Victoria / SA Border - Mallee Country Trip to Bendigo for Jeep 75th Anniversary

[Dave]

Victoria Border / Mallee Country Trip - September 2016

As you know, there is going to be a 75th Anniversary of Jeep Show in Bendigo Victoria on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd October 2016. If you want to go, you could drive there in a day on the highway. Or you could come with us and spend a week on the trail through the Mallee Country on the Vic / SA border!

I will have a full itinerary at Club meetings from April, and can send a copy to anyone that PMs me with their email address.

In brief the plan is;

Saturday 24 Sept - Sydney to Wagga Wagga - 458km

Sunday 25 Sept - Wagga Wagga to Mildura - 558km

Monday 26 Sept - Mildura to Shearers Quarters and Sunset Crater in Murray Sunset National Park via Old Mail Route - 150km

Tuesday 27 Sept - Shearers Quarters to Murrayville via the Sunset Track and the Pink Lakes - 192km

Wednesday 28 Sept - Murrayville to Red Bluff, Big Desert National Park via the South Aust / Victoria Border Track - 90km

Thursday 29 Sept - Red Bluff to Casuarina Camp, Wyperfeld National Park via Lake Albacutya - 201km

Friday 30 Sept - Casuarina Camp to Bendigo via Snowdrift, Speed, Sea Lake and Charlton - 355km

TOTAL DISTANCE - 2004km

This is a serious 4WD tour. We will be driving on bitumen and D Grade dirt roads, as well as some difficult C or even B Grade dirt and sand tracks. The Border Track is a beautiful run on sand dunes!

Some camping will be in caravan parks with all amenities, some in National Parks camping areas with minimal facilities.

Open to 4WD Jeeps with High and Low Range only. If you have to tow, experienced drivers with proper off-road camper trailers only. A tent or swag makes the driving much easier.

Please consider, and post up on this thread if you are interested. I need to have an idea of numbers fairly soon - the caravan park in Bendigo wants an idea of our numbers by 10 April, and we may have to book soon after, so I will be in touch with anyone interested by email soon. If you would like more information, please PM me with your email address. We could manage up to 10 Jeeps.

Definites
1 DaveG
2 GregD
3 KevinF
4 Adrian - Goneagain
5 Danny & Sharon
6 SteveT

7 & 8 TWO paid for camp sites spare in Mildura!


Thanks,
Dave

[MY14JK]

Hi Dave,

Sign me up, looks like a well planned trip. I'll also look to stay at the same camping sites.

Cheers,

Kevin.

[Dave]

Hi Dave,

Sign me up, looks like a well planned trip. I'll also look to stay at the same camping sites.

Cheers,

Kevin.

Done! I'll be in touch next week re any bookings we need to make in advance - probably just Mildura and Bendigo.
Hope this one will involve no rain at all!

Dave

[uncaged123]

Hi Dave, please put me down for this trip too.

Cheers Rob

[Heidi]

please include us as confirmed

[Dave]

please include us as confirmed

I already did :)

Rob you are on the list too!

[Goneagain]

Please add me in Dave!
Thanks Adrian

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[Dave]

Please add me in Dave!
Thanks Adrian

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Done! Thanks Adrian!

[Dave]

Just an update, Bendigo cara park was keen to get an idea of how many people we had coming, so I forwarded the list to date. I've still got 10 sites earmarked with them, but if we need more, hopefully I'll be able to let them know soonish. We are booked at Big4 Ascot Bendigo 15 Heinz St, White Hills Vic 3550 Phone 1800 062 340 on Friday 30 Sept and Saturday 1 Oct.

If anyone wants to book down there for the Jeep Show, not from our trip, better think about that soon too!

I'll add updates as needed!

Dave


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[Heidi]

Dave - can you change us to a maybe please :( Brian might not be able to get the first week of the holidays off work :(

[Steve F]

If anyone is tenting at the Big4 in Bendigo and wants to split the cost of a site let me know ASAP as I would like to camp there Friday and Saturday as well but will just be rolling out a swag so don't need much room, bit reluctant to book a site for the swag if I don't need to.

