CLARENCE RIVER WILDERNESS LODGE

21-22 February 1998

I had set the alarm for 6am, giving us time to finish packing the eskies. We were ready by 7am, too early. We left home 7.30arn giving us two hours to get to Urbenville. It only took an 1 1/2hours - 9am and we're early. Within minutes Tweed Valley Club members, Gilbert and Sheila in a Landrover with camper pulled along side and telling us that Peter and Maryke and Jeff and Sue were in town. We had just moved into the shade of the trees when we were joined by Graeme and Julie, Bruce, Pam, Mark and Lisa. Bruce and Pam choosing to come in the airconditioned "Falcoooon". Then came Ralph and Marilyn, daughter Toni, Craig and Lewis. Royce, Kay and Zoe would be joining us later as Royce had to work the morning. We waited around until 10.20am for others with names on trip sheet.

With convoy procedures fresh in our minds we moved out heading for Tooloorn Falls, a minor detour. Jeff pointed out that recent rain had soiled the waters making Turtle observation impossible. It was only a short stop and we were soon on the way again. We drove for about twenty minutes before running out of tar. The thirty odd kms of dirt road had recently been graded, but alas not watered, making the surface very dusty and loose. I slipped the "L" into 4WD to save the front tyres a little and turned on the aircon.

We all arrived safely at the camp ground of lush green grass. The tents weren't even up yet when Royce and Co pulled up. I must get a TURBO one day. Once the tents were up it was time to set the mood for the weekend. The energetic ones maned the paddles, while the others grabbed a comfy chair and a cold can. At our disposal were 1/2 dozen canoes and two kayaks, a few tractor innertubes and a kilometre or more of river with rapids.

Mark, Lisa and Zoe disappeared down the river for a while and had to be looked for. They had had no problems, just gone a little further than expected. A group of cars set off for a little 4WD track, nothing needing recovery gear but a good long low range climb.

The wild life was a little scary at times. The five or six Goannas all over a metre in length proved that they could be aggressive when shooed. The largest of them found his way into the back of our car. Rubbish bags had to be put well out of reach.

The Geese were less of a problem but their droppings had to be looked out for. We watched the Rock Wallabies on the opposite bank Sunday morning.

Peter and Gilbert with their wives, Landrovers and campertrailers packed up and departed after lunch around 1.30pm. Having an extra hour to travel and loosing another to daylight-saving they were excused. The rest of us left camp at three to find our own way home after our convoy had left the property boundary. Others stopped in Urbenville for and icecream while we kept on moving.

Shortly after Woodenbong, to our surprise, we caught up with Peter and Maryke. I noticed that the Landrover was sporting a different rear wheel. Peter informed me, via the CB that he had had two flat tyres and that he had pumped up the second flat every 4 kms to get to Urbenville. The garage failed to repair the correct hole so Peter fitted the trailer spare to the car. The problem was that they were of different diameters, no good on a car with constant 4WD. So we stopped and changed tyre pressure, a little more in one, a little less in the other. I fitted a wad repair to the best of the spares to give them a spare for the trip home. We parted company soon after when Peter turned down the Summerland Way. The rest of the trip was uneventful, needless to say we got home ok, about 5.15pm.

A good time was had by all. Don't miss out next time.

Arnold Schoemaker SC419