We all got up refreshed after a good night’s rest we loaded up the Snot Rocket and headed of to the Mildura Tennis Court (on the Murray) for breakfast and muster.

Breakfast was just dandy, bacon and egg burgers and fruit and juice and cereal and the general “in the park” type breaky.

Got on the road,  stopped for RBT by Ambos and radio check. In the process the navigator was giving directions, others were also advising route and radio check and slow down, turn left, watch out, where you going, watch the turn here & a little dummy spit. Prize given. OK enough guys, one driver, and one navigator.

On the highway and minor local roads lead us onto and out of Mildura.

We chose to do the dirt road, after all anyone can drive the highway, let do the different thing on this trip as much as we can.

Onto the dirt road and following all route notes turned left in a lane/track. “Hey watch those low branches?” Hey keep left!” Whoa!  watch that one seems that all the trees in this section of roadway or trackway (is there such a word?) were out to get us. The Snot Rocket is 2.5 mtrs high and it truly seemed that some of the trees were only 2.55 and ready to knock the top of the old girl.

As we travelled along the road it was interesting to see the miles and miles of grape vines (vineyards I think they call them) the rows seemed endless and the farms seemed to blend into one another and ever .

As advised we needed to stop in a national park and individually open and close the rabbit proof gates

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It appears that a section of the National Park has been selected for vegetation regrowth and the need to keep rabbits out brings about the need for the new fence (and gates) there is a full time Park Ranger that ensures the gates are closed and the fences is in good order to keep these “Wraskelly Wabbits out”.

At the muster we were instructed not to zip tie the latch on the gate as whilst it may be funny to you at the time but the car following or the park ranger may not, so please do not zip tie the gate. You will note there was no mention of applying million mile an hour tape was there. So we decided to stuff everybody after us by using about a meter of tape to “secure” the gate. Hehehehe.. (I’m pretty sure I know who’s idea that would have been – the team master of mischief)

Just as a point of interest apparently when changing gears in a manual vehicle it is necessary to ensure that the clutch is engaged before moving the gear stick, well it would appear that the driver (Gull) forgets this at times and ends up all too often grating the gears when changing down from 5^th to 4^th. He claims that the gearbox and syncromesh is sloppy—the rest of the team do not believe him…. But then again others did it to - Dog

Moving away from the vineyards we encountered acres and acres of wheat fields. The golden heads swaying in the breeze looking oh so pretty (now isn’t that just so poetic- Yuk)

 Here again were acres and acres of water ponds that were very shallow as the birds were standing in it. Rice fields (or what Ross thinks were rice fields) also were there. A very different type of field growth and land locked water causing one to believe that they were growing rice and that is a very plausible belief.

As a point of interest paddy melons were growing wild along the side of the road for miles and miles. We eventually stopped and had to have a look to see what they actually were, we did play a little roadside (and even on road) bowls. They did the trick really well. Several of these fruit were harvested for errant actions by Team Afro at a later point on some of the other drivers or cars.

Along this section of travel we noted that there was un-natural vibration and clunking coming from the tail shaft when changing gears or accelerating. “We gotta look at the tail shaft; I bet it’s stuffed again”

 We arrived at Swann Hill for lunch. After lunch we sought help from one of the Rally mechanics, removed the replacement tail-shaft, whacked out the rear universal and put that in the replacement shaft.

The old "uni" was totally done in. The bearings were crushed and bits and pieces of steel was all that was left. We would not have gotten home on them at all! (lucky the guys had carried the old tail shaft and relevant bits all the way around with from Melbourne)

The whole procedure only took 45 minutes. Regretfully the need to address this mechanical necessity meant that we would not get to our school in the afternoon, a disappointment but “such is life”

 On the road again,  this time minus one of our team members Rob. The Escapade photographer lost his navigator. All cars MUST have a navigator (2 occupants) and Rob agreed to join another car whose navigator went with the photographer—are you confused?

The dirt road was very smooth (not) and manageable—although it was extremely dusty. When one of the other cars passed us the trail of dust made it absolutely necessary to really slow down.

Cabanossi stop (a what????) and rest. This spot was on the Murray. Some of he guys went for a dip. Also one of the Twisted Sisters also went for a dip—fully dressed in her Nun’s Habit. The whole scene was really weird I tell ya.

At this “Rest Spot” there were a couple that had decided to stop and have a rest for a day or two in their caravan, not thinking that a bunch of noisy Escarpade  maniacs would be stopping right outside their door (poor buggers),

Finally got to Deniliquin town. Had to stop for fuel. We were very low and anxiety was starting to set in.

As part of the grand entrance into Deniliquin Town Centre we were asked to make lots noise and “lair” it up a bit. This being a reasonable request and an excuse to let off steam and show-off a little we all willingly obliged...

Stopped in the heart of town took a few photos of the last half of the cavalcade of cars as they drove past. Whist we were there we were approached by a lady reporter from the local rag, she got a short story and information from us  regarding Camp Quality and the Escarpade and took several, photos with intention of them being her story in the Deniliquin Times. Let’s see if we make it in the local rag. Let’s see if the Editor approves.

Theme night again Bogan night seems to be appropriate for the town that has the Ute muster every year, so off to the RSL club dress to the nines (not).

We once again looked the part. Dinner was nice and the awards we handed out from best car to best driver etc.

Headed back to the motel for once again a nice rest as for another adventure will start yet again for the last time on this Escapade.