Cheers
Steve

[Dave]

If anyone is tenting at the Big4 in Bendigo and wants to split the cost of a site let me know ASAP as I would like to camp there Friday and Saturday as well but will just be rolling out a swag so don't need much room, bit reluctant to book a site for the swag if I don't need to.

Cheers
Steve

No worries Steve, I'll be tenting, and several others, so as long as you can put up with the snoring... :)

Dave

[Dave]

Dave - can you change us to a maybe please :( Brian might not be able to get the first week of the holidays off work :(

Okay - so you'll be coming for the sand dunes without him :)

Kidding, moved to the maybes. Hope he can get work sorted out!

Dave

[Steve F]

No worries Steve, I'll be tenting, and several others, so as long as you can put up with the snoring... :)

Dave

Cool, feel free to add me to a booking list or whatever and let me know how much, I'll give you the cash at the next meeting if you need to pay in advance :)


Cheers
Steve

[Goneagain]

I will be tenting as well, I have just organised a tent on a roof thing. If money up front is required like Steve F said just let me know please Dave.


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[uncaged123]

Steve, I'll probably bring my oztent with the add-on tent, you could use. Most probably bring the machine to stop me snoring too. Lol

Cheers RobS

[Steve F]

Steve, I'll probably bring my oztent with the add-on tent, you could use. Most probably bring the machine to stop me snoring too. Lol

Cheers RobS
I might chuck my swag in the tag along if the weather is bad but otherwise i just need some ground for it :)

Cheers
Steve

[uncaged123]

Steve, why not just bring a sleeping bag. I'll bring a spare stretcher bunk also.

Cheers Rob

[Steve F]

I need to sleep in the swag on the way there :) Im only coming down for the 75yrs event.

Cheers
Steve

[stevet]

Hi Dave,
Can you put me down for this trip............. My holidays have been approved for this time.....Stephen T.

[Dave]

Hi Dave,
Can you put me down for this trip............. My holidays have been approved for this time.....Stephen T.

Hi Steve,

You betcha! Really glad to hear you can make it, we are going to have a GREAT crew!!

Thanks,
Dave

[Dave]

Hi All,

I hope I got everyones email addresses right, I posted this here too just in case!

I have sent through the 8 Jeeps that I have for the Mallee Country Trip to the Mildura and Bendigo Caravan Parks, and the two Jeeps going to Bendigo direct.

Mallee Country – Mildura Sunday 25 Sept and Bendigo Friday 30 Sept & Saturday 1 Oct.
1 DavidG(me) – 1 tent - Paid Mildura
2 GregD– 1 tent - Paid Mildura
3 KevinF– 1 tent - Paid Mildura
4 AdrianB– 1 tent - Paid Mildura
5 Danny & Sharon – 1 tent
6 SteveT– 1 tent - Paid Mildura

Mildura would be happy to take money now, and I have paid for myself already. Mallee Country Trippers please call as soon as you can;
Apex River Beach Holiday Park
35 Cureton Ave, Mildura, Vic 3500
Phone (03) 5023 6879

As there is a big country music festival in Mildura that week, prices are a little higher that I had hoped, I have booked us all in Unpowered Sites at $39 for the night. If you want Power, please let them know when you call. I imagine that will cost more. Please let me know when you have paid so I don't nag you by mistake.

We do not need to book for Wagga or Murrayville - double checked!

Bendigo Only - Friday 30 Sept & Saturday 1 Oct.
7 RobS - 1 tent
8 EddyG– 1 tent
9 Heidi, Brian & Izzy (2 adults, 1 child) – camper trailer
10 SteveF – 1 swag

Bendigo will email me in July and ask me to ask everyone to contact them with payment, not before July.

I did mention that some people may want to stay on for Sunday night 2 Oct. They said that at this point that would be no problem, but they may want to know in July. At the moment my plans are to leave Bendigo on Sunday morning and take 3 days to travel home via the Snowy Mountains – see back of itinerary. I know that Ed said he would be going home straight up the freeway on Sunday.

These 10 Jeeps are all the names that I can find on either the Mallee or 75th Anniversary threads. Wooders is on the 75th Anniversary as a maybe.

