Here you will find a log of Bob's trip, as he and the other Shoalhaven Bashers make their way from Blacktown to Batemans Bay. We will be posting photos and stories that are relayed back nightly from the crew.
The Pre-bash send off from Marina's Enthanol petrol station on Kinghorn street.
Messages:
Hey Bob, Kathy, Sharon and Mum,I hope you all have a wonderful time on the bash. Take Care Love Nadine, Adam and your number one Bob the Builder fan Amelia xoxoxo.
Nadine D'arcy
Hi Everyone, Have a great time and safe time. I have been thinking of you getting ready and getting fully prepared for the event. In between that I am sure you have looked at the bash cars as well. (Ron and Jorgo's preparation notes to me were to spend the 2 weeks beforehand drinking two dozen cans a day, get 2 hours sleep, stop washing and eat a handfull of dust a day.) Little did I realise that they were telling the truth! The crazy thing is... do all that and you you might be half ready. I am still in Poland but people around me know all about the bash. All the best people...have fun. Regards Charlie PS. watch out for Pearcee on the corners ...
Charlie Cowley
DAY 0: Wednesday 6th August, Nowra to Blacktown:
We already have trouble on the roads, with Bob making an emergancy pit stop!
DAY 1: Thursday 7 August, Blacktown to West Wyalong
Day 1 From car 808
We all travelled up yesterday, Bob the Builder was true to form and vomitted up green radiator liquid......We then drove to Blacktown Travel Lodge where we had dinner and an early night.
Up early, very excited morning at the start, catching up with friends from previous bashers and lots of cars with different themes such as pirates, blooze brothers, F111 pilots and guess what Woodsy even grown hair.
Hit the road arounb 9.00 for Boorowa - Bob the Builder Car was running hot so we decided to check it out at Goulburn - two hours later with a new raditor we headed for Boorowa - arrived at the school at 4.00 pm for lunch very hungry. We were sorry to see our bash mates Beast of Burden (Les, Greg & Mal) on the back of a flat top truck with a smashed front end. Specially sorry to see this after Les has put in so much time and effort.
Lots of great scenery, running through snow at Crookwell, lots of mud and its really really cold. In the afternoon we run in with the Mermaids as they had electrical problems on the black top and of course there was the mandatory stop for liquid refreshments.
We arrived at West Wyalong at 7.30 just in time for dinner and day on was completed.
DAY 2: Friday 8 August, West Wyalong to Mildura
A day with Car 37- Team Ian Jorgenson,Bill Betts & Phil Brown.
We joined all the bashers and officials for breakfast at West Wyalong Public School our breakfast was the ususal healthy bacon and eggs, lambs fry & savory mince. A selection of gifts were left at the school including an electric white boards, sporting equipment etc. There were writing and colouring competitions and prizes as well. Due to the wet conditions the bash route was closed and we had to make our way to Mildura on the bitumen. This was dissappoinjting because all bashers prefer dirt roads. Jorgo drove the morning session, car 37 had morning tea with car 99 Ron, David KC ,and car F1-11 JL, Bill & Ricardo from Power FM.
Lunch was at Hay where we visited the Hall of Fame this time it was the Shearers Hall of Fame. Bill drove the afternoon session to Mildura, on our way we stopped to assist a car with mechanical problems. The city of Mildura made us feel welcome, our dinner had an Olympic theme coinciding with the opening ceramony. An ex olymic boxer from the Melbourne Games joined us for dinner. John Howard from All Staints joined the bash to day.
DAY 3:Saturday 9 August, Mildura to Murray Bridge
Day 3 of the Bash was a bit different but very rewarding for the Red Baron Fire Truck - 1000 and two other Shoalhaven Bash cars.
Breakfast was held on the beautiful banks of the Murray River in Mildura. At the daily briefing the bash director informed all big vehicles they couldnt do the bash route due to wet and slippery conditions . T30 - Flash Trash also couldnt go the bash route so the 2 of us along with three other bash cars and including the Pirates went up to Sunraysia Residential Services Respite Centre.
