Family camp day 2

We were all up early in the morning as none of the kids wanted to miss out on any daylight, where they could all play together. Was a cold night and a rather cool morning but the sky was blue and not a cloud in the sky. We were in for a lovely day.


Tahlia all rugged up

The camp was on a lovely spot, under some shady trees and we all looked on at the Howqua River. Such a pretty spot. We had plenty of room and even an oval for the kids to run around and play with a football or just chase each other. It was a great spot as there were no dangers for the kids with other cars.

Tahlia

Our camp

The plan was for a relaxing morning and then after lunch those who wanted to would go and 4x4 up to Craig's Hut and then Mt Stirling.

The cars (yes the last one is a 2 wheel car)

The road up to the turnoff for Craig's Hut is a logging road so basically anyone can go down there. There is a car park at the base of the track to Craig's Hut and then you can either walk up there on the path or you can hitch a ride.

Nige went up with us and then dropped us off at Craig's Hut and then came back down to get the others who wanted to see the famous hut.

We both love this part of the world and one can never tire of the views. It is a special and an amazing part of the high country. We have been blessed with clear views every time we have been up here. And this day was just beautiful.

Famous Craig's Hut

We all had a look around and those who had cameras took photos. Nige brought the tripod so he took a group shot of all of us at the hut. Even Craig was there ! A joke we had as one of the group is called Craig and he had never been there and kept saying he was off to "his" hut... But it was named Craig's Hut after Jim Craig from the movie the Man from Snowy River. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084296/

And also the poem by Banjo Patterson " the Man from Snowy River http://uqconnect.net/~zzdmcana/Man_From_Snowy_River_Arena_Spectacular/snowy_river_poem.html

Nate enjoying the view

The happy group

Next came a journey we wish to never experience (or watch again). Nige and Craig took those who needed to get back to their cars down the car park and then those with 4x4 headed home via Mt Stirling. Like we said an experience that was interesting.

Daryl was up the fron in his Pajero, then Craig in his Jackaroo and then Dave in his so called 4x4 Suburu Forrester, and lucky last us in the Prado. Let's just say this track is not made for Forresters (sorry Dave). Those in front spent most of the time out of the car watching Dave or assisting on where the best spot to drive the car.

We were stuck behind him and was rather hairy watching him at some times. Once, no twice he was on 3 wheels with one back corner of the car in the air. This car was just not made for this type of track. Our Prado just crusied thru.

Pastor Dave guiding Dave the driver thru a rough patch

We can laugh about this bit now. Just around the corner was a big hill, the track was full of boulders and small loose rocks. Nige was actually standing at the corner on the track when l took this photo and as Dave finally floored the car he (and a few others) had to jump out of the way as Dave had no control of the car on this type of track. We were glad our car was a fair way back as rocks were flung down towards our car. The pastor's wife who was in Dave's car got out at this stage and thought it wiser to get into a "real"4x4.

There were 2 trail bikers who tried to get past 4 cars and a bunch of people at the top. One of the trail bikers (poor guy) had to try at least 4 times to get up. As he kept stalling the bike half way up and would have to coem all the way down past us to start the bike again. After the 3rd try he gave up and walked it halfway up and then floored it. Again rocks flown everywhere.

We finally got to the Summit of Stirling. Slowly but we eventually got there. A nervous Dave called his mum to tell her of his good fortune and experience. Others walked to the top of Mt Stirling and just enjoyed the views.

At the Summit (Dave on the phone to his mum).

But the bad bit was not over yet (not for Dave) he had made it to the summit but now we had to head back down to get back down to the logging road. Seeing we had been here a month ago we told them what the road was like. We all got down safely with Dave needed some guidance.

It is a lot harder going down on a 4x4 track as you can't see the track in front or the boulders... so great care was needed. A few bumps and bangs but his car was not damaged and all in one piece.

Maybe we should have made more attention to this sign at the start (this was at the end)

Here we went different ways. Craig and Dave went back via the logging road and Darryl and ourselves went over via Mt Buller.

Finally back at camp kids were showered and put to bed, both dusty and very tired. And we sat back around the campfire talking of our interesting experience. Dave was finally allowed to relax and calm down after his experience. I am sure he is not in any hurry to do this again.

Card games

And relaxing around the camp fire.