MAMBRAY CREEK

After a very stressful and slow start we finally managed to head off today at about 11am or a bit later.  We had tried to get the caravan loaded up yesterday and thought there was only a few last minute things we would need to worry about this morning - but once again we were wrong.  We finally got everything loaded and were about to hook up the caravan when the heavens opened up.  So we decided to sit down and have a cup of coffee!  When the rain stopped we hooked up the caravan and drove it out onto the road so we could remove the existing hitch and put the new weight distribution system on.  After a couple more recesses (to avoid the rain) and several attempts we finally got everything sorted, said our goodbyes to Rory and Emma and started the car up.  That's when we realised we hadn't put the towing mirrors on!  Fixed that and off we went. 
The weather was pretty ordinary - wet and windy and cold.  We discovered when we were on Port Wakefield Road that we had 'lost' the cover over the front caravan window.  We don't know if it was a particularly nasty wind gust or perhaps we hadn't locked it down properly but it was certainly gone! 
We finally got to Port Wakefield and luckily Aussie by Design had a cover that would suit so they fitted that and fitted a meter so we can check the caravan batteries (to know when they need to be recharged) and fixed up the second anderson plug so we can charge the Thumper when it is in the boot and we are travelling.  While all that was happening we had some lunch at the bakery (diet is well and truly out the window - on day one too!) and then hit the road again with Raymond (brother) and Hazel (sister in law).
We have all camped at a free camp at Mambray Creek tonight.  The wind has died down a bit and not as much rain so we are keeping our fingers crossed.  Still pretty cold but thank goodness for the diesel heater.