The trip started, as all good trips do, from St Mark’s Anglican Church at Pennant Hills. The convoy of eight cars wended its way through Dural, via Windsor, Richmond and Winmalee to join the Great Western Highway and head on down to Lithgow. At the Lithgow Shell servo the convoy increased in size to thirteen vehicles. Following the over-consumption of coffee and egg and bacon rolls (morning tea), the convoy headed out along Magpie Hollow Road and on towards Rydal. A quick right at Market Street saw the convoy leave the blacktop and, after following along the bottom of the old showgrounds, it was into 4WD mode and into the Aussie bush.
The convoy was aiming to complete an 8km section before lunch. This included some challenging rocky descents, always followed by ascents, and three river crossings. The first river crossing showed the drivers’ personality in the size of the spray their car created. The second river crossing was between 80 to 100 metres long (depending on the exit you used and the length of a metre); most of the members chose to stay in the river to the second exit. This gave the underside of the vehicles and, in some cases, the bonnet a good wash. The third river crossing was only a short trip through the water but a washed out section of track on the other side was a bit tricky for some to negotiate. After all this water, it was time to stop for lunch.
Lunch was held along the edge of the river in a clearing big enough to take all thirteen cars, along with the associated tables and chairs for the usual assortment of picnics, gas barbies and, of course, a campfire. Thanks to Neil for the creation of dessert for all the members; the pancakes were excellent.
After lunch it was time to retrace our tracks, giving everyone the chance to re-do the river crossings and for those who chose to take a run through a boggy mud puddle.
The trip leader had thoughtfully arranged a car wash from the skies (rain) for each vehicle. It commenced just as the last of the cars turned off the 4WD track and headed for home.
Once again the members congregated for the partaking of coffee at the servo before making their way home.
Thanks to everyone for what was a fantastic day, with great company in God’s garden.
VITAL STATISTICS
Where: Cox’s River
When: 24/04/2010
Number of Vehicles: 13 and 2 passengers
Track Condition: Solid base, Technical components
River Crossings: 6 in total (3 in each direction) and a mud puddle
Trip Leader: Rick