Levuka May 2003 - QLD Patrol Club Trip

Friday evening saw us heading off for the long weekend at Levuka. A mixture of jokes and brain teasers helped make short work of the drive there. The fire was stoked and camp was set-up for the night.

We headed off in the morning for a short stint at the Playground, before making our way through some relatively easy tracks. Morning Tea was enjoyed and Ian took the chance to attempt driving a short hill which found his car at a near vertical angle. This made for good watching, and after a few unsuccessful attempts, we were off again. We then headed to the rainforest area and Bullants track. The conditions here were very slippery, and an uphill climb brought on what was to be the first of many snatches over the weekend. With everyone at the top, we all headed onto a short downhill track into a creek bed with a slippery climb out the other side. This climb found the snatch straps getting a good workout again. With a number of cars driving this section before him, and the entry track now nice and shiny, Steve found himself sliding sideways towards a tree. With a shove from Andy, and a bit of mumbo, Steve managed to avoid the tree by a bee’s privates. We then headed back to camp and retired to food, fire, and the odd drop of the good stuff.

The logs and mud at the Test track were to be the first challenge of the Sunday morning. After a short play here, Andy and Di headed down Dingoes Run only to find themselves caught up in the slop and going nowhere. A quick snatch out, and we headed off to another track. This track was loaded up with mud puddles and a steep climb. This track was a lot of fun, and after making it to the top, we sat back to watch some great action. Everyone tackled this track with gusto, all flying around the preceding corner which contained over a foot of water, and sinking the boot in for the climb. The snatch straps were out again here, and a double car snatch was used to get some of the latter vehicles up due to the slippery conditions. Andy also put on a show for us here getting well acquainted with the mud as he organized a recovery.

The afternoon found us tackling Havoc crossing, which involved descending a steep hill with a sharp turn at the bottom, wading through a mud puddle, and climbing up around a bend at the other side. Some snatching took place here, with Steve doing his best to ensure the track would be nice and shiny for all after him in his endeavour to avoid the snatch. With a final threat of a snatch from Di and Andy, Steve finally clawed his way through under his own steam. A couple of potential members for the club, whom had joined up with us at the start of the crossing, came very close to having a nice large tree imprint on the side of their shiny new GU as they tackled the climb out.

After dinner, a night run was organized through Rock and Roll Gully. This track involved negotiating a rocky creek bed, and was a welcome change from all the mud we had encountered elsewhere.

Late evening found us around the camp fire trying the multiple attempts by Maureen and Sarah to get the Damper spot on, sharing a few tales, and downing a few cold ones.

Monday morning again found us at the Playground. Many tackled some of the more difficult hills that had been avoided on the Saturday with some great efforts put in. Unfortunately Steve rolled a tyre off the rim whilst tackling one of the climbs, but a big effort by all involved got the tyre reseated again. We then moved on from the Playground to some large mud holes, with Di, Troy, and I all plunging in to find absolutely no forward traction on the very steep and slippery exit. We did however manage to cover most of the trucks in mud, and ensure there’d be no speed camera fines on the trip home.

Shortly after packing up camp and heading out, Troy had a problem with one of the wheels on his trailer. After pulling over to the side of the road and jacking the trailer up, the wheel just fell straight off. After diagnosing that it was a bearing problem, the group split into two. Half stayed behind to sort out a new bearing, and half moved onwards.

As we headed off, Andy and Di’s clutch went, and they rolled for a few km’s through the ranges in neutral. After stopping to check it out, it appeared that the pressure plate was mush, and they wouldn’t be able to continue driving. With their camper trailer hitched up to Ken’s truck, and themselves in tow behind Ian, we all set off again in convoy with the second group having rejoined us. The convoy made it through to the outskirts of Beaudesert before pulling over and organising a Tandem Trailer to take the truck the remainder trip.

Goodbyes were said and everyone headed off.

Being our first club trip, it was great to see everyone rally around when others needed help. We also felt very welcomed by all over the weekend, and we are really looking forward to our next trip away with the club. A special thanks goes to Andy and Di for putting in a big effort organising the trip and for leading us all astray over the weekend.

Terry (A.K.A. Link)



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