Madaya on the Road

[Madaya]

Yo,
A couple of fuel figures (corrected km and using pump litres)...
Katherine to Darwin ---- 9.95/100 travelling ~100kph - Roo
Katherine to Three Ways 10.48/100 Headwind
3 Ways to Mt Isa....10.82 Headwind
Darn the headwind, empties the wallet quick.

Spent a lot of the Three Ways to Mt Isa travelling slow because of the Kangaroo's. I have two Roo Whistles out front. Must say, most Roo's hopped out of the way. Still, not a highway I would want to travel at 110 kmh.

Gaz

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Madaya

Yo,
A couple of fuel figures (corrected km and using pump litres)...
Katherine to Darwin ---- 9.95/100 travelling ~100kph - Roo
Katherine to Three Ways 10.48/100 Headwind
3 Ways to Mt Isa....10.82 Headwind
Darn the headwind, empties the wallet quick.

Spent a lot of the Three Ways to Mt Isa travelling slow because of the Kangaroo's. I have two Roo Whistles out front. Must say, most Roo's hopped out of the way. Still, not a highway I would want to travel at 110 kmh.

Gaz

how heavy are you travelling? those figures seem a touch on the high side, even considering the wind and slow travel. my FG with 4 people and full boot gets low 8's, high 7's, travelling to bris. all day every day.

i've also heard that those roo whistle things are useless. the sound apparently just confuses them as they can't determine where its coming from and just hop any which way.

good luck with the rest of your trip. stay safe.

[Madaya]

Thanks prydey,
They are on the high side of consumption. It would be better if the headwind was a tail wind. Don't forget, I'm driving a Cab Chassis. I figure a sedan would do a lot better.
Not heavy at all, just crusin.
Looking forward to catching up with Supershifty in Brisbane.
As far as the Roo whistles go...
I've been parked at the side of the highway, sometimes with a big truck coming. It's strange, but if you close your eyes, it's difficult to tell whether the truck is coming from the left or the right. The Roo whistle gives a point source.
What the Roo does with that is up to him.

[Vincenzo]

Originally Posted by Madaya

Looking forward to catching up with Supershifty in Brisbane.

He cooks a mean roast, but don't expect cold meat for a sandwich in the morning cause ir ain't gunna happen, no meat will survive the night!


Cheers Vincenzo

[Madaya]

Did someone say ROAST

[Vincenzo]

Meant to ask Gaz, how have you found the Db's for noise on the various road surfaces - pretty quiet hey! Sometimes when I drive the XR6 there is next to nothing in the way of road noise happening.


Cheers Vincenzo

[Madaya]

Just an update on the Noptus. It's here in Longreach.
But I'm not complaining. I reckon they should ban all internet media from the Top End and Red Centre (except 000 calls).

Surely we come here to get away.

When I was at Wolfe Creek Crater, I was sleeping in the swag. Fortunately I was parked North to South and with my Bushnell 10 x 50 Binoculars was able to look and feast on Northern Hemisphere stars that us folk down south never see.

As one of the ladies at WCC told me, she had an app on her Ipad that revealed the constellations for her etc.

How boring. I could pull up a Google Earth app from my home town that shows the same.

[Madaya]

http://s1051.photobucket.com/user/Ma...tml?sort=3&o=3

The beautiful girls at Winton wanted to steal Hos. I reckon he was heaven - lucky bastard :

[supershifty]

Originally Posted by Vincenzo

He cooks a mean roast, but don't expect cold meat for a sandwich in the morning cause ir ain't gunna happen, no meat will survive the night!


Cheers Vincenzo

Oh crap Vince! Now I've gotta live up to Gaz' expectations. I was going to grab salad and hot chook from Woolies (kidding) Bring it on!

Slow cooked lamb leg with mashed spud, peas and gravy will be the go for the menu - washed down with beers.

Just give me some notice when you're lobbing Gaz - she'll take about 8 hours to cook.

Yeah, I know - pics or it didn't happen. Will post up when it's served.

Cheers!

[Madaya]

Shifty, Red Rooster is awesome.

[Madaya]

Will give ETA as soon as I can figure out a ETD

[Madaya]

Getting ready to depart Longreach and head for the coast, good to be off the road for a while.

A few more pics...



Birds of a feather at Mount Isa.



Zaphod at Longreach.



A present for Dom, the good old Darwin Bus.

Take care peeps.

