Mt Airlie.

All members of the trip arrived on time at Glenbrook. The names were drawn from the hat by Fiona and once again Dale & John had the enviable task of doing the trip report. All 12 vehicles left Glenbrook about 8am.

Our first stop was at the Shell garage at Bowenfell, then onto Capertee for a toilet stop and to air down the tyres. It was at the park in Capertee that we met the 'Get About' tag-a-long trip heading to the same property as us. We gave them a bit of time to make distance between the two groups. During this time Ken Clarke took the opportunity to chat up the voluptuous bride-to-be on a hens' day out. Difficult as it was to drag him away (we have photographic evidence) we headed down to Col's property. Needless to say we all stopped at Col's gate except our fearless leader (Matt) who had his head in the GPS computer and overshot the entrance to Col's property.

Col's property was a sight to see. He has a huge collection of disused rotting vehicles and machinery. After a brief stop at his residence we were on our way up the track to Mt Airlie. Half way up we caught up with the 'Get About' trip who were experiencing some difficulties getting their vehicles up. Most of their drivers were out on their first 4x4 trip and very inexperienced. The group leader drove most vehicles up one by one.

Once they were out of the way, we continued up the narrow, rutted track winding often in zig zags. At one point only one vehicle was able to negotiate the track before the next vehicle followed. Dale (as usual) was videoing and photographing at the same time throughout.

Nicolet was the last vehicle to go up a steep, slippery ascent. Dale was behind in the bush videoing. Next minute Nicolet did a wheel spin and Dale seeing this through the video camera realised that she was in the flight path of flying dirt. Not wanting to damage her cameras, removed them from her eye just in time to receive an eye full of dirt travelling at a rate of knots. Nicolet apologised profusely, and Ken helped Dale into Nicolet's Prado. Mind you the video camera was still rolling. She was able to capture the whole event on film!

Once up the top, Dr Wal and Dr Paul came to the rescue. With several eye washes from Matts' First Aid Kit, and half an hour later, Dales eye was all clean. Not even this little accident was going to relieve Dale of doing the trip report. Ken said she can still do it "one eyed". Thanks Ken.

At this point we stopped for lunch and then took a short walk to the Grotto. This walk was between huge rocks, narrow gorges, creeks and a ladder all to negotiate. After this we headed up another track to a beautiful lookout. (or so we were told). Unfortunately there was a 4' diameter tree length wise blocking the track. After a quick about-face, we drove back past old diamond mines to another lookout. Here we stopped for afternoon tea and a group photo. A short walk took us to an old outhouse toilet and shack.

From here we headed back down the track to Col's place and back to Capertee to air-up the tyres. Some vehicles stopped at Peasons' lookout, looking up the Capertee valley. Others took off for home.

The day was relatively uneventful, except for the 'dirt in the eye' incident and I think Matt and Guy sustained some damage on a mounting bracket under their side step, when their vehicles' kicked sideways up a steep track. All members had a great time and some first timers were even amazed where a 4x4 can go. Well done to Matt for arranging a great venue and days' outing.

Dale & John Corry - Trip Reporters.