Robert, Erin, Emray and Korayu are 4 very special kids with special needs - Robert was very shy and not expected to come out of his room but after seeing some funny looking people and crazy cars he did come out and join us. They were then entertained with a majic show from Super Hubert, a great friend of Variety and the Shoalhaven Bashers. It was a very moving experience and after the kids and carers were throughly shrouded with gifts, toys and giveaways we headed off for a morning coffee break before saying farewell to Mildura.
As we cruised down the blacktop we heard the radio calls for cars being pulled out of the mud I realised the highway was certainly the best option for us.
As we approached the lunchtime stop at Renmark we realised our brakes were diminishing and a check by our trusty mechanic Darren Woods discovered a split in the rear breakline. A quick temporary repair and we cruised into Renmark to find a brake repair centre for a part. Darren repaired the breakline during the lunchtime stop and we were underway again.
The afternoon run saw some magnificient sceanory through the SA wheat belt. Excellent bash roads and a lush green country side of undulating fields and thousands of acres of young wheat were spectacular.
As you tend to do on a bash, we stopped and made friends with some new bashers and renewed acquaintices with some old friends. There was lots of mud and sponsors signs on our truck and other vehicles were totally covered meaning a car wash will be very welcome in the morning.
The Red Baron Fire Truck and Bob the Builder send a big cherio to the Culburra Public School and all the students who saw us there last Monday.
All in all - a memorable bash day.
DAY 4: Sunday 10 August, Murray Bridge to Mount Gambier
After a very cold night in Murray Bridge we head to the town centre for Breakfast, the food was warm but the weather cold and rain looming, but we were given the all clear for the bash route to go on, so this lifted everyone. The roads were fantastic being of limestone construction and even after the heavy rain no problems were experienced The morning journey took us to the little town or Mundulla a small village outside Bordertown which was the birthplace of former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke.
Everything is going well and we hope all our loyal supporters and friends are listening to Ricardo’s live crosses to Power FM. Ricardo is having a great time, though you can always ask him about the time he got bogged in some deep water. Several versions are floating around, excuse the pun. All ends well and Car F1–11 gets back on the road with a little help.
Today was a very relaxing drive on some great dirt roads, we even passed a wildlife park with White Kangaroos everywhere.
The afternoon was dotted with pit stops, catching up with other bash teams and meeting new friends. Should be some great action shots available on this day due to a couple of notable wet spots in the road, we look forward to seeing them on the final night. Our destination is Mount Gambier known for its remarkable Blue Lake, and of course tomorrow will be Blue Day, so all teams must be in B
DAY 5: Monday 11 August, Mount Gambier to Warrnambool
After a great night put on by the Mt Gambier AH & S Group, the entertainment provided by Acoustic Juice was first class. So another day beckons, with Big Barron Fire Truck 1000 getting the privilege to start from the front to lead us off on the days trek through the amazing Grampians. Also on board was John Howard, not the politician but none other than Dr Frank Campion star of the hit show All Saints.
Just an update on everyone, all vehicles are travelling well, though Ian Jorgenson is having trouble with room keys.
The day start with a circuit of Blue Lake before we headed into the forest tracks of the Glenelg National Park and of course the leader of the pack Big Baron missed the cheque point. The roads through the forest were very wet a slippery, but the amazing forest scenery with the Grampians looming upon us was a sight for everyone. Car 99 was a lead car as it got ahead of traffic jam due to another vehicle getting bogged. They had a great run through the forest having time to stop regularly.
Our goal this morning was to get to Halls Gap Primary School by lunchtime, Halls Gap is the heart of the Grampians. Car 99 had plenty of time to spare and stopped at the little country school of Merino (approx 30 students), Ron, Kevin and Dave had a great time with the kids and staff, needlessly to say they had now fallen back in the group. We arrived at Halls Gap at about 2.30pm the road into Halls Gap was steep and winding but the setting for this school was truly spectacular with rock formations as a back drop to the classrooms and township.
The students put on a performance for us singing a John Williamson song Home among the Gum Trees, did they get a real buzz when they found out John was in the audience. After presentations to the school we commenced our afternoon leg, climbing out of Halls Gap then heading off road on our journey to Warrnambool.
