202-205 - Agnes Water (16/10 - 19/10)

OK, so I wanted a bit of adventure according to the last blog... and didn't we get that at our next destination...

We had been to a lot of places in Australia, but there was none more aptly named. There was so much water in Agnes Water it kept us flooded in the town with flood waters closing the roads for 4 days.

For the most part the journey to Agnes was uneventful as we trundled down the highway. But we knew there was rain coming, as we tracked it via the radar. And we knew it was coming with a bang.

As we turned off the highway at Miriam Vale, the rain started. We debated perhaps "letting it pass" but decide that it wasn't too bad and we'd push on.

Hmm... maybe that wasn't such a good idea...

This is the windscreen with the wipers flat out. They could hardly keep up.

It was like driving through a never ending waterfall. With a 3t caravan on the back. Thankfull it wasn't that windy but there was so much water on the roads you couldn't see the pools from the flowing water from the road surface.

B's folks, travelling behind us said at quite a few times the simply couldn't see us in front from the spray and water we were throwing up.

We got to the Fingerboard Roadhouse where the one road into Agnes Waters and 1770 begins. On approach B and I were discussing pulling over to "let it pass". Common sense said pull over, it was really quite dangerous. But the stubborn person in me said we should just push through the last 30km to Agnes Water. I didn't really want to park up, wait and then get going again. So we radioed back to the Campervan and said keep going. And history will tell us that that was a particularly fortuitous decision.

They closed the road 30min after we passed through (which would explain some of the massive puddles we went through!). Had we stopped at the roadhouse, we would have been parked there for 4 days... Now that would have been a challenge!

In all though, the van and Rock Truck were great together, and didn't really put a foot wrong. It was a little loose at times, and visibility was very very poor, but we travelled conservatively and I think the 30km in took us around 45min, so you can imagine the speed we were going.

It was truly the craziest rain I've ever driven in, and to have the van on the back made it all the more "interesting".

So it continued...

Apparently around 400mm in 3 days... Even for Welshies, that's a lot of rain.

This was the rain as we got to Agnes Water Campground. We had intended to free camp there initially so went for a look. We toured in there and parked up for 30min in our efforts to "let it pass". There were torrents of water running through the campground and we looked forlornly at the campers in tents there. Thankfully we had the radios so we could keep in touch between the two vehicles however B did desert us to go have a cup of tea over in the camper. In the end we decided that this wasn't a tennable situation and gave the local caravan park a call. We got very lucky and managed to get one of the last powered sites available.

We had seen a few leaks in the Campervan prior to Agnes but this rain... this rain wreaked havoc. Water was literally coming in everywhere. It was here we coined the phrase "The Dampervan" and it was a name that stuck. It wasn't safe to stay in this thing (can you imagine turning on a power point?!?) so we managed to get one of those tent-apartment-room things that places up this way have. Half building, half super strong canvas tent. Through quite a few phone calls from Dave Thomas and B, the bill was paid for by the hire company as it should have been. I don't think I would have been so tolerable...

So after the first days rain, it eventually broke for a little while and we went out to survey the caravan park.

It was a great location and I'm sure it would be lovely in other weather conditions... 

...but not right now. There was a lot of water around!!

This was the small creek at the back of the park where it enters the ocean. 

The stormwater had battered the little creek and severely altered the shape of the beach. Nothing uncommon I'm sure, but it was impressive to see the damage the water could do in such a short period of time.

Then the rain came again and we retreated back to shelter. One of the cool features of the Gecko is the ability to fold the bed and create quite a large flat space to play games and do some lego.

And as we found, having the Dampervan actually had it's benefits as by not being in it, the Tent provided us with a bigger dry area to all congregate. And, much to the kids delight, turn a TV on in...

It was a pretty cool set up, and certainly more comfortable than running between RVs.

I'm not even sure which day this was. But it became apparent that we were in for the long haul. The rain would come, and then stop, and then start again. A huge storm system had decided to call Agnes Water home for a few days.

We did venture out frequently as, despite the rain, it was quite warm. So once you accepted that your shorts and shoes (or thongs pretty much) were going to get damp, your rain coat and umbrella did the rest. Which is why we were glad we didn't get stuck at the road house. At least there was supermarket (that ran out of milk) restaurants and a couple of places to get a coffee or beer. The bakery in particular got a caning, and comes highly recommended.

But when it decided to pour, oh did it pour...

This guy was staying at the caravan park. I found him down at the beach one day just kicking some laps in his electric wheelchair in the surf with his dog and friends... I mean... seriously... what the???

The lego was shifted between abodes...

Every day, despite the rain and weather, the life guards turned up. Most of the time quite simply to watch the surf roll in. But every now and then some hardy locals took advantage of the decent swell. I thought Brody from Point Break might have turned up. 

Nain and I on one of our walks. Despite the rain, B and I remained committed to getting our 10,000 steps each day.

Agnes Water actually has a museum which isn't really surprising given maritime history in the area. The museum was kinda quirky and definitely had a "small town" feel to it. But it had some cool items and historical artefacts.

 Like these early model iPods and computers...

Tadcu was in his element with his grandson's, imparting knowledge and fielding questions.

Whilst Evie decided that this was a school day, Sam just had decided he couldn't be bothered taking is rain jacket on and off and just left it on.

One for the teachers among us. You might need to click on it to blow it up.

Across from the museum conveniently located was the library, full of, well, books unsurprisingly. But also board games and a few PC's to use if you wanted. That was very very handy indeed.

And still it rained. Impressive cameo from the umbrella too.

