip too!!
The cool sign on the gate at the Mudgee Showground.
Inside, breakfast was awesome...
Meanwhile, outside the cars lined up to make a Today Show T.
Ben did the driver briefing...
Then it was back to the cars to light them up for a few more pictures...
The line-up to get out the gate was impressive!!
Out past the old railway station...
And the clock tower on the roundabout...
And out of Mudgee!!
Driving along... (Damian was driving the morning session again.)
Past some rocks...
And onto dirt, where there were more rocks!!
And some alpacas (or perhaps llamas)...
Then, there was a small creek crossing with a photo opportunity...
This is the video of crossing the creek...
Back on the dirt again...
Then onto the bitumen again... regular blog readers would remember this - another tree tunnel!!
Health in a Hurry spent a bit of time chasing Booger Mobile... they are only human!!
Time to turn left...
Across a bridge...
And through civilisation...
A few cars were lined up trying to get a photo with a policeman (part of an optional challenge along the way).
Turning again...
And getting a sneaky shot of others turning...
The boys stopped to check the tyres and stretch the legs, taking the opportunity to get some action shots of some of the other teams...
Back on the road... err... dirt!
It just kept on going!!
There was a bit of rough stuff in the morning session, but not too much.
Another creek crossing with a nasty looking rock on the exit - right in the right hand wheel track!!
111 stopping behind Booger Mobile at one of the gates that needed to be opened (and closed again).
Shortly up the road, the boys stopped for an echidna crossing the road, shooing it off into the safety of the grass...
There was a fairly steep downhill section that was a bit windy... one of the other teams came to grief using the rocks on the edge of the road to help them stop!!
Booger Mobile parked up waiting for the recovery to occur...
Yep, it's sure stuck on those rocks!!
MW3 to the rescue!!
Damian wasn't particularly happy about relying on the handbrake due to how steep the hill was, so he got Jason to put a rock under the front wheel to help out!!
A few minutes later, there were a number of cars lined up waiting...
All clear, and across a beautiful looking causeway...
The water wasn't covering the causeway, but it still looked nice!!
This was the location of a "fun stop". The boys were given a puzzle piece and asked to help put the puzzle together (by locating the position for their piece).
This was a beautiful camping spot, that would ordinarily be quiet and peaceful... Not this weekend!!
A bit of battery trouble...
And away!!
Back onto tarmac, following the clowns...
And into Orange for lunch!!
The rear springs were really starting to make Damian sad.
It was decided that when they arrived in Forbes, the boys would put the spring helpers on.
Meet Josh - he's the official Camp Quality blogger for this year's esCarpade... Damian (the unofficial esCarpade blogger) told Josh that he had a lot to live up to... Welcome aboard, Josh!!
Damian could smell fuel, and a cursory examination of the engine bay found a minor fuel weep at the carby - it would appear to be coming from the pivot that holds the butterfly inside the carby (controls the fuel/air mix).
Inside the lunch venue...
After lunch, the boys noted that Lance had acquired a sticker on his back from the High Rollers.
And one on his granny visor... so the boys added a Team Booger Mobile sticker also!!
Checking out from lunch, the boys were lucky enough to spot a car being hard-towed into the venue...
After lunch, Jason took the wheel...
And it wasn't long before they were on the dirt again!!
More dirt, and some bends...
Long straights (with tree tunnels)...
Then back onto the tarmac for a while...
But not for too long...
Zig zags are fun!!
Was a beautiful day for it!!
Roads that seemed to stretch to the horizon!!
Driving all arvo and not getting much closer to Forbes... The boys don't think that esCarpade routes are the most direct!!
On the bitumen again...
Then back on the dirt... Damian liked this tree...
At a fun stop, Damian noticed that the rear suspension was really looking bad now...
Out of the run stop and back on the dirt...
Past a farmer herding his sheep up the road...
Either Damian accidentally took a photo of himself while holding the camera (notice the end of the pen in teh bottom corner of the photo), or things have gone horribly wrong with Jason's driving!!
Lots of dust...
And into Forbes...
Jason liked the sign that said Bogan Gate... he figured it needed locking!!
At the hotel, it was time to reattach the trusty IronMan Load Plus spring helpers!!
Damian checking out the driver's side...
Before anyone panics, the wheels were still on the ground - the jack was just to take some of the tension of the springs to make the nuts easier to tighten up!!
Tony from Purple People Eater (808) helped Damian... somewhat.
Jason and Tony plotting how best to distract Damian while he worked on the spring helpers...
Jason had a crack at the passenger side...
All adjusted... sitting much nicer too!!
There's the driver's side now... looking much better!!
Thirsty work this spring helper fitting!!
The boys hitched a ride to dinner with Tony...
To the Forbes Sport and Recreation Club (including the Forbes Bowling Club).
Most of the Queensland contingent...
The place was packed!!
Brotherly self portrait!!
A photo of the screened picture of Booger Mobile splashing through the creek crossing... Damian will post the proper picture once he gets hold of it - probably after esCarpade!!
Time to learn the 2012 esCarpade song... it's to the tune of "She'll be coming round the mountain when she comes..."
Then, outside to have a bit of fun barefoot bowling!!
Damian had a crack too...
Day 2 came and went, and a lot of fun was had. There's one more day of driving before a rest day in Griffith, so stay tuned!!
WOW is the word for todays blog it looks like TEAM BOOGER is having a fantastic journey,and the Booger is looking as great as ever driving along the highways dirt roads creeks and byway there is no stopping the Mighty Booger Mobile,even with a bit of a saggy rear suspension,there's no stopping the Booger Mobile.
ReplyDeleteSome great pictures of the beautiful country side.
Well todays blog was a very exciting one and I m sure there is more fun and excitement to come on the journey of Team Booger Mobile in the 2012 Camp Quality esCarpade.
Well done Damian and Jason along with the Mighty Booger Mobile,doing it for the kids.