Hi, A bit late reading this, as we have just returned from a trip up north. We towed our 17ft Kedron into Eddie's Place on 29 August 2011 and stayed for 10 days, and there were graders working on the road then fairly close to Hopevale. We had no problems at all with the road conditions and testament to this, a tiny Jayco followed us in and stayed at Eddies also. We had no problems with Eddie personally, although some people we met later, who had driven up from Cooktown for a "look-see", got the same reception as you did. I know it is no excuse for abrupt behaviour, but during our stay, Eddie did have to travel to Weipa for a cataract operation on his eyes (a pretty long trip in a bus when you are 85ish years old). We had left before he returned, so do not know how he faired. Back to road conditions - we had not problems going in or out, van handled it well. Cheers, Phil