Day 10 Saturday August 16

This is the last day of the bash. We woke up bright and early as we had a couple of missions to complete before breakfast.
First was to wake Paul the photographer up pretending to be 'Room Service' and the V8 Super Car Drivers.
It was then time to get the cupcakes from the bakery and head to the park for breakfast. There was plenty of ice on the windscreen as it was a crisp morning with plenty of cars heading to the snow.
We lined up Candy then surveyed the scene - finding a better position we moved Candy however, we were unsuccessful so decided to leave last. We were almost last.
We were driven out on the bonnet of The Bush Cricketers Car - they said they would buy us another set of directions - not likey.
We left Cooma for the short run to where the assembly for the parade was to be held. The roads were pretty winding and in places quite steep. It was a dusty drive. We were almost through the section when we came over a hill and were about to take a left hand corner when the back of Candy slid out fish tailed and came to rest on her side. It landed on the drivers side and Brenda was hanging from her seat belt. Almost instantly there were people all over the car. We crawled out - a heap of blokes righted Candy checked her oil and water and drove her to the check point for us, while they got the medics to see if we were alright. We travelled in OV1 (official vehicle)to the check point and then drove Candy the last couple of Kilometres over the finish line with an orange plastic back window! There were lots of cheers as we came into the parade area.
We were not hurt, no scratches or bruises to speak of...and the cupcake was undamaged!
It was only moments after people realised that we were ok that the jokes started flying over the hand radios....we were being called pancakes, apple turnovers, jam rolls etc.
We had a quiet lunch on the edge of the river then went to find our accommmodation.
It was awards night - we received an award for raising over $25,000. We were also nominated for 'The best themed car' and 'Spirit of the Bash'.
It was a fun evening seeing everyone for the last time before we headed off in different directions.
2008 was a great Bash with a slightly easier pace and many wonderful people to catch up with from last year, many new friends made and lots of places visited!
We will remember the antics of our fellow bashers and smile when we think of them fondly.

Day 9 Friday 15 August

Friday morning saw the alarm clock sound way too early. We bounded out of bed to prepare for the day ahead. This saw us heading into Wangaratta on our 6th trip from the Stiles to town and on the 6th different route! We had cupcakes to pick up from the main street and then to breakfast at St Bernard's School. This is a 'special school' they had done a fabulous job of preparing a wonderful breakfast for us to enjoy.
After breakfast it was time to race the cars that were bought at auction the evening before.
We had manouvered ourselves to the very front of the que with a little help from some other Bahsers. We also had opportunity to line up Jason Bargwanna to spend half a day in Candy.
As we made our way to the starting arch we did a media take for RPM - they would not let us go through the arch. We later found out that $75,000 was paid in Bash Bucks for our start to be delayed.
We finally go on the road and pased through some pretty spectacular countryside to lunch. We went through Albury and took the opportunity to visit Border Christian College briefy.
A small school of children greeted us at Walwa. George Fury was there as his wife is the Principal. The students sang 'Love is in the Air' with John Paul Young accompanying them on the wash board. That will be something the children will never forget.
We kidnapped Jason Bargwanna for the afternoon section of the drive through the snow. It was fun having him in the car and chatting. We went through the snow and got out to throw snow balls sinking into the snow up to our mid thighs. We were then into Cooma for our dinner and evening with John Williamson.
Our accommmodation that night was in a pub in the main street of Cooma - no heaters and very basic.
We decided that Paul the camera man's room (he had held us up in the morning from getting out the gate early), needed a little visit to short street so we short sheeted his bed and left a few other surprises. We were so close to getting caught but Jason Bargwana saved us by getting Paul to show the movie footage he took from the helicopter to the Cupcake Car.
It was then back to our accommodation at the pub to be lulled to sleep by the thumping music coming from below.