Getting organised – 4 months and a few days to the off! If anyone else is interested, please post up :)

Thanks,
Dave

[Dave]

Just a Bump. Have heard back from half of us that they had booked in at the Mildura Caravan Park, how are the rest going?

They are very keen to have us all confirm - or they might sell off the remaining sites to people going to the country music festival...

Please call as soon as you can;
Apex River Beach Holiday Park
35 Cureton Ave, Mildura, Vic 3500
Phone (03) 5023 6879

Let them know you are with the SJC group, whether you want power (I booked unpowered) and please let me know when you have.

Thanks,
Dave

[Dave]

Bump again re paying in Mildura - 5 down, 3 to let me know. I'll check in again at the meeting next week, and look into Bendigo as well.

Thanks,
Dave

[Goneagain]

Hi Dave, I have paid for Milldura. Thanks. Adrian B.

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[Dave]

Hi Dave, I have paid for Milldura. Thanks. Adrian B.

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Great! Thanks!!

[Dave]

Hi All,

We had a bit more interest in both the 75th Anniversary Show at Bendigo, and in the Mallee Country Trip to get there at this evenings club meeting.

Everyone who had already signed up for the Mallee knows they have to confirm and pay for their booking in Mildura now, if they haven’t already;

Mallee Country – Mildura Sunday 25 Sept and Bendigo Friday 30 Sept & Saturday 1 Oct.
1 DavidG(me) – 1 tent - Paid Mildura & Bendigo
2 GregD – 1 tent - Paid Mildura & Bendigo
3 KevinF – 1 tent - Paid Mildura & Bendigo
4 AdrianB – 1 tent - Paid Mildura & Bendigo
5 Danny & Sharon – 1 tent - Paid Mildura & Bendigo
6 SteveT – 1 tent - Paid Mildura & Bendigo

Apex River Beach Holiday Park
35 Cureton Ave, Mildura, Vic 3500
Phone (03) 5023 6879

We don’t need to book any other camp sites for the Mallee trip, except Bendigo.

I spoke to Bendigo recently, they have now asked for confirmation and payment from everyone as soon as possible.

Bendigo Only - Friday 30 Sept & Saturday 1 Oct.
7 RobS - 1 tent - Paid Bendigo
8 EddyG – 1 tent - Paid Bendigo
9 Heidi, Brian & Izzy – camper trailer
10 SteveF – 1 tent - Paid Bendigo

So could all the Mallee trippers and the Bendigo only people please call

Big4 Ascot Bendigo
15 Heinz St, White Hills Vic 3550
Phone 1800 062 340

Please let me know when you have paid, so if they contact me I will know what they are talking about.

If ANYONE else is interested in coming to the Mallee, or just to Bendigo, and you would like to stay with us, please contact these caravan parks ASAP and book, and let me know as well. Because there is a Country Music Festival in Mildura and of course the Jeep Show in Bendigo, both caravan parks were anxious to get bookings finalised before they ran out of spaces.

Thanks,
Dave

[Dave]

Hi All,

Kev emailed me that Bendigo wouldn't take his payment - which is wierd, as they took Mine, Eddys, Gregs and Steves... They were keen to do so when I called on Thursday!
All I can suggest is you tell them you are with the SJC group, and that at least 4 other sites have been paid for.

Thanks,
Dave

[stevet]

Bendigo camp fee's paid today.... Spoke to Linda on the phone..... I mention I was with the SJC, no issue's at all.....

[Dave]

Thanks Steve! That's all the "big money" out of the way now, just gotta pay for the fuel :)

After this WET weekend, looking forward to heading back to the desert!

Dave

[Dave]

Hi All,

I said that the trip was pretty much 'fully subscribed' at last nights meeting. Despite some interest in June, I have not heard anything since. Anyway, 8 Jeeps will be a really good number on the tracks and round the campfire!

Everyone has organised themselves at Mildura, and all the Mallee trippers are paid at Bendigo too, so we are ready for the off! About two and a half months to wait unfortunately, but as a lot of southern Australia is pretty wet at the moment, a bit of time for it to hopefully dry out will not hurt!

