2024 Camp Quality esCarpade Route Announced!

Get excited people, the route for the 2024 Camp Quality esCarpade has been announced! 

Getting to the starting line...

Day -1 - Friday 18th October: Collect Hoges and drive approx 1250km to Canberra.

Official esCarpade Dates

Day 0 - Saturday 19th October: Canberra

Day 1 - Sunday 20th October: Canberra - Bombala - Jindabyne

Day 2 - Monday 21st October: Jindabyne - Omeo - Bright

Day 3 - Tuesday 22nd October: Bright - Cobram - Echuca 

Day 4 - Wednesday 23rd October: Lay day in Echuca 

Day 5 - Thursday 24th October: Echuca - Castlemaine - Ballarat

Day 6 - Friday 25th October: Ballarat - Mortlake - Warrnambool 

Day 7 - Saturday 26th October: Warrnambool - Apollo Bay - Geelong

Then getting home again!

Day 8 - Sunday 27th October: Head towards home from Geelong to NSW somewhere...  Probably 1200km or so and spend the night in Narrabri.

Day 9 - Monday 28th October: Drive from NSW somewhere, drop Hoges home then go home.  If the boys spend the night in Narrabri, this should be a cheeky 700km or so.

As you can see, it's going to be a massive get there and get home for the boys this year, but that's all part of the adventure!  

Here's hoping that 2025 is perhaps a little closer to home!!

Why we are fundraising - sending kids to camp!

You might be wondering why exactly esCarpadians are fundraising... that is to support Camp Quality in their mission to bring hope and optimism to children living with cancer (and their families). 

One facet of this is the recreation program, where companions will be responsible for one or more children (depending on age) while they attend a camp - Damian is one such companion, and he attended the recent South Queensland Combo Camp for children aged between around 6 and 13.

Naturally, pictures with the children can't be shared, but here's a quick snapshot of Damian's weekend away, where he looked after three 13 year old boys, giving them the chance to be children again!

Up early to get to the bus stop...

The first day involved a trip to Sea World on the Gold Coast, where the kids (big and small) went on rides and watched the shows.

On the Saturday morning, it was off to the beach for surfing lessons...

After the beach, the graduating campers (those aged 13 years old) had a trip to iFly at the Gold Coast where they got to experience indoor skydiving, followed by an ice-cream in Surfers Paradise!

At the campsite, there were some resident kerlews...  For those who haven't heard them, they have a very loud, piercing scream - usually at night!

While there, Damian also received his service award for 20 years of volunteering with Camp Quality!

So that's why the boys are fundraising... to give every child living with cancer the chance to be a child again - even if it's just for a weekend.

If you want to become a volunteer with Camp Quality - and blokes, there are NEVER enough male volunteers to go around - you can sign up at https://www.campquality.org.au/

Time to get cracking...

Damian finally had a weekend where he would have time to start preparing Bluey for the 2024 Camp Quality esCarpade...

The first cab off the rank is to reverse Retro Rock-It into the bay beside Bluey, and commence stripping useful parts from the interior. 

Removed the spare, and grabbed the boot mat and plugs at the same time... these might be spares, or maybe they'll be sold!

Off with the rooftop pod... It has faded quite significantly in the few months of being parked out in the sun!

Next up - handle the spaghetti factory!

Seems a shame to ruin this nice, clean engine bay!

Removing all the internal wiring and switches... some will make their way into Bluey, some will be kept for spare parts...

The roofracks and wiring will go straight onto Bluey... Tie it up here for safekeeping!

And after five short hours, the spaghetti factory is no longer!

It's a tedious task removing all these parts, but it will certainly make setting up Bluey easier - some different choices may even be made!

Corvette Club Camp Quality Car Show

The boys had been invited to be the special guests of the Qld Corvette Club at their Charity Car Show - the charity of course - Camp Quality.

Since Bluey isn't registered yet, Damian thought it might be nice to take Booger Mobile down to the show - a number of the Corvette Club members would remember Booger Mobile - they have been long time supporters of Camp Quality.

Sadly, it was dark and raining when Damian left home... would this impact the turnout?  Only time would tell...

Conveniently located trees made for a decent banner holder...

This one was tied to a post with the tethered chain that was hanging off it!

The Qld Corvette Club have been supporting Camp Quality for over 25 years.

A small turnout - probably due to the rain...

Damian and Booger Mobile...

Hoges and Booger Mobile...

Damian and Hoges with their obligatory selfie!!

Hoges found a car the right size for him!

A few more cars arrived, but still quite a small turnout - a lot of car enthusiasts don't bring their cars out if it's raining...

A beautifully restored old Morris...

And a lovely 1969 Ford Mustang...

Of course, a Corvette Club car show also features a variety of Corvettes!

The boys were told that they would be responsible for selecting three vehicles to receive a trophy...

Nice trophy with reflected selfie...

The three recipients were the burgundy Corvette (with the miniature one), the Morris and the blue Mustang...  all worthy recipients!

Importantly, members of the Corvette Club were wandering around collecting donations, and raised $142!  Thanks to the Corvette Club for their ongoing support!

Hopefully for the next Corvette Club event, Bluey will be registered.

Introducing Bluey!

Introducing BLUEY!!  

Bluey is a 1998 EL Ford Falcon "Sapphire", with some of the mod cons like air conditioning, cruise control and power steering, but more importantly, being the same general body-shape as Retro Rock-It, so in theory, Damian should be able to swap parts from Retro Rock-It onto Bluey with relative ease...

Cool rear louvre... that's got to go!

Pretty good condition...

Rear louvre removed... not sure about parking a car you are selling under a tree that drops a heap of crap, but here we are!

Wonder when it was last serviced?  Hmmm... according to the handwritten date on the air filter, it would seem it was replaced in March 2010!  Probably still got some life left in it!  ROFL...

As you may have guessed, new car means new theme, and the new theme for this vehicle is...

BLUEY!!  Here's hoping the kids love this theme!