Back to BridportAuthor: jawapro
Date: Sun 14/03/2010 09:16 AM
A while ago Tim decided he wanted to go back to the Bellingham to Bridport track with his church youth group, except backwards this time. I’ve been looking forward to it for ages.
Last Monday (long weekend) I put a roof basket on Oscar so I could carry some body boards and things. Unfortunately we also discovered that Dad’s Maverick was leaking coolant from the engine block, so he wouldn’t be able to make it. I was planning to blog about this all week, but I kept forgetting to take a photo of Oscar in the daylight.
Unfourtuantly during the week Oscar also developed some extra road noise. I took it to Tims to ask his opinion and after a short drive to hear it, Tim put Oscar up on the hoist and was fiddling around underneath. We thought it might be a wheel bearing, but it turns out it was the transfer case! When we investigated further, there was next to no oil in the transfer case, and way too much in the gearbox, so it’s somehow going from one into the other but not back. As the damage would have already been done - there wasn’t any point in not driving on it, so we came on the trip anyway.
On the way to Bridport we went past Exeter and were on our way to my parents place to pick up Klutz (who was joining us there) when there was an almighty BANG and bits of glass went everywhere.
One of the bungie cords holding the body boards on had come lose somehow (they were properly attached!) and flicked over and smashed the rear window.
As we were about a minute from my folks place, we called in there to break out the rest of the glass and clean it out of the car (and Zeke’s shoe). It could have been far worse - it could have happened up the beach or anywhere. If it had to break, right besides Mum and Dads place was the best possible place.
From here on out we had to keep the windows open to stop the fumes being sucked back in through the rear window, so it was a windy trip. So much for my newly fixed aircon!
So now I need to replace the rear window. It is sometimes convenient when its not there though….
Eventually reaching the beach - I took the lead in the windowless Pajero. This was the first challenge. I had to take a second run-up to get over it. After showing people the way the others were able to follow - except the two landrovers. One got towed over, and the other broke down before even attempting the climb (we got it going again).
It’s no wonder the cars struggle on sand - I did too!
Jason’s Patrol on recovery duty.
Even the van made it through!
As did the shorty Landrover after some repairs. It’s got to be the best looking car on the trip - with Oscar second of course!
From here it was beach running to the dunes.
Harry’s Pajero climbing up onto the dune section. I ran out of speed on this section and almost got bogged going back for another try, but I drove myself out. Some people wimped out and took the route around.
No issues for the Landy though.
When we arrived at the main dune - Oscar was the first car up. Some of the others decided to try getting up the steep face instead of the track around the back.
Jason claims his Patrol got the furthest up. Eventually they all went around the back.
UPDATE. Jason asked me to update this section. He claims he did not claim but instead claims that he did.
Where Jason also failed to get up! After many valiant attempts, he had to give up.
How embarrassing! Even Charlies KIA (Killed in Action) made it up!
Of course - what do you do when you reach the top of a massive sand dune? Throw yourself off!
It would be awesome fun for a few seconds, but then it takes ages to walk all the way back up. I think I’ll save my excitement for behind the wheel!
Oscar makes good shade!
After the dune it was more beach running followed by a swim.
And a group photo.
I had to make a detour back to the dune to pick up Jim’s snowboard that had been left at the bottom. Didn’t want a swim anyway, so the extra driving was fun.
The Mitsubishi squad.
From here it was a run back to the exit at Bellingham.
Time to pump up the tyres and head home. Except for Harry who waited for us to leave before getting bogged in a small puddle. Jason went back to pull him out.
Thanks for such a great day guys. Now, does anyone know where I can get a new rear window?
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