Day 8 Thursday 14 August

This morning we arrived at Kalianna special school at 7am after putting petrol in the car and collecting the cupcakes for today!
We carefully surveyed the scene when we arrived for the most advantageous place to line up. There was a perfect spot in front of the cars 111 and 112. Happy with our positioning we quickly removed ourselves from the car so no one could tell us to move. We went and had a great breakfast only to be told that the 9 Shoal Haven cars were to leave first as they were doing this for a mate that had passed away on a previous bash. It was his third anniversary. However we were the first car to follow them out! We were at a specila school in Bendigo
We headed out of town towards the Army grounds at Puckapunyal. We were stopped for our official photo shoot. A perfect opportunity to sell cupcakes!
At the Army barracks we were placed into teams for The Armed Services Day. We were in the Army. After lots of stretching of boundaries we offered the score keeper a ride in Candy for extra points - one team had a cheque for $7500 to try and bribe the judges!
After lunch they announced the winners - surprise it was the Army - The Cupcake Girls and Dom raced out to retrieve the trophy.
Leaving there it was into the bush. It was an exremely slippery drive - there was a point where we were beginning to wonder if we would actually get out of the bush as there was a line of Bash cars waiting to be towed up a hill. With a detour we managed to get through. IT was then to Glenrowan where we were staying with the Stiles', a quick change and into town for tea.
Bash idol was our entertainment - these guys did an amazing routine with their torso painted as a face and their skirt was a frock - brilliant.
The Cupcake Girls did their special song.We had an Italian singer to entertain us.
A brilliant night and a top day.

Day 7 Wednesday 13 August

It was up early to get ready for a big day of driving. The morning started off with rain showers as we lined up to leave Warnambool from St Josephs Hight school.
After a wonderful breakfast we headed out the gate and down the Great Ocean Road. Our fist stop was to look at the Bay of Islands. A quick run in and photo as it was windy, cold and wet.
There was an organised stop at the twelve Apostles with drinks and ice creams provided. We walked out had some photos and kept moving. As we drove down the Great Ocran Road the sun kept appearing making a wonderful display on the cliffs.
Our cupcake stops were very popular - we even sold them at the traffic lights at a road block!
We had a quick stop in Lorne for a hot drink and headed off to lunch at the surf club. The que for Fish and Chips was enormous so we just had sandwiches and a scone. A refuel and some grease sqirted into our ball joints and we were on our way. We made a quick stop at Rip Curl but no one was there associated with our sponsorship. It was then into the bush for our jaunt to Bendigo.
Bendigo is a beautiful city with lovely old buildings.
The evening entertainment was a High School choir and then auctioning remote cars to be used in a fun stop.
There were some games organised but it was getting late and many Bashers were going else where to party. We stayed with friends of Brenda's, the Coopers and she caught up with Bendigo friends that night.

Day 6 Tuesday August 12

We woke up at the bottom of Australia this morning.
Tuesday morning saw us with the opportunity to sleep in as we were spending the day in Warnambool. After a rather slow start we decided to wash Candy. We then went in search of a computer store to burn our CD so that we could listen to our new Bash song and prepare ourselves for Bash Idol!
It wnas the to Port Fairy for lunch of fish and chips. Here we met up with other Bashers and shared a table with the F1-11 boys. We did a little sight seeing, met the Benz Boys in the local -checked out a church that was for sale and headed back into town.
After filling Candy with fuel and collecting some teddy bears form the baggage truck we went down the coast to Logan's Beach here we saw some whales.
It was a wet and windy day, freezing cold.
Tea was at the greyhound race track. The Shoalhaven Team had prepared the fireworks which were fantastic and a band entertained us for the evening. We shared bash stories and learnt many interesting facts. We head to Torquay tomorrow for lunch then to Bendigo.

