Day 13

Friday morning we awoke rather late, dressed for the last time in our cupcake overalls and headed out to Darwin Adventist School. There we spoke to the children and handed out sample bags.
We also decided to vacuum Candy in preparation for our final dinner. The red dust was everywhere. Things came out of the boot and off the seats to give a thorough cleanout.
It was then a rush back to get changed into our naval outfit and head to the Naval Base.
They showed the DVD that was in celebration of this years bash - the Cupcake Girls featured quite heavily! There were also shots of the cars and participants over the past week.
The setting waws lovely although the evening started out a little damp and coolish.
Thanks to the Red Baron fire engine, Robyn's jacket went missing part way thorugh the night. One of the guys adapted a chair cover as a cape to keep her warm. The seat cover later became a flag "Cupcake Girls" rule for the Red Baron in place of their RM Williams flag.
IT was a very late night as this was the last time we would all be together... was a happy and sad evening.
We eagerly await our reunion dinner in about a month.

Day 12

Sadly this morning we packed for the last time and headed off onto both a combination of tar and dirt today.
We had a third cupcake for the first part of the day until we met for the muster before the parade into Darwin. Our new recruit was Jacinta (Jason) form the Darell Lea car.
At breakfast Chunky was running around with his squirter bottle. We managed to give him a couple of beautiful soakings back.
We lined up for the last start of the bash. We paid to go first but were gazumped by the Shoal Haven Team. We were then placed at third place.
There was a little conspiracy happening at the start. For some bazar reason the camera guys wanted to interview us just after the start line.
The camera guys, Red Baron the fire engine had conspired to do a fake interview and drench us with water. Although we were a little apprehensive about getting out of the car we did, only to scamble back in and furiously try and get the windows up.
Today's drive was pretty easy as they wanted us on the outskirts of Darwin for the street parade.
We mustered, went to pay our $80,000 Bash Bucks to follow the Combi into town - but something had gone wrong with their paperwork.
We drove around the streets of Darwin blasting our air horn for the last time!!!!
We were then taken onto the Naval Barracks and given a reception there by the Chief Admiral. The HMAS Bathurst was docked so we were able to have a guided tour.
We then checked in to our 4 1/2 star accommodation - thanks to Rates to Go.
Mindel markets was the meeting place for the Bashers then back into town.
Nic one of the Thunderbirds entertained us with a guitar and singing at a little cafe.
We had made it to Darwin so time for big celebrations. It is hard to believe that Candy and the Cupcake Girls had made it to Darwin without any major problems.
All the first time Bashers shared a sense of relief that the journey was complete, also a real sense of mateship as we reflected on our feelings upon leaving Garden Island.
Those that we briefly spoke to on the morning of our departure had become our source of support, encouragement and entertainment. What a great feeling.

Day 11

Today was a free day to wander the streets of Katherine. It started off with breakfast at a local school. We bought a helicopter ride along the Katherine Gorge for an hour.
Brenda went up for a ride at 10 am while Robyn finalised the last of our sponsorship money and participated in Armed Services Day. She turned up only to get a bucket of water thrown over her.
Brenda had an eventful ride in the helicopter, finding out that her stomach could not take the swooping and darting about that Gary put the helicopter through. In fact they landed in the gorge so that Brenda could regain her ability to finish the flight!teh flight was spectacular!
After Brenda went up from the helicopter ride it was off to the springs for a swim. The water was beautiful and refreshing, in a lush setting.
It was then Robyn's turn for a joy flight up through Katherine Gorge.
we then quickly changed and headed out to Katherine Gorge for a boat cruise. It was facinating to be in the gorge and see where the flood water levels reach. We were fortunate to see a freshwater Croc sunning himself in the afternoon.
Back at the boat ramp they had set up tables for dinner. It was a glorious setting with the gorge as the backdrop and the sky as our roof.
The meal was delicious and then we had Ian Moss entertain us. What an amazing evening. Ian is totally at home with his guitar and singing. The night was a late one and then there were the drinkers that needed to be driven home.
All in all it was a great night but a very late one.
Awards were also given out for various fundraising achievements. We got a half cup for raising over $33,000.
Brenda also got the Mug of the Day for her helicopter efforts.

