I’m not much of a writer but will have a go at telling about our great northern safari.
It started when Doug said he had sold a plane to a man in Port Keats and had to deliver it to EM KAY TEE Darwin.
Opportunity knocks Mildura, Darwin Lets have a look around on the way.
With a bit of planning [John will say a lot] we left on the 9th May a Jabiru 160, Sky Fox, Zenith 701,Sinus Motor Glider.
As the Fox has a 220nm endurance fist stop was Waikerie S.A. on to Port Augusta to stay with a mate overnight. The 10th was up to Glendambo for fuel (jerry cans) on to Coobey Pedy for drinks and a look around, stayed in under ground motel not much fresh air, I do like the window open at night.
On the 11th we left for Kulgera N.T. more fuel , the strip is across the road from the road house so 3 trips with two 20lt jerry cans in a wheelbarrow loaned to as by the servo, a bite to eat and we were on our way to Tilmouth Road House on the other side of the McDonald Rangers, tracking, Palm Valley, Hemannsburg, Saint Helens, Ormiston Gorge. The view over this county is is no words.
We had arranged for fuel at Tilmouth and stayed the night, great place, and great people. The 12th was up the Tanami to Tanami homestead for more arranged fuel and a short break to take the children for a fly. On to Wolfe Creek and right turn to Halls Creek for more drinks [getting hot now] and bed.
Sunday 13th off to the Bungle Bungles scenic flight did the right thing never hit any choppers or tourist planes. [ the S.O.P.is in the ersa] from their we tracked to Argyle Downs Homestead had a chat with the Jillaroos about life on the station, toped up with fuel and on to Kununurra via lake Argyle.
On the 14th we had a rest day did the washing, swim in the pool, had drinks, John had friends their who drove us around and put on a great B.B.Q. Tea, had drinks great day had by all.
15th left for Drysdale River Station [leaving the Zenth to be picked up on the way back] via Wyndham arrived at lunch time, refueled, unloaded the planes to go up the Prince Regent Sound and Michal Falls landing on Michal Plateau than back to Drysdale River for what else drinks and bed.
16th set of for Derby and was glad to see some flat ground again [ALA] only to find any thing that was flat was MUD! “Plan” was to land at Derby unload and fly around the Buccaneer Arch to the Horr Water Falls but it started raining and didn’t stop till the next afternoon so hired a car and had a look around Derby.
That took 10mins so what then yer more drinks.18th was supposed to be in Darwin tonight but got back to Kununurra via El Questro.
19th picked up 701 and tracked strait for Port Keats “wrong” flying over the Kimberleys was bad enough looking for some were to put down if things went pear shaped but the mud flats full of Hand bags were not on. So big diversion to stay over rocks made me feel slightly better, anyway arrived at Port Keats picked up the new owner of the 701 and on to Daly River, Batchlor, M.K.T. my mate Dave met us and introduced us to the top end Boys over drinks.
20th The top end club had a around Darwin flying all set up for early Sunday morning and invited us to come along, [didn’t have to ask twice ] This is in Controlled Air Space and we had to follow the leader at 500 to 1000 ft The leader was my mate in his Trike yep Trike this meant that we had to fly slow like 50nts try that in a 160 Jab? Anyway ½ flap 70nts and weaving to and fro we all became Dropkicks 2 to 14 with Dropkick 1 in his RV ripping up and down above us keeping us on the strait and narrow . It was one hell of a view landed back at M.K.T. for fuel and bags off to Daly Waters Pub leaving the 701with its new owner for what else drinks and bed.
21th Down to Tennant Creek and on to the Devils Marbles, back to Tilmouth Wells.
22nd Just had to cross the McDonald Rangers again to Chambers Towers down the Fink River to Fink, Oodnadatta, William Creek this is the Best Country plenty of ALA.
23rd Lake Eyre South to The Marree Man and on to Arkaroola more fuel across Lake Frome to Broken Hill, at last Mildura.
4700 odd nml 56.9 flying hr for 773.38 lt Fuel Where ever we went the G.A. boys were very helpful even if some of them though us Mad
This is the first time at trying to write anything so I will apologies now for the Grammar.