A bit closer to the time we can organise where everyone wants to meet up. Last couple of trips heading southwest, many of us have met up at the BP at Marulan on the Hume Highway and we have convoyed from there, or we can just meet at Wagga. Whatever suits you best.

Thanks,
Dave

[uncaged123]

Goulburn has a great bakery from the southern (2nd) entrance if you want a change in eating products. Great pies !!! Hope to get to next meeting and get Eddy advice on a tool kit selection. Luis brought his tools last time, but he can't get the time off for this trip.

Cheers Rob

[Dave]

Added a newbie to the Maybe list - AJ96XJ.

He is checking to see if he can get campsites in Mildura and Bendigo and will let me know, all of the rest of us booked and paid some months ago.

Apex River Beach Holiday Park
35 Cureton Ave, Mildura, Vic 3500
Phone (03) 5023 6879

Big4 Ascot Bendigo
15 Heinz St, White Hills Vic 3550
Phone 1800 062 340

So we may be up to 9 Jeeps for the trip, and I think that makes 11 in Bendigo for the show!

Eight weeks and two days till we hit the road, but who's counting :)

Dave

[stevet]

Dave, do we need to pre-purchase tickets for the actual event in Bendigo or just buy at the door on the day??..........

[Dave]

Dave, do we need to pre-purchase tickets for the actual event in Bendigo or just buy at the door on the day??..........

Hi Steve, I haven't seen anything published about buying tickets, or even cost... So I'm guessing buy when we get there.
If I do see hear or see anything different, I'll let you know!
Dave


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[Dave]

Dave, do we need to pre-purchase tickets for the actual event in Bendigo or just buy at the door on the day??..........

Okay, I have an answer. I went to Jeep Action Mag website, which sent me to www.jeepevents.co (http://www.jeepevents.co) which sent me to https://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=193071

You can book and pay in advance online. Looks like tickets are $10 per adult per day, or $15 for a whole weekend pass. Different prices for kids. It does not say if you must pay in advance, and I would expect them to sell tickets at the door as with most shows - I have called the contact number to ask, left a message, am waiting for a reply...

My plan is to do the show on Saturday, then probably move on on Sunday...

Up to you :)

Dave

[stevet]

Okay, I have an answer. I went to Jeep Action Mag website, which sent me to www.jeepevents.co (http://www.jeepevents.co) which sent me to https://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=193071

You can book and pay in advance online. Looks like tickets are $10 per adult per day, or $15 for a whole weekend pass. Different prices for kids. It does not say if you must pay in advance, and I would expect them to sell tickets at the door as with most shows - I have called the contact number to ask, left a message, am waiting for a reply...

My plan is to do the show on Saturday, then probably move on on Sunday...

Up to you :)

Dave
Thanks' Dave..........

[Dave]

No AJ96XJ after all, he feels the need to do more preparation to the XJ before he attempts a longer distance trip - so still at 8 cars.

And 8 weeks from now we will be half way through it! Waking up at Red Bluff at the bottom of the border track, getting ready to head East to Wyperfeld Nat park, then Bendigo on Friday...

On another note, it was suggested at last nights meeting that it might be a good idea to book tickets for the 75th Anniversary Show in Bendigo in advance. From the post above;

Tickets are $10 per adult per day, or $15 for a whole weekend pass. Different prices for kids. https://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=193071

I did not get a call back from the information number, but I would imagine that tickets will be available "at the door". If the show is really good, we might want to spend more than a day there, so it might be worth getting the $15 weekend pass and save $5. If we do head off on Sunday morning, will only have lost $5...

Up to you :)

Dave

[stevet]

......Getting closer every day...... Needed a bump...lol...........

[Dave]

......Getting closer every day...... Needed a bump...lol...........

Yep, thanks for that Steve - heading West 5 weeks tomorrow!

[Dave]

Right, 4 weeks from about now we will be heading West out of Mildura onto the Old Mail Route along the Murray and into Murray Sunset National Park. Hope everyone is getting ready - full Jeep Service etc - and getting excited.

