[Christmas gathering Standown Park]

Thanks Rod. That obviously was a fun gathering. We wish we could have attended. Thanks for the photos as well. I can recognize a few faces . It's a great fraternity.

Regards to all

Colin & gayleen

[The Outback Way]

Hello,

At long last I have completed, subject to final editing, the trip report for this trip. It is in two parts and contains a lot of photographs. Before too long I plan to post the reports in the members section of this site.

Regards

Colin

[Corner Country and More]

Hello Everyone,

But first to Chris. Thanks for the link you provided. I have not read that contribution but it will be very useful. Thanks for that.

For those interested in this trip and that country in general, there is a good article titled "Down the Oodnadatta Track" by Brendon Moon in the current issue of "On The Road" magazine, December 2013.

It is worth reading if you intend travelling this way.

Regards

Colin

[Corner Country and More]

Greg & Cathy,

Wow! That is great.

Colin

[Corner Country and More]

Hello Chris,

I appreciated your advice and positive intentions. We have travelled widely all over mainland Australia in our van, some 80,000 km in the past four years and every one of those kilometres has been with Moët and Cherie. If we ever encounter issues we work around them. We hope that the two small pups are not a bother to anyone, including park rangers. If we suspect they are, we move on.

I also appreciated your timely advice, re Arkaroola as I have not been there. If pups are an issue there we just won't go there.

We have been to the Clare region a couple of times and really enjoy it. Any recommendations you have will be appreciated.

Regards

Colin

[Corner Country and More]

Hello Chris,

Thank you for that good advice. Having two small poodles always imposes limitations but we accept that. We bought a caravan so that we could take the pups on holidays! Two and a bit years ago we toured the Flinders Ranges with the two pups. We did not have any issues.

Arkaroola might be a problem so we just don't go there. They miss out on my money. Baiting is a problem right across the outback so we have to be careful at all times. You know, I find it contradictory that the NPWS bait and kill animals that are a part of the natural environment. Isn't their role to protect and nurture the native animals? There is growing evidence that killing dingos lets the feral cat population explode and they are devastating on small marsupials.

While my plan is only in outline as yet, It is my intention to release all participants for a few days on reaching the Flinders Ranges so they could explore the area at leisure. We did just that in Alice on the Outback Way trip. After a few days we will just meet somewhere and continue the journey. During the break Gayleen and I might just go down to the Care region and eat and drink!

Regards

Colin

[Corner Country and More]

Hi Colin

We will have to decline the offer, it would be a great trip.

Margaret wants to go down to the snow, I want to head north to the warmth; maybe we will do both in our ATV for two.

Kind regards.

Peter and Margaret

Thanks for the advice Peter.

So, Margaret is a keen skier! Having spent twelve years as the CEO of ski resorts maybe I should organize a KOG Ski Trip!! Gayleen would be in that in a flash as she is a ski instructor of many years standing. We have been skiing Japan over the past seven years as Cairns is only 7 hours away from Tokyo.

Have a great time. We will miss your company.

Regards

Colin

[Corner Country and More]

Hi Tolley Gordon and Chris Carter are interested at this stage in your trip May or June 2014

Hello Gordon and Chris,

Thank you for your interest. It should be a good trip. I am limiting the group to ten vans, ours and nine others. The limit is there just to keep it manageable. You are the eleventh potential. However, I am confident that two or three of the nine before you will withdraw before the cut-off day. You are first "cab on the rank", so to speak.

In the new year, probably early March, I will ask for firm commitments. So, hang in there and I will keep in touch with you.

Would you be kind enough to send me you're best contact details, email and telephone, to:

Colin@precruitment.com.au

Many thanks

Colin

[Corner Country and More]

Hello KOGers,

I am thinking of doing a trip into the Corner Country and beyond next winter departing sometime in May and June. It is a part of the country that we have not visited as yet.

The concept of operations is as follows:

Milparinka - Tibooburra - Cameron's Corner - Innamincka - Cordillo Downs - Birdsville - Birdsville Track to Maree - Oodnadatta Track to Oodnadatta - Coober Pedy - Port Augusta - Flinders Ranges - Leigh Creek - Lyndhurst (or alternatively Arkaroola Village) - Strzelecki Track to Cameron's Corner - Tibooburra.

