check out the new remote control Jockey Wheel SmartBar rearview170 Beam Communications SatPhone Shop Topargee products Enginesaver Low Water Alarms
Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Click here for the Grey Nomads website -> The Grey Nomads Forum -> Solo Grey Nomads -> My first experience driving in mud
Post Info TOPIC: My first experience driving in mud
NannyMon


Veteran Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 99
Date:
My first experience driving in mud
Permalink  



My first experience driving in mud. 

It had rained pretty well during the night and for no reason at all I decided to take a short cut, on a road I had never travelled before.  Everything was going pretty well until I came to gravel road.  I never drive on gravel roads, I always turn back no matter how long I have been travelling, but now that I have the van, I don't worry about it like I do my car, it is old and a bit battered so I feel it can take it.  Well the road was sort of ok, keep in mind, it poured rain during the night.  I drove a  bit further down the track and it was a bit muddy, but not too bad so I  kept going, I saw a few other vehicle's tyre  tracks ahead of me, so I wasnt too worried, no tyre tracks coming towards me though.  I drove a bit further and it was getting pretty muddy and a bit slippery, I have never driven in mud so I slowed right down to a crawl, but the van had a mind of its own and sort of slipped along, by this time I was getting anxious.  I was barely  moving and the  van was slipping sideways, I couldn't turn around as I just knew I would never hold the van on the road, I had visions of it slipping right off the road and into a ditch.  I sneaked into the middle of the road and stayed there, crawling along, the needle on the speedo wasn't even moving.  By the time I was cursing my stupidity, you must remember I am as green as grass as far as vans and big vehicles go, until I bought the van in July I had never driven anything bigger than a falcon station wagon.   Here I was crawling along the middle of the road, slipping and crabbing and stopping to gain control of the van, I did this for about ten minutes or so and then saw workmen up ahead, sitting on the side of the road having their morning tea, they were watching me approach and were grinning.  I slid to a stop in front of them and asked them how much more of dirt road, they said 13 more kms.  I asked if it was a mud slide like I just came through and they said "no" they hadn't got that far yet.  So I set off and yes the road did improve but it was now like corrugated iron, this went on for the 13kms. 

Never again will I get off the beaten track after rain.  



-- Edited by NannyMon at 16:43, 2008-10-06

__________________
Ole Grizzly


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 287
Date:
Permalink  

"Never again will I get off the beaten track after rain"

Why not, your experienced now..ha ha
Yes it can be a whole new scenario of driving skills needed the first time it happens.  Seems your luck was good as you made it thru and now have something to remember and share around the campfire..
May you have many more fun times out there, but let us all know when your on the wet road again....biggrin 


__________________
Kalangadoo with a wheel barrow & water bag
Peter_n_Margaret


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 4375
Date:
Permalink  

You did well, NannyMon.
The unplanned adventures are usually the ones that make a good trip one to remember and laugh about later.

Cheers,
Peter

__________________

OKA196, 4x4 'C' Class, DIY, self contained motorhome. 960W of solar, 400Ah of AGMs, 310L water, 280L fuel. https://www.oka4wd.com/forum/members-vehicles-public/569-oka196-xt-motorhome
 

 
twobob


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 588
Date:
Permalink  

Mon's
When you take a risk, and it has its challenges along the way, AND you use your life skills to get to your destination, and make it, will you know the difficulties involved - once completed, it then is easy, next time.

Take on more, find where your limits are - you may be surprised at how many adventure you have, and with luck, far more good ones than not

Big place, lots to see, and learn about. Not all is easy, but can it be done - not till it is undertaken will you ever know.

Been there, done that, and moved on to the next adventure, but can sit around the camp fire and recall all with a smile on your face of a task undertaken.

__________________
The devil made me do it - to hell with the Devil
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Click here for the Grey Nomads website -> The Grey Nomads Forum -> Solo Grey Nomads -> My first experience driving in mud
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us
Purchase Grey Nomad bumper stickers Read our daily column, the Nomad News The Grey Nomad's Guidebook