Day 57 COOMALIE: ‘BACK TO THE TRACK’ CONVOY DROPS IN

THURSDAY 12 AUGUST 2021

LINUS UPDATE

The wonderful Andrew from Adelaide River arrived on Monday afternoon with his flat top truck. Linus was winched upon the bed of the truck and whisked up to Darwin to await treatment by Nissan (at this stage, not before Friday). Norm travelled up in the truck to pick up our hire vehicle, courtesy of our NRMA membership.

He arrived home in a very neat looking white Mitsubishi ASX.

On Tuesday, we drove up to Coolalinga the nearest sizeable shopping centre to here. I was pleased to pick up a few more cool casual dresses, to cope in the heat a little better. By the time we had visited both Woolies and Coles, we did not return home until mid afternoon. There was still enough time for Norm to bake the Russian Silverside that we bought in Katherine. The Coomalie family enjoyed it with lots of mashed potato, cabbage and Denise’s special white sauce.

Wednesday 11 August:

EARLY MORNING AMBLE DOWN THE RUNWAY

Rosie and I managed to walk the length of the runway this morning, pausing to read and photograph the various plaques along the the way. I remembered particularly the one commemorating the crew of the mosquito, which crashed on take off on 3 August 1945. The pilot, Squadron Leader Gillespie died two days later as a result of his injuries, however, The other person on board, FO Haymes survived following treatment for severe burns.

BACK TO THE TRACK CONVOY

Finally the day has arrived when the convoy of restored WWII Allied Military Vehicles are scheduled to arrive here at Coomalie to stay the night. They are re-enacting the military supply convoys that travelled from Alice Springs to Darwin during the war. The route became known as ‘The Track’. Although the number of participants has been reduced because of this ongoing COVID situation, there seemed to be a steady stream of them making their way onto the airfield all day.

THE BIG THRILL – DOUGLAS DC3 DROPS IN

During the afternoon a Bushman, Jabaru and Cessna all flew in.

However we were all waiting in great anticipation to welcome the mighty Douglas DC3, expected to arrive at about 5pm. Slowly the waiting crowd began to realise the low deep hum of the engines heralded the approach of the lovely old plane. And then she was rolling up the tarmac towards us. Several of the jeeps parked infront of her as a guard of honour.

As was forecast the temperatures here have increased to an almost unbearable 35 degrees. All the dogs were looking most unimpressed, particularly Rosie. Denise has a great toddlers pool in which she washes her dogs. Before Rose had time to think about it, I had it full of water and in she went. She emerged, a much happier dog. Denise then washed Conan, Chinner and Carli. I think they were all very relieved to feel cooler.