Clarence River Wilderness Lodge

19 - 20 February 2000

We were all to find our own way to Urbenville for 9.30am, to have Smoko and move out around 10.00ish. Just before the state border Patricia and I caught up to "members to be" Rod and Karen Brown in their NEW Forester, with their friends David and Carolyn, (92' Brumby) in tow. We followed them into Woodenbong where they failed to take the left turn to Urbenville at the pub, so I sped past them in town and pulled over to give directions.

Upon driving back through town Mr. Policeman flagged me down and gave me a very stern warning about speeding through country towns. Hence this report.

Onto Urbenville for 9.10 am where we had Smoko and waited for the others signed on for the trip, Clint and Charleen, the Beard family, and their friends. That's three "L" series, two Foresters and a Brumby, and the GT Forester of David Martin once he joined us that evening.

Shortly after 10am the convoy rolled through Urbenville and soon made the detour to Taloom Falls for a little look. No platypus, but we did see the odd turtle. Back to the main road, with about ten kilometres of tar, passing the 4WD park of Brooklyn, before we hit the dirt. It was another twenty kilometres of pleasant winding dirt road (being trip leader has its advantages) before we were by the Clarence River and setting up tents.

With no itinerary for the weekend, it was every man, woman and child for themselves. We had free use of the tubes, kayaks and canoes, so we did ourselves some canoeing. The river was up a little from two years previous, making the water a little less clear but the river less weedy.

Clint and Charleen got Happy Hour going at 2.30. Lots of nibbles, drinks, and lots of nibbles. We were to see a Bushy Tailed rock wallaby on the opposite bank of the river. Didn't really need to cook tea, but it was there to be cooked. Most of us were sitting around the campfire when David Martin  decided to show. David had had lawns to mow Saturday morning, but confessed to have fallen asleep (not for long) reading the paper after work. Needless to say, David didn't fall asleep by the fire this time. The newcomers had a very early night that was blamed on the early Happy Hour and the red cordial that Karen was drinking.

Sunday had an early start with lots of canoeing. Shortly after breakfast of bacon and eggs, the friendly six goannas (Stumpy was there again) of last time turned up for a scavenge, tearing up any unattended rubbish bags. With rubbish picked up and stowed away, it was time for even more canoeing and inner-tube rapid shooting with a little dam building.

With different work commitments for Monday we all headed home at different times and, I'm sure, different paces. But I know that a good time was had by all.

Arnold Schoemaker SC419