Day 5 Monday August 11

Monday was a cold morning with plenty of drizzle. We headed off to the school for breakfast and presentations. One lovely official drove us into town to collect our cupcakes as they were not going to be ready until 8am. This is a difficult time as leaving time is 8:30am and the later you arrive the later you leave. Not good to have cupcakes and have everyone in front of you - not good for business.
By today word had spread that the Cupcake Girls had cupcakes for sale today. Therefore demand was quite high - we even sold some before we left the school.
We drove around the Blue Lake of Mount Gambier and were so busy following directions that we missed the lake! We ended up driving right past the bakery on our circumnavigation of the town as we headed out!
It was then onto forest tracks and plenty of mud, potholes and narrow bridges. There were a few spin outs. As we travelled it was nice to be in a litle convoy as you could see how the car in front was travelling - frontways or sideways, fishtailing or just cruising.
Our first Cupcake Cake stop was successful it was at an intesection that went onto the tar. We then travelled on a little further until we were being asked when our next stop was. Thinking that there was enough demand we stopped at a lovely little spot where there were a couple of cars having a comfort stop. A farmer came along so we shouted him a cupcake. There was also a little tractor for the men to have a look at. Having sold out we headed onto lunch. We wound through the Grampians and down into Halls Gap Primary School. There were 26 children in the school. They entertained us by singing 'give me a home among the gum trees. John Williamson is doing the Bas with us this year so the school kids fot to meet him in person and we were provided with a wonderful lunch.
It was through more forests and farm tracks. We went up Mt Rouse for a view over the country side of Hamilton. We stopped in a little pub with some other Bashers to talk to the locals.
We headed into town and found our accommodation - wonderful and warm appartment.
We met up with some other Bahser's for a late dinner. It was then time for a well earned sleep knowing that the morning was our own.

Photos Sunday

Day 4 Sunday August 10

Murray Bridge was the most warm and inviting town with the generosity of the locals. The morning started off with us heading back into town to find the bakery. The cupcakes were nicely boxed and the cupcakes were absolutely stunning with little pictures of Candy on each - these special ones we sold for $5 each. Kerry and the bakers were most delightful.
We then headed off to the start and breakfast. There was a range of local produce and a hearty breakfast with the local High School band providing music. Breakfast was in full swing when the heavens opened and dumped a decent amount of rain. There were many locals to cheer us on our way as we drove off. Each car was given a sample bag from the local area.
Our lunch stop was at the oval in Mundulla. They greeted us with a goodie bag and a lovely lunch that we ate sitting in the sun - the first we had seen for a while.
It was through glorious farming country that we wandered, with some precious little lambs in the paddocks. It was dark when we got into Mt Gambier and made our way to the Funeral Parlour where we were to spend the night!
Tea was at the local show ground where we were entertained by a local Adelaide Band - Acoustic Juice. It was then back for a good night's sleep.

Day 3 Saturday August 9

We were welcomed by a beautiful crisp morning in Mildura. After bidding farewell to our host we headed to the park for another wonderful brakfast. At the park a local greeted us with some Cupcake Candles, which was very sweet of him. We were a little on the late side so parked on the street for a quick get away. The Big Red Baron a fire truck decided it would be a good idea to park us in - so we moved out of his path.
After breakfast we all jumped in the cars for the usual scramble to the arch. The Cupcake Girls were up to their usual form as some one left an opening for us to take advantage of. Not to disappoint them we did.
Our wrap at breakfast warned us that the roads were very muddy and slippery. They suggested that some might like to take the tar. The Cupcake Girls braved the conditions and headed onto the dirt. We had so much fun slipping and sliding all over the road. We followed the Old Mail Road which was out in the open with not much but grass and a few bushes. There were lots of times we had to detour off the track to miss ruts and potholes.
Along the way we stopped for the Bash Olympics which provided some comic relief. It was then back into the mud and slush.
Lunch was at Renmark on the edge of the Murray. They closed off the main street so that all the cars could leave together. Which is fine except when you want a quick get away - as we were catching up with friends in Murray Bridge.
As we came into Murray Bridge at Check Point Charlie there was our welcoming committee of Sandy, Nigel, Toby and Tori soon followed by other ex- NSW's friends. We stood and chatted as the kids greeted the Bash Cars and collected numerous articles form the Bashers. It was so nice to catch up.
That night tea was at the race course - it was freezing. Our accommodation was quite a way out of town. Luckily we had hot water bottles.
Another great Bash day.

