Date: February 19th 2010

 

Westprint Friday Five February 19, 2010  

Included this week:

·         Victorian 4WD Show

·         Track Tips – High Country

·         John McDouall Stuart

 

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Friday Four 19.2.2010  

Books to order. The following three books are due for release in April. They will not be as normal stock lines but we will be placing an order on March 26, 2010 for anyone that wants copies. Please email info@westprint.com.au to place your order before then.  

1.  ANZACS at War. Peter Pedersen. Paperback, 600 pages, $50 plus post. Through over 15 beautifully recreated facsimile documents, including maps, diaries, official reports, telegrams and personal letters, ANZACS at War shows why, more than any other fighting force in history, ANZACs have been praised for their courage, endurance, skill, good humour and comradeship. Beginning with the bloody battles of the First World War, and continuing through to the Gulf War and up to the present century's War on Terror, this book explores how bitter conflicts shaped the national character and reveals the vital nature of the ANZAC's role in all the major conflicts of the twentieth century and beyond.  

2.  The Gallipoli Letter. Sir Keith Murdoch. Hard Cover, 112 pages, $30.00 plus post. In September 1915, Keith Murdoch, then a young war journalist, wrote an 8000-word letter to the Prime Minister, Andrew Fisher. The Gallipoli Letter, as it came to be known, changed the course of the Gallipoli campaign.
Protesting against the conduct of the campaign and describing conditions at the front, is intimate and conversational, angry, passionate, vivid and moving. At times, it is heartbreaking. The letter changed the course of the campaign: Hamilton, the general in charge, was sent home, and the Allies were withdrawn. The Gallipoli Letter is an inspiring document.  

3.  The Encyclopaedia of Australia 's Battles (reprint). Chris Coulthard-Clark. Paperback, 320 pp, $35.00 plus post. Describes all the major battles in which Australians have fought over more than 200 years up-dated to include Australia 's involvements in the Middle East and Afghanistan . Arranged chronologically, over 300 battles are detailed - at sea, on the ground and in the air. A ready reference is provided, listing the date and location of each event, and the main units and commanders involved.  

4.  (The) Australian RV and Caravanner's Guide. Lloyd Junor $29.95 plus post. This book has been prepared for people intending to buy a new or used caravan, camping trailer, or motorised recreational vehicle (RV). It provides advice on choosing a caravan, choosing a towing vehicle, suggests options such as 5th-wheelers and slide-on units. Electrical systems, refrigeration, brakes, suspensions, wheels and tyres are all explained with the assistance of over 500 colour photographs and diagrams as well as charts and tables that clarify choices.
Prepared by Lloyd Junor, regular columnist for caravan and outdoor life magazines, and operator of Aussie Outback Tours caravan tours with more than 22 years on-the-road and industry experience. 320 pages, A4, coated flexible cover, full colour. Index  

Books are allocated on a first-come first serve basis. To reserve your copy of any of the following books please email info@westprint.com.au with the title you are interested in. All emails will be answered during the following week, either with details of how to pay, or a ‘sorry, the item has already sold’ email. Where possible, postage on multiple items will be recalculated to offer you the best price.  

Postage Rates. These items will usually not be found on our website. Orders will be supplied on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis. Westprint normal postage rates are now $8.50 for one book, $11.00 for two books, $13.00 for 3 or more books. Free post applies to orders of more than $150.00. Postage rates apply to Australia only. Airmail postage rates apply to overseas orders.

 

Friday Forum

Comments from Jo are green.

Disclaimer.

Please note that the opinions and articles included in the Friday Five are not necessarily those of the Westprint mob. Nor do we endorse any products (other than our own), or tours listed in contributed articles.  

A note from Jo:

·         Thank you to everyone who replied last week. There was so much information sent we have had to hold some of it over for future Friday Fives. Coming up in the next few weeks are items including: The Kidson Track, New fuel outlet at Lyndhurst, New road closure signs for outback SA, Caravans, motorhomes and RV friendly towns, Burke and Wills treks, Happy Trekker trips. I have tried to run articles in some sort of logical timeline order (well, it seemed logical to me anyway).