I'll send an email this evening just to get emergency contact details, I always do this for our more 'remote' extended trips. Also to see where people want to meet up on Saturday 24th heading for Wagga. Most SJC trips meet as they are leaving Sydney, although heading down the M5 I have found it easier to meet a bit further out. I like the BP at Marulan, as it is obvious, on correct side of the Highway, and not as crowded as the Shell/McDonalds at Sallys Corner 20km earlier... Otherwise we all have the address at the caravan park in Wagga...

Anyway have a think about what would suit you best, we can meet up in a week and a half at the next Club meeting and discuss. If anyone has any questions or concerns please let me know. All my contact details are on the Itinerary, and I will send a group email this evening.

4 weeks! Can't wait to get out of town!!

Dave

[Goneagain]

Thanks Dave looking forward to it!![emoji3]

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[Dave]

Not a problem - yet - just a 'wow' but;

Holiday-makers evacuated as flood threat intensifies - 4 Sep 2016, 7:59 a.m.

Campers along the Murrumbidgee River are being urged to move to higher ground as the flood threat around Wagga grows more serious.
Caravan park residents have been evacuated and campers along the Murrumbidgee River are being urged to move to higher ground as the flood threat around Wagga grew more serious on Saturday night.

High volumes of water moving downstream of Burrinjuck Dam and a deluge of rain on Friday have prompted the State Emergency Service (SES) to issue a minor flood warning.

The river at Wagga is expected to peak late on Sunday night.

A number of roads across the district are under water.

Volunteers door-knocked residents of Wagga’s Beach Caravan Park on Saturday afternoon, helping residents gather their belongings and evacuate, while riverside campers were also ordered to move on.

The river is expected to reach 7.8 metres in Wagga on Sunday night.

Yes, three weeks from Saturday just passed we will be at Wagga Beach Caravan Park. I will ring them next weekend (don't want to trouble them today if they had to evacuate) and make sure we can still stay on the 24th.

I really hope we get some dry until AFTER the trip!!!

Dave

[Dave]

Two weeks and two days until we head down the highway, and unfortunately we are down to seven Jeeps. Eddy has had to pull out of the Mallee Country week, but we will see him in Bendigo for the Jeep Show.

That means we have an extra spot in the convoy, and a paid for campsite at Mildura if anyone else wants it?

We had a quick chat after the AGM last night. I have emergency contacts from Greg, Adrian, Kevin, Danny & Sharon and myself. Greg, Adrian, Kevin and I will be meeting up at Marulan BP at 10.30 on Saturday 24th, then convoying to Wagga together. Danny and Sharon will meet us there - I'm looking forward to seeing how the newly supercharged JK will go!

Haven't heard from Rob or SteveT, I hope everything is okay?

If anyone has any questions or concerns, please let me know. All my contacts are on the Itinerary or any of the emails I have sent. Otherwise...

See you in two weeks :)

Dave

[Dave]

Hi All,

One thing I forgot to mention, and it matters when you are doing your food shopping! As we head West from Wagga we enter a fruit fly exclusion zone just before we get to Narrandera.

I HAVE been inspected there before, you must not carry FRESH FRUIT into the area, so you are best off not carrying any at all once we leave Wagga! Processed is okay (so tinned etc ). Big fines apply if there is an inspector and you get caught.

You may be able to re supply if you want to at Mildura.

Sorry, I should have thought of that earlier. Oh and I have now heard from Rob, he will meet us at Marulan too, so we are all accounted for.

Dave

[Dave]

And another update.

I checked with Wagga Beach Caravan Park, they ARE still evacuated due to flooding and not expecting to re open until October, so we CAN'T stay there.

So, on their recommendation I have made reservations at Horseshoe Motor Village Caravan Park, 23 Horseshoe Rd, Cartwrights Hill. Phone 6921 6033.

It is about 6km North of Wagga and looks very pleasant. http://www.hmvwagga.com.au/index.php?id=facilities They will charge us $11 per person for one night in unpowered camping, and the owner said there is The Red Steer Hotel with a nice bistro 200m up the road, if you don't want to cook, as we will be few km out of town...

I will email this advice to the crew from home this evening. Hope this change suits!

Thanks,

Dave

[stevet]

Dave, how are we looking in regards to the Victorian flood warning. My sister in Wagga Wagga rang to say they are having a town meeting today regarding evacuation plans etc and they are on a 18 day flood warning due to the high ground water levels so entry to Wagga Wagga will be difficult with many various roads now being currently sandbagged and closed...........

