Days 1 & 2: South Australia Trip

Day 1 - Friday 28th September - 2018

We are headed for the 25th Australian National Model A Ford Meet at Murray Bridge, SA from Oct 2nd-7th - 2018. 

The Ford National meet coincides with the Classic Bay to Birdwood Run for vintage and heritage vehicles. It is one of the largest gatherings of its type - anywhere in the world. So our goal is to participate in both events.

My travelling companion for the South Australia trip
is Peter Deane. We did our motor mechanic apprenticeships
together 55-years ago.

Our adventure started in Sydney, in the early hours of Friday morning, I picked up my travelling mate Peter Deane from his residence in Loftus at 0400 so that we could knock off some kilometres before dawn & beat the traffic out of the “SHIRE”.

Our first stop was at Sutton’s Forest for a quick break & coffee, then onwards & upwards as there was no time to waste because today’s drive would be 12-hours behind the wheel of the Model A Ford before arriving in the township of Hay, NSW, with a total of 455 miles or 732 kms on the clock.

My 1931 Model A Ford holed up at
a country motel along the way

We drove into a strong head wind for most of the day before eventually being totally bored stiff driving along the Hay Plains, I kept Peter busy along the way counting the countless abundance of Toyota Prados and mile after mile of dead road kill consisting of Kangaroos, Emu’s, Wombats, Foxes, Hares, Lizards.

I never realised how many Toyota Prados that are on the road, 85 - 90% of all caravans - trailers - horse floats are being towed by a Toyota Prado. I have assigned Peter the duty of counting how many Toyota Prados we pass on our return journey to Sydney in a week's time.

The iconic Commercial Hotel in Hay

Arrived at the Motel in Hay, NSW at 1600, we decided to enjoy a couple of schooners at the local pub & grab a quick bite to eat at their snack bar before returning to our Motel to watch TV & hit the sack about 2200.

Day 2 - Saturday 29th September - 2018

After our first overnight stop, we started off Saturday, day two early once again, we were on the bitumen at 0600 ready for another HUGE day. Our journey today would take us through another two States; Victoria & South Australia before arriving at our destination at Glenelg. 

We finally arrive in our destination of Glenelg an Adelaide beach-side
suburb where the Bay to Birdwood run will commence tomorrow.

Today’s distance was 50 miles (80 kms) shorter than yesterday’s drive through NSW. I was very happy to arrive at our Airport City Motel in Glenelg to enjoy a break from the driving.

In the 48-hours since departure from the “SHIRE” we had covered a distance of 855 miles (1,376 kms), & been behind the wheel of the Model A Ford for a combined total of 23-hours.

Only two of the interlopers you need to keep an eye out for
on the roads heading across to South Australia.

By comparison, when I think back to the Dutch Couple (Dirk & Trudy Regter) that were circumnavigating the world in their 1915 Model “T” Ford I must take my hat off to them.

What a constitution they must have, day in, day out, for months & months on end they would hit the road again with only a very short overnight rest before moving onto the next town.

Peter & myself were travelling in luxury in our 1931 Model A Ford compared to them in their 1915 Model “T” Ford.

Useless statistical information from Sydney - Adelaide, SA:

Toyota Prado - thousands...
Kangaroos (dead) - 310, wombats (dead) - 15, Foxes (dead) - 4, Emu’s (dead) - 2, (alive) - 3, Hares (dead) - 2, Blue tongue lizards (dead) - 2.
Distance: Sydney - Adelaide. 855 miles (1,376 kms)
98 octane petrol - 12 mpg.
Cost: $460.00. 

Cheers
Warbo