Victorian 4WD Show. Sunday February 21, 2010

Below are the details that should have been in last week. Sorry!

·         Australia 's largest outdoor 4WD event. Proudly presented by the members of the Land Rover Owners Club of Victoria Inc.  
http://www.victorian4wdshow.com.au/store/page.pl?id=58

At a glance: Sunday February 21st 2010 , 9:00 am to 4:30 pm .

Melways map 119 G7, Wandin Park Equestrian Centre. Cnr Victoria Road & Burgi-Hill Rd Wandin North. Victoria 3139

Westprint will be there. If you want us to take a particular item please give Graeme a call on 03 5391 1466. (By 5.00p.m 19th Feb)  

MITSUBISHI MUSTER 2010

April 2 – 5 (Easter) 

·         The Pajero 4WD Club of Victoria are hosting the Mitsubishi Muster for 2 – 5 April (Easter) 2010. It will be held at Turlee Station, some 85km NE of Mildura or 110 km from Balranald. The Muster is open to members of Mitsubishi Clubs, forum members and anyone owning a Mitsubishi vehicle. We’ve got people coming from SA, QLD, NSW, WA and Victoria. Organised by the Pajero 4WD Club of in conjunction with Mitsubishi 4WD Club SA, Triple Diamond 4WD Club of NSW and Mitsubishi Australia

Organised activities include Mungo tours, Mildura Explorer, Nav Runs, Motorkhana, Boundary Rider trips, Show & Shine, Mallee Fowl Discovery, Easter Fun Festa and lots, lots more. Ron

Full details are on the Pajero Club website at http://www.pajeroclub.com.au/home/Muster/Muster.html

Enquiries at mitsubishimuster@pajeroclub.com.au

You do not have to actually own a Mitsubishi to attend this muster (I already asked the Pajero Club that question). All are welcome.  

John McDouall Stuart  

·         Would it be possible to mention 150th Anniversary of John McDouall Stuart’s 1860 Expedition? There has been a committee set up in Alice Springs to promote celebrations of this event in April this year - 10th - 19th April. Details can be found on the website - www.thealice.com.au  

·         Also Harry & I - Ossies Outback 4WD Tours will once again operate two John McDouall Stuart Journeys. The first departing 16th April 2010 and the second departing 18th June 2010 . Sandy. Alice Springs . Details can be found on our web site - www.ossies.com.au  

The following is from the website www.thealice.com.au

2010 is the 150th anniversary of John McDouall Stuart’s first expedition to Central Australia. He was accompanied by William Kekwick and Benjamin Head.  
On 11 April 1860 they camped at Owen Springs on the Hugh River, 50 kilometres west of Alice Springs. They crossed the MacDonnell Ranges at Brinkley Bluff on 14 April and headed for the Hamilton Downs area. On 22 April they reached Central Mount Stuart, in the centre of the continent. There they built a cone of stones with a pole in the middle to which Stuart attached a Union Jack.

They reached Tennant Creek on 6 June and by 26 June were at a place now called Attack Creek. There they were confronted by Warramunga warriors and Stuart decided to abandon the expedition and return to Adelaide. They were running low on supplies and scurvy was taking its toll on all three men.
Stuart led two further expeditions through Central Australia. In 1861 he got as far as Newcastle Waters before turning back. He achieved his goal of crossing the continent in July 1862.
Stuart was a small, wiry Scot whose aim was always to travel lightly and to move quickly. This was a key factor in his success. Each time that he faced an insurmountable barrier in his quest for the north coast, he would turn around, head south again to Adelaide, regroup and try again. He had an amazing capacity to cope with the hardships of intense heat, waterless country and poor food. He is generally regarded as the greatest of Australia’s explorers. The 100th anniversary of Stuart’s 1860 expedition was a major community event in Alice Springs in 1960. A town ball was held at the Memorial Club on Friday 22 April with the Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Opposition Leader attending to officially open the club’s new hall. On the following Friday 29 April 1960 the first Alice Springs Show was held on Anzac Oval.
A 150th anniversary co-ordinating committee has been formed and is working with the Alice Springs Town Council to coordinate a program of community events for Heritage Week: 10-19 April 2010.

