5th July 2020 Homeward bound

We were priding ourselves that we had packed up and were ready to leave by 10:30, even in between the showers of rain
I walked down to the dam next to our campsite to check it’s water level 

Still not overflowing onto the campsite 
Little did we realise that the water level had risen quite a bit on the track 
We drove away quite easily although making ruts in the track

Bill stopped just here so that I could get into the car

and next thing - we are not moving forward 

the wheels are spinning and getting deeper and deeper into the mud

So out came the winch. 

and a strap round the tree which was an 8 tonne tree protector strap, a static (non-elastic) strap. Bill had to introduce a static winch extender rope (which can also be used as a tow rope if the need arises. This was because the only tree available to hook around was quite a distance ahead.  Connections between the ropes used was either direct loop to loop or with a  “soft” shackle. There was a minor winch rope binding on the drum problem which was overcome.
The winching was performed as a single line pull without doubling the winch force by introducing a snatch ring or pulley. Not bad considering the combined mass of the L/C and trailer. The winch is stated to be a 12000 lb pull unit.

We did put twigs under the wheels to assist the traction for the wheels

But we just dug in deeper further along

Shovelling the mud out from under the wheels did help



and we did eventually move forward out of the ruts

I did take several videos of each of the attempts to move forward, each time we moved forward, we shortened the ropes etc

took away a bit of mud with us

Nearly forgot to put the very handy spade back

An hour later we were finally on our way.
Note here that it was the first time use of the tow rope and soft shackles. Another note here is the winch rope is now looking a bit worn from this and previous uses and so will need to be replaced, ready for next time it is required!!!!
Just as well Bill Carrie’s all this gear with us when we go away 😀
Stopped off at the house to farewell and thank Mark and Ina and apologise for destroying Mark’s track. His comment was that they had got stuck themselves several times and just ploughed the track back over again with the slasher!!!
Ina had a farewell gift for us that we enjoyed later at home. 





We decided to head home via Nanango



and then through Yarraman

We spotted a peanut van in Nanango, so we doubled back and made some purchases 

Weather was pretty miserable and wet most of the way home

We had considered stopping in Yarraman for lunch

but decided to push on to Blackbutt



I discovered that the Bunya Nut Cafe had a cosy warm Bistro so we decided to stop there for a drink and lunch

Outside looked really nice but too wet and cold

So we sat inside where it was heated

To begin with we were the only ones in there but it soon filled up

Bill noticed these clever hand rails

We were parked next to this hut so I checked it out



Back on the road again, the visibility became very poor

We decided to take the scenic route via Somerset Dam



With the road going all along the edge of the dam with views of the dam all the way





We passed the dam wall between Somerset and Wivenhoe



We decided not to go this way through Mt Glorious although it would also have been a scenic route. With all the rain there may have been issues with the road so we decided not to risk it

The road went around the Splityard creek dam wall

and ended up on the main highway through Fernvale



This was the route we took


We reached home after dark due to our late start, so left most of the unpacking and parking the van up the back until the next day








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