Day 10

We are finding it hard to believe that we have been on the road for 10 days now. We are really into the bull dust and general grime of outback driving. Unfortunately the local dust has really put a nasty spin on the usual pristine cupcake outfits. Today we were into our white overalls due to heat and the fact that the overalls are now lasting only one day. Tonight we look just as dirty as the car.
This morning was breakfast at the Borroloola school where a young fellow with spina bifida was given a walking frame. Many other donations were given to the school - books colour copiers, digital cameras etc. It makes our schools look like palaces in comparison. It was nice to see so many children at school so early to meet us.
It was American Muscle Day. So all the American tanks lined up to leave first. We were sure that something on Candy must be American. They assured us not so we had to leave later in the pack. Many cars went black top today. We almost did because they said that the road would be the worst so far. However, after a good night sleep in the Ploice compound we kept with the pack.
We were glad we did as the roads seemed quite ok. We had no dramas at all. The terrain changed quite a bit today as it was undulating with many creek crossings. It was fun - we felt like seasoned rally drivers.
Today we both went for about a 10 minute spin in car number 007. These guys appear crazy. Eric is an ex Porche racing car man. He just threw the Holden into corners and through the creek crossings. We think that he only can drive with his foot nailed to the floor. He was constantly moving his hands and feet like you see on the web cams in racing cars. As navigator we did not have time to make the calls as he was up there overtaking etc. Also our hearts were beating so fast we were flatout keeping up.
Lunch was at Roper Bar where we paid $2 a litre for petrol, the most expensive yet.
We then headed to Katherine via Manaranka hot springs. What a treat. The water was warm and refreshing. It was the cleanest we had been all day. We went in with a dust tan and came out clean. We laid in the rapids and had a massage.
On the way into Katherine we passed amazing ant nests. They looked like grave yards on the side of the road.
Dinner tonight was outside in a park with lots of lights and candles. It was a beautiful setting. We caught up with many of the cars we had not seen all day.
We then towed some other Bashers to their motel and got into our homestay quite late. We don't have to do a big drive tomorrow but get to spend an extra day in Katherine. Another day of adventure in now over. We feel that we have beginners luck on our side as nothing major has happened to Candy.

Day9

Well another interesting and fun day. IT was so hot, dry and dusty that today we arrived in down town Boloorooa absotultely filthy.
We set off from behind the arch and headed straight out of town on Black Top for about 100 km.
It was then into the dirt. We came across some Aboriginals living out in the bush when we stopped at a petrol stop - not a petrol station as we know them to be. Once we all started giving out things the numbers increased dramatically.
There was a small fishing competition in the river where they had set up tin fish with magnetic hooks. We caught some fish!
There were several cars on the side of the road with broken axels, diffs etc. So today took its toll on a couple more cars. We had at least 2 river crossings which were a bit of fun and also crossed the border into the Northern territory! we are seeing more hills now and vegetation. lots of amazing ant hill sculptures too!
Candy is performing just fine.
We sailed inot town aobut 5 pm which for us was early.
We had tea and it is now an early night ready for a big day tomorrow!

Day 8

We find it hard to believe that one week ago we were driving out of Garden Island saying can you believe we are now on our way to Darwin.
Well today has not been one of our best days for getting it right. All the same it has been fun.
We had a busy start to the day with picking up cupcakes and talking to Macca on radio, then being ready for the 8:30 am start.
All went well with the first hour, we saw a window of opportunity to get to the front of the line. So we took it! The plan was to drive on the footpath or verge as there was neither grass nor path. The problem was an over hanging tree. So Brenda climbed on the car to protect the cherry. We were then able to leave about 10th. The fire truck doused us with the fire hose.
Everything went according to plan stopping at Julia Creek for fuel.
It was then onto the dirt. Candy somehow got fuel in her petrol. So it was a spluttering halt that we came to not long after. We used this opportunity to dry off our overalls and towels. Assistance was not far away. The little green bus was right beside us. However it was the Bush Doctors that got us on the road.
We cruised up to lunch stop and sold cupcakes by the lake.
We then set off on the final leg to Burketown.
Bill and Les were on the side of the road celebrating their 60th Birthday so we opened a bottle of D'Vine.
We are not sure what went wrong but Robyn's navagation ability was pretty poor. Not sure what happened but we ended up at cattle yards then had difficulty retracing our steps. The only relieving part was that we were in constant contact with the sweep. Somehow we found each other and they headed us on the right track.
NOT far down the right track about 8 cars had stopped. When they heard us coming they formed a guard of honour to welcome us back. So it was cupcakes all round.
another 120km saw us into Burketown at about 8:30 pm which meant we'd driven about630km today....our longest day of driving the dirt!
We then found out that On the radio Robyn had said we were going to Booraloola so the service station thought they had the wrong date so they shut up for the day. We do not know how true that was.
Bash Idol was after tea. They had karioke for Uptown Girls - so we sang our song and came second. Our prize was a bottle of wine each. Everyone knows we do not drink so it will be a good bribe.
We managed to get a bed in the local pub so are happy to have power and a bed.

