Trip Leader -
Roger and Jan Freegard : Martin and Karen Archer
Trip Notes -
Glenn Bignell, Martin Archer
Participants:
This trip has been run for the past 6 years and keeps getting more popular.
This year we had 21 members registered to attend however with late
withdrawals we ended up with 19 camp sites occupied.
The destination was Big Valley Farm, about 7 kilometres east of Margaret
River along Rosa Brook Road. The property is a working sheep farm nestled
between state forests in a picturesque valley. The owners, Kevin and Shelley
Silverthorne, are very down to earth and welcoming people who run the
caravan park as a side business to their sheep stock. The camp grounds are
divided into two large areas. One area is for individual campers whilst the
other is reserved for large group bookings such as ours. A large open sided
shed protects a huge camper’s kitchen including refrigerators, BBQs and gas
cook tops. There are plenty of toilets and showers with hot running water.
The shed is surrounded by a grassed lawn while the camp areas are shaded by
large white gums.
Some members arrived as early as Wednesday to set up and prepare for a
relaxing weekend. By Friday afternoon, all had arrived in anticipation for
the first event on the calendar; a Friday night feast of lamb on a spit.
With 19 vehicles to consider, 3 separate day trips were planned to be run on
Saturday. This was reduced to 2 trips following a pre-trip on Thursday where
it was found that a water fall at one destination was lacking its vital
ingredient (water). So with Roger’s trip canned, it was down to two groups,
one being led by Martin Archer to Joey’s Nose, and the other being led by
Chris Partington to Boranup Forest and beach. Saturday morning developed
into a hot and humid day with some cloud cover. This made it perfect for
trips to two very good swimming locations.
Notes of the Joey’s Nose trip by Roger Freegard...
Leaving Big Valley camp site at 10.30am, nine cars proceeded along Caves
road and then off road along a reasonable soft sand approach to the beach at
Joeys Nose.
The naming of this spot being associated to the limestone promontory being
in the shape of an over sized non impressive nose.
The beach area unfortunately at this weekend period was full of other 4WD
family enthusiasts, dogs, surfers and fishing folks, unlike the midweek pre
trip by some members, who enjoyed an empty beach for a walk and lunch.
Undeterred our trip leader Martin forged onwards and upwards, off the beach
along the coast a little way and discovered an equally impressive beach
without occupants, possible due to the slightly less ease of access. Cars
were quickly unpacked, bathers put on and a dip in the sea was enjoyed by
the majority of the members present. This was followed by a leisurely lunch,
strolls, sand castles, fishing activities and the inevitable discussions
about the various pieces of 4WD equipment, currently available in the market
place.
After an enjoyable few hours on the beach the convoy departed, climbing off
the beach with little difficulty, with the exception of he who shall not be
named, as he is the trip report writer.
An easy trip was encountered on the way back to tarmac land, with only a
couple of cars taking a slightly more difficult return trip to experience
some rock traverses, which proved to be easier than expected.
Thanks again to Martin and Karen for an enjoyable day out.
Trip notes for Big Valley Campsite (South East of Margaret River) to Boranup
Beach (North of Hamelin Bay) - Saturday 20/11/2010 Glenn Bignell
At 10:30AM, 7 vehicles departed Big Valley Campsite comprising of 6
Mitsubishi’s and 1 Toyota. The weather was fine with a warm breezy day ahead
of us. Friendly banter on the radio waves put pressure on for the sole
Toyota driver in the convoy.
The convoy comprised of Chris Partington and Lester Cousins as joint trip
leaders in Lester’s Pajero. Jeff and Maxine Otway, Keith Parker, Ian, Robin
and baby Emma, Guy and Wendy Lehman, Glenn Bignell and Richard and Helen
Kingston as tail end Charlie.
After leaving Big Valley Campsite, we progressed down Wallis road, left onto
Rosa Brook road, left onto Bussell Highway, through the small town of
Witchcliffe and onto Karridale. At Karridale we turned right onto Bushby
Road, right onto Caves Road and then after 200 meters we turned left onto
Reserve Road (the track) to Boranup Beach.
Within 50 meters the fun began. A steep uphill left hand bend with huge
wombat holes was indeed a challenge for all. Half of the group stopped to
air down while the other half continued on to air down further down the
track. As it turned out this was the worst part of the track with only a few
minor challenges until we reached the beach.
