ROUND AUSTRALIA CANNONBALL RUN

Broome

Franklin brain analysis

Major Morris Mechanic

Franklin's cyclone lockup

Broome

Parched & dry we rolled into coastal Derby to find that the RAAF had declined our Franklin storage at Curtin air base due only to the lack of cyclone proof under cover facilities, however, due to a complete lack of Derby accommodation the RAAF came to our rescue allowing us two nights in their VIP residence inside the base.

The RAAF & Army have now worked together to allow cyclone proof storage in Norforce Kimberley Squadrons Broome depot for Franki.

We arrived early in Broome to dodge the days heat, only to end up dodging rampaging cattle, kangaroos, feral pigs & cats to be met by fellow Broome enthusiast Brian Atkinson in his superb 1927 Pontiac cabriolet.

After Franklin driving lessons for Cpl. Andrew Kane of Norforce who will keep his eye on Franki we met up with the family who own Kimberley Apartments & Matso's Broome Brewery who have been very gracious in their assistance to us.

We have set up Franki with donation boxes & literature at the Matso's Brewery entrance with collection boxes on their bar. Wow! Wait until you try their MANGO beer, or award winning SMOKEY BISHOP, actually named after a living Kimberely legend BISHOP Christopher Saunders, one of natures true gentlemen.

After a radio interview with Robbie of Spirit FM & photos for their web site it was off to St Mary's primary school to give a talk (questions & answers) to 300 beautifully behaved Broome school kids gathered together by the Bishop. Then it was relaxing Chinese fare with Bishop Christopher imbibing in some fine 2004 Margaret River red, while the balmy Broome evening air is laced with the sweet smell of frangipani.

We fly back to Sydney from Broome but will resume the Adventures of Careflight Franki on 14 April 2012

David Rundle.

P.S. we have just been offered bomb proof storage for our back up vehicle & trailer in an old wheat silo courtesy of Toll Mermaid and Supply base manager Brian (stumpy) Philp.

Many thanks Stumpy.

Fitzroy Crossing

A 6am flight over the World Heritage Bungle Bungle range in clear conditions is so impressive, yet different, to any other outcrop of rocks this World has to offer, that one becomes mezmorised by their raw beauty.

Caused by a massive uplift of 200 metres (600 ft) the raised sandstone blocks split to allow hundreds of gorges, each fed by streams to create a sub tropical paradise in the middle of arid rocky sparse desert, allowing gum & livingstonian palms to grow in the sandy gorges.

The blocks over millions of years have weathered with wind & water to take on conical shapes, all appearing like chocolate & orange ice cream swirls.

Franki drove on in terrible heat to Fitzroy crossing dodging spinning willi willies and man made bushfires. It's a cultural thing they tell us, what BS. In most cases it's pure Arson.

After a morning cruise along Gekie gorge,we are now on the road averaging 69 klm's to Derby (by the sea) on to date our hottest driving day.

The wet is following, for the freshwater mangroves are dropping their pretty red blossoms in the rivers

Halls Creek

Dinner with Bishop of Kimberley & blessing of Franki. (Oh baby! I seen der light).

El Questro

It's 5:30 am perhaps the most beautiful time at El Questro wilderness resort deep in the Kimberley region of far north W.A.

The Pentecost river flows gently over rapids that lessen the chances of a resident salt water croc in this section. Silently a snake necked cormorant plies his fishing skills amongst pandanus fringed pools, the bush is at peace.

Our story continues from Kununurra where Julie at Discovery lakeside resort allowed us to set up our Franklin display and showed us great hospitality. The Western Australian newspaper along with the Kununurra Ecko posted articles and photo's and big George Hanna from the indigenous radio interviewed us and came for a ride in Franki.

We visited the senior students at the local high school for a class lecture on Careflight, Franklins and lifestyle adventure opportunities, finally presenting 3 Careflight caps.

Then on to Wyndham an old port town situated beside mud flats adjacent to the Joseph Bonaparte sea in 40 degree heat, along parched sun bleached roads traversed by huge road trains, 4 trucks long.

Wyndham is known for the largest salt water Crocodiles in Australia and a man called "Woodsy" who fights them daily to pacify these predatory killing machines.

Woodsy is a bull of a man with a heart of gold, tough as an old boot, devoid of any Crikey, Gee Wiz or B.S. For he tells it as it is. Woodsy is no Hollywood Crocodile Dundee, but a genuine Crocodile Dudknee as the following photo will show.

