A cooler morning in Broken Hill. We went to the primary school for the best breakfast on the bash. They had provided 25 different choices for breakfast because it was the 25th Anniversary of Bashing.
John Howard was being interviewed on the local radio station and took the liberty to say " The Cupcake Girls were a few quid short" that called for revenge. We were able to get him to the cupcake car for a photo shoot then to the Key Stone Cops truck for a photo. He willingly got in the back so we tied the door shut.
When it was time to leave The Burns Boys had put ties through our door handles and some stainless steel ones on the diff.
We had to quickly get into the car as we were to be the third car out - we think that the Cricketers paid for us to get out early!...
We then parked the car outside the school because we wanted to get the 'Bash Bus' experience and so drove out to Silverton, a little mining town out of Broken Hill!....what a laugh!
Silverton was a great little town with lots of history. The boys were all pretty excited seeing the Mad Max car, even more excited to hear the roar of its engine. There was also another engine display that seemed to please the blokes as they could feel how cold it ran, or something of that nature.
We had a quick trip to see Pro Hart's Gallery and then prepare for the final dinner.
It is always a bitter sweet experience saying goodbye to our friends and snatching every last moment we have together to reminisce on the success of the Bash.
There are award presentations and the DVD is presented in two parts. Everyone is eager to see their car feature.
The Cupcake Girls won the Grovellers award. We are not too sure how we pulled that off as we avoided the officials most of the time. To grovell we thought that you had to give them wine etc and be nice to them.
The Flinstones won the Spirit of the Bash Award.
It was a great experience and we will always feel blessed that we had the opportunity to take part in such an adventure.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
25 August
This is our last driving day on the Bash as tomorrow we are just driving out to Silverton for lunch about 25km out of Broken Hill. We left our friendly hosts and headed to the school. One of the cars left the queue from close to the front so we were in.
Breakfast was great... bircher, pancakes ...
During breakfast it was decided that Brenda would go in The Bush Cricketers Car and Joey would navigate in Candy.
We were all in our cars waiting to go when word got around that it was a reverse start. There was much jostling and turning around so Candy was up over the curve around the block along the path and out a driveway getting a relatively good start.
The road was fairly slippery with gravel so it was a slow drive. The triple three cars were having a fun day in the ruins of an old pub.
It was then on to lunch. It was all very relaxing. At lunch we visited a school with only 8 students..all boys! presentations were made and we were told that the parade through Broken Hill was on at 3pm. There was no way we or many cars were going to make the parade. It was definitely a no dirt afternoon, straight through on the tar. There were many cars limping into lunch as we were leaving.
The Burns Boys parked the nose of their Merc up to our bull bar and the Cavemen were parked right on our tail. However, because they wanted to go dirt they left before we even saw what they had done.
We passed through Cockburn so we got a few photos and wrote our names on the wall of the pub.
We were not at the muster for the parade but we caught up in town with the Basher's and all those who were with us. Towards the end there were Bash Cars wandering all over the place lost until we finally all got to the Show Ground.
There was a 25th Anniversary Dinner that was well catered for.
There were a few disasters today ...the Navy Team rolled one of their cars and several were mechanically not good. We are not sure how many cars have not made it into Broken Hill yet.
24 August
Coober Pedy what an incredible place, how wonderful staying in an underground motel. The weather has been stunning and so warm we are loving it. Breakfast was at the German Club. The children sang for us and the parents prepared a wonderful breakfast.
We had a great position once again with a little jostling with the cricketers and Burn's Boys. We drove out rather swiftly and then went to get on the Internet to burn our song onto a CD for Bash Idol. We were well down in the pack leaving town. Our first stop was to collect some rocks to make a 25th memorial to Bashing on the edge of the Oodnadatta Track.
We stopped at a wonderful little pub and petrol station at William Creek.
We then were continuing on to lunch. It was not far down the road when we saw The Bush Cricketers getting their car put onto a the tilt tray. We offered them a lift as seats were limited in the truck and they were then going to get another car to tow. Two of the Cricketers came with us. We made them honouree Cupcake Boys.
Lunch was in Marlee at the race track. We got there at about 4pm so it was a quick lunch then on to Hawker for tea and Bash Idol.
Hawker was incredibly windy and cold. We commandeered Dom, one of our pilots to sing in Bash Idol with us as the recording we had was of a male voice. There were some pretty interesting acts. The evening was won by the St Mary's League Club Boys who sang Country Road like you have never heard before or would want to hear again. It was all a lot of fun.
It was a home stay with a lovely couple, however we did not arrive until very late, they provided a lovely hot drink and a wonderful hospitality.