At the beach car park everyone aired right down in anticipation of soft
beach sand – which it was. The group headed north along the beach for about
5 kilometers and to within 100 meters of the rocky headland where we stopped
for photos, lunch and a swim by the brave – the wind and waves were up
making for some body surfing and a cold departure from the water.
After lunch the group packed up, headed north for the rocks, took more
photos and decided that an ice-cream was in order to top off the day. So it
was with this in mind that the group headed for home via the same track and
roads and ended up at the Rosa Brook general store for the goodies and
eventually back to Big Valley campsite for showers and refreshments. A good
time was had by all – thanks Chris and Lester.
.............
Returning to the Big Valley camp, most settled down for a relaxing afternoon
nod before contemplating dinner. After dinner most stayed around the camp
kitchen for a Quiz Night. The quiz questions were compiled by John and Sue
Bromberger, who unfortunately had to withdraw from the trip. The MC role was
therefore taken up by Roger and Jan who, following last year’s competition,
were a little anxious about how serious some members take quiz competitions.
With the expectation of a riot happening, Jan strategically employed the
children to read the answers. After all, who is going to argue with a 5 year
old? The winners of the competition were
on a table other than mine, so I won’t indulge their ego by naming them. Be
it suffice to say that everyone had a great evening thanks to Roger, Jan,
Matt, Sam and Locky.
Sunday was a very casual morning with the hint of drizzle in the air. Some
stayed around the camp for the morning while others headed into Margaret
River for site seeing. An early morning round of 9 post golf was had by many
on the Freegard Pines Golf Circuit. The winner of the golf tournament will
be revealed at the next club meeting.
At mid-day we all headed to the Bootleg Brewery for lunch. Despite a
reservation being made and later confirmed for a group of 32, we found the
reserved seating somewhat short. Eventually those without a seat found a
spare table on the other side of the grounds. Having received local
recommendations for other locations, Bootleg is booted from next year’s
itinerary. Despite the separation of the group, lunch was enjoyed by all
before we moved on to the Chocolate Factory for an afternoon coffee. We then
headed back to camp feeling somewhat uncomfortably full.
Thanks to Roger, Jan and Karen for their majority contribution in organising
this year’s trip. Next year’s Big Valley trip may be scheduled at a
different date due to my work commitments around the CHOGM event. As soon as
a date is organised it will be listed on the 2011 calendar.
Martin
Big Valley Campsite (South East of Margaret River) to Boranup Beach (North
of Hamelin Bay) - Saturday 20/11/2010
At 10:30AM, 7 vehicles departed Big Valley Campsite comprising of 6
Mitsubishi’s and 1 Toyota. The weather was fine with a warm breezy day ahead
of us. Friendly banter on the radio waves put pressure on for the sole
Toyota driver in the convoy.
The convoy comprised of Chris Partington and Lester Cousins as joint trip
leaders in Lester’s Pajero. Jeff and Maxine Otway, Keith Parker, Ian, Robin
and baby Emma, Guy and Wendy Lehman, Glenn Bignell and Richard and Helen
Kingston as tail end Charlie.
After leaving Big Valley Campsite, we progressed down Wallis road, left onto
Rosa Brook road, left onto Bussell Highway, through the small town of
Witchcliffe and onto Karridale. At Karridale we turned right onto Bushby
Road, right onto Caves Road and then after 200 meters we turned left onto
Reserve Road (the track) to Boranup Beach.
Within 50 meters the fun began. A steep uphill left hand bend with huge
wombat holes was indeed a challenge for all. Half of the group stopped to
air down while the other half continued on to air down further down the
track. As it turned out this was the worst part of the track with only a few
minor challenges until we reached the beach.
At the beach car park everyone aired right down in anticipation of soft
beach sand – which it was. The group headed north along the beach for about
5 kilometers and to within 100 meters of the rocky headland where we stopped
for photos, lunch and a swim by the brave – the wind and waves were up
making for some body surfing and a cold departure from the water.
After lunch the group packed up, headed north for the rocks, took more
photos and decided that an ice-cream was in order to top off the day. So it
was with this in mind that the group headed for home via the same track and
roads and ended up at the Rosa Brook general store for the goodies and
eventually back to Big Valley campsite for showers and refreshments. A good
time was had by all – thanks Chris and Lester.
Glenn Bignell.