Trip Notes – High Country

·         The problem is not (or used to be) getting off Pinibar, but getting on to it. In the 90s a Daihatsu club convoy failed to make the climb from Tom Groggin and took up a considerable time from the SES and locals in the rescue. Lovely country, needs a real 4 WD and tyres, the river crossings are something else, during the melt and afterwards they are ROUGH. Trailer no problem if the foregoing is observed. Doug, Gloucester.  

·         I would have to agree with the negative advice. Either track from Tom Groggin has narrow/steep sections. Towing a camper trailer is asking for trouble. Ron Camier, MOUNTAIN-TOP EXPERIENCE, Morwell, 3840 www.mountaintopexperience.com  

·         In January 2008, we and one other family set off from Melbourne to Sydney via sections of the Vic high country.  We’ve been there a few times before with and without camper trailers to various areas.  I have been 4WDing for 10 years and towing for half that time.

 We intended to travel from the south onto the Davis High Plains track to Tom Groggin.  We know the area around Tom Groggin and Geehi well (we spend Melbourne cup week-ends based south of Corryong and do day trips south from there).

 On this particular day, we left Seldom Seen, to travel up the Davis Plains track to get through to Tom Groggin by the next day.  Half way along, before you get to the Davies Plain track proper on the Victorian side, there is a good little camp area called Limeburners Hut.

 We were the lead vehicle (Modified 100 series) and my mate was behind, however he did not have his regular vehicle (GU Patrol).  His borrowed vehicle (almost stock 100 series) was not fitted with the electronic brake controller, so he effectively had no trailer brakes.

About 6 Km’s north of Limeburners, we came across a steep downhill section, that I went down first, but advised my mate not to do it without trailer brakes.  We decided to call it a day and head back to Limeburners for a camp.

Our real problems started when I turned around to get back up.  The day was very hot, tyres down, but very little traction on the hot dusty, slippery rock ledges. It was all OK in the end, after a 1 hour winch session.

I think the lessons to be learnt from this are clear.  Think carefully before you decide to tow a camper trailer on a trip that you haven’t already experienced with your vehicle alone (keep in mind that the same track on a different day can be very different also).  When towing, always consider the dead load and what it does to your abilities.  Make sure your vehicle (and trailer) are set up to handle the situation with a back-up recovery plan should something unexpected happen.

The other issue to consider is how long you are allowing yourself to get from Tom Groggin to Mansfield.  This is a long distance over some very slow going terrain.

 I’d give it ago…if I had 2-3 weeks to do it and have another vehicle with you!!!  Stuart

Information Wanted – Innamincka  

·         This is an interesting one as neither the Qld nor SA River and Creek heights on the Bureau of Meteorology website include the causeway at Innamincka. Bruce  

·         Innamincka causeway height is on this website and is currently 3 metres over. Fred

http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/quicklinks/northern_roads/area1.asp

·         When the river actually flows it doesn’t always get high enough to be over the causeway.  There are culverts under the causeway that flow first.  I think the seasonal flooding is too hard to predict to warrant a formal measuring register.

I have also read a book called Innamincka that I bought from the pub last time I was there and it had some very interesting history on the river floods.

An interesting and little known fact is that when the water flows over the causeway, you can catch fish in your hands as they try and swim against the current.  Our kids would have stayed there for weeks they were having such a blast! Stuart  

Information Wanted – Roper Bar  

·         I was at Roper Bar in June 2009.  The road from Mataranka is good, sealed most of the way.  I seem to remember the final unsealed section was 50 kms or so.  There are no speed limit signs so it is worth remembering that where there is no sign showing otherwise in the Northern Territory, the speed limit is 110 kph. There is not much at Roper Bar but the road house is well stocked and they have fuel. Stephen

I thought the open road speed limit in the Territory was 130 kph. Can anyone clear that up for us?

