TOM made the suggestion that we run the car on gas whenever we could, (gas being cheaper than petrol) especially when you are out in the country, and the further away from town you get the more expensive it would be.

We had also agreed to half the gas bill by taking turns to fill up and by keeping a record of our mileage and so when we return home, work it all out and settle up at home. 

We passed through a bit of rain as we leave the city of MELBOURNE and our loved ones behind. A friend of TOM'S (his name was ROB) called on TOM'S HF radio during the day, just to see how things were going, unfortunately the reception was not very good at that time (we were traveling through some hilly country), so we gave up after a few minutes and continued on our way.

Our first fuel stop for the day was at HORSHAM, a nice Victorian country town, a good 3-hour or so drive from home. We topped up with fuel and I topped up with food, (I was a little bit peckish). And   proceeded on our way again, nothing much happened as we went on our merry way, we sailed on past the giant KOALA at DADSWELL BRIDGE, but did not stop to take any photos, (maybe on the way back) The rain had gone now, and so we had a good clear road in front of us.

TAILEMBEND in S.A was our next stop, for fuel and some refreshments again.

We reached ADELAIDE, the capital of SOUTH AUSTRALIA, at around 5.00pm, we had decided to try and make it to PORT PIRIE before dark if we could (TOM had already booked a room for us anyway, so we were obliged to make it that far.) So we passed straight through the lovely city of ADELAIDE (it really is a nice place to visit, if you do go there make sure you go to the MT LOFTY look out, it is especially spectacular at night) I have a bit of a soft spot for ADELAIDE (that�s where I met my wife).

Before we left home TOM had installed a CB RADIO and also an HF RADIO, and a GPS device, we were not to know it at the time, but these things were to become extremely important to us and some other people, within the next few days.  

We managed to make it to PORT PIRIE just after dark, found the motel, settled our gear for the night, and decided to go and have something to eat, we had spotted a MACDONALDS on our way in, and it was not far from our motel, (just up the road and around the corner actually), just after we had eaten, MARGO called (it was good to hear from her) and she told me that they had, had some really bad storms during the day back in MELBOURNE there had been lots of places flooded, lighting and so forth, and that she was off to bingo for  awhile, (maybe she could win the cost of this trip).

TOM called JENENE and she told him that she had had a black out at the house, but that power was back on and things were ok now, but it was still cold and wet.

Go To Page 4