I am in the very early stages of planning so the plan may change but it will certainly revolve around the “Corner Country”, the Strzelecki, Oodnadatta and Birdsville Tracks.

Timing? Cool months probably starting late May early June.

Duration? Not yet determined but it will be about three weeks, perhaps.

Besides being beautiful country, judging from pictures and video, it is also not too far from civilization and is easy to access from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.

I know that many KOGers have travelled this country so any advice and recommendations as what to do, not to do, where to go and not to go will be appreciated.

I am prepared organize a small group to do this trip and I will volunteer to be the organizer and Trip Leader. A number of KOGers have already signaled their interest.

I intend to start serious planning after Christmas.

If anyone is interested in joining together for such a trip please PM me.

Regards

Colin

[Generator]

Tony, I am with you on that. Ben busy of late and hence absent from this site. Carrying flammable liquids in you tow vehicle......ugh!

Regards

Colin

[Draw Latches]

Hello,

We, too, have suffered the problem. However, on our recent 13,000 km trip from Cairns across the Outback Way, the Pilbra, Kimberley GRR again, Savannah Way back to home, we did not have a problem. Others did and I gave away my spare latches to them. Packing the drawers carefully obviously helps but I have found that by running a line of silicon from the wood and up the barrel of the latch, especially over the black lock nut, the problem largely goes away. I reckon the trouble is that the vibrations causes the black locking nut to work lose and that leads to the draw opening etc. Anyway, it costs nothing, is very easy to do and has certainly helped us.

Regards

Colin

[The Outback Way]

Hello Koggers,

Talk about "just in time"! Heard on the 8.00 am ABC radio news that the Labor party has promised to fund to fund the development and sealing of the Outback Way!! Sheesh! Where can we go next to get away from the black toppers?

Regards

Colin

[The Outback Way]

Hello Koggers,

Now I am safely back home I have been reflecting on the Kedron trip macros the deserts. It was a wonderful group of people and the group possessed a wide variety of very useful skills. Neville, Evo, Stewart and Greg were standouts in the fixing field. Neville in particular has a great depth of skills and knowledge when it comes to fixing things. However, as shown in the picture attached some things were even beyond his skills.

Regards to all,

Colin

PS, a Diggers Rust and Stain remover worked a treat on my checkerplate. I gave it two applications of CT18 but the red stain persisted. Wiped the oxalic acid on with a sponge and immediately hosed it off with copious quantities of water. Shines like a new pin!!

[The Outback Way]

Hello All,

We arrived home this afternoon after a wonderful trip. We parted company with Jane and Grant at 40 Mile Scrib

North of the Lynd. We headed north to Cairns and Jane and Grant headed south to Charters Towers. We have not always travelled with J and G but we kept joining up for joint sessions together. It has been great. Now facing the cleaning bit!!!!!!

Regards to all

Colin and Gayleen

[Home Valley Station]

Hi Laurie and Helen,

Yesterday we stopped at 3 Ways for a few minutes before moving on to Bore 41? For the night. I am really sorry I was stupid enough not to remember you were there.

Regards

Colin

[Home Valley Station]

It's a pity you had such a poor experience, Colin.

May I suggest next time not parking so close to the amenities. When we were there, we parked on the nice green grass in the centre - unpowered but in a Kedron, you should be good!

Pools and kids go hand in hand - luck of the draw I'm afraid.

I'm not sure what you want from the restaurant staff - it appears they were very apologetic - giving you a full refund AND a bottle of wine (which you refused).

Yes, I would have been disappointed to, I'm sure, but they have done everything they can to try to rectify the issue for you but you don't seem to have any acceptance.

If you want 5 star dining, I'm afraid you will need to head to the city...

Hey, you're out in the bush - try a nice campfire - that's what it's all about ;-)

Hello David and Jane,

I feel I must respond to your comments.

