I’ve always liked the way Winnie-the-Pooh books start their chapters. ‘Chapter 1: In which we learn that bears like honey’. That sort of thing. Well, this one should start: ‘In which we learn what our friends are really like now.’ The Team has assembled.
Guy, from Bristol, brings his experience from a myriad of jobs around the world and an endless supply of entertaining stories. John, from Yatton Keynall, has already breathed new hope into the disparate collection of disconnected electronics and apps, and began to join them up. James, from both Nottingham and France, causes me the most worry. After a gentle shuffle together around the local streets, he somehow has convinced me that we should run round Uluru. Is this just his sense of humour? I’ve bought a new pair of springy runners in case not.
Time to try us all out. The destination is Bribie Island. Chief among its attractions are miles of sandy tracks. With the rain out in Central Australia this may be our only desert driving!
We trundle north through Brisbane traffic and the odd threatening grey cloud. After breakfast at an anonymous service station, we are across the bridge.
Green flashing kangaroo road signs cause amusement. What on earth is that all about? That wasn’t in the ’Your Keys to Driving in Queensland’ book!
On the Northern Access Track to Ocean Beach, we practice getting bogged. Of course, none of us really want to admit that we will get stuck; it will always be the other bloke. We try out kinetic energy straps, Dune recovery boards and finally the winch. All very satisfactory. But we weren’t actually bogged. If it really works, we’ll see…
The camp, when we find it, is a small glade amongst low foredune banksias. On a wet weekday it is unpopulated. Unpopulated, that is, apart from midges and horseflies. Guy protests he can’t help feeding the wildlife. More insect spray goes on the shopping list.
Camp is established. The usual muddle of not knowing where things are, with that critical item buried under everything else. Why on earth did we put the milk in the fridge?!
Bush turkeys and wallabies visit. We swim in a surprisingly warm ocean. Life is pretty good.
Of course, for some life isn’t pretty good. Our four supported charities aim to help those people. Mates4Mates, for example, is committed to providing current and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members, and their families, with the support they need. Demand is growing. And their impact can be life-changing.
“Mates4Mates has been instrumental in my recovery. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the Mates4Mates crew.”
So please help share the message by sharing the link or our gofundme page, and help contribute if you can.
Has James learned to cook yet?
I’m very fond of a winch/straps to save the day (or the other bloke). All good fun except when you’re stuck yourself! Enjoy your adventure!