Winburndale/Sunny Corner.

6th January 2007

by Steve West

After an early start from home and catching up to a familiar Red Jackaroo whilst travelling the Bell’s Line of Road, we were second at the Lithgow meeting point, Brian and Ann beating us to the meeting spot as we stopped for fuel, and then missed the little laneway and had to do a lap around the block. . The masses arrived soon after and since we were all there well before the designated time of 9am folded slips of paper were placed in Wal’s hat and yours truly was appointed trip reporter for the day.

After the formalities were observed and George having to suffer explaining why they were in Wal’s Jackaroo, (something about putting in ½ a tank of the wrong fuel comes to mind here) we departed Lithgow at 9.04am, which for my time in the club, would have to classified as being on time. Forming up line astern, we had a short run up the dual carriage way and we departed the black stuff at Yetholme and preceded to Ovens South Trig and Hang glider launch ramp for morning tea. Views were admired, tall stories swapped, beverages consumed and vehicle mods examined. Tires were deflated to a level more suitable for the rocky run we were about to endure.

Wal points the nose of his Jackaroo downhill and soon for his passenger George it was the first of a few times he was to get out and guide us over the rough stuff. An interesting run across towards Mt Schafield and Mt Schofield. Wal started to have one of his well-known map reading moments, (he teaches map reading for the club??) After a moment’s indecision Wal makes up his mind, some of us make a U-turn, and we are off, only to return to where we had just travelled. Wal then self-corrects and leads the group off in a new direction, funnily enough the same one we had gone down partially before but Wal didn’t like. We descend towards what Wal promises to be some interesting water holes, which turn out to be enough to wet the tyres. Wal then decides to show how not to attempt a smooth clay hill climb in the dry, climbing the right bank till he has to stop, George is again out of his seat and showing us mere mortals where to place the “Dunlops”.

After some noise over the radio from Tail End Charlie about the dust problem and Wal’s response of “What dust?" We stop for lunch on Eskdale Road, where in the shade of the Aussie bush we swap more stories, consume food and drink and once again examine vehicle modifications, and upon being called a bunch of old women from the trip photographer(Clare) we again hit the rough road out.

We again endure some of Wal’s “intentional detours” performing a few interesting little climbs and “dry” creek crossings on Horse Gully Trail, Reedy Creek Trail and The Battery Trail, we stop for afternoon tea at Bald Hill. A quick cuppa is consumed and we are off again, by this time the sight of Wal’s brake lights coming on is conjuring up mixed feelings, more so when Wal stops at intersections and a map is seen being unfold and re-folded We head down to the blacktop, and Wal asks if anyone is interested in a short detour. Amazingly the masses say yes and we are now following Wal down Blackbutt Mountain Track, down to Daylight Creek and across to Turpins Fire trail. By now George is in full road clearing mode, thou twice we had to use massed manpower to clear fallen timber off the road. We reach the Fire Watch tower, which is occupied; the watcher was watching us watch the watcher.

We return to the tar just south of Sunny Corner at the Back Creek Road intersection. This signals the completion of the trip and breaking of the official convoy, we spend some time re-inflating tyres and saying goodbyes, thou the dramas are not yet over. As we all journey towards Lithgow we slowly disperse and light banter is still heard on channel. After stopping for a drink at the Golden Arches we catch up to Joseph and Chris whilst still in Lithgow. Wal and Adrian pass back advise that there is an RBT at the top of Scenic Hill, that answers the question of which route they have both taken. However Joseph and I are pulled over for the RBT. We get through that unscathed and continue towards Bell, Bilpin and all points further east.

At The Cutting, Kurrajong Heights, Joseph, myself and our passengers all nearly become smudges of oil, paint and blood as we both push the noses of our vehicles towards the sandstone, as we take evasive action, diving away from an oncoming semi trailer who was intent on not only using his side of the road but a good portion of the side we were on as well.

We say a final good bye to Joseph and Chris and part company just over the bridge and head into Richmond the back way home.

Thanks, Wal for putting together a very enjoyable trip, George for his guidance and to everyone else for their company and good natured humour throughout the day.