A few breakdowns were staring to occur with the Navy team and Bushranger team in trouble, hopefully they can get repaired and be on the road for the Bendigo leg.
The afternoon leg was equally spectacular as we wound our way down and through the valleys and then into open farm land tracks, some were very wet. Everyone is commenting this is one of the wettest bash routes, but one of the most enjoyable so far. The afternoon was dotted with short stops, with Car 99 eventually arriving at Warrnambool at 7.30pm, after a great day enjoying one of Australia’s notable landmarks The Grampians. Tomorrow is a lay day so we can clean up check the vehicles and then watch the spectacular fireworks put on by Dave “Crackers” Willshire who is part of the Shoalhaven Bash Team.
DAY 6: Tuesday 12 August, Warrnambool (Exploration Day)
Waking to a cold wet day all bashers were hoping the weather would clear for our spectacular fireworks display put on by Dave Wilshire and his team. Warrnambool is our rest day where we can clean our vehicles complete any repairs etc. It is also an opportunity to do some local sight seeing.
The local car wash had a constant stream of cars trying to clean off the mud and dirt. It was a cold day with the wind coming in from the southern ocean and the forecast was for even more cold weather over the coming days as we progress along the Great Ocean Road tomorrow.
Shoalhaven Bash Team made their base the nostalgic Warrnambool Hotel, it was warm, good refreshments and great food. A few slow starters this morning, a great opportunity to sleep in and get over the late night.
It was great to hear in the morning our bash stalwart Ross Stuart is well after major surgery on Monday and that he is recovering well. Our best wishes go out to Ross & Mary Stuart, we are thinking of them and yes Ross your car is going well and in safe hands. Ian Jorgenson is on his second bottle of Valium. Have a speedy recovery Ross, because before you know it the 2009 Bash will be on our doorstep.
Forgot to mention some funny events over the last few days, Ron Pearce has been playing a few tricks on fellow bashers with his pet spider, I am sure some pay back may happen. Don from Car 214 certainly had to do some washing today after throwing his coffee all over himself. Phil Brown brought to life the cave man and was a big hit. Les, Mal and Greg are already planning big and better for 2009 after their car was put out of action on day 1. They are still enjoying the trip moving around different vehicles. Shoalhaven Bash Team Car C30 which has been reincarnated into Car T30 has had a trouble free trip to date which is a record for them, hope I have not put the mocker on them.
Special mention to several off our Shoalhaven Bashers for receiving their 5 year participation certificates on the evening of Day 4, what a great effort for Variety and of course their contribution to the kids of Shoalhaven & NSW. Congratulations to Sharon James, Kathy Beverley, Bill Betts, Ian Jorgenson, John Lawrence
Last night was Fireworks night and of course Dave & his team did us proud, a great night was had by all and the entertainment provided by the Bon Jovi Tribute Band was excellent. I am sure there will be some sore heads as we head off to Bendigo on the next part of journey.
DAY 7:Wednesday 13 August, Warrnambool to Bendigo
After our great fireworks night we had a terrific breakfast at St josephs Primary School. The school was very appreciative of the generosity of Variety to the school.
Our journey today was to travel on tar along the magnificent Great Ocean Road, one of Australia’s truly remarkable journeys. We stooped at the 12 Apostles for a comfort stop, with time to view this spectacular rock formations. It was very cold and windy, but we all braved the elements.
Our journey continued along the coast road detouring to visit Bells Beach the surfing capital of Australia and then arriving at Torquay Surf Life Saving Club which hosted our lunch.
Our afternoon journey was to travel to our overnight destination at Bendigo, it was a long day on the road with many vehicles arriving late. The roads were wet and slippery. Our night was hosted at the Bendigo Exhibition Centre and had a gambling theme where teams spent their money to secure motorised cars. It was an interesting night.
The night ended early as many teams had long days and needed to complete some repairs etc. The Shoalhaven Teams retired early, the fireworks night was catching up on us all.
