Sundown National Park

[ellicat]

Sundown Thursday 10th May 2012 to Sunday 13th May 2012

After some kerfuffles and disappointments 5 AFOers finally made the trek to Sundown National Park for some R&R, four wheel driving, camping and Murray codding in the Severn River.

Shortie, Eug and myself headed away early Thursday morning in convoy. First stop was Aratula for some hearty breakfasts - bacon and eggs for me and shortie and a bowl of stir fried rice bubbles for Eugene. Followed with a strong coffee and a glass of rice milk (guess who).

Up The Range

Next significant stop was Stanthorpe to refuel the tanks and ice supplies before heading into the NP. Also shortie had realised he’d forgotten his toothbrush so that was also on his list as well.

The attendant at the servo was a pretty young lady with a sexy euro accent. When she spoke it made a man feel wanted (right there and then on the floor lol). We each entered and were served at separate times, me first then Eug then shortie. Eug exited the shop and said to me that the woman wanted him, only to be further excited when I confessed that she wanted me first. Then shortie came out and said she wanted him also but she had also asked him where we were all headed. He told her Sundown. Looking at his toothbrush she said “I don’t bother with personal hygiene when I go to Sundown†What a let down !! :lol

In high spirits we arrived at the entrance

Nissan Club

Good use of a used Microwave.

Then at the gate proper

Then off on the rough rocky track. The track to our destination is 20km and the Parks people suggest a 2 hour travel time (i.e. av 10kmh)

There were some real risks for weak sidewalls

We made it to a lookout to have a peak at Red Rock Gorge which is reasonably spectacular and also provided a chance to stretch the legs as it is a short walk from the track.

Note the pants in this tree that overhangs the cliff

We continued on and somewhere in the middle I pulled up for a Coke, to roll a smoke (which was proving difficult with the bumpiness), and to gobble down a cream doughnut from the Stanthorpe bakery. Shortie rolled in next and then Eug. Sharp rocks are a feature of the area and one had found its way through the rubber on Eugs rear tyre.

Fortunately we had brought the right safety gear and clothes to perform the wheel change. Also the right personnel and management structure as shortie controlled the highway traffic, I supervised and made smart comments and Eugene laboured away and sweated like a pig, occasionally swearing (that’s why he is still a worker).

A few seconds later it developed a bit of a flat spot...

Along the way we came across Davo
/>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkVe9zHoPXc

Then off for more we went.

Having been there twice before I had taken 2 spares for added piece of mind. Eugene was now down to no spares. Even though I sang him the Rolf Harris version of Two Little Boys, we decided to take it easy until we arrived at camp.

Along the way we saw a few roos and deer as well as some great vistas of the range.

We arrived at the camping area which has been impressively upgraded from 10 years ago with a large cleared and couched area to select a good spot to camp from. A section of the Severn River somewhat depleted of water by about 18 inches bordered one side.

Beauty contest (No winner awarded)

Shortie discovered the Luck Tree.

Then quickly set about destroying the luck as he pulled it to see if he had a spare shoe.

Turned out not to fit this jalopy

There are some big roos at Sundown, but this one had Eug and I convinced it was a boulder until it stood up. Image doesn't do it justice. Shortie is 6'1" and this thing towered over him...I'm guessing close to 2 metres tall.

We made our site selection and then set about setting up camp and sleeping quarters before getting the heater going. Eug and shortie tossed and snagged up a lure each while I filmed shortie test the water temp (where he said he was going to have a swim – yeah right). Last time I was there the river was 7 degrees :lol

Dinner was to be a stir fry beef and rice thing. The 1.2kg frozen ball of beef suggested the 12V fridge was working well, so the half hour dinner took about 2 hours to prepare. Thank God we were all starving by then as the ingredient mix was a little too short on quantity to get the strength of flavour needed. We also discovered, to Eug’s cultural shame, that he doesn’t know how to cook rice!! and had to read the packet. :lol

A few giggles around the fire and plans for the next day and then we hit the sack.

