Around 9.30am on this frosty, fogged and very still Saturday morning I had fuelled up the Chevy, checked all the vital signs, flicked a bit of oil about the engine bay in the appropriate orifices, kicked all four tyres "good enough", and rugged myself up with a few layers of thermal undergarments and we were rolling out of Trafalgar and headed for the East Gippsland township of "Sale" some 77miles away.
With the morning glow of the winter sun trying to break through the fog and bath me in warmth, I had the small 6 volt motor of the wiper doing its thing as best it could in keeping up with fog and frost at it settled and blanketed back down on the windscreen before the next swipe of the wiper arm slowly removed it once again, no warm de-mister in this ole banger, just the fresh 45mph crisp air blowing about the dash and also my ears.
Out through Newborough, down beside the Yallourn Power Station and along the twisting road towards the little town of Tyres we went before the fog lifted and the paddocks of the surrounding farmlands were bathed in bright sunshine, yet still covered in the morning frost, it looks lovely.
I was heading up to Sale to see my parents life long friends, Eric and Liz, lovely people who I had not seen in about 12 months and beside it was a good fine day for a longer than normal drive and I also wanted to show them dads old car.
Through Glengarry next and the traffic was basically zero, very quiet and the Chevy was cruising along well with me keeping it at constant speed of 72kph, this rev the little 4 cylinder engine seems to like and always finds this speed on the dial whenever I glance down at it for a look..
Toongabble was passed with a blink of an eye and within a few mintues I jumped on the brakes and came to a holt outside the Cowwar Pub, no not for a early beer but to get a photo out front of this lovely old building and also the old corrugated iron fire station across the road.
Heyfield, Tinamba and then Maffra were all reached and passed and then soon afterwards I was entering Sale after 1.5 hours since leaving home, I quickly weaved through the traffic of the town centre and then made my way over the Eric and Liz's house on the edge of town - trip meter showed 77 miles.
After a greet, a good chat and a few coffee's with Eric and Liz, goodbyes were once again said and I was soon rugged up and back in Monty, headed home but this time I stopped for a few more photos along the way and with a head wind now blowing and also with time on my side I backed off the speed a little and enjoyed the views of the countryside. Time to get home was 2 hours.
Total distance was 247kms or 154miles and 40 litres of fuel used.
Some more pix of the drive - Cheers
This old post n rail fence went for some distance along the front of a property near Maffra - Love it!
I had a great few hours and the Chevy has once again proven to be very reliable, yes a little slowish, but reliable just the same! - Cheers
Excellent posting Grant, and you little Monty did ok as well
ReplyDeleteCheers