We were allocated Site F without asking as it is one of the few powered sites that will accommodate two Kedrons. It was coincidental that we had been allocated the same site two years previously. Two years ago there was not a washing machine issue. This year there was. Two years ago the bathrooms did not smell of urine. This year they did, Two years ago the facilities were clean. This year they were not. I cannot recall the fees from two years ago but this year it was $54.00 per night. that equates to $378.00 per week for renting a bit of space, some electricity and water, and communal toilets and showers. I think the consumer is entitled to demand clean facilities and more than one washing machine for several hundred people.

The green grass you speak of and which I recall is now non existent. That is not the fault of management but rather the consequence of a non existent wet season. We checked out the free camp area down by the river but were turned off by the very dusty conditions and equally dirty toilets and showers.

I disagree that kids and pools go together and, by inference, they should be allowed to totally ruin the experience of adults who have paid to use a shared facility. The behaviour of these children reflects on the parents. HV8's insurance underwriter would have a severe turn if they were aware of the situation. These same parents are quick to litigate when things go wrong.

What I expect from restaurant staff is prompt, courtesy service. From the kitchen I expect well cooked, flavoursome and well presented food that represents what I have ordered and is reasonable value for money. From the restaurant management I expect a well run and controlled environment in which I can enjoy the experience. None of these elements were present.

David and Jane, in my past life I have run the two largest hotels in the country (based on the number of beds). I have also run resorts in comparatively remote locations including one which attracted, on average, 2000 guests per day. In food and beverages we turned over $4.5 million in 100 days. My staff numbered 550. So, I do know what can be achieved and I am sympathetic to the GM of HV8 for the difficulties and challenges he faces. But, what I experienced was unacceptable.

In closing, don't for a moment think that our experience was isolated or we were the only party to complain. Far from it.

I hope HV8 get their act together as it was a good place. I am also VERY supportive of the indigenous training they undertake.

I have always welcomed critical comments from clients who have poor experiences in business I have run or owned. In large organizations the CEO may not be made aware of system failures and under performance unless he/she hears it from the client.

I reckon I have done Mt Pratt a favour.

Regards

Colin

[Home Valley Station]

Good Morning Tony,

And his reply was prompt and apologetic. He addressed the pool and restaurant issue but failed to even mention the smelly, dirty facilities and the one washing machine provided to service both the two camp areas. There were examples of "washing machine rage" as accusations of cue jumping etc were made between campers.

I have not yet reverted to him. But I will do so.

My purpose of publishing my letter in this forum is to alert others who might be travelling that way. It is a pity as HV8 was a great place and hopefully formal complaints might shake them back on track.

Regards to you.

Colin

[The Outback Way]

Hello Jayson,

Ben in the boondocks for a bit so I am late in responding. Webby and Andrew have accurately reported that he Torsion Bars were used exclusively across the centre. Most took them off for the Binns Track except one of the group. Nev never takes them off!!

Two of us have just completed the Gibb River Road and we both did that with the WDH torsion bars fitted.

It is you choice. I take them off whenever the rig is about to be subjected to a lot of articulation.

Regards

Colin

[Home Valley Station]

Hello Koggers,

Two years ago when we traversed the GRR from west to east we stayed at HV8 (Home Valley Station) and really enjoyed it. On the trip along the GRR this year I enthusiastically booked in the HV8 for three nights. We were travelling in company with Jane and Grant Armstrong.

It was very disappointing. Below is my letter to the GM.

Regards

Colin

15 June 2013

Mr Ben Pratt

General Manager

Home Valley Station

East Kimberley

Western Australia

Dear Ben,

I trust that your personal details that I have written are correct. I obtained them from the staff in the reception at HV8.

I attempted to meet you yesterday, Sunday 14 July, but was informed by the same reception staff that you were not available.

My wife and I are travelling in our caravan. This is the second occasion we have stayed in HV8. The first occasion was almost exactly two years ago. Coincidentally, on both occasions we have been located on Site F.

We were greatly impressed by HV8 two years ago and enjoyed a number of the activities as well as the facilities of the restaurant, bar and the pool. In the intervening two years I have sung my praises of HV8 to many people both first hand and in my frequent contributions to a number of caravan websites

.

Sadly, my experience on this occasion has been poor. It is apparent that the quality of the visitors experience at HV8 has degraded greatly in the past two years.

