Oops Damo Did It Again!!

With the dust from esCarpade 2026 barely settled, the registrations for esCarpade 2027 have opened! 

Returning in 2027 will be Damian, Bluey and Jordan - this time heading to Victoria!

You'd think 15 esCarpades would have been enough for Damian, and honestly, they probably would have been - apart from the fact that after participating in one esCarpade, Jordan was keen for MORE!

Fundraising for 2027 has now kicked off, and there's a new fundraising link, so if you have bookmarked the previous link, please update your bookmark to:

https://fundraise.campquality.org.au/fundraisers/64Bluey12875

esCarpade 2026 - Day 8 - Drive Home

With one of the shortest drives home for Damian in his 15 esCarpades, there was time for the boys to sleep in until the much more civilised hour of 5:30am!

Bluey had performed remarkably well for the week, with the only thing remaining for esCarpade 2026 to get the boys safely back home again! 

The moon was still out...

Hitting the road, through the Tugun bypass tunnel...

Tunnel!

And crossing back into Qld...

Welcome to Queensland says the sign that has been flashed out by the sun!  You'll just have to take Damian's word for it!

This one is marginally more readable...

Clouds!

Past theme parks...

Through another tunnel...

Past more theme parks!

Past a red bridge...

Up the Gateway Bridge...

And down the other side...

Across the Pine River Bridge...

Past a big windmill...

Welcome to Dayboro!

The last dirt for esCarpade 2026 - Damian's street...

It was repaired by the council recently, so it wasn't too bad!

Damian's driveway on the other hand...

More driveway...

And finally heading down the hill to Damian's house... He noted that the driveway would need grading again in the near future, but with storms predicted figured that could wait for another day!

Damo and Jordan home safely (at Damian's house)!  Jordan would collect his car and drive another couple of hours to his place... he also arrived safely there (no pic).

Tricia modelling the hand-made opal pendant Damian bought for her in Lightning Ridge...

esCarpade 2026 is officially done and dusted (even Damian's washing has been done)!  The boys made some new friends, caught up with old ones and had a fabulous adventure...

Even better, Bluey got the boys there, completed every section of driving, and got the boys safely back home again!  

Jordan has already indicated he wants to go again next year, so Damian will have to go around for his 16th trip!  Stay tuned!!

esCarpade 2026 - Day 7 - Dinner

Damian and Jordan were ready to head to the final dinner for esCarpade 2026! 

Having jagged a lift with one of the new teams (the guys from the yellow Capri), they arrived at the Tweed Heads Golf Club for dinner and a couple of celebratory drinks!

Welcome!  Yep, that's the right way!

Quick selfie with the fun signs!

At this point, Jordan somewhat took over the camera and went a little crazy...

A great angle...

An even greater angle for Damian!

Thank you certificates were handed out to all and sundry...

Rach about to give the update everyone had been waiting for...

Even Giggle was keen to hear...

The total fundraising amount for 2026 was $1,219,561 and counting!

And next year's start, end and midpoints?  Bathurst to Bairnsdale via Mansfield (Vic)!

Damian asked Kaarina to take a pic of him and Jordan with Giggle... of course, she took a selfie first!  To be fair, Damian would have done the same!!

Damian, Giggle and Jordan!

Jordan then continued being an absolute menace with the camera!

Mario with his moustache shaved off!  As is tradition, many people don't recognise him afterwards!

Kylie and Ben from FAV1 (First Aid Vehicle 1).

FAV1 in their chariot dropped Damo and Jordie back at their motel...

The boys will have a snooze and in the morning head back home... back to reality after a week of fun and shenanigans!