Middle Earth 2011

[Blue Dog]

depends on the date I will be out the corner area over easter

[Grey Ghost]

We're in, if its over the Vic september school hols. And Millsy for president (of the organising committee)!
Also if it happens in the week following the Gawler Ranges trip.

[bmurray2250]

Originally Posted by Grey Ghost

We're in, if its over the Vic september school hols. And Millsy for president (of the organising committee)!
Also if it happens in the week following the Gawler Ranges trip.

Most likely we will be in the same boat. NSW holidays would suit better for us too

[Pure Yobbo]

How about we aim for 2011 - that way people can a plan and b save up some coin for the trips. Most people already have there year mapped out for big trips already.

[millsy]

Originally Posted by Pure Yobbo

How about we aim for 2011 - that way people can a plan and b save up some coin for the trips. Most people already have there year mapped out for big trips already.

Might happen like that Pure Yobbo. Maybe a poll needed. I would only be able to make it in September since I am doing the Gawler Ranges trip in July. And that's only if the bank balance has recovered. But the weather can be quite 'agressive' - rain / heat / windy in September. Winter in the deserts seems to be best. Autumn might be still dry and dusty. Not the best for convoys. But I am talking more from an Adelaide perspective - never been up that way in autumn. Could still be green from summer cyclones!

I have just done a bit of planning. Thanks to all those dobbing me in. But really, its all a team effort. That's what forums are all about - share the ideas until we get a consensus.

I first did some time checks on the Google Maps to see how many hours driving it is to Cameron's Corner. Its about 20 hours from each of the Eastern capitals, and about 15 from Adelaide. So for those who like to 'smell the roses' and get their money's worth, that could be stretched over 3 days.

Then I thought that you need a bit of time together if it's a meeting. So there might need to be a poll as to how many nights together, and exactly where. I am putting forward one suggestion; Make Tibooburra the first 'whole group' meeting place, and hopefully there is a suitable camp site not too far away from that town. Some might want to sleep at a hotel, motel or caravan park, but hopefully also a camp site not far out of town for a night with all around the camp fire.

Then next day a convoy over to Cameron's Corner, about 140km away. Or stop 30km before Cameron's Corner for an early camp set up at Fort Grey, or one of the other three camp grounds in the Sturt National Park. Another group night around the camp fire. And then next morning on to Cameron's Corner to sober up at the pub and a group photo where the three states meet.

Then from there people make their own way home - maybe via Innamincka with some of the others if they have the time available.

I have set up a table showing the three school holidays for six states, highlighting the overlaps. Maybe the consensus would be that overlapping school holidays would suit most, but then again maybe not. Another poll to see where the numbers are.

Just a few ideas to get the ball rolling. But as I said - the more brains working on it the better. There are many options, just have to dig them all out and find the most popular.

[millsy]

OK, here are few ordered questions for people to think and talk about. Hopefully what people say about these might lead to a great Middle Earth adventure, either this year or next;

Question 1 – Who is keen on doing a Middle Earth this year?

Question 2 – Who is keen on doing Middle Earth next year?

Question 3 – Those that want to do it this year, where do you want to go? Who likes the Cameron’s Corner idea.? ( not necessarily in the exact format I suggested above.)

Question 4 – What are any other suggestions for a meeting place?

Question 5 – What dates do you prefer – one of the school holidays ( which one, and is the middle ‘overlap’ section OK, or do you need the ‘other’ end of the holiday? ) OR what other dates do you want?

[millsy]

It's next year for me.

I have to admit that money, and old equipment, means I am booked out for this year. When you drive an old bus like mine you can only commit to one trek at a time. It might take a while to fix it all up after the Gawler Ranges trip before heading out again! Besides the motor is still in pieces, and there is no guarantee that the jig-saw is going to fit back together!

[ChallengeLee]

I'm all for next year as well, will suit better with a little more time for preparation and saving pennies

[Grey Ghost]

2011 looks like it might be the way to go to get a larger number of people organised, we're in for an outback trip then especially if it is up to Cameron Corner area etc.

[knot_gillty]

Sounds good. Perhaps having the Annual "Middle Earth Meetup" bi-annually is a better idea anyway. We always have lots of smaller trips and big ones like O'Tooles through the year and i'm sure everyone would love to go to them all. Middle Earth every 2nd year is probably the best idea.