[Madaya]

Sitting here at the Bundaberg RSL. These RSL's are something special. First class everything. If I remember, the Bunbury RSL is just an old wooden hall with toilets and a kitchenette.
Finally got me some Optus. Not like I haven't been trying. Even in Rockhampton it was pretty meagre.
So, update.
Finally clawing back some of the fuel I lost to the Easterly headwinds. Stopped in Longreach for 2 nights. First night just good to get off the road. Then Qantas Founders Museum. Nice tour of 747 and 707 jets. Those machines are really something and the history of Australia's aviation is worth checking out.
Stopped off in Barcaldine, checked out the Tree of Knowledge and visited the Workers Memorial.
East to Emerald. Getting late, grabbed lodgings for the night.
Big drive from Emerald to Bundaberg. I'll move on from here but camp on the road and make the trip to Brisbane tomorrow.
Car going well, and yes Vincenzo, glad I have the dB's. The Bruce highway in parts was almost as choppy as the Tanami. I reckon if I was running on the Dunlops, I'd be wearing earplugs.
Just a pic...

The Qantas Founders Museum at Longreach.
747 - 200 City of Bunbury.

[Silver Ghia]

Great to see you've reached the East coast Gaz. And your car looks like its just been driven around the corner from home, looks great.

[Madaya]

It must be the angle and the sun, but he's looking pretty gritty right now. Dust and bugs everywhere.
Stopped off to check out the Glasshouse Mountains. Big walk up to the top of the lookout where a bunch of fitness folk were going through their paces with an instructor. The walk up was massive, and they are doing pushups and the like, phew.
Great view of the mountains, worth the effort.
Trying to get in touch with Supershifty. He must be out and about.
Cheers,

[Tonz]

nah mate ...........heard you were coming

[Madaya]

Hah to you Tonz, he found me. Squattin here at supershifty's. The chook is ready to go into the fry pan. All's sweet.

[Vincenzo]

Originally Posted by Madaya

Hah to you Tonz, he found me. Squattin here at supershifty's. The chook is ready to go into the fry pan. All's sweet.

chook ..... CHOOK ....... tell 'im to get off his rear, if he can leave the little room long enough, and demand a roast lamb. You haven't travelled 6,000km+ for a CHOOK. Dave, I have been salavating at the thought of pics of the roast with mash and peas to revive memories.


Cheers Vincenzo

[supershifty]

I found Gaz at my local hotel. Went out in the morning and had 3 missed calls on my landline when I got home at midday, rang number and it was Gaz. Sweet. Hooked up with him for a couple of ales then back to mine.

Sorry for the quick chicken stir fry Vince lol, but it was all at very short notice - shall impress on Gaz my cooking skills at a later date. He's gonna stop here for a few days. Gaz just left mine to catch a bus to the city for some shopping, then on to the southside to catch up with a mate of his. On his return tonight we're gonna have Angus rissoles with cheese and egg on bread rolls - quick and easy as I dunno what time Gaz is gonna be back.

I promise to throw one of my famous roasts into his guts by the time he leaves sunny QLD.

Proof that Gaz is captive @ mine:



and the famous travelling head on my sink:



Cheers!

[Madaya]

Supershifty should get a job as a chauffer. Smooth all the way to the train station so I could get into town.
btw, he gives a big thumbs up for the Mal Wood shifter and reckons the Tremec is a real slick box.
Oh, and the Roast is in the Pot! Huge.

Madaya

[Madaya]

After what seemed like forever, finally out of Brisbane. I guess the day will come when Sydney and Brisbane will be one big Megalopolis. I can see they are building the new super highway that will link the two. Lots of roadwork heading South. The journey continues.

The hardest part about leaving Supershifty's house was leaving Supershifty. Thanks mate, you're a Super Host. Well chilled out and ready for part 2 of the trip, the trip home.

From my house to Shifty's is 8737km (calculated). In rough figures, that means I've burnt 848 litres and spent approx $1400 on fuel

Scary numbers, but I love em'

Now in Tenterfield, home of the Saddler. I'll do a bit of exploring tomorrow. Also, looks like I need to change my right hand low beam globe (again, Silver Ghia knows the story, I actually sprung the bracket last time I changed the same globe ).

I'm currently parked next to a beautiful E Type, V12 Jaguar. The drive from Lismore to Tenterfield is Sportscar heaven, though I don't suggest pushing hard on a public road. Some the hill climbs and descents are 2nd gear stuff. Would be a great drive (for us manual guys) in the daytime.

Cheers,

Madaya

[Silver Ghia]

I remember now, hope you can get another globe in there (and keep it in there) without too much of a problem.

Must be a nice area where you are. Enjoy.

