MONDAY 15th OCT - FORBES TO GRIFFITH

Again , our accomodation was conveniently located close to dinner last night and even closer to breakfast this morning - another wonderful breakfast in the outdoors. 

We were scheduled for a school visit - but due to us having a fun stop to run in the afternoon , we had to head straight out after we ate to get to lunch at Lake Cargelligo to give us time to eat lunch and get to the fun stop before the other cars - what a rush - 

The morning section had it's fair share of trials and tribulations , least of which happened to the Kombi van - the story involves a dirt road , a lost CD and a tricky corner - the outcome the Kombi neatly fell over. The Kombi crew were all OK, but the Kombi was the first of the retirees of esCarpade -  

Treen posing in front of the idyllic Lake Cargelligo

-And Darren too.

After lunch we headed of into the wilds , followed by Monika , Josie and Simon.

Ben had chosen a great place for our fun stop .. smack bang in middle of a patch of Pattersons curse - loads of it and nice and prickly.

Darren getting ready for our fun stop - the idea was to have relay races using Burger Rings on straws. Due to the venue , the game had to change rules , but no probs , had a few people stop by and have a laugh.

Luigi & Mario lining up to go get some Burger Rings

Things got competitive between the boys.

Simon was brought to the site by Mon & Josie , and was supposed to picked up by Johnny from Car 50 to continue onto Griffith.  Johnny came into the area - slowed down , jumped out , said hi , had a stretch , then jumped back in the car and took off without Simon - not the best option to leave the CEO on the side of the road in the prickles.

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After having a few laughs and eatting too many burger rings we headed off to head toward Griffith. Once leaving , we were going down a long dirt section with lots of side roads . Loz, our trusty Nav , said "Turn back , we've missed the turn." , so turning back to the start of the section , reassessment took place and we ended up following OV1 - figured they'd know the way as Ben set the course. Turns out that we hadn't missed the turn anyway, but the Nav notes were not quite right.

Arriving in Griffith , a traditional esCarpade water fight broke out in the car park where check in was.

Don't shoot me me Mon... I have been good , today anyway.

 

Mon handed over her water pistol to a small boy who had come with Mum to look at the cars. Darren was safe - for now anyway. 

Dinner in Griffith was at Griffith Exes Club , citrus night theme.

 

Treen looking thoughtfull  

To add to the colorful night  we made real fruit necklaces of lemon,lime and orange.Ross & Daz even painted their nails green and yellow. Before leaving Treen played beautician, coloring Ross's hair and Darren's beard in green & yellow too.

So much fun . With Tuesday being a day off from travelling to rest and to maintain cars  the night wore on late with karaoke.

A fellow esCarapdian , bet Ross that he would not get up and sing the next song , if he did he would donate $100 to Camp Quality . Daz,Treen , Loz & the rest of the QLD contingent knew that the guy would be parting with his money as Ross is not shy and loves karaoke ( as last years effort showed).

 

As soon as the guys had finished their Australian Idol audition , challenger looked in his wallet - only $95 , that'll do . Ross went straight to Sally to add another $95 to Team Afro's tally.

Daz continued his fundraising efforts by selling Ben's speech notes to Simon. (Think Simon was probably glad he was going home the next day - this could get expensive the way Darren was going).