Returned this week from a 5 day expedition to Shallow Crossing near NSWs South Coast. Let’s trot through some of the high (and low) lights…
At 6am Friday morning my mobile phone frantically buzzed on my bedside table as the geek rang through to confirm if the trip was still on. We debated the merits of battling the pissing down rain, as we remarked on how Sydney has gone months and months without a single day of rain and then it all comes down in fucketsfull when we decide to go away – We made the decision to be hardcore and go camping anyways even if the rain persisted at its torrential monsoonal level for the next 5 days.
So off we went in the jam-packed Cruiser for another trip into the wilderness. After doing some running around town and a few stops for some essentials (and non essentials) we finally got under way. Funnily enough we spotted a Morey Boogie 136 early on in the trip and the mood was jovial despite the sheets of water glancing off the windshield. It was about then that we noticed there was a leak in the far left corner of the windshield and we had to make a stop to silicon that bitch up. Right about then the rain started to pelt down a bit more forcefully and we pondered on whether the shallow crossing was going to be fucking deep crossing but we hit the Sheep Track anyways, the cruiser and its driver battling wind, rain, mud, and corrugations, and through our dark depths of despair there was one glimmer of hope like a shining beacon. Our faith. When we arrived at the crossing it was less Niagra Falls and more cascading water in the trough and we made our way safely to the other side and into the Shallow Crossing Camping Grounds.
Stuck in the middle with you – Clowns to the left of us (redneck motorheads from Minto we were guessing), Jokers to the right (the subaru 4WD club complete with screaming kids) and us stuck smack bang in the middle (well not really, we had the pick of the spots at the very back of the camping grounds with two embankments in which to fish off – we were only really in the middle as we drove to our vacant spot at the edge of the camping ground).
We were also forced to set up camp in the rain. I can tell ya pitching tents when you are soaked through to the bone isn’t my idea of fun. BUT (as became the catchphrase of the trip) You get that on the big jobs… you certainly do hehehe. Once we got the flys, the tents and the swag up (the swag being set up with consummate ease, a mere unrolling and hey presto it’s done) we hit the hayskies. The end of a long 1st day.
Next day we hit Batemans Bay to pick up some pilchies (bait) for fishing and some 100 pipers (grog) for pissing. After a bit of sightseeing we headed back to the crossing via Barkshed Road and nailed the trademark shintara and vilesilencer fire pit. We set the wood up in teepee formation with a few jiffys, hit it with the kero, tossed in a match and wooshka instant bonfireskies. The geek then pulled out his arsenal of barbie equipment and we nailed a simmering Indian curry, in a pot over the fire. Nothing beats a meal like that. As darkness descended on us we nailed the bottle of Pipers and proceeded to discuss the pros and cons of about 15 different program languages. Sounds like fun eh? Believe me it totally rocked!
keepin it reel the geek snares an eel! battling the dying fire, steaks sizzling away on the hotplate and a toying sea monster, the rod pinged away several times as dave was forced to recast several times in order to tempt the tricky “fish”. He then looked at me and said I’m gonna toy with him watch this dood, he cast the line once more and felt the familiar ping on the rod as the “fish” nibbled at the bait, then in one swift fluid moment he whipped the rod back and jerked the hook into the “fish”, it was then a battle of wills, with my esteemed friend plucking the eel from the water.
Day 3 saw us visiting Pebbly beach a nice little spot tucked away inside Murramung National Park. Very picturesque, and peaceful. Well it was until we walked across the nicely grassed area towards the beach and were confronted by this monster arrrrgghhh! We had a nice look around the area and soaked up the atmosphere before returning to camp via Batemans Bay to collect more supplies.
Rumours of the Wagsor making an appearance later that night, whilst the geek hit the swag for a few z’s and to dream of doze and br0nz3 (hehehe actually i doubt it) motivated me to use the quiet time constructively and I pulled out pen and paper and worked on a few new ideas for the silencer to be unveiled the next time I overhaul this hideous bitch goddess (which for clarification wont be anytime soon, i.e. next year at the earliest). I too dozed, in my chair by the fire, and awoke to smoking embers and the end of pleasant yet unfulfilling dreams.
The next day the Wagsor made a surprise visit, as we were expecting him the night before, and we lazed around soaking up a brilliant sunny day in the best the wilderness has to offer, by the water, chatting about life and fishing and laughing. Like all good times, they go fast. Before we knew it, Brad had left to return to the humdrum of city life, and after our last night of discussion by the fire, Dave and myself were packing up our own shit and heading back to the malaise ourself.
In other news – Congrats to Michael Clarke, Australia’s 389th player to wear the baggy green, on his debut century. His final score for the 1st game in india was 151. Adam Gilchrist also bagged a ton to put us in a strong position in the match at 474, we later rolled the Indians for 246, and it’s looking like we’ve got this game in the bag with them 6 for 105 in their second innings and needing another 352 runs to win. Shane Warne needs another 2 wickets to overtake the chucker Murali, as the worlds greatest wicket-taker.
KFC. Yup it’s never-ending. I came across this ringing endorsement for KFC a couple of weeks ago. I highly recommend watching the video. If you are having trouble giving up the KFC, the video clip might make it a bit easier. I enjoy the way PETA works, they know that companies like McDonalds and Wendy’s are never going to close their doors, so they don’t try and get them to, BUT they are trying to force them to change their cruel ways and correctly treat the animals they slaughter to make money. Which I think benefits us all.