On arrival at HV8 on the 13 July, we (I am travelling in the company of another caravan) booked in for three nights and booked a table for dinner at 7.30 pm. It was hot and we looked forward to a refreshing dip in the pool. On arrival at the pool gate we stopped and watched a horde of out of control children running around the pool and cueing to take turns of doing "bombs". Not only is this behaviour of children contrary to the general enjoyment of all guests but it is also dangerous, and exposes HV8 to litigation should an injury occur to one of these little darlings.

I elected to forgo a swim and turned away from the pool having decided to settle for a shower instead. My wife decided to proceed. On entering the pool she was bombed a number of times so she withdrew. Her swim lasted less than a minute. My wife made a complaint to the staff at reception who responded by saying that they would talk to management and erect an appropriate sign aimed at controlling the behaviour of the children. That sign did not materialise and, to the best of our knowledge, remains to be put in place.

Then came our dinner experience. We were booked for 7.30 PM as it was the only time available on what was a heavily booked night. We arrived at 7.25 PM and were allocated table 103 which was actually a park bench arrangement outside the restaurant. We were surrounded by more of the hyper active out of control children whose noise and behaviour destroyed and chance of an enjoyable dinner with friends.

Having been seated at 7.30 PM we were totally ignored by your staff until 8.00 PM when my wife left the table an found someone to take our order.

Soon after our order was taken a male waiter placed a bottle of water on our park bench. No glasses. We waited for twenty minutes in the hope that someone would deliver us glasses. No such luck! Eventually I went in search of a staff member to help us. I happened across a waitress carrying plastic cups and managed to extract four from her. Meanwhile the entree's had arrived along with some wine. Then we waited and waited for our main courses.

At 8.40 PM I sought the attention of the restaurant manager and complained to him. He was apologetic and explained it was a fully booked night and "they" had made the mistake of accepting an additional 65 "walk-ins". Our main courses arrived shortly thereafter. I had ordered a 200 g eye fillet and salad and chips. The steak was over cooked, dry, and tough. I could not eat it. The restaurant manager advised that we would not be required to pay for our food and delivered to our table a complimentary bottle of wine. I refused to accept the wine.

We left the restaurant as a very disgruntled party.

It had been my intention to book a Heli-Fishing for two for the following day. My disappointment in HV8 was such that I decided not to spend $980 on an activity and to depart a day earlier than planned. We sought and obtained a refund for one day.

The toilet and shower facilities adjacent to Site F are dirty and smelly. I watched your staff "cleaning" the facilities and, believe me, their efforts were grossly inadequate. The red Kimberley dust ingrained into the toilets is readily removable and would greatly improve the presentation. Similarly, the body grease on the walls around the showers and the ingrained dirt on the floors is readily removable.

The number o showers and toilets provided is inadequate for the number of people accommodated in the park. As a consequence, the sewage system is over stressed and smells badly of urine and sewage.

It is almost 6.30 am as I sip my early morning coffee and pen this letter. The stench from the toilets nearby wafts gently through my caravan. The thump of the one washing machine available to campers has started is daily grind which will continue unabated until well into the night.

You should not make the mistake of thinking that my disenchantment with HV8 is an isolated experience. While I did not seek other opinions I, none-the-less, met a good number of other guests who were not impressed by HV8.

Ben, I have walked in your shoes. I have been the CEO of large and complex resorts all of which have been in remote locations. I have experienced very similar issues to those that confront you. But, I also know that the issues can be overcome.

It takes a lot of hard work and a lot of time to build a great reputation for a resort. It takes a few minutes to destroy it.

Yours sincerely

Colin Toll

Sincerely yours,

[Condition of the Gibb River Road]

Hi Webby,

Here is poor old Moët. Added one of the Bungle Bungles as well. Come to think of it, were the Bungle Bungles named after our current government?

Colin

[Condition of the Gibb River Road]

Hello,

In company with Jane and Grant Armstrong we completed the GRR six days ago. Rougher than the Great Central or Plenty roads but just typically GRR. it was a good trip but we were very disappointed in Home Valley Station. I stayed there two years ago and it was fantastic. Now, just very unfantastic. I have written a letter of complaint to the GM and he has responded with apologies. I will post my letter at a later date for all to read.