Day 7

Sorry no pictures again!...It depends on where we are as to whether pictures can be uploaded but we can still write.
Today we were able to get near the starting line after breakfast at the Agricultural College in Longreach. We had a dusty trip of approximately 300 km to Winton where lunch was provided for us at the school and presentations of equipment for the students were made.
It is definitely getting warmer and today we had to wind the windows down a fair bit which meant a lot of dust is now settling inside our car (cupcake flour dust!)

There were lots of gates we had to go through and of course many cattle grids and dips. After nosing our way towards the fronnt of the line after lunch, we headed another 300 km towards Richmond where we are staying tonight. We have been told the population here is about 1500. The town people have billeted a lot of the Bash people and we have a nice little cabin all to ourselves! Dinner toninght was down near the town's lake (man made) and it was a Doctors and nurses theme. We dressed up for the evening in nurses outfits and had a fun night!
Tomorrow morning we will pick up more cupcakes to sell in the middle of the Bush.
We have already made about $800 selling the cupcakes that Bakeries have made for us along the way to go towards Variety.

We are about half way along now on our journey and we will be in Burketown tomorrow night.
Thank you for all the replies that are coming through!
Have a great day!....
The cupcake Girls!

Day 6

Today was a day to catch our breath and take it easy. Also an opportunity to have a look around the sights of Longreach.
Our day started with breakfast at School of the Air. The Year 4 students that were in residence there entertained us with singing and poems. Robyn then went into the classroom to give out the gifts prepared by her class. The grounds of the school were well maintained.
We then had to get Candy checked over as they tell us that the next part of the journey is the worst.
At 11 o'clock we had an appointment with Ben and Alice at the local bakery. They had advertised that the Cupcake Girls would be there selling cupcakes at 11 am. There were lots of people hovering around so the 150 cupcakes that Ben had made disappeared very quickly. Today we made $200 selling cupcakes.
We then had to race back to get some bulbs for our dust lights and head out to the Agricultural College where hoists had been made available. The teachers there attended to Candy's every need. Nothing major was needed just lots of little things. The 'Mob' was there and unfortunately for them after spending all day on their car the news was not good. They have withdrawn from the journey. We feel a bit sad that they are flying back to Sydney tomorrow as they were lots of fun. However, they did come to us and very generously gave us their Bash Bucks. Now that may not sound like much but it was $55,000 which equates to $55,000 of fundraising. So we have a very healthy Bash Bucks account. In fact I think that for a single car we might have the most Bash Bucks which means that we can do lots of bribes.
We did not get to any of the sights at Longreach as time was not on our side.
We were able to do some washing today a very necesary thing as our clothes are covered in dust.
Tonight we had tea at the Qantas Base and the Stockman's Hall of Fame. It was fun chatting to those that we havre met on the journey to date.
We had a bit of drama tonight regarding keys! Robyn conveniently caught some keys that were thrown in the air belonging to a team of Wrangler boys form Tamworth. They had just joined the team tonight and the guy who threw them in the air was only able to drink water because he lost the keys.
Then Dom from the mob was flashing his room key as was Les. Now the Bash rule is do not under any circumstances leave your keys in view of others as to loose keys one has to pay very dearly for them.
The wrangler Boys went without pusuing their keys so I guess we will see them at breakfast with their spare set.
Then to top the key drama off Brenda locked our keys in the car. So the Bush Doctors, Thunder Birds and the Firies all helped us get into our car. We then had to deliver the boys to their Motels.
It has turned out to be a very late night.

