Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Strut Stuck to Mt Dare July 25 day 20 on track.

STAT:
Distance Travelled: 45.9kms
Average Speed: 10kmph
Time taken: 5 hours.

After camping by the roadside...huge thanks to Meg who put up my tent while Dad and I were going back and forth to Mt Dare. We arrived back about 9pm, as did Steve and co from seeing Rod and Col.

The morning began with Stef and Steve attempting to weld the strut, so we could move the car. The plan was to initially move it off the road and 'hide' it behind some brush.
After welding, the plan changed to attempting to drive it back the 40 or so kilometres back to Mt Dare - this would be a slow and painful trip as we had no clue if I could turn or how the strut would go.
I will let the pictures tell the story or rather the SAGA.

Stef's tidying up from last night, the strut is off, the bits cleaned and tidied up.
Working to weld the strut back together, only using two of the three car batteries. Thanks to Steve who had the welding rods, welding mask glass and welding handle and to Stef for his welding skill.
Yep, we have welding flash.
Sarah and Reve teaching Meg the art of 500, Milani drawing/writing to keep herself amused. You can see we were broken down in the middle of nothing much.
The welding is done, it is back in one piece.,. but will it fit back on the car?
Hmmm this goes with that....
It is in, now attaching the other bits.
now for the wheel nuts.
Phew still playing...
After 5 hours of very slow progress, with the whole crew following along at snails pace, we made it to Mt Dare Hotel for an EXTREMELY well earned drink....and with daylight left to spare. This was to be our home for the next 5 days. The folks at Mt Dare were just fantastic, very friendly and helpful.
On the way to Dalhousie yesterday we collected stacks of firewood, but dumped it at the roadside camp last night, as the guys needed the gear from under them. Dad had some wood in the ute, as did I, in the car...so it was a pretty measly fire tonight.
Milani by the fire.

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