Day 3 Saturday August 9

It was a glorious winter morning in Mildura. The sky was a brilliant blue with fog over the water. We arrived at breakfast a little later than planned. After surveying the scene and the location of cars in relation to the arches we decided to pull over on the side of the road, only to have the Red Barron park us in. We reversed the car back and went to share in the delights of another wonderful breakfast.
Following breakfast we had one of the Beach Bums give Candy a little bit of attention. One of the locals brought some candle cupcakes for us.
Leaving from breakfast was tricky as we had some opposition from a few cars and even an official. However being patient little Cupcakes we bided our time and found the perfect opportunity to overtake them all and get through the arch.
Because of the rain the officials painted a grim picture of the mud we would encounter. each car had the opportunity to make the choice to go dirt or black top. We chose dirt. What and adventurous time we had fish tailing through the mud.
We enjoyed the olympic fun stop and had our gold medal presented to us with John Williamson singing the National Anthem for us. It was back into the mud before we got to lunch.
After lunch an inside take saw the Cupcakes at the front for the start. It was an afternoon of slippping and sliding. We got into Murray Bridge to find Nigel, Sandy, Toby and Tori cheering us in. It was not long until we had a little gathering of friends.
Tea was at the race course - absolutely freezing.

Day 2 Friday 8 August

We awoke to rain and near freezing conditions. With a little coaxing we got Candy started nd headed off to the Primary school for a 'Pace' egg breakfast. The ladies handing out the lunches secured a position close to the starting arch. After the presentation we headed to Candy for the drive out - we did however get some opposition from the Red Baron who thought that they could push past us - we stood our ground and just kept our place ahead of them.
We were unable to go on the dirt today because the weather had made the roads impassable.
Lunch was a picnic at the Shearer's Hall of Fame.
The Cupcake Girls had a honary member by the name of Dom who accompanied Brenda in the car from Hay to Mildura while Robyn took Dom's place in the plane.
Candy experienced some issues with over heating - the bush mechanics were able to offer their opinion on her ailment. She made it in to Midura without any more problems. We are hoping that all will be well for the end of the journey.
We had an O;ympic Tea at the Settlers Tavern.
Our accommodation for tonight was with Zac Michalski.

DAY 1 2008 Variety Bash Thursday August 7

The 2008 Variety Bash from Blacktown to Bateman's Bay finally arrived. It was a glorious morning as we eagerly made our way to the roof top car park at Westpoint, Blacktown. How exciting we were no longer wearing the the V of the first time Bashers. We kind of knew a few things to expect.
As we drove up and parked on the roof it was time to catch up with many old friends and meet the first time Bashers. How exciting it was as this year there were many more cars that were wearing costumes. There were Elvis and his twin, bumble bees, Ned Kelly Gang, Thunder Birds and The Cupcake Girls.
Bronwyn drove us past the start so that we could sit on the bonnet and give out Jelly Beans - thanks to LJ Hooker.
We said goodbye to friends and headed off following the directions although they were a hazy to start with.
It was black top to Goulbourn where the weather took on a rather grey appearance. We also hit the dirt roads. We wound our way around towards Boorowa through some rain and sleet. This did make the countryside look lush and green. The Benz Boyz organised a Party Stop which gave us opportunity to sell off our cupcakes. With all the excitement of stopping and selling cupcakes we forgot to take the keys out of the ignition...very silly mistake as the TOSHIBA team are like hawkes. Thanks to Chaz Kelly( he tried to teach us this lesson last year)he took charge of protecting our keys.
We sold our 100 cupcakes and made $200.
It was then lunch at the school where we were able to give out Teddy Bears and Jelly beans. We enjoyed pumpkin soup and few other treats.
The afternoon saw the roads turn to mud and a few Bashers slid off the road. We slipped and slid into West Wylong. Coming into town we decided to fill with petrol, check the oil. It was here we discovered that we had a nail in our rear tyre. A quick trip to Beaurepairs and we were all sorted.
Tea was Chinese where we tried to win first place off the rank tomorrow. We made it to the finals, but could not take the winning place.
What an exciting start to 2008 Bash.