Bluey's First Outing - EDS Big, Big, BIG Walk for Little Kids

Damian was up at crazy o'clock, as he'd promised his friends Ed and Seb that he would take Bluey to their kick-off event for EDS (Ed, Dave and Seb)'s big, big, BIG walk for little kids - walking from Brisbane to Melbourne to raise money for Camp Quality.

But first - to the carwash! 

Bluey was shiny...

Nothing quite like a clean car (at least until he drives back home again).

The moon was still out as Damian turned into Brunswick Street on his way to New Farm Park in Brisbane.

Parked overlooking the scenic Brisbane River.

The big arch... regular blog readers would recognise this from last year's esCarpade...

Seb looking fit and healthy (and probably a little cold without being rugged up)...

Ed was raring to go!

Damian has no idea who this chick is, but she insisted on having a selfie with him!

(Of course, everyone would know she is Charli from Hi-5, who is a Camp Quality Walk Ambassador!)

Damian also managed to catch up with the man, the myth, the legend #TeamRod!

Camp families having fun, getting photos with Giggle, the Camp Quality puppets, the boys and Charli.

More pics...

Just about time to get walking...

Damian collared Giggle for a selfie!

Giggle giving out dance lessons...

The excitement was building...

Damian with one of the Camp Quality Puppets...

Nearly time!

Gentlemen, start your... err... legs?

On your marks...

Get set...

GO!!

Their big journey had finally commenced after 5 years of planning!

Damian quickly raced back to Bluey and positioned it ready for a photo opportunity as Seb was passing...

Then as the boys were walking their first leg of their epic journey, Damian was heading back home where he was greeted by the super-excited Merlin!

If anyone would like to follow Ed and Seb's journey, you can check it out here:  EDS Big Impact

There's even a live tracker to follow their progress!

On the Bluey front, Damian made it to town and back without incident - around 105km round trip.  He did notice that there are a couple of things to sort out before esCarpade, but nothing too serious!

Stay tuned...

Working Bee 2 at Bluey HQ - Remove Suspension from Retro Rock-It and Stickerise Bluey!

It was time for another Bluey Working Bee - Hoges came over again to help out - there were two things planned for the weekend - remove the suspension from Retro Rock-It (so that at a later date it can be installed into Bluey), and get some Camp Quality stickers applied to Bluey so that Damian can take it to see off his friends Ed and Seb who are embarking on a big, big, big walk for Camp Quality!

Saturday 20 July 2024.

Time to remove the wheels so that the suspension can be removed from Retro Rock-It.

Damian worked on the spring removal...

While Hoges rolled the wheel and tyre over to the shed for storage...  In related news, if anyone is after a set of genuine EL Falcon Futura alloys (set of 5), contact Damian.  (Note: This is true as at 21 July 2024.)

Damian's younger son Jordan dropped by and contributed to some pics...

Through the magic of the interwebs, and to everyone's surprise, the rear suspension was removed suspiciously easily...  Time to start on the front suspension!

And the aggravation started...

Merlin kept a watchful eye...

Safety first (note the logs under the car).

They weren't that difficult to install!!

Hoges offering words of encouragement...

After a quick trip to the shops to buy a new ball joint separator (ask Damian's sons what happened to his previous one), the job got a little easier...

The shadows were getting long...

But finally one was removed!

Gratuitous butt shot... thanks Hoges!

And onto the final one - the driver's side front.

This one would be much quicker - after all, they had practice!

Jordan dropped back just in time for it to be removed!

Job one for the weekend DONE!

And rewarded with a lovely full moon...  Not to be mistaken for the full moon shown earlier!

Retro Rock-It starting to look a little sad up on blocks...

Tired but happy.

Great pic of Hoges and Damo - still laughing even after a day of trials and tribulations!

With Saturday drawing to a close, it was time for the boys to have a few well-earned drinks, some lovely steaks and salad and some delicious home-made cheesecake courtesy of Tricia, Damian's beautiful (and incredibly patient) wife!

Sunday 21 July 2024

Time to get some Camp Quality stickers so Bluey starts to look at least a little bit like a Camp Quality esCarpade car!  Step 1 - cut out some templates using a font substantially similar to the "Bluey" font.

Yep, this size will do nicely with the official door panel!

Trace the numbers out onto some white vinyl sticker material...

And cut them out!

Damian would trace and cut three large sets of numbers, one small set (for the front windscreen) and do some adjustment to two door panels to make them fit the mouldings on Bluey a little better!

One set done...

And onto the next set...

And again using the magic of the interwebs, the remaining numbers were all cut out, and door panels adjusted to fit!

First step - small numbers on the windscreen.

Clean a patch...

Retro Rock-It is still sad...

Voila!  Front windscreen numbers in place!!

Cleaning the door panel location... 

Damian suggested if he had more stickers, eventually the whole car would be clean!

Applying the first part of the adjusted door panel...

Another little clean...

On with the first number... 4!

Number 6 was applied, then the top half of the now horizontally aligned door panel!

Poke it into the groove along the door...

Then Damian sits back and admires his handiwork!

Another pesty bubble to work out!

But looking the goods now!

One door complete... looks pretty good!

No rest for the wicked - it's straight onto the driver's side door.

Damian is getting pretty good at this!

And then, the rear numbers so that cars coming up behind and wanting to overtake (safely and courteously) during esCarpade can call the correct number!

At this point, the boys stopped for lunch, then Hoges went home.  Damian took the opportunity to go a little crazy with some other Camp Quality stickers...  This looks like a good spot!

Minor adjustments and hey presto, the (formerly) round sticker fits in a non-round spot!

And this little spot could do with  a Giggle face...

And why wouldn't you have a matching one on the passenger side?

So the Camp Quality stickers are now finished...  door panels and numbers...

Front number, and some esCarpade top of window stickers!

But something's missing from the rear window...

Ah... more Camp Quality esCarpade stickers!!  Now everybody knows that this is an esCarpade car!!

Another working bee done and dusted, and Bluey is really beginning to take shape.  Damian just needs to follow up a potential supplier for the bonnet wrap and Bluey stickers, or alternatively find a new supplier...