Second Trip to Mungo Almost a Disaster

September 2006

The first trip to Mungo was great as were getting into uncharted waters with no portable fridge, just ice-boxes (15ltr & 100ltr) fitted out with freezer bricks. Fiona knew how they worked and distributed food accordingly, not as I suggested, but packed to provide very quick access and it worked. The trip was great and we learned lots of stuff about food preservation so I was keen to go back again for a longer stay now we had learned so much and knew what to expect. All was good until we left Hillston headed for Mossgiel and Fiona said she could smell something burning, twice; so reluctantly I stopped only to discover the trailer brakes ‘on fire’, I didn’t have to yell for help because ‘the boss’ was right beside the trailer watching the smoke. A few handfuls of dirt put the fire out, springs had torn the base from the chassis and jammed the brakes on. I made some running repairs to keep us moving but it had to be fixed ASAP and there was a long way to find a repair shop. At Mungo we were fortunate to meet a lovely couple from Victoria in the campground and we decided to invite them over for late ‘brunch’, so Fiona made her famous ‘Devils on Horsback’ for dinner and I got the beer and a local handyman at the motel, which we didn’t know existed until that day! Glen at Seven Hills had warned me but I still hit a deep rutted grid unexpectedly, which caused the damage! I found a welder who made much better temporary repairs at Mungo (solid enough to get us home) and we very gingerly returned home the following day. A few phone calls and off to Seven Hills for repairs, where I was cautioned yet again! We have made many trips to Mungo NP since as it is a fantastic area and there will be many more, so many other places of interest nearby.