We arrived at Burrendong Dam after limping there from our episode with the blown tyre. The Val looked very odd, 3 flash looking mag wheels and 1 spare, that has been used 3 times in 34 years. But we arrived safe and sound, but very shaken.
Well another dam, yes I'm over dams, but a good choice. Arriving at the security gate, we found a huge area, with lots of permanent caravan type homes, obviously holiday homes for all and sundry.........but hardly a sole to be seen. We found a site, a bit unlevel, but did the job. The Val sighed, especially the spare tyre that the RetroLiner was off the back. We settled in, had about 2 gazillion drinks and again counted our lucky stars.
Burrendong Dam, another low tide jobbie
The bride looking glam at our camp spotIt was time to get dollied up and head to the local tyre dealer in Wellington to get the rear of the Val re-shod. We rang the local tyre dealer, via the recommendation of the manager at Burrendong Dam. So off we went the 40 odd kays to Wellington. Even though the Val felt good, even with the odd tyre arrangement on the back, I was still happy to get to the tyre dealer in Wellington.
Initially I wanted the same tyres for the rear as I have on the front 'Kumo All Terrain". On arrival at the dealership, Kumo All Terrain, were no longer made in that pattern, however with the expert advise from Brett the manager, it made sense in taking into consideration the weight on the rear end of the Val, we settled on a set of Mitchellen, light truck tyres. Apart from the extra side wall height, each tyre has the ability to handle up to 950 kls. Yes they cost more, but who cares. A special thanks here to Frank Cross Tyres in Wellington.
Wellington a nice country town, had a little look around, went to top up on groceries, grog...cause we drank all and sundry the night before, trying to calm our nerves. All loaded up, it was time to return to the dam, and get a feel of the Val with tyres on the back. Yep seemed pretty good, although the back end is a bit higher because of the extra side wall on the new tyres. The back end was already a bit high due to the extra leaves and coil springs I have had fitted.
Once at the dam again we had a bit of a drive around so here are some more pikkies
Running at about 10 per cent capacity
More on the dam
This track leads to the beach. I was keen to have a skinny dip, but the bride recons the crocs might get me. Sorry dear, you have been reading to many Kimberly Adventures
More dam pikkies
That's me....something must have tickled my fancyThat's it for the dam. We hooked up after two days. I felt we should stay another days we didn't have to start at the new gig in Dubbo for another couple, however the bride was a little bored at the dam, and I will agree also, two nights was enough.
The night before we left the start of the rain that we have all heard about hit the dam. Heaps of lightning, buckets of rain, it all happened...more feeeeeerks from the bride......Huey's going to get us now.
We woke to an overcast morning, although not raining. We promptly hooked up the RetroLiner and made our way out of the dam and headed towards Dubbo. Yes the combination car, van and new tyres, felt a little loose. We arrived in Wellington which will give us a good idea how the rig will perform on a reasonable highway up to Dubbo. It started to rain, pretty slippery under foot. Still not all the comfortable with the set up. Tended to wander a bit.......might have to drop a bit of pressure in the rear tyres, as they are now at 45 psi.
Listening to and gathering a fair bit of info on Dubbo, it was decided we will go into the security of a caravan park. We chose the Big 4, and as members, the cost was reasonable. Again not a lot there at the park. So we unhooked, set up and then headed into Dubbo to have a look. More on the next post.
We spent two nights at the Big 4 at Dubbo, and as the weather was stormy to be kind, we didn't do much, just sat an vegied.
More on Dubbo next post
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