Day 5

It was an early morning start via the local bakery to see if they had cupcakes for us. The owner had forgotten, so we headed off to breakfast only to get an SOS from the bakery to come back and get cupcakes, cream buns and muffins. We were parked close to the departure arch so it was a realatively quick get away.
About 2/3 rds of the distance to lunch we had a cupcake stop where a farmer had brought his children out to see the Bash Cars. So out with the cupcakes. Everyone is now expecting cupcakes each day. We had top shelf cupcakes today so the stakes were highter. We sold one cupcake for $20, that was the highest we have recieved so far. At the cupcake stop another basher put a sock on our airfilter which was very nice.
We then headed off to Terrick Terrick Station for lunch. Their driveway was 10 km long. They had prepared a great spread for us.
We then set off for Longreach as it was quite a big day of driving. We were just buzzing along the dirt road when we nearly jumped out of the car as the Helicopter buzzed us. He was just metres above us. I am sure he almost touched the cherry.
The helicopter was filming.
We finally arrived in town at aroun 7 pm where there was a street Party set up. People had left thier shops open and there was a band playing. We met some of the locals who told us that the local bakery had advertised that the Cupcake Girls would be selling cupcakes from their bakery tomorrow morning. We have a day off from driving tomorrow so will stay in Longreach two nights.
It was another great day and Candy is still in one piece!

Day 4

Today started off with breakfast at Thagomindah, where we met up with a few of the children and left the gifts that Grade 6 had prepared. They were very impressed with the effort that had been put into the gifts.
It was then a quick departure on a secret mission. We had to leave the general Bash route and go 'black top'. It was actually a nice change to the dusty, rough roads of yesterday.
The film crew were doing a live telecast on chanel 10 at 11 am. They invited the major sponsor team NRMA and then two novel teams The Bush Doctors and the Cupcake Girls.
We followed in convoy until there was mobile service. As soon as we got into service our phones went crazy. We set up the cars and then shared how we had each vecome involved in Variety.
After the telecast we set off for lunch then onto Charleville. We went to the check point to sell the Cupcakes that we had recieved in Thaga that morning.
It was then tea and a show with Super Hubert and some of the local bands.
Today we saw emus on the side of the road, and a wild boar.
The days have been stunning the red dust contrasted with the blue sky. In the car it gets very hot.
Once again another exciting day on the bash.
At tea we met up with our Bash friends - some Bashers are starting to get cabin fever and wanting to do some car hopping.

Day 3

After staying at the Ambulance relief quarters we headed off to the local school for breakfast. Equipment was donated to the school, and the children did a gymnastics display.
We parked close to the gate so the exit was relatively straight forward, made easier by the Benz Boys letting us in ( only because my window was down and they could squirt us with their washer) We fueled up before leaving, although there seemed to be a problem with our guage and the pump. However we set off on a relatively long run to Hungerford.
It was in total 320 km of dirt and bull dust covered roads.
We made a right hand turn only to be pulled up by the camera crew to do a live telecaste for NBN news. About 10 cars lined up on the dirt road ready to do a drive by. Not long after appearing on the news Candy came to a spluttering halt. We had run out of fuel! Our excuse was that we wanted to try out our funnel. We got a jerry can out of the boot and were very speedily back on the road.
Lunch was just over the Queensland boarder.
It was back on the road for another 200 km of dirt and dust. We had a late arrival into Thargo as there were a few breakdowns on the way. We offered help , moral support and chips to the weary travellers.
Bill and Ben our friends from the Central Coast ran into radiator problems so we stopped and celebrated sunset beside their fire with some fellow travellers that we flagged down.
It was then time for us to get moving so as to make tea, get our supplies out of the baggage truck and find our accommodation.

There I meet the local teacher and some of the children.

Dusty road travelling

Navy Boys eating precious cupcakes

Bill and Ben doing running repairs to Candy