Day 12 – Stuck in Ingham
I thought the weather was looking fairly promising when I rolled out of the motel room & looked at the sky toward the west. By the time we got packed up & down at the airfield at 9.30 am, the blue sky I’d seen previously had now been replaced by grey.
We were still optimistic that we could possibly get out toward the west – the north was an impossibility. The weather forecast was saying 4000 feet cloud over the mountains toward the west – but from our position, it looked pretty low.
Me & the team checking out the weather.
The mountain range to the west that we would have to pass over was going in & out with cloud. Michael decided to take my jab for a fly to verify the cloud base & check what it looked like from higher up. The last thing we wanted to do was to take off & get boxed in by cloud over high mountains & have no where to go.
