For breaky we had our last of the rice bubbles and milk, thank god we were heading to a supermarket today! Everyone was in the same boat with food supplies getting low. We packed up kid free in the morning as 'The Germans' took all the kids down for a last swim down at the falls.
We all headed off at 9am to make our way to Loyalty Beach, with great anxiety and anticipation about the infamous 'Nolan Brook' creek crossing. The first creek crossing, Canal Creek, wasn't the start we had thought. It was very difficult with uneven levels and deep rocky ruts in the creek then the exit was steep with ruts as well. Everyone got thru with the helpful advice from a few blokes who were camped there. Unfortunately we had to farewell 'the Germans' temporarily as it was going to be too difficult for them with the creek crossings. So they headed back to the bypass road and we would meet them at Jardine ferry later on today.
We hit Sam Creek and all passed thru uneventful except Rods trailer went a bit sideways. The two blokes who helped us with the last creek crossing had decided to follow us on there quad bike and watch us thru a few creeks for amusement!!!
Next was Mistake Creek which was easy too. On the road in between the next creek we saw some of the old telegraph poles and so we stopped for Rod to do his famous trademark jump!! It was so cool, looks great, wish l had thought of something like that to do!
Made it to Cannibal Creek, a narrow old log bridge made out of several logs forming a path over the bridge. Was slow going for everyone but we all got thru. Met a young couple from Cairns newly married on their honeymoon, Craig and Melissa. We directed them across and they have decided to join 'the frenchman crew' convoy, so we're back to 5 vehicles again.
Arrived at the last creek crossing, Cyprus Creek. It was murky water, about 10-15m wide. Dale and Mick walked in hesitantly to check the depth keeping their eyes open for air bubbles or movement in the water! Wasn't too deep and everyone got thru unscaved. Next was the Nolan Brook Creek crossing!!
We arrived in great anticipation, but Marty and l were a bit deflated. We expected it to be a wide river l guess but it was only about 10m. But what it lacked in width it made up in depth. It was about midriff height on Marty with a soft sandy floor. Mick was first and as usual did it with ease. Marty was next!!! He was going well then hit the half way mark across and things came to s stand still. Yes that's right, he bogged it!!! Dale was in to hook the snatch strap up for Mick to pull him out but water had already started filling the cab! Marty was calm but Boo was a bit scared about seeing the water inside the car, luckily l was out of the car taking pics cause we all know how l would have been!!! Lol. Mick pulled Marty and the girls out. Marty got out and opened the doors, water poured out instantly. Every door we opened, water came out, even the back ones! Marty said it was about 3 inches deep inside the cab, luckily he anticipated the worst and put everything off the floor before he crossed.
Next the boys decided to snatch Rod thru with the trailer. Craig went thru with snatch attached and he got stuck so Mick pulled him thru. Dale decided to go thru without the cautionary snatch attached, with success. Went thru awesome. We had some lunch then Kerry decided she wanted to have a go so Dale drove it back thru again. Kerry got the directions of the passage to drive from Dale and she was off. Came to a halt in the middle and started to fill with water. Dale finally got the snatch strap attached, he had to go under the water to do it and the current was sucking him under!! Pretty scary for him and felt like ages but then all was attached and Mick pulled her out. Opened the doors and water just poured out. Kerry said the water was above her ankle up to the top of the speakers on the door!!!! At least the motor didn't stop and it was only a bit of water at the end of the day.
We watched a few other people attempt the Nolan's crossing, with most needing to be snatch strapped out. We heaed off onto our next leg of the day, to have a look at the Jardine River. It was over a 100m in width and before we knew it Dale was walking across to access if it was 'doable'! It was quiet funny seeing him walk across with his head darting left to right watching fit crocs. He came back to state he was going to give it a go. We looked a bit dumb founded then all got our snatch straps out for him. He hooked 8 snatch straps up to his winch and Marty, Rod, Craig, Dale, Angie and Jem carried it out and walked it across the river holding the straps over their heads. The idea was that the snatch straps would go across the river and hook around a tree and if Dale got stuck he could winch himself across the river. So the moment had come and Dale began his triumphant cross of the Jardine River. He was going good until he got to the middle and then he slowed down and got bogged. There was heaps of yelling and orders being voiced. After a bit they got the snatch around a tree bur then his winch wouldn't start. The car started filling with water then after about 15mins the car stopped and all was lost. The car filled to the seats and up to their knees, the motor wouldn't kick over. We then decided to winch him back to the bank of his entry point. So everyone dragged the snatch straps back over the river to hook up to Mick's winch. Again things went pear shaped. Mick's winch then unrolled right off the barrel. Mick tried pulling dale out but bogged himself in the sand. Everyone was running around shouting things out while Melissa and l kept taking photos! So the boys hooked a snatch strap up to Craig's winch, but he couldnt pull Mick and Dale out. So Marty hooked his winch up and double winched Mick up with alot of effort. After an hour and a half Dale was on dry land again and as soon as he got out a shot load of water poured out along with belongings!!! Everyone was shocked at his defeat and felt for him badly. The cruiser failed to start as everyone held their breath. Kerry was upset but who could blame her. Long story short, the car was rooted and we had to camp at the Jardine River for the night as it was too late for the ferry and the boys were trying to get the car going. Marty had run out of smokes so we all found out and was reluctant to stay but had no choice really. We were our of grog, low on food and tiered. Angie and Rod lent us some meat for tea. Craig and Melissa gave us bourbon and wine. All in all the day ended well with a camp fire, commiserating about the cruiser, good food, grog, and friends.
Tomorrow we will figure a plan of attack and hopefully the cruiser will dry out and start!!!
Bell Xx