Tolley

Hello Chris and Baz and Everyone, The potential starters for this trip currently stands at twelve (12). We are a tad over five months before we cross the start line in Winton on 1 June 13. I suspect that by that date there will be a number less than 12 including a couple who, if they make the trip, will join us in Alice/Yulara. My gut feeling is that the group will be closer to six. Fairly early in the New Year I will call for firm nominations as there is quite a bit of planning to do. If the group was at 12 then there is the potential to split into two packets travelling a day or two apart. My reservations about late June and July is that the WA, VIC, Qld, NSW and ACT school holidays are on. My experience on the Cape and indeed the Kimberly is that the school holidays are to be avoided at all costs! There should be a rule that school kids on holidays are not allowed further than 200 meters from their homes :P I hope everyone had a great Christmas and I wish all Koggers a great 2013! Regards Colin

Neville, I think I must have had too much red wine! My message regarding my PM was not meant for you. I posted it twice as we'll! Merry Christmas, hic Colin

Hello Neville, Just went back to the post you mentioned. That is good info and I have cut and pasted it into my file. We had better get together in the New Year. Regards Colin

Yep, who needs Google when you have a wife?

Tony, that is very funny. I love it and have shared it with a good few mates. Colin & Gayleen

Hello Interested Outback Way Travellers, Attached is a first cut proposed Itinery. Comments please. Regards Colin

They looked like early model Bush Trackers to me! CT

Hello, Yesterday I missed one couple, Stewart & Carol, who have expressed an interest in the trip. My apologies, Stewart and Carol The list now stands as follows. Tolley – Colin & Gayleen - TE - 100 Series LC Webby – Sue & Ann - ATV2 - 100 Series LC (joining in Alice) Andrew & Sarah - TE - 100 Series LC The Nuts – Eric and Lesley - XC Tony H – Tony & Ann - ATV - 200 Series LC Chris – Chris & Val - TE - 200 Series LC Evo – Noel - ATV Mayzee - John & Maureen – ATV - 200 Series LC Chris and Lynn - TE - 200 Series LC Nev & Penny - ATV Stewart and Carol One non-Kedron owner, known to The Nuts and other KOG members, whomay be watching this thread.(joining in Alice) Regards Colin

Hello Everyone, I have been reviewing this thread to ensure I have not missed any questions, suggestions and interests. In the process I decided to complile a list of those who have shown interest be it mild interest or strong interest. The list is as follows: Tolley Colin & Gayleen - TE - 100 Series LC Webby Sue & Ann - ATV2 - 100 Series LC (joining in Alice) Andrew & Sarah - TE - 100 Series LC The Nuts Eric and Lesley - XC Tony H Tony & Ann - ATV - 200 Series LC Chris Chris & Val - TE - 200 Series LC Evo Noel - ATV Mayzee - John & Maureen ATV - 200 Series LC Chris and Lynn - TE - 200 Series LC Nev & Penny - ATV One non-Kedron owner, known to The Nuts and other KOG members, whomay be watching this thread.(joining in Alice) There is eleven on the list at present. I expect that number to fluctuate. If you wish to be added to or deleted from this list please PM me. There is still some time to go but it is going to be 2013 in a minute. So, it is time to start getting reasonably serious about organizing and preparing. Before too long I will attach a form that I will get those interested to fill out. The form will essentially be about contact details, both email and telephone and other bits that I will beed for organizing things. Santa comes in nine days so it is time for me to wish all my fellow KOGers and their families a very Merry Christmas and every success and good luck for the New Year. Regards Colin

Nev and Penny...you are on! Regards Colin

Hello Chris, Thanks for you interest...you are on the list Regards Colin

Thanks for the link Chris. I will have a search on it. Sorry for not responding sooner but I have been away for a couple of days. Regards Colin

Hello Sandra and thank you for your advice. How sad it is to read that some of our fellow countrymen and countrywomen leave our beautiful landscape in a mess. In our travels we have encountered similar sad circumstances. Sandra, if we had a group of vans travelling together, would it be easy or difficult to find suitable overnight camp spots large enough to accommodate the group? Any advice comments you have will be appreciated. Seasons greetings to you. I hope Santa is kind to you. Regards Colin

Russ, Thanks for that advice and information. Very helpful. Have you departed from your piece of paradise yet? I am disappointed that if we head north in WA after crossing the desert we will not be able to call in and see you at Cossack! Merry Christmas to you and Sue. Regards Colin

Evo, I have started looking at the permits situation. In the Ngaannyatjarra Lands (get your tounge around that!) there is a difference between getting a permit for a single vehicle and a group of caravans. The former can be done by approval at the Ngaannyatjarra Council office in Alice Springs whereas, for the latter, the application must be made "well in advance" as they can only be approved at the monthly Ngaannyatjarra Council meetings. I will investigate further. BTW, the Ngaannyatjarra lands extend from Uluru to Laverton. I have not looked at the NT permits for the Plenty Highway, as yet. I still have a business to run! Regards Colin