Satphones

Jim, can you please help me? I have lost your email address and people want to know about your phone.  

·         Recently I have read a curious snippet about SatPhones which does require further follow-up as I cannot understand it – also had a brief telefonat with Graeme. My SatPhone (Motorola 9505 I think) does not have a sim card so far as I know. So what hand set is being referred to here? Perhaps the author of the snippet, Jim, has an answer. Hienz  

·         I am interested in learning a little more from Jim about his Satphone comment from last year. I would like to understand better how he does what he says he does. Also, can you give us more lead time on events like the Victorian 4WD Show? Bevin.

Hope to give you more lead time in future … unless I forget which is what happened here.  

·         Question for sat phone response in FF 12th Feb. What is the name and model of the sat phone you use? Cliff   

4Wd Victoria E-News

 The latest edition of E News is now available. Please follow the link below to our website for viewing. http://www.fwdvictoria.org.au/default0.asp   

From Last Week RVs  

·         Re the note (Westprint Friday Five 12/2/2010 ) concerning the dislike of the collective term ‘RV’ - whilst agreeing with the sentiment, the lack of any non-US alternative does present an issue for writers.  That issue is akin, for example, to being unable to use 'dog' in a book about domestic canines. There is no problem if one is simply discussing caravans, or campervans, or motorhomes, or fifth wheelers, or slide-ons, or camper trailers.  There is however where one is writing about them collectively.  To suggest that the word 'caravan' might also be used for (say) a 'slide-on' unit, is interesting, but would, I suggest, be liable to lose me readers.

In the past 10 years, and in the process of writing and publishing five books (and some 550 associated articles), I have been unable to find an acceptable alternative to 'RV'.  I too (strongly!) dislike the term - firstly because it is derived from the American, secondly because it is  an acronym, and thirdly because using the full 'Recreation Vehicle' takes up too much space and sounds (and is) clumsy.  I use it rarely, as in this response, but it is hard to avoid altogether.

I would be most grateful to anyone who can suggest a (preferably Anglo-Saxon derived) alternative. (Or even from old-Norse at a pinch).

And perhaps an acceptably shorter version of our still non-comprehensive company name!

Collyn Rivers. Caravan & Motorhome Books. Broome.  

Notice – we will be short staffed during March and April

·         Sonya will finally be having some time off during March and travelling in South Australia. Jo and Graeme will be travelling in Queensland during March and John and Bev will be travelling in New Zealand. We hope to have staff to keep our premises open but if you are travelling please phone first to check. 03 5391 1466.  

Christmas Message  

·         "Peace on Earth and Goodwill to all Mankind".  Luke Chapter 2, verse 14. If anything its more Christian than Merry Christmas and has certainly been widely used in Australia for many, many years. Max. Sydney .

I’m wondering if I can keep this debate going until Easter.

 

Friday Funnies  

·         A woman gave birth in a new state of the art delivery suite. It was so hi-tech that the baby came out cordless.  

·         Since my purchases came to $19.05, I handed the cashier a twenty. "Do you have five cents?" she asked.

"Sorry," I said after fishing around my pockets, "I have no cents."

"Finally," she muttered, "a man who can admit it."  

·         Mick & Paddy are reading head stones at a nearby cemetery. Mick say "Crikey! There's a bloke here who was 152!" Paddy says "what's his name?" Mick replies "Miles from London !"  

·         I was walking down the road when I saw an Afghan bloke standing on a fifth floor balcony shaking a carpet. I shouted up to him, "What's up Abdul, won't it start?"  

·         When a lonely frog consults a fortune-teller, he's told not to worry. "You are going to meet a beautiful young girl," she says, "and she will want to know everything about you."

"That's great!" says the excited frog. "When will I meet her?"

"Next semester," says the psychic, "in biology class."

 

To all of our Faithful Friday Five readers.

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Cheers for now,

Jo

 

 

 

 

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