Woodsy breeds crocs for export to France, 1000 per year(as skins). When a rogue croc, usually a male, goes on a killing spree of local dogs, cattle & the occasional back packer, Woodsy is called to catch & pen the beast in his basic nature reserve to live out their 80 years behind wire on a diet of horse meat. Great names such as Cranky Cameron, Jack, Daniels & Coke, reside with Woodsy and he literally fights them with poles & a thick cone shaped aluminum bucket that he rams inside their lower jaw, when retrieving eggs from their nests. He has named it the cone of silence.

Armed with his japanese work boots (Thongs), head protecting giggle hat & ever present fag dangling from his jaw even crocs with 2 foot head width retreat from Crocodile Dudknee's shadow.

Don't miss the lookout said he, it's a wonder of the world, Woodsy was right. Above us the mountain, only 333 metres but straight up, generating enormous heat went Franki in faultless style to view a panorama that leaves one breathless. Wow what a great country!

David.

Kununurra

George Hanna station Manager Waringarri Radio 6WR joins Franklin Careflight crew to spread our message around the Kimberley region

Lake Argyle

With blistering heat on melting bitumen we crossed into Western Australia diverting to Lake Argyle, catchment area for the Ord river scheme. Wow, what a dam, at present it holds enough fresh water to fill Sydney Harbour 42 times. The dam is rock construction with a filtered clay centre. Built over 3 years 69 to 71 yet costing only 22 million Dollars it is a credit to forward thinking .M

Politician's with brains, pity they are now extinct.

With aprox. 25,000 fresh water crocs living in the lake we rook a cruise and group swim in the middle where beer in cans was thrown to you, champers for the ladies & cheese & bickies floated out on esky lids

ONLY IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Lake Argyle is fascinating, the resort provided us free accommodation in a fabulous relaxing atmosphere. We serviced Franki and ourselves with rolled pale ale (it's a territory thing).

Last night the heavens opened, perhaps the wet is to arrive early at the lightning show was the most amazing we have seen as we lay in our caninized tent in awe of natures forces.

We gained $600 in donations & have moved on to Kukunurra where Julie runs the BIG 4 Discovery holiday park on Lakeview drive.

Julie has housed us in a lakeview bungalow and allowed us to display Franki for donations. She has kindly given us FOC accommodation.

Tomorrow we visit Kununurra High school to display Franki and address the students.

Katherine

After a hot hot drive from Darwin to Katherine in 40 plus heat with no A/C only an open front windscreen, we arrived red as a beetroot & dry as a prune.

Overnight the weather changed bringing the first rain to Katherine since March in the form of a violent electrical storm, just as we departed for Tindal Base.

Rain eased upon arrival & we collected $669 from the local car club & a gate collection at the base. Then off to our photo's & close inspection of the FA/18 fighter in it's. Dispersal shelter. Now off to Katherine Gorge for a boat cruise & swim with fresh water Croc's.

Kimberley

First locomotive in NT

Kimberley

Tank crushes Franklin

Darwin

Upon arrival back into Darwin we made our headquarters in the Value Inn on Mitchell st. a short but vibrant place where backpackers & locals meet to attempt consecutive worlds record drinking contents, resulting in similar chaos as that of a disturbed bull-ant's nest at mating time.

Thanks to Sarah & Geoff Henderson Franki was safely locked away from the mayhem, as were the Careflight crew.

Our benefactor Mark Brustolin, his company Brustolin Builders & his loyal employee Big Mark (a brilliant self taught engineer) slaved to rebuild Franki's rear end with old 73 model Toyota land cruiser axles machined to fit a 1927 Franklin, new rear spring and torsion bar. Without this help we would be dead in the water.

The second job was to advise ABC Darwin of the ex Franklin owners war history, organize a radio interview with ABC and the son who resides in Phoenix Arizona.

As a Sgt of Artillery the father's ship MV Talagi had been bombed & run aground during the first Jap air raid upon Darwin in 1942, after which he fought beside Aussies to wars end.

The Darwin Mayor & War Museum now has his records.

We had been received permission to enter Darwin's Robertson Army Barracks for a photo shoot with their giant Abrahams tanks. Permission was gained for a Careflight helicopter to arrive into the compound & we were joined by Careflight founding director Ian Badham for the successful event.

Thanks to Lt. Cl. Wiltshire.

Our thanks also go to Leo Izod and the crew at the old Qantas Hangar for storing our vehicle & trailer. A great bunch of vehicle enthusiasts.

Then it was off to Katherine.