We had a great position once again with a little jostling with the cricketers and Burn's Boys. We drove out rather swiftly and then went to get on the Internet to burn our song onto a CD for Bash Idol. We were well down in the pack leaving town. Our first stop was to collect some rocks to make a 25th memorial to Bashing on the edge of the Oodnadatta Track.
We stopped at a wonderful little pub and petrol station at William Creek.
We then were continuing on to lunch. It was not far down the road when we saw The Bush Cricketers getting their car put onto a the tilt tray. We offered them a lift as seats were limited in the truck and they were then going to get another car to tow. Two of the Cricketers came with us. We made them honouree Cupcake Boys.
Lunch was in Marlee at the race track. We got there at about 4pm so it was a quick lunch then on to Hawker for tea and Bash Idol.
Hawker was incredibly windy and cold. We commandeered Dom, one of our pilots to sing in Bash Idol with us as the recording we had was of a male voice. There were some pretty interesting acts. The evening was won by the St Mary's League Club Boys who sang Country Road like you have never heard before or would want to hear again. It was all a lot of fun.
It was a home stay with a lovely couple, however we did not arrive until very late, they provided a lovely hot drink and a wonderful hospitality.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
22, 23,August
We have had difficulty with reception. Sorry about the lack of communication.
It has been a very busy few days. We had the National Rally with cars from all states participating in a procession down the main street of Alice Springs. There were about 600 cars that took part - some very interesting cars.
Breakfast was at the Transport Museum - we saw some excellent potential Bash Cars - some great food and entertainment. Dick Smith the founder of Bashing also spoke to us, to inspire us to cheat as much as we can and to break as many rules as we can - Thank you Dick.
It was then down to the banks of the Todd River for the infamous Henley on Todd. For the Cupcake Girls it was time to put their boat together with the help of our other two partners the Red Lea Girls. Thank to Team Toshiba we got the boat up and running. We did a few practise runs on the grass. It was certainly a bright little/large number. We then had to rest before the big race.
We were in the BYO Boat race. It was a parade around the arena and then the race. We certainly were the most attractive boat as the others were just frames with runners. At the start gun we were off, but crashed on the corner. Negotiating 4 m of boat around a drum proved too much. We won a $150 voucher for the best boat. Looking good is what it is all about... they auctioned the voucher for us and we got $190 for Variety
In the evening we had a National Dinner with Basher's from all states about 2500 - what a great night with excellent entertainment. A real credit to them.
Sunday was a big drive back to Coober Pedy, we all set off at our own pace as there were 3 routes you could take. We chose the Bash route which took us down many dusty roads finishing at the Breakaways outside of Coober Pedy.
Friday, August 21, 2009
21st August
It was an early start. We headed off to breakfast then to try and get our cupcakes. We were in a bit of a dilemma as there was a great place for us at the beginning of the line, but we did not have our cupcakes - in fact we could not find the bakery. After several trips through town we found the bakery - but it did not open until 7:30am and no one was answering any phone and we were due to leave at 7am.
We decided to try and get a pilot to get them and we would collect them along the track so it was off to the start. Talk about being in the right place at the right time. A friend was on his was to bribe the officials for the route instructions and to leave as close to the front as possible. So Robyn went with him - he got 2 sets of route instructions and requested that his car and 321 leave first - good man.
We did not do the bash route as we were saving our bash plate until we can get it fixed properly in Alice so it was black top today about 700km at 80-90km/ph that takes a while with stops.
We had a couple of buzzes from the helicopter. A few petrol stops. Early in the afternoon our cupcakes caught up to us so it was time to sell. The helicopter landed at the Cannonball Run Memorial with some bash cars so we sold off our cupcakes to Basher's and travellers.
The evening was at our own discretion so we cleaned Candy and caught up with some Bashes for tea.
On our way back to our accommodation we dropped some of the Toshiba members at their hotel.
It was then time for the Cupcake Boat to be put together.
20th August
Woomera welcomed us with a glorious morning a bit on the chilly side. We were able to have a more leisurely start to the day as breakfast was at 8 am and then it was into Armed Services day. Because we had destroyed another tyre and Woomera does not have any mechanics or tyre repair places, we thought that instead of partaking in the games we should enlist the help of the mobile workshop to put our spare tyre on the rim as it was an afternoon of tracks.
We were well positioned for the exit from the oval! So with our tyres all set we were ready for the rough terrain.
The first sheet of our route instructions were dropped from the helicopter so it was a mad scramble to get them, race back to the car and get ready to leave.
We followed the old Highway - what a road! ... huge bolders and rocks We moved over to let F 1 -11 past and went bouncing through a rather large ditch. Everything bounced even us... ouch.
Not far along the track we heard a dreadful scraping noise so we pulled over to find that the bolts from the back of our bash plate were gone. The Beach Bums came to the rescue and we were on our way again.
