Bought a car & recorded our first song!
Pumba did it, the bolt held up. Corrugations, 4x4 tracks. From the Lost cities we now head back to Darwin. But first a drink in an iconic outback pub.
14th August – Driving
Wake, workout, heartbreak hotel, drive, run next to bulls. That’s how today looked.
Today, exiting Limmen National Park and off the corrugations (Pumba is probably quite happy about this) bound for fuel at Heartbreak Hotel/Cape Crawford to make sure we can reach Mataranka. The reception to update things, not great. After fuel and reception hit we moved on, driving till the sun got low.
An hour before sunset we pulled in, Bec went for a run before filming our next reel for Send it for the Strays. The run was eventful, Bec got stuck on the wrong side of a wild scrub bull. Hidden in the bushes on the run past but on the path on the way back made for an “uh oh” moment … followed by then some very quick running back to Pumba.
The reel … I don’t think a career in acting is on the cards for Bec. A few goes in and the light was gone … I think we can make it work with what we got.
15th August – Daly Waters Pub
Only 30 mins outside of Daly Waters, the drive was short but the reception strong so over we pulled. Updated, uploaded and caught up on the world for a few hours before deciding that we would go into town and check out the iconic Daly Waters Pub.
Before we left we did achieve a great milestone. We have a contact at Nine News for the Send it for the Strays project. After a quick call she told us to contact her when we have the car and are visiting shelters and they will come out and shoot a segment. We are stoked!
On the phone to 9news.
Another highlight is Lukas again. He will go and look at any cruisers around him (Melbourne) that we are looking to purchase. Lukas is a friend we are very grateful to of made, he has really helped us out!
Late afternoon we rolled in, to be greeted by the quirkiest town we have come across so far. The streets lined with old planes, helicopters, cars, horses, donkey’s, a chicken pen labelled KFC and one house even had a real salt water croc in the front yard. Definitely getting out to check this all out.
The KFC chickens
Kevin ... the salt water croc in the front of someones yard. Different kind of pets here.
Entering the pub, turns out Sesame Street drink here ...
The walls and ceiling lined with patches, licences, bra’s, hats and thongs … the pub was quirkier than the street.
At $4.50 drinks, one drink became two, three ... it was time to choose, do we move on or pay to camp here and have another drink? Camping $30 a night, glass of wine $4.50 … we booked a night and walked back in for the next round.
The night sped away chatting away to a videographer, dancing and singing and even had a smoke with the smoker on his break. Long after the musician finished we sat chatting and laughing, the lights were turning off. As the last lights turned off, a hug, handshake and goodbyes later we all wandered back to beds.
For us, dinner. Midnight, we hadn’t eaten yet. Nothing like drunken stir-fry in the middle of the night. 👌 What could make this great night even better, a shower, a hot shower. But what were the chances, had everyone used the hot water or was it gas? They were hot. It was glorious. Watching the water and soap slow change from running red to clear and every part of the body scrubbed … bliss.
16th August – Sleepy Sat @ Mataranka
After 4 hours of sleep, the body clock (and the guy pressure washing something nearby) decided it was time to wake. It wasn’t all bad … an unlimited how shower to wash hair & shave was waiting. After every part of our body had been scrubbed we spent the next few hours chilling out and snacking before headed to Mataranka for a swim.
Parting message from Daly Waters Pub.
A last look at the quirky town, and a couple of hours later we were in Mataranka. Last time we checked out Bitter Springs (the more natural looking thermal pool), this time we thought we would check out the Mataranka Thermal Springs. Pulled into the carpark saw the buildings, walkways and large number of people walking around with noodles … felt like a public swimming pool. Lunch … and a lack of sleep hit, instead of swimming with the masses we went to find a spot for a nap.
Spot in bush, lid up and in we crawled. We lay trying to nap in the heat. After sweating for an hour (or two, I don’t know how long) we came down to sit in some shade and work on finding a car for our project. What progress have we made … we want to have a stand in the 4x4 show to promote our Send it for the Strays project. This of course made us a little more determined to stop fussing and get that car. March in Brisbane… lets do it. Astrid was messaging Lukas. Lukas said he will inspect vehicles in Vic for us, Paul in Brissy. We have some options. A few hours later, posts had been made and we have 3 on the short list, one to be inspected tomorrow.
Dusk, time to film the next reel in the Send it for the Strays reel.
Reel 3 of 4.
Suns gone, a buggy drove through, party music in the distance and the vibe felt off. Time to move. Astrid found another rest area just out of Mataranka, safe. Off we went.
Trying not to be rash in our car decisions, we excitedly wait and see if the Vic cruisers are a green light.
17th August – Bought a car while camping
What should have been a chill day around camp (waiting out a day so we can meet Elena & Jacob) turned out to be exciting.
Starting the day with a workout then replanning our workout schedule for the next few months … turns out Astrid likes planning legs days as much as she likes doing them.
Spent more of today looking at our shortlist of HJ47’s available, ended up on the phone with a guy selling one in Townsville. A lots cheaper (and more inconveniently located) back up plan. We did get a little disappointed when the one Lukas was to look at had someone coming at 2pm (he was going at 4pm). Lucky for us the guy had to go home and talk to his wife about it.
Lukas test driving the cruiser.
Next thing, pictures were coming through from Lukas’s visit. We were straight on the phone, both Jess & Lukas were so excited and loved it. He said it was so tidy, don’t think we will find one that age for that money in better condition. We called the guy straight away “would you take $17k?” “yep”.