Nain and B (and I) out for another walk. This one caught us out a bit, but Nain doesn't seem phased. Her and Tadcu just kept chuckling "but it's so warm when it rains!" I suppose the same rain in Wales doesn't come with 25 degree temperatures.

Monopoly got a run as well...

And then, finally, the storm decided to move on. Thanks to the amount of rain that had fallen though, it would take a day or two for the flood waters to subside. But I did go outside and notice this...

I mean, what the hell of this???

And yet, with the sunshine "Can we go to the Library?" rang out...

James and I found this game, which he duly trounced me at and was very proud.

So Mum joined in, James still won, and then I was relegated to 3rd!

For all the rain, we only found one issue with the Big Green Lizard, and that was a small leak around one of the windows. I suppose if it wasn't for a bit of outback red dust, we might not have seen it! Either way, that was addressed at the next service down the road...

And with the sun, came a few businesses that had been closed due to people not being able to get through, opened. This included the cafe in the caravan park! Smoothies all round whilst we watched Mum who, somehow, from somewhere, had managed to organise a surfing lesson!

Blue sky!

And the day before we left, we got to catch a glimpse of  just how beautiful this part of the world could be. And as you can see, that little stream has returned...

Bathurst Intermission

Before I get onto the post about the experiences of the next place we went to, it would be remiss of me not to throw in a short post about Bathurst 2017 Version.

It was certainly different than all the other Bathursts that have come before it. For a start, I was travelling "down" to it. And for the first time ever, I wasn't hauling the trailer up there. Happy to deputise that role to Mark and Dave...

So for those interested, here is a quick photo recall of my time at the Mountain...

First of many differences, I was given a send off party! Flying out from Rockhampton early in the morning, Evie was happy to get up and travel with B to the airport to see me off.

After a nerve-wracking delay due to fog in Sydney, my first plane landed and I could get leg 1 underway. It was a tight schedule to go through and any delay was unwelcome. We took off and I nervously watched the time tick away. We landed in Brisbane where my connection to Sydney was on it's "final boarding call". Thankfully the gate had moved from one much further away to the door next to the plane I'd just got off!

So onto plane #2 and away we headed, Sydney bound. I was relieved when landing in Sydney to see my bag had also made the flight. Was worried the quick changeover might have caused issues but I doff my cap to the airport staff.

After a couple of hours kicking around the airport (deliberately done to ensure I had buffer in the timetable) my next connection pulled into the terminal. A very comfortable bus then took my through the Western Suburbs of Sydney (via the CBD) all the way out to Bathurst. Was quite the trek, but I've done my tour of duties on buses over the years, so no issues here. Dave met me at the Bathurst Information Centre and we trundled back around to camp where a (very) warm and familiar sight greeted me... the icon of Bathurst... the centrepiece of our camp... our mascot...

...the Tekno Barrel in full swing. It's a thing of beauty really.

For those not in the know, this is Base Camp, and the first time it's been seen without the Rock Truck or Canyonero there. The Iced Vovo and Nissan Courtesy vehicle did a fine job standing in though. Here we can see the Elder Statesman of the Clan just keeping time and ensuring all is good with the world.

For the most part, we had brilliant weather there. This is the paddock campground from up on the Chase Hill. It's extensive, impressive and wreaks of campfires and generators. Hanging out here is half the reason we come.

Here's the other half. Motorsport Mecca.

A different livery and a different race category for our Main Man Steve and his cars this year. But still super excited and super pumped to support him.

One of  the KBR beasts ready to roll.

On the track walk one night we were walking down main straight and they were showing the triumphant win by Tekno in the car Steve built. Obviously it doesn't come up in this shot, but Mark, Dad and I stayed and watched the culmination (probably for the millionth time) and cheered Will home. It still gives me goosebumps.

But despite the different approach to arriving, most of our traditions were met. A round of golf...

Our predetermined evening menu, including the amazing BMan Tekno Barrel Messy Chicken Wrap Extravaganza.

A new game was also established about trying to guess how long the barrel could burn through fence posts and sleepers. 

Bathurst Campground Pano

Main race day shifted for us to Saturday which brought with it a heap of differences too. Access to the car before the Big Race.

A invitation by Steve and the KBR team onto the grid prior to the race. Here I'm doing my bit for the merchandise stand promo shots.

The Kostecki's are usually the most well represented family on the grid at Bathurst I imagine... until now. To have all five boys and Dad there was pretty cool. I wish we'd got our sh!t together and actually took a photo. Maybe this year. Nod to the very committed Matt Giles looking rent-a-cop in this shot too.

Me. The Car. The Grid. Bathurst. Oh yeah. Never gets old.

And after a very good race (sorry, no pics during the race, to involved in cheering and drinking) my favourite part of the weekend came about. Steve made it up to the campground for an extended stay and a few drinks. Normally "on duty" during this time, he had the ability to spare some time and get amongst it with the ferals. And it was the biggest buzz having him there.

And his obligatory stogie with Mark...

Sunday Race Day was much more subdued and without the need to go and get up at crazy o'clock to get the best spot. But Dave and Tim still put in the yards and I did my usual part and threw together Race Day Tekno Barrel Bacon Sarnie Specials. The race itself was weird, the weather quite ordinary. But still, we loved it. We always do. 

Hopefully the vid works... It was a sodden ordinary day. But that made the cars cooler too as they wheel spun their way around the track. Nice cameo from the Big Man at the end too.

And on the Sunday night, when things had quietened down and the trucks started to roll out, I went for a quiet stroll around the lower part of the track. Even at night this place is cool.

There's just something about it.