en route to MPB

[Greynomad]

Left Monday headed for a return visit to Moore Park Beach, nth of Bundaberg.
Overnighted at Ardlethan (again), Gilgandra, now on our second (desperately needed) rest night at Goondiwindi — after a marathon 6h30m drive to cover 420km! Roadworks everywhere and pi$$ing rain all the way… very tiring.
Tomorrow's target is Chinchilla Weir campground.

[supersparky]

Thanks for the road report Ray. I was wondering how the Newell was going, roadworks wise. We are heading down Mulwala way in the next week or so.
Still aren't sure which way we will go.

[Greynomad]

I strongly recommend you avoid the Newell atm!.
What's not already under repairs is a real dodge 'em game trying to avoid some serious potholes… some so wide they're unavoidable.
Every stop we've had the fridge contents rearranged — mostly on the floor when the door is opened.
Same with overhead cupboards. Gotta step back or risk serious injury from falling cans.

[BernieQ2]

Left Monday headed for a return visit to Moore Park Beach, nth of Bundaberg.
Overnighted at Ardlethan (again), Gilgandra, now on our second (desperately needed) rest night at Goondiwindi — after a marathon 6h30m drive to cover 420km! Roadworks everywhere and pi$$ing rain all the way… very tiring.
Tomorrow's target is Chinchilla Weir campground.

Give us a report on the weir Ray, we are heading there next week sometime.
Bernie.

[BruceS]

Hey! I saw the Weir! was water in it!
Was only one little section of roadworks I went through all the way from Chinchilla to Hay & beyond travelling down thru St George, Bourke, Cobar & Hay. Probably didn't need to go to Bourke but I made a point of driving out the West side of the town just so I can now say "I've been out the back of Bourke" ... hehe

[WarrenK]

Probably didn't need to go to Bourke but I made a point of driving out the West side of the town just so I can now say "I've been out the back of Bourke" ... hehe

We were at Bourke a couple of months ago, and we went for a drive to Louth for a look and to say we have been out to the back of Bourke as well.

[Greynomad]

Changed plans.
Late departure, so we decided to shorten the drive and divert to Meandarra.
Arrived, and discovered the loo wouldn't flush.
Further investigation indicated we had NO 12v anywhere!
And because we had no 12v the sensor on the flash automatic fridge had no way of knowing we were plugged into 240v, and we had no auto-spark to light the gas cooker! This at 1500 on a Friday: POETS Day.
Fellow campers, one an electrician, crawled around searching for the problem.
Found that a bridging cable between the batteries had rubbed against the Andersen plug (for supplementary solars) and shorted, melting the insulation on about 6" of wire. Also destroyed the Andersen plug. Lucky we didn't have a fire…
Consensus of opinion was that professional help should be sought, as the electrician bloke didn't have appropriate weight wire with him. None in Meandarra, so we broke camp (such as it was) and hightailed it to Miles, arriving at 1650.
Local 4WD shop (about to close) recommended an electrician/mechanic who came to our campsite (showground) and not only rewired the cables & plug destroyed but tidied up 8 spade terminals attached to each battery into two each, then securely wrapped all cables together and cable-tied them out of harm's way so it couldn't happen again.
And all 2h30m work (starting at 1830!) cost us just $265!!! Including materials & GST.
Now a happy camper.
Last night we stayed at Goomeri Showgrounds (power & water — very pleasant & spacious) before driving to Gin Gin Rest Area where we're overnighting, sans all connections, before a 63km drive to Moore Park Beach tomorrow.

[Greynomad]

Now established at Moore Park Beach CP for two weeks of vegging.
All electricals working according to the handbook.
Finally managed to dispense with the jumpers & raincoats & rejoice in T-shirt weather... although I'm still wearing jeans rather than shorts.
I will now attempt to attach 'Before' and 'After' photos of our battery wiring.
BEFORE:
Note 'dog's' breakfast', with insulation neatly fried to a crisp.

IMG_3652.jpeg

AFTER:
Everything tied up in a pretty pink bow... well, thoroughly wrapped in cloth tape, actually.

IMG_3673.jpeg

If ever you're in the vicinity of Miles, Qld, and need mechanical or electrical assistance, go to the 4WD shop and ask for Saul Whiley's phone number.(Trading under the business name Grit & Grease)
He saved us from cancelling our trip.

[supersparky]

Well done Ray. It looks like it wanted to really let the smoke out and go phooff.

[Greynomad]

Greynomad's (& SWMBO's) HQ for the next two weeks :

IMG_3683.jpeg

Oh, and the Girls: Kelly & Megs (lazing in their pen, foreground).