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Easter 2017 at the Mercers’ place at Majors Creek
Over the course of the weekend we had 16 vehicles and 38 folk join us – seems folk like slow moving base camps with a day trip here and there.
What a great bunch to have over Easter at the Mercers at Majors Creek, basically a catch up of folk who will enjoy the Simpson Trip in a few weeks. Folk travelled from Maitland, Morisset, Windsor, Orange, Yass, Binda, Balmain and Canberra.
Generally folk arrived on the Friday steadily streaming in during the day. I am advised that the Hume Highway was bumper to bumper, taking 3 hours from Liverpool to Goulburn. We had a welcoming fire burning. All tents and camper trailers were set -up with a view to enjoy the best of what our Block has to offer.
Everyone sorted their own meals on Friday evening before a good casual chat around the fire.
Hugh arrived in the S2 Diesel from Orange and we hardly recognised it with a different sound from a Series vehicle.
Peter outlined the intention for a Saturday Drive. Folk retired between 9 pm and midnight. A very warm fire with a chill in the air and pleasant gazes of the Milky Way.
Saturday – today was a good looking day with a drive down the old track to Araluen, just as we were about to depart I picked up the Totes on the radio, so saved them the couple of minutes run to our place, twhich had just been reopened after a land slip in the last few weeks because of all the rain about the place. So Totes, Russell and Sharon (just to Moruya), and Bruce and Helen Hatcher (staying in Braidwood) joined us here.
We had quite a few folk who had not been down this way previously and it was a very pleasant run to Moruya stopping for a leg stretch on the Deua River – very pleasant. With the rain and the amount of green about, it was a very nice drive to Moruya and we then followed the Highway to Bodalla. We had a 2 hour lunch break here and luckily everything was open on the day cafes, bakery, old wares. I had also arranged to catch up with past members, Bruce and Beth Doggan from Cobargo, so we had a good chat with them.
I had had a look at my map, the paper type – South Coast Forest Map by the Forestry Corporation, had rung to check on road conditions and was advised all was good. We followed the Tuross River then TR on the Nerrigundah Rd, noticing signage indicating the Cadgee bridge was out, which concerned me as I did not know the area at all, so a map moment and we decided to confront the bridge head on – we never found it. Its a very nice area and if you’re down this way worthy of a look see. On we went to Belowra through some very pleasant grazing country and then on up the escarpment, not too strenuous. Another map moment up near the top as the track. We were on Falcon Rd, took a strong turn to Numeralla on a good road, but it was 30-ish kms in the wrong direction for us at this time of day.
I led the group, turning right on Big Badja Fire Trail heading for Pikes Saddle, sounded ominous. This was a much slower track in a poorer condition and up to 1220-ish metres at times. It was a pleasant drive, but I was happy to see the main road at the end, so “All Good” on all fronts. We enjoyed an evening meal at Majors Creek hotel with a booking for 22 folk, which I am sure they appreciated. The meals were hearty and well priced.
Back home we burnt some more wood before turning in.
Sunday – saw a number of folk travelling that bit further, heading off, as well as some locals.
We didn’t do much on Sunday: fire side chats and a bit of fun on the tyre swing. The hot water shower got a work out during the afternoon.
We had a great camp oven dinner on Sunday night with just 6 of us overnighting that evening. Also had plenty of time to answer questions regarding the Simpson during the weekend, so all in all a very pleasant time.
I have been asked if it will be an annual event and I don’t see why not. Thanks to all those that attended as you all contributed to the weekend.
All good
Peter and Margaret
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