[Dave]

Dave, how are we looking in regards to the Victorian flood warning. My sister in Wagga Wagga rang to say they are having a town meeting today regarding evacuation plans etc and they are on a 18 day flood warning due to the high ground water levels so entry to Wagga Wagga will be difficult with many various roads now being currently sandbagged and closed...........

Hi Steve, thanks for the heads up!

Honestly I think we will be okay. I can see what you mean about expected flooding around Wagga, eg http://www.smh.com.au/environment/weather/significant-rain-system-headed-for-wagga-next-week-20160915-grgodq.html

As you know from post #47 above and email I sent around, we have already changed caravan parks to Horseshoe Motor Village Caravan Park, 23 Horseshoe Rd, Cartwrights Hill. Phone 6921 6033 just North of Wagga, and we are only reserved there, so we can call them and go a different way if necessary.

We could turn Northwest at Yass and go through Temora and Griffith for example. That would only add 30km to the total two day trip to Mildura.

Lets play it by ear, check the news day to day, and make a decision when we get to Marulan on Saturday 24th.

At the moment Weatherzone is only showing a low risk of rain in Wagga on 24 Sept (although high risk of 10 - 20mm of rain in Wagga Tues and Wed next week).
Mildura keeps changing from no rain to low or moderate risk of rain for Sunday 25 and the week after that... I think the main flood risk is from the river, not rain, so as long as the main highways aren't cut we should be okay.

Hope that sounds reasonable?

As for the dirt roads that we are heading for - http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/murray-sunset-national-park - in Murray Sunset National Park (Monday and Tuesday) the only condition changes on the website are "The Lindsay Island Eastern Entrance is closed until further notice due to floodwaters from rising river levels in the Lindsay River. The island is still accessible via the Western Entrance at the Army Bridge". And in Big Desert National Park (Wednesday/Thursday) "No change of conditions apply" and Wyperfeld National Park (Thursday/Friday) "No change of conditions apply". So no tracks closed and I'm hopeful!

Thanks again,
Dave

[Dave]

One week from heading West, and we are down another Jeep. RobS emailed me today and said that he would have to meet us in Bendigo.

Was looking at the flood info in NSW https://www.livetraffic.com/desktop.html and Victoria http://traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au/ today. No roads closed that I can find between Sydney and Mildura. It seems that the "arid" West of Victoria has escaped the worst so far, I hope it stays that way, I'd much rather dirt and sand than mud and closed tracks.

I have a contact number for the Mallee area of Parks Victoria and will call them later in the week and ask about conditions. If we need to change anything at that end of the trip I will let you know!

What looks interesting at the moment is getting to Bendigo on the tar from Wyperfeld National Park. Lots of closed roads and detours around Charlton on our direct route. Hopefully that will improve - as two weeks from now we hope to be in Bendigo!

See you all next Saturday. Any last minute stuff, please let me know!

Dave :encouragement:

[Dave]

The last update before we go - I hope!

As promised, I called Mildura National Parks office and spoke to Dave, so totally trustworthy :)

They had over an inch of rain yesterday, so he has doubts about the Old Mail Road which is a dirt road following the Murray that we plan to use on Monday morning. We will go and look at it, we can even start it, but if it is too bad - a 60km long bog hole - then we will bypass it on the highway just to the South. The rest he thought would be fine! So all systems go!!

There are some areas of flooding on the Sturt Hwy to get to Mildura, but it isn't closed and we drive Jeeps, so we should be right. The 'new' caravan park in Wagga is not flooded, but it is pretty damp - and unfortunately no cabins available.

I got asked if we need to use a sand flag - fortunately not, as the Border Track where we will be on Wednesday is one way, so don't worry about that.

I am expecting some wet weather during the week, and it is still getting down to around 5 degrees at night - although teens to mid 20s during the day, so make sure you pack wet weather gear and some warm gear too, and garbage bags or tarps to wrap up wet camping gear if needed...

Any last minute stuff, my mobile number is on all the paperwork and most emails I have sent. See you on Saturday!

Dave