We bounced and jolted along the track. Coming around the corner we saw this magnificent lake, so it was photo time and time to off load some cupcakes.
Lunch was a packed one that we could eat where we chose.
The afternoon was more tracks, but very sandy.
We arrived in Coober Pedy and found our underground motel. What an awesome place, some of the rooms are from a disused mine.
It was tea and then a fairly early night as the next morning was to be early for a big drive to Alice Springs.
We were well positioned for the exit from the oval! So with our tyres all set we were ready for the rough terrain.
The first sheet of our route instructions were dropped from the helicopter so it was a mad scramble to get them, race back to the car and get ready to leave.
We followed the old Highway - what a road! ... huge bolders and rocks We moved over to let F 1 -11 past and went bouncing through a rather large ditch. Everything bounced even us... ouch.
Not far along the track we heard a dreadful scraping noise so we pulled over to find that the bolts from the back of our bash plate were gone. The Beach Bums came to the rescue and we were on our way again.
We bounced and jolted along the track. Coming around the corner we saw this magnificent lake, so it was photo time and time to off load some cupcakes.
Lunch was a packed one that we could eat where we chose.
The afternoon was more tracks, but very sandy.
We arrived in Coober Pedy and found our underground motel. What an awesome place, some of the rooms are from a disused mine.
It was tea and then a fairly early night as the next morning was to be early for a big drive to Alice Springs.
19th August
Another glorious day, crisp with bright blue sky. We headed off early again to stake our position as close to the front as possible. As per usual there was a window of opportunity to get fairly close. We had one of the Cricketers cars in front and one behind. We were quite pleased with ourselves. It was all looking good. Then an opportunity arose where we could take advantage of the situation so we jumped in their car to find something which we could use to bargain with. We made it quite difficult for them to remove us. We managed a few items and we also lost a few. It was then time to eat, so we left Candy and went and listened to a great school band. While we were at breakfast they managed to put a picnic table with attached stools in front of the car. One of the Virgin members of their team was extremely nervous when we came near - it was really very funny so we took advantage of that situation. Some of the locals wanted a photo of his team - he sat in the car with the window down for the photo and wouldn't get out!
As we headed out of town we collected our cupcakes for the day.
lunch was at Jamestown at a school. They had prepared a great lunch for us.
As we headed out for the afternoon we had to wait as someone had paid to have us wait.
The track we went on was very rough, resulting in another tyre being wrecked. With some help we changed the tyre and were almost done when he NRMA bus came to a halt. The 7 passangers piled out and proceeded to show us their spud gun using oranges. What an awesome machine shooting oranges 500m.
Along the track was a boy sitting at the gate in a wheelchair so we stopped and gave hime some things.
It was quite late when we pulled into Woomera a town of 450.
At tea we squared things up with the cricketers....what a funny day. They did bring us a peace offering of chocolate cake - unfortunately for them it tasted like it had had a dusting of petrol so we thought they were trying to sabotage us again.
We stayed in a school hall with many snoring people.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
18th August
Another beautiful morning, we collected our wonderful cupcakes and headed off to breakfast and presentations at a local school. Arriving early we were fairly close to the front of the line for the exit, unfortunately we had a slow leak in one of our rear tyres so it was back to our friend Brad at the local tyre centre to get it fixed and cut some of the length off our fuel guard as it was dragging and creating too much dust for those behind.
Mid morning many of the Basher's were visiting a local pub and desperately longing for cupcakes so we called in and sold stamps and gave away free cupcakes!
It was then off to lunch. It was a long morning with a few patches of dust to keep it interesting. One of the cars tipped on its side and fortunately no one was hurt.
When we got to lunch there was a nice little path left to the front of the que which we took advantage of. We were able to block in The Bush cricketers, interesting move. While we were getting our lunch 25 men were trying to lift our Candy car into the sandpit. Being unsuccessful they manoeuvred 5 cars to block us in. Some Virgin Basher's saw this and paid $200 to put The Bush Cricketers into the lockup. The Bush Cricketers paid to get out, so the Virgin Basher's paid another $600 for us to leave first. Two cars had to go out so we could then leave, those two were stopped so that we could pass them. Brenda managed to get the keys to The Bush Cricketers car, they were unable to fill with petrol as they only had one key to the petrol tank. It was all a bit of fun.
Late in the afternoon there was a fun stop where most cars took part in. It was then into Berri for tea. At tea Super Hubert did one of his magic shows.
We are now thinking of strategies and some pay back.
Mid morning many of the Basher's were visiting a local pub and desperately longing for cupcakes so we called in and sold stamps and gave away free cupcakes!
It was then off to lunch. It was a long morning with a few patches of dust to keep it interesting. One of the cars tipped on its side and fortunately no one was hurt.