Went to Parray's Farm for a couple of nights then Kununurra for re supply before heading down to the Bungles. Did a ninety minute helicopter flight over triple falls and the bungles at 6.00 AM this morning. Just wonderful.. Off to Lake Argyle tomorrow.

So, all is good. Take care everyone and travel safely where ever you may be.

Regards

Colin

[Condition of the Gibb River Road]

Hello,

Tomorrow, Wednesday, we depart Derby and head along the GRR vain Tunnel Creek which is one of Gayleen's favourite swimming holes. Today we had a wonderful day attending the Horizontal Waterfalls. That was just fantastic and if you are in this area it is a MUST do. We are travelling in the company of Jane and Grant Armstrong who joined us in Derby on Monday. Should be fun.

Everyone tells me that the GRR is in good condition. If you have not been there you had better hurry up as they are planning to seal the whole thing and that will spoil it!

Two years ago we had a great adventure along the GRR so it will be interesting to seen how we find it this time.

Regards

Colin

PS. IF YOU OWN A POODLE DO NOT HAVE IT GROOMED IN BROOME. $ 85 EACH AND POOR MOËT AND CHERIE LOOK BUTCHERED!!!

MOËT WILL NOT GO OUTSIDE FOR FEAR OF BEING SEEN!!!!!

[The Outback Way]

Thanks for all the planning info much appreciated, what was the road conditions like and what tyres does your rig run as I will be purchasing new ones before leaving and what pressures where you running on rig and van thanks

Hello Jayson,

First, let me stress that I am no expert in anything to do with this matter. I happen to enjoy off-road caravaning. I, like you, learn something new about this subject just about every day. Please take my words below in that context.

One of the things I have learnt over time is that generally my vision of rough or smooth is different to everyone else's opinion. I think that applies to everyone. As a group we found the roads to be good but we encountered other travellers who told us how bad they were. Like all dirt roads you will find some good, some bad and some indifferent surfaces. Overall, our group found the roads to be good.

If you want to start a conversation among people like us, just mention tyres. All I would suggest for off-road work is that the tyre is an LT which stands for Light Truck. Other than that it is a personal preference as to make. I run Mickey Thompsons on both the Landcruiser and the van. I was the only one doing so in our group. Incidentally we had 80 tyres on the ground and only one puncture and that was a tyre that was not an LT variety.

Pressures are also a personal thing. I think you can tell if your tyres are too high or too low through the seat of your pants otherwise known as your bum. In our group everyone did their own thing on pressures. We all deflated for the dirt and re inflated once we hit the blacktop again. Mine? I ran 35 psi on Landcruiser front wheels and the caravan and 40 psi on LC rear wheels. I'll be running the same next week on the Gibb River Road. Everyone else in our group were probably different to my pressures. I am a bit anal on this matter but I do my pressures early in the morning when the tyres are as cold as they will be all day. I then know that my starting point is accurate.

I suggest you stop on the hour every hour and do a walk around of your rig and an internal van inspection. It is good to have a break in any case.

One last thing. please note that all our rigs were Kedrons and all towed by 100 or 200 series Landcruisers. Kedron caravans are specificaly designed and tested for off road work. Even so, we had the odd and not so odd issue. You, too, should expect to find some issues especially if your van is new as it will have teething problems. I hope the foregoing is useful to you.

Travel safely and have a ball.

Regards

Colin

[The Outback Way]

OK, I don't know anything bout the Jayco Expanda Outback but, as always, take it easy.

Colun

[Condition of the Gibb River Road]

Chris,

Thank you for your good advice. We actually travelled the GRR this time in 2011. We do have the two poodles so we cannot legally stay in the NP camp areas. That is no trouble as there are plenty of other options. We are not great fans of El Questro and now that the road from Kununurra is sealed all the way to ElQuestro I suspect we will like it even less!!!

The laundry issue is not an issue as we have a front loader in the van.

Today I spoke to a traveller wo has just arrived here in Broome via the GRR. He says that the road is great all the way to this side of HVS and then it is rough all the way to El Questro. We will start the GRR next Wednesday.

Kind regards

Colin