Next morning Eug and I checked on shortie after what sounded like a restless night for him :whistle: before Eug went for a flick and shortie tried a flick from in the cold water. Both lost their lure.
/>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNlPdi5Ece4

Day 2 saw us head for the Gate again to chauffeur in our Friday friends - Dassa and Ted. A bit of practical joking saw Dassa show us the moon at the gate. The joke was on him as Eug, Shortie and I let out a roar of laughter when he discovered the gate chain was somehow wet :woohoo: :silly:

/>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rl_v7y5riI0&feature=youtu.be

Ted led the way in rally mode and we were back at camp in good time. Shortie, Eug and I decided to attack some of the alternative tracks for a bit of fun on the way. The Patrol showed the benefit of diff lockers, high clearance and very little overhang for good departure angles. The Navara showed off the excellent engine braking and how a good paint job makes it look shiny. Also the side steps are tougher than they look lol

No sooner did we get back to camp and Ted was off in search of a cod. To my dismay he left his tent unzipped (see rule 11). Eug quickly snapped the evidence.

Then he zoomed in for something a little more unusual (which naturally we later came to understand more about)

The next day came and Dassa and Eugene started off the day following Ted upstream in the yak. Shortie and I stayed behind to complete the wake up processes lol. A couple of promising yahoos were heard echoing down the valley. When the boys returned the score was Dassa 2 cod around the 40 mark and 1 cod to Eugene almost legal at 58cm. Ted didn't even catch a picture of the others

Dassa and Eug

Dassa and Ted

Dassa in his Gay Pride Yak

Eug

Ted in between curses

The cod came eventually

We then headed over to another spot in the area in the afternoon but had no luck there before returning to camp to settle into dinner and a fireside session again.

Ted discovered a rock to balance the Rodeo on

Dassa spent a bit of time on the toilet

Eventually Ted went over and helped remove the problem. He returned triumphantly revealing it to us through the window.

A few beers etc around the fire before Dassa was first to call tired after a fairly long week for him. The playtime was quite amusing as Eugene took a liking to the taste of some honey thing from Ted and Dassa's liquor cabinet. He started to drift off to sleep when Dassa decided it'd be a good idea to bend over beside him without his usual attire covering his white moon. It was amusing but then suddenly Eug sprung to life and with lightning speed slapped Dassa's bare parts and then immediately resumed his sleeping status. :woohoo: Dassa seemed quite surprised and for that little moment I thought the look on his face wasn't seeing the funny side but was a little shocked. Talk about laugh

That wasn't it though. Dassa was off to bed. I was heading over to the car for something and all off a sudden Eug was up again and decided to do a show for Shortie and Ted. I can't say too much but the word puppetry should give you a fair indication. Whatever fever Eug had Ted seemed to catch it a dose of it too.

A funny night indeed.

Next morning a few went for a fish again. Dassa returned with another 2 cod on his list proving to be Mr Consistent for the weekend. The afternoon we all went for a yak without reward. I discovered I don't like yak fishing (at least not without a foot-controlled electric)

Next morning it was all but over. A quick warm by the fire and then away we went.

Here's a vid of a few random bits from the trip. Info is in the description part if you choose the watch on youtube thingy

/>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uz1Bf-c0rQ

The other boys are apparently keen to add there 2 cents so all the gaps should get filled. Well maybe not all of them :whistle: I have some videos that need a fair bit of editing too. Hope you enjoy at least some of the story.

Great trip fellas. Just a shame we had to come home ....

(More videos on Page 3)

[Do$tylz]

no asian knows how to cook rice.. that's why we buy rice cookers

[Terry H]

Looking forward to seeing the end result!

Some of those roos out there a monsters. Lee, Jimmybob Ferg and myself went down to Ben's Falls - there were some monsters down there. Not sure if they were roos, or a type of wallaby, but they were built like a brick sh**house.

Is that Shorties pack of Stayfree pads? lol

[ellicat]

Bump for those stuck at home due to bad weather

[51MPL]

hahahaa

bloody awsome trip fellas

[Milan]

Fantastic report mate and It looks like you boys had a great time out there!

[taib]

hahaha, looks like an AWESOME trip fellas!! cant stop laughing at some of the pics!

im suprised Eug didnt smell a thing while he was sleeping lol

[werewolf]

Great boys trip!

[shortie]

Teds pads terry

They were found in his tent

Not only that after a night on the grog and Eugene having no bed for a might due to the disappearance of his car keys a full condom was found in teds tent

We still have no idea where Eug slept that night but we can assume

[tugger]

Great report and the weekend would have been a ball of fun why haven't the rest of the gang commented or are they starting to remember things they shouldn't :whistle:

[shortie]

Many world savings conversations were had this weekend

Some of them not repeatable

We don't want Ted left standing with (eggs) on his face

[Angus]

I hear banjos...