When we got to lunch there was a nice little path left to the front of the que which we took advantage of. We were able to block in The Bush cricketers, interesting move. While we were getting our lunch 25 men were trying to lift our Candy car into the sandpit. Being unsuccessful they manoeuvred 5 cars to block us in. Some Virgin Basher's saw this and paid $200 to put The Bush Cricketers into the lockup. The Bush Cricketers paid to get out, so the Virgin Basher's paid another $600 for us to leave first. Two cars had to go out so we could then leave, those two were stopped so that we could pass them. Brenda managed to get the keys to The Bush Cricketers car, they were unable to fill with petrol as they only had one key to the petrol tank. It was all a bit of fun.
Late in the afternoon there was a fun stop where most cars took part in. It was then into Berri for tea. At tea Super Hubert did one of his magic shows.
We are now thinking of strategies and some pay back.
Monday, August 17, 2009
17th August Day 2
Another glorious morning. We were up early and ready for the new day, we got to breakfast in time to get a great spot for exiting realatively early. While at breakfast a lady came to us who was running a street stall in the main street selling cupcakes as it was National Cupcake Day for the RSPCA. She wanted us to bring the car down to her stall. When we left breakfast we turned left instead of right so everyone thoought that we were heading the wrong direction as we took the shortcut into town, little did we realise that the Bash Route instructions were taking us down the main street.
The stall was not operational when we got there, so stopped a few Bashers by using the pedestrian crossing with a few of the locals. The ladies took some photos of Candy and we headed off as it was a big drive before lunch.
Some locals were on the side of the road so we made that our cupcake stop. Many cars stopped for their cupcakes. The locals told us of a small school 5 mins around the corner so we detoured with a few other cars to the school and gave out some toothbrushes, toothpaste and a bear. The children loved it.
The next leg of our journey was quite a stretch on the dirt, it was dusty, There were paddocks of canola and some beautiful countryside. It was along these stretches of road that we did our first ever tyre. One of the front tyres destroyed itself. So with the help of Minnie and Mickey Mouse we changed the tyre getting to lunch at aobut 2.30pm. It was a quick bite then we went on the blacktop to Hay so we could get the 2 front tyres replaced as the 'Coopers' are difficult to find out here.
Dinner tonight was with a shearing theme. They had a shearing demonstration and then some relay races of shearing and pie eating.
It was then a quick catch up with Bashers and then back to bed.
The stall was not operational when we got there, so stopped a few Bashers by using the pedestrian crossing with a few of the locals. The ladies took some photos of Candy and we headed off as it was a big drive before lunch.
Some locals were on the side of the road so we made that our cupcake stop. Many cars stopped for their cupcakes. The locals told us of a small school 5 mins around the corner so we detoured with a few other cars to the school and gave out some toothbrushes, toothpaste and a bear. The children loved it.
The next leg of our journey was quite a stretch on the dirt, it was dusty, There were paddocks of canola and some beautiful countryside. It was along these stretches of road that we did our first ever tyre. One of the front tyres destroyed itself. So with the help of Minnie and Mickey Mouse we changed the tyre getting to lunch at aobut 2.30pm. It was a quick bite then we went on the blacktop to Hay so we could get the 2 front tyres replaced as the 'Coopers' are difficult to find out here.
Dinner tonight was with a shearing theme. They had a shearing demonstration and then some relay races of shearing and pie eating.
It was then a quick catch up with Bashers and then back to bed.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
16th August Day 1
What a glorious morning for our departure with the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge as the back drop.
Wanting to get an early start we left Macquarie at 6 am to go to the start for a good postition on the grid. It was then time to catch up with past Basher's and meet some of the Virgins. We had several of our friends and Brenda's family to come and wave us off from the Opera House.
It was then along the M7, M4 up to the Blue Mountains, through Lithgow and on to Bathurst. Passing through Bathurst we felt that it was an opportunity to revisit Mt Panorama as we drove around there on our first Bash. We stopped for some photos under the banner and continued on to Orange for Lunch.
There we had the BBQ lunch then proceeded to grant the wishes of the school. Being a Special school they were very happy to receive a catamaran and another sailing boat for the older students. Much to the delight of the wheelchair students they got the keys to a liberty swing. As we were about to leave there were a couple of boys swinging and laughing, they were so excited as it was their first ever swing.
After lunch it was onto dirt, dust and gravel. The countryside was stunning with the green rolling hills and a grey sky as the back ground. We had a small amount of rain as we stopped for our first fun stop with the Firies. It was there that we took advantage of the crowd and gave out pancakes (pikelets with jam and cream).
Tea was followed by an astronomer from Coonabaraban, he was quite entertaining with his knowledge. Then we had a few Elvis impersonators do some dancing and singing to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his death.
Then time to retire.
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