[supershifty]

Was real nice meeting you Gaz.

You dunno what you're gonna get when you invite a stranger to stop over at your place. I'd be forgiven to think it's maybe gonna be uncomfortable with a person you've never met before, that's acceptable.

All good being welcoming and accommodating someone else into your home - it's usually a bit of give and take getting used to different lifestyles.

Neither have been the case for me.

The two times I've welcomed AFF "strangers" into my home (Vincenzo + You) I've never been disappointed. Different guys, but waaay good folk.

Maybe you've just been great guests and tolerant of my bad habits!

Shared many good chats over the days you were here Gaz - You've got a friend on the east coast. Anytime!

Cheers!

[NTF6]

Originally Posted by prydey

i've also heard that those roo whistle things are useless. the sound apparently just confuses them as they can't determine where its coming from and just hop any which way.

I met a bloke who had those Roo whistles on his car before I knew what they were, I asked him and he told me, I could see one was broken and asked him what happened to it, he said it broke off when he hit a Roo.!!

[Madaya]

Here I am in Forbes after a big day looking at Telescopes and finally have some decent internet to throw in a few
much belated updates and pics.
Grabbed the motel laundry and sorted out my bits. A bit of tucker, coffee and settle down.
Car still humming along well, but like it's owner, looks forward a good rest and wash. Yup, Mr H needs a wash.
So, stepping back in time a little...




The Tree of Knowledge. Barcaldine. For those interested, it was here that the Australian Labor Party finds it roots. Sacred ground for some.



The Roast. Yes, here it is, cooked to perfection. Super shifty even passed on his secret recipe. Thanks again mate. Good times.



The Glass House Mountains. Many of us older members probably remember this scene from a photograph in the old Jacaranda Atlas
in school. And here they are, the remains of ancient volcanoes, awe inspiring stuff.



Me at the Glass House Mountains. Yeah, another selfie, sorry.




Siding Spring Observatory. Not far from Coonabarabran in the mountains. Altitude 1,165 meters. The main mirror on the AAT is 3.9 meters across,
still one of the biggest in the world. It took two years to grind and polish. The weather was pretty damp and windy. I don't think they are going to
open the aperture tonight.



The Dish. Cloudy weather doesn't get in the way of this big fellow. Wind is the stopper here. It was engaged in radio astronomy while I was there.
Watch for a minute and you can see the telescope slowwly moving, tracking invisible objects above the clouds.



The Super Dish. It weighs a bit, minus the control room, about 1000 tonnes. Thanks to the fellow who took this great pic.

So, there we are. Melbourne tomorrow. So much more I want to do, but I have give Bathurst a miss. Running out of time.
I'll get there one of these Octobers.

Oh, and last economy reading iss 9.41 litres to the 100. A tad better than the old 30mpg. Not too bad.

[Madaya]

Oh, and a link to a YouTube vid I have posted regarding the trip to Parkes. I get a chuckle out of it, but yeah, it is pretty profound when you finally get to see the dish

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0C_d9WC9UY

Cheers,

Gaz

Oh, and turn up the speakers !

[Vincenzo]

Originally Posted by Madaya

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0C_d9WC9UY

Gaz, wasn't sure what sort of excretia I was going to have to listen to but, "You are a F'n genius - Zadok the priest" - mate I tip my hat to you ABB (Absolutely Bloody Brilliant).

When I travelled back to Darwin with Dave either he doesn't like music or more possibly he wasn't going to chance my singing - longest trip I've ever done without hearing music. "sigh"


Keep the music videos coming - Vincenzo

[Madaya]

Well gang, Madaya is finally off the road and back home safe and sound.
Spent a couple of days in Melbourne with my son and the family he is boarding with. Great time.
Drove from Melbourne to Kalgoorlie in one big stint with a little rest, somewhere west of Ceduna. I could not say I was tired, I was enjoying the drive and the feeling of heading home.
I'll post a few more pics and maybe vids .
To one and all, a big tankyou for the encouragement, advice, help and kind thoughts while I made my way across our beautiful land.
Will chat soon.
Gaz

[Silver Ghia]

Gaz, I didnt realize you had arrived in Melbourne, let alone already left and now back home! You certainly move around quickly.

[Madaya]

Silver, the last part of the trip was a bit of a whirlwind. No worries mate, will catch up later for sure. Thanks to SatNav, could actually navigate my way across Melbourne!

Meanwhile, another YT vid leapt out of my computer, I just can't stop this little guy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFxC6Mso4-M

Cheers.