Victor Harbour

Day Trip to Victor Harbour - 1 horse power.

 

This is the last post until I come back to Adelaide to drive the Maxwell in the VCC SA Barrossa Valley Rally in a couple of weeks. 

Swan Hill

Monday we travelled from Moama to Adelaide, on the way passing through Swan Hill where we planned to stop for half an hour to take a brake and check out the Historic Village. But the 30 mins ended taking 2hrs as we were enjoying it and there was so much to see. it was one of the best historic village area's that I've seen, plenty to see and do, well maintained, and even though it covers 7 acres the display area still growing and being updated. finally arrived in Adelaide at 6pm where we unhitched the trailer and has a rest.

Sunday - Echuca Port

Last day of the Moama Rally was a visit to Echuca Port where we displayed the vehicles, We had a good day starting with a cruise on the Prevensey, then an interesting tour of the dock, and lunch. I had the opportunity to drive the Leyland Steam Truck, and took the wheel of the Steam Boat. So with the conclusion of this rally, we are off to Adelaide, where I'll leave the Maxwell and come back in 2 weeks to do a 3 day Veteran tour in the Barossa Valley.  

Ridiculous Dress Party - Sat Night

We dressed up as Mr Bean Bag & Mrs Pyjama Girl, but didnt win a prize.

Sat - Kyabram Fauna Pk & Tongala

Another 100km run today with morning tea at Kyabram Fauna Pk and then lunch at Tongala, another maxwell had some issues today, the owner thinks he has done a big end. Bit of a shame as he has run in Canberra and now Moama, and to have this happen on the last big run. Fortunately up till now my Maxwell has been going well except for the usual bits shaking loose, and a couple of wheels with loose spokes, which I've fixed by soaking the wheels. Just a short display run tomprrow to the Echuca Port area.

 

 

Torrumbarry Weir - Friday

100 km round trip to Torrumbarry Weir today, good flat roads so easier going than hilly Canberra but not as interesting. over 60 cars and  a few bikes taking part, One that really sparked my interest was a 1900 Steam Locomobile, fantastic to see these old steam vehicles still running as they are much more work to maintain and run, this one made the 55km run to the weir.

 

a few breakdowns as usual, one was a Perry braking an axle stub, fortunately just as he was parking it. Maxwell still running strong without any serious issues so far. Stopped on the way back to get a photo with the EmmyLou.

Moama Thurs

Start of Moama Rally today, checked over the car, then went into town to sort out my internet, paid for a prepaid
Telstra wifi device, but it would not talk to my computer, after an hour Dick Smith gave me my money back (I was quite surprised that they refunded it). then went to another shop and bought another device which is working....

 

We left for the rally registration and the first short run in very blustery conditions with it threatening rain, which it did not long after arriving at rally HQ. after lunch a short 20 km run to the Great Ozzie Beer Shed, which had a lot more than just beer artefacts to keep most people interested, then back to the caravan park where it rained again. should be better weather tomorrow.  

 

An interesting vehicle joined the run today, a 1920's Leyland coal steam truck, wow, I love steam engines but they are a lot of work and very messy to run.

Moama - Tues Wed

We go to Moama without any further difficulty other than the GPS shortest route is not necessarily the best route...

 

We've had a lazy couple of days which have been really nice as we have both been pretty busy and stressed over the last few months. We Prepared the car for the next few days rallying, then went for some walks around town, and a trip up the river on the Emmylou.

 

An unfortunaarte incident occurred today for one of the rally entrants, he was preparing his car (a 1902 English Mechanic) and took it for a test drive when it caught fire. He said it missed then went bang and burst into flames. fortunately a couple of people turned up with fire extinguishers, and had the fire out before the fire brigade got there. The damage is fairly extensive and appears to be a fuel fire based around the fuel tank and fuel bowl/filter area.

Sunday - Albury

Not much to report today, packed the van, put the car into the trailer, and we were on our way, decided to overnight at Albury, then onto Echuca tomorrow. passed the Dog on the Tuckerbox, then the Submarine at Holbrook, but not before running out of Diesel 15km short of Holbrook, so I thumbed a lift into get a can of juice and then caught another lift back.

 

Finally got to Albury, walked around the town & the local botanic gardens before getting dinner and collapsing into bed.

 

 

Canberra - Sunday

We woke early with the intention of going to see the hot air balloons take off from in front of Old Parliament House, but were disappointed as they cancelled due to it being too windy. so we walked around the old Parliament House, then around the new one, where lex helped to put the flag on, and then went to Maccas for Breccas. We then spent the morning at the Historic Machinery Exhibition, then the carillon to hear the bells, then to the old bus markets, then did some shopping, and will be catching up with Lexie's cousin tonight.

Sat - Sydney & Back

Drove 3 hrs to Sydney to see MaryJo & pickup Lex for a well earned break. It was an emotional meeting for both of us after 2 months apart, We went for several walks in the gardens and parks around the hospital and had some fun before having to start back to Canberra, Lex & I got back about 6:30pm where we rearranged the sleeping arrangements in the van for both of us, then went to see the fireworks at commonwealth park.

Friday - Murrumbateman, Gold Creek & War Museum Annex

another long drive today, total 90 km, but the Maxwell has held up well. not so for others who have blown up boilers, broken axles, various other malfunctions, and a cyclecar crashed and the passenger suffered a broken foot.

 

At Murrumbateman we visited a private museum of vintage machinery & stationary engines, then a quick lunch at Gold Creek before heading onto the War Memorial Annex, this is where they store most of the larger items that they cannot display in the museum, just about every piece of equipment used by the Australian Forces is here including WW1 tank. The Annex is rarely open to the public so it was a special treat for us to be able to see these items.