We did it, we bought our HJ47. 1984, the last of the HJ's. So dam excited!!! We could barely contain our excited, called Lukas back straight away & chatted for a few hours.
Our new rig!!! Send it for the Strays truly begins 😁
Next, film another reel for Send it for the Strays and calls to catch up with the family.
Astrid called her Dad to say when the wedding will be, without skipping a beat “I’m coming, just needed a date”.
What a day, we finally have something locked in so we can begin our campaign, begin getting parts and accessories…. We are so excited!
18th August – Meeting up with Elena & Jacob
Our bush camp as the sun rises.
The admin side of Send it for the Strays is levelling up. Spent today continuing to work on it. Tried to speak to some animal shelters, so far no one is keen, not picking up phones or replying to emails. Their lack of enthusiasm for us raising money for them is disappointing and shows that the ones we have reached out to are not the right fit, they don’t care. Spoke to Lukas about it, in true Lukas style he was like “I’m off to Petbarn for some dog food, I’ll ask them and see if they recommend anyone”. Not long after this we got a voice message: “One last chance, they have recently started up …” Well it might be in Victoria instead of somewhere on the east coast like we had planned but really it doesn’t matter, so long as we get to meet with them. Astrid was on it, emailed them.
The rest of the day was topping up water & supplies for a couple of days. Elena & Jacob were making their way towards us, in and out of reception but long enough to send a camp to meet at tonight.
Through the smoke we drove. The top end seems to be alight with fires at the moment. The smoke made for some great lighting, we were at camp earlier than the others so we decided to film the next reel. The one for Astrid’s Linked In asking for sponsors.
Right on dusk we spotted Elena & Jacobs van. We jumped up, excitedly waving them in. Felt good to see them. I mean as they reached camp, meant they drove into soft sand and bogged in. Guess that’s were camp is for the night for them. Then their friend Gwenven drove in. A very chill, sweet and friendly guy.
The three amigo's. Donald (Jacob & Elena's car) a little bogged.
We spent the night round the camp fire, chatting and catching up. With the sky glowing red in the distance with the fires burning.
The bush fires in the distance lighting up the night sky.
19th August – Day with Elena & Jacob in Katherine
A cruisy morning wake up, many cups of tea later Gwenven bought out his music gear. Gwenven is a musician and has his own mix equipment as he travels, set it up, bought out the mic & the morning turned into a jam session with everyone passing around the mic, trying to work on a song “FreeRoamChicks, they don’t have dicks but they do have balls”.
The morning jam session.
Give this man a record deal!
Turns out Elena & Jacob had a talent for coming up with lyrics. And Jacobs voice 🤯 wicked!
Album Cover (minus the lead singer)
Giggling and having a blast until it was time to pack up, un bog the van and head into town for everyone to get supplies then catch up for lunch.
Hours spent chatting under the trees in the park until 2pm, the time for everyone to head in different directions. A big hug later and so glad we managed to see Elena & Jacob again.
More hours of admin for us before moving on. Quite a few wins, Saber Off Road wants to partner with us (recovery equipment), to speak about details after the 4x4 show this weekend. The dog shelter in Vic, One Last Chance, got back to us. Super keen to partner with us. Finally some traction and a response we hoped for, someone keen. Lost dog also replied.
As we climbed back into the car at woolys a guy approached us “have you got the car fixed yet?” He had been following us on Instagram, saw us and came said hi. We have been starting to make genuine connections with people on the road. Shortly after his wife joined us. Deep into a chatting about travel, the Cape trip, travelling Europe we launched.
A bit more admin and off in search of camp (out of reception) we headed. The out of reception by night is our perfect balance. Truly unplugs us and lets us be present.
20th August – Mystery Date
Back into Katherine we head, this time to sort Pumba. Get a tyre puncture fixed, buy some more bolts to sort the spotties and book in his service.
Walking back into the bolt the shop, the locals are chill and super helpful, we have been lucky. Wanting more than just a phone call into the mechanics we walked. SP Mechanical looked. Organised, tidy and busy workshop, perfect. The guy was great. Pumba is booked in now for when we finish East Arnhem Land.
On the way out we got talking to another couple who had seen us in our travels. In to get their warning light on the dash sorted. Then conversation turned to travel. Another French couple that are touring Aus. This time these guys head back to France for Christmas and the woman is coming back to Aus to see more. As we spoke more came out, they arrived, minimal English and no idea how to 4x4 her knowledge and confidence has grown. They were so sweet. Hugs and goodbyes and we were back in the car when she came running, could Astrid translate? They were struggling to understand what was wrong with the car how to fix it.
Today also happened to be Mystery Date Day. The letter: M. M looked like messages every hour (in the form of a hand written note) and the cuisine: Malaysian.
I mean the traditional Malaysian breakfast that Bec decided to cook (Nasi Lemak) was … not something we would ever repeat. Coconut rice, anchovies, peanuts, egg and cucumber. The mix was too weird. Not a win.
Nasi Lemak ... not to be repeated 😂
But the dinner, Mee Siam, was absolutely delicious and now going to be included in our meals.
One cool connection that reached out with Astrid’s Linked In reel/post: a company wants to give us electric bikes. 🤯 dam we would love this but we spent ages trying to work out how we could make this work, we can’t take it with us on the old truck as we don’t have a way to charge them and it doesn’t really work for the old tele track. Astrid was back on it, brainstorming ways to make this work.
Back in no reception land for camp the night meant being present, eating yummy food and coming up with other crazy, fun activities we can do around the world as we travel to raise money and awareness. The brain exhausted we turned in checked out our photos for the last few days and crashed out.