Driver Training Day at Colo

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You know your wife loves you when she dobs you into write the trip report for the 4X4 Club. Thank you dear, but I’ll get you back!

 I left home with an open mind having not done a lot of bush bashing in the past, but the ability to get outdoors was enough for me. We all know how great our land is but it’s not until you get out into it that it really comes to life. Having only joined the club the Monday before, a training day was very quickly and professionally arranged for the following Sunday.

 We all met at the Caltex servo at Wilberforce. That Servo really has to get their act together and enlarge that car park a bit. What would happen if we got serious and turned up with the whole Club and then they’d be in trouble. I suppose we can’t complain too much considering we did grid lock the place. They made a little money out of us selling a bit of this and that, I just didn’t see anybody buy any petrol.

 Whilst over in the park we were given the theory component of the Training Course by Mark, a very knowledgeable man to say the least. A lot of Mark's information is practical and common sense which is what safe driving is all about. It’s always interesting to hear everybody’s input as well. Knowledge and experience is a marvelous thing.

 It was time to head off and hit the tracks. I was asked for about the tenth time if I was worried about getting the Grande scratched, of course I was, but I wasn’t going to let on though! That first screeeeeeech of a broken tree branch down the side of the Grande hurt.

 Up hill and down dale was the order of the morning as we traversed the countryside in our trusty mechanical steeds. Up rock faces at 90 degrees, down cliff faces as sheer as Uluru, at angles never before seen possible for such nimble cars!!!!!!  

Following lunch it was time to do some work with shackles, snatch straps and recovery points. Now, I’m a NRMA man, No Real Mechanical Ability so any information was good information to me. Who would have thought that a piece of dowel about 30cm long could be so useful when connecting two straps together.

 When all the serious stuff was out of the way Ian suggested a drive to Wheenie Creek. What a great spot that turned out to be with a nice scenic drive to an easy water crossing at a causeway. A cup of tea and a wander around the camping area was just what the doctor ordered. We even found the home of the local wombat under a massive tree on the bank of the river. The hole appeared to be deep, dark and dangerous. Why no one wanted to go head first into the cavern to see if the wombat was home surprised me. It was probably those gouge marks in the ground from the claws at the tunnel opening that put them off. After our little stop for a cuppa and a wander around it was off up the mountain and homeward bound.

 I’m sure that everybody would agree that we all had a very enjoyable and informative day. Thanks to the Club executive who organised the day and provided us with the information required to allow us to remain safe and confident when we go 4 wheel driving.

What a terrific report. Thanks Michael