Hello Mayzee and Welcome! I do not recall why, in my post of 27 Nov that I suggested 467 km in a day from Boulia to Jervois. Sheesh! Gayleen and I like maximum 350 km a day on sealed highway conditions. The purpose of doing this trip is to experience the desert in all its beauty. It is a journey, not a race. And, we have to allow time for the geocachers to do their stuff! Tobermoreylia is now open again, well...it was this year....and it, or near there, would seem to be a sensible stop. Boulia to Tobermoreylia is 252 km. Mayzee, what I propose is to develop a plan that I will send to all who have expressed interest for comment. I know that that can be an administrative nightmare but it is important for all to be comfortable with the outline plan. I say 'outline' as we may have to alter our plans from time to time due to external circumstances such as weather, road conditions etc. Well Mayzee, thank you for your interest. Regards Colin

Hello Noel, Welcome! Final numbers are not needed for some time. I do not have any experience with getting permits from the communities etc in central Oz. I will make some enquiries and find out. There will come a time, lets say March or early April, when I would need a commitment. Keep a watch on this thread and we will see how things develop. Regards Colin

Hello, In the currect (January 2013) issue of Caravan World there is a very favourable write up on the Top Ender. And, in the CD that accompanies the current issue of Caravan & Motorhome on Tour, Fred tackles the Gibb River Road. In the CD he interviews , at various times, four separate caravaners who are on the Gibb. They are all Kedron owners! Says something doesn't it. Regards Colin

Yep, I have been experiencing similar problems. Then it comes good and gives no trouble for a while. It is a pain in the butt. Tony has the best solution! Regards Colin

Hello Again, I have had an enquiry as to whether or not non Kedron owning caravanners would be welcome on this trip. The answer is a big YES! This trip is not an official KOG Trip or Gathering. If it were, non Kedron Owners would not be welcome. Gayleen and I just want to do the trip while we are able and I thought it might be fun and safer to do it in company with others who are like minded. BTW, there is an organization that promotes and manages the Outback Way and they are pushing and getting support to completely seal the road! Gotta do it while it is still a bit of a challenge! Regards Colin

Hello Koggers, In relation to the Outback Way trip, I am planning on leaving Cairns on 1 June. It is nearly 1000 km to Winton from here so it takes me the best part of three days to get to Winton. It would therefore be on or about 5 June that I head to Boulia along the Outback Way. I have begun my research having just taken delivery of the HEMA Outback Way book. I have also reviewed my log on my travels on dirt roads to the Cape and across the Gibb River Road and Savannah Way. From those trips I think it is best to plan on doing only 200 km a day if the gravel roads are reasonable and about 150 km if they are bloody rough! These distances also allow time for a bit of sightseeing, photography, geocashing or what ever. And, we must remember that it is not a race but a journey and that it is the journey that counts. So, the little outline plan that I put in this thread on 27 Nov 12 might be stretched by a day or two. The more I read the more excited I get. Kind regards Colin Colin

Hello, As Bill and Wendy discovered, after the June and July school holidays the Cape is less busy. The weather can, however, be hotter than say, June. I have taken my van up into Cape York twice but I have also been up there, and the Islands, on business, travelling by air. My experience tells me that late May or early June is the best time to drive up there for the following reasons: 1. The southernerrs have not arrived so it is quiet. 2. The roads are freshly graded and are the best they will be that season. 3. It is cooler weather. 4. It is not school holiday time . 5. Camp sites are readily available. 6. The rivers and falls still have plenty of water in them. But, remember, if you are visiting Weipa, there is only one CP and in June they have the Weipa fishing tournament so check the dates for that in your planning. Regards Colin

Vote #1 McHitch

Hello Sue, Thank you for your words and advice. I will certainly read your blog. Nike I referred to is the sports shoe, sports wear brand that has the motto "Just Do It". Not a bad motto for life especially when you get to my age! Alaska and Canada will be wonderful. Those polar bears will make our camels look timid! Don't sleep out under the stars!! Regards and thanks, Colin Sandra, thank you for your advice. Much appreciated. The number of vehicles you passed would have surprised me before I started my research. There is an ever increasing number of vehicles using the road and there is a plan to seal the road! Gotta do it before that happens. Regards Colin

Hello Everyone, If any Koggers are "umming" and "ahhing" about "will they or will they not" make this or any other trip or activity, I have some unsolicited advice. JUST DO IT!! Yesterday was not a good day for me. By 8.30am I had been advised of the sudden and very serious medical conditions of four dear friends. Their lives have been dramatically changed, perhaps forever. It makes me determiined to enjoy every day and to become a NIKE. Just Do IT! Regards Colin