It's taken a whole year to come around again but it's time for some road tripping

The original plan (PLAN A) for me was to be driving the Wasp down, but due to some very VERY tough months financially, the Wasp just didn't quite get sorted in time.
So PLAN B was initiated.... again having zero $ at my disposal, I turn to my trusty nag Donkey.
He was still sporting a crook engine after I absolutely cooked it last December and was never going to make it all the way with that engine so I decided to do a last minute engine swap and fang down in him............. turns out the replacement engine wasn't much better.
Poor compression, chewed out ring gear and stuffed water pump

I had to swallow the bitter pill and try to make other arrangements as I was going to be there come hell or high water (please, please give us high water) so PLAN C was called apon...... hitchhiking

Was seriously the option I was going to take because as of a week ago I still hadn't had any of my invoices paid for 3 months and I only had $11.16 to my life and couldn't afford fuel anyways (finally paid now so all good again)
There were more plans to be had though.
PLAN D (The Bellett family holds out it's hand) Occa and Trish offered me a ride with them to the Nats when we caught up for our OSJCC AGM. Of course I initially pounced at the offer like a hungry little rodent but then the family arms were extended even further...........

PLAN E (the Extended family) Greg and Lizzie nearly brought me to tears, they have opened their hearts and their garage and offered me a chariot, an ugly duckling if you will........ I now call it the LOVE BOAT
Truth be told it was my vehicle of choice

THE FLORIAN

Thousands of thank you's and hugs all round to every helping hand Greg, Lizzie, OCCA, Trish and of course without reservation, the organizing committee of this years Nationals with their help for me in the past few weeks + Micka n Amiee, Russ n Nic and all the other people who have been feeding me the past couple of weeks I LOVE YOU ALL



Anywho, time for some pictures (there will be plenty more when I get internet service again) Starting with my Dear Donkey













The LOVE BOAT






EMU is coming along for the drive too

NICE love that Florian, would have been great to get our Early Florian going and there but best laid plans.

Have a safe trip and an Awesome weekend.

Josh

know exactly what you mean...... although my plans are rarely "best laid" they're usually just slapped together last minute

I'm going to miss your presence Josh.
Next year mate

I didn't realize that all the pics I took today where all black....... stinkin' shutter on the camera was jammed
But I did get this one when I parked out the back of my salubrious accommodation at the Stroud Central Hotel (I love pub accommodation and this one is quite possibly the best I've stayed yet - other than Mudgee with the roller coaster deck)

Stroud, NSW


I love the nightlife........ I love to boogie.........
There will be none of that around here thank you very much (truck rumbles past)

Haaaahhh the serenity (and another truck ) beats being at home that's for sure

Sooo looking forward to the whole Stickman Nats photo collection as you go!

Josh

Yesterday morning I left Stroud bright eyed and bushy tailed after a great night sleep.
I back tracked a couple of km's then headed toward Singleton via Dungog.
It was a fantastic drive though the countryside, meandering through the hills on sections of road that seemed to be stitched together with myriads of pothole patches. Surprisingly enough the road was still pretty smooth to drive on.

I stopped briefly in Dungog for breaky then headed for the Putty Road over the Blue Mountains.
About 1/4 of the way into the Putty Road I spotted an abandoned car that I think might have over headed..... but I'm no mechanic so that's just a stab in the dark. I'd have kicked the tyres while I was there too but it had none










1/2 way along the Putty Road is the old halfway truckstop. It hasn't been open for years and years as a fuel stop but it was run as a cafe/gallery up until a few years ago by Dave's Tables (furniture maker/sculpture)
The last time I stopped here when it was open, they did the BEST weekend BBQ's ever.














I ended up then driving through to Nowra to spend a couple of Days with Graham and Chloe before I then head back toward Cowra on Thursday morning.
I stopped for a quick look over Nowra to see if I could spot their house from the Cambewarra Mountain Lookout....... yeah na, my eyesight ain't that good anymore, but it was a great view.












Home sweet home for the next couple of nights is at Graham and Chloe's

Wow some fantastic photos there, looks like an awesome trip

I couldn't agree more PA.....great shots Sticky, I had a Triumph Vitesse that over heated like that.
Do you know what the birds are?

Yeah Mark the birds are King Parrots. There was a bunch of big Black Cockatoo's there as well but never got a pic of them.


The last leg of my roadtrip to Cowra....... and I can fell the wind blowing through my hair

Always a good read Sticky and the photos just great,you could get a job doing that,travel reporter,for THE BELLETT TIMES,love your work, Gerry

I've been posting most of my pics on FB so far because I can just dump them straight on but when I get home and have more time I will resize all my pics so I can put the story board on here.
May come in dribs and drabs over the next couple of weeks though due to my lack of internet service at home but at least it will make the nationals journey seem so much longer

It is a great read mate, thank you.
I've been seeing those pics, and they are rippers. Sadly my numptyness combined with NBN satellite snail pace stops me posting pics on face book.
Cheers, Matt.