[JarrydA]

Great Report! Looks like a sweet trip. Nice area too, im keen to hit it up sometime.

I nominate for ROTM ! :cheer:

[crazywalrus]

Was a great weekend - American Honey strikes again. Thanks Dazza for introducing me to it.

Hey guys what happens on Camp stays on camp. Than again I have learnt if you want something spread around you tell it to Shortie in confidence.

I can not get over how quickly Eugene died after the Honey.

Thanks for organising Brian and Dazza

[Snaggers]

Sounds like you guys had a awesome time, what a setting. If you guys head out there again I'd love to tag along.

[shortie]

Awesome weekend awesome company

Shame we had to come home to real life

[Eug]

Cheers Daz and Brian for putting the trip together. It was a great weekend away with some good company, I agree it was a real shame we had to leave.

I'll throw up some other pics when I get home.

Sneaky stuff that American Honey... I like it A LOT! :woohoo:

Probably half of what was said (and shown) can't be repeated on the forum :ohmy:

[shortie]

Dassa promised us he would chase down a deer and we would be eating venison for dinner.

Guess what

They are much faster than him.

I do remember a wager being made about him catching 1.

Thanks Again Kurtises. Cant wait for the next trip.

THATS LOW

[Manni79]

Hahahahaha good read Brian, thanks !!!

I pissed my self laughing at the pics with Eug !!

[Snaggers]

Eug, nice wwork on the photo's, Especially love that first one.

[max pwr]

very funny report ellicat.....looks like a really camp camp you guys had there eug, if you like american honey you may also enjoy a dram or two of Irish Mist.........so many jokes about the full moon at sundown I just don't know where to start :silly:

[dassa]

Thanks to the fous stugges for a great weekend and for me a weekend of 1st and the PB's and that had nothing to do with and of the boys just MURRAY COD my first at about mid to high 30's my 2nd low to mid 40's and my 3rd and the final went high 40's to about 50cm and yes I think i even scared the drop bears out of the national park after my 1st cod

than the locial YETTY come down to see what all the noise was about.

[attachment]andreas 211.JPG[/attachment]

[attachment:8]andreas 215.JPG[/attachment]

[robin]

Thats awesome, cant wait till I get my 4wd.

[Keen-as-fisho]

Very nice part of the country, shame I missed out but by the looks of things maybe not lol. Good work on the Cod Dassa and eug, I guess the other boys got bugger all.

[Eug]

Cheers Den. Pretty sure Ted caught plenty of wind knots... :whistle:

[Eug]

Ted's tent :dry:

[The Mad Hughesy]

Report of the year! Haha this is one of the best reads I've had in a while!the More softcore man hairy bum porn on afo the better!!

[davopac]

u guys are sus .

nice report ,bet u had a ball or 2 :whistle:

oh and only amateurs wear orange vests.

[Surfingant]

Hahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhaha. ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. Yep that should do it, great report I only just got around to reading it in full and it is an absolute crackup. Top effort fellas

[tomca]

I think my decision to go alone may have been the right one. You sus bunch of stooges.

Hey Dassa, is your iPad's spell checker broken too. :whistle:

It's OK Brian I reported myself to you for this post already :blush:

[ellicat]

An extra video has been added to the opening post

[shortie]

That's piss funny

[Eug]

Hahahaha.... Thats low!

[ellicat]

A bit more and another video has been added to the opening post.

It's a rare thing for me to laugh at that time of day :silly:

How low old sneaky one ?

[Eug]

nice legs shortie...

[Keen-as-fisho]

Note to self, don't open gates with wet chains

[shortie]

Get your passenger to do it

[ellicat]

Another vid added to the opening post (near the end)

[kmcrosby78]

Great videos boys - very entertaining. Seeing as though I've heard that Dassa never showers, I don't think I'll shake his hand when next we cross paths ........

[ellicat]

Here's the rest of the vids. Essentially all four wheeling based but with some great narration by Eugene. He's a sneaky nutty fella behind a camera.

If you're interested, the vids play better in HD (click setting / 720) when viewed on Youtube

Language warning applies - you will hear all the common expletives !

/>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxmQMqktn7w

/>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNlihnnm8X8

My favourite (because shortie was the girl) :whistle:
/>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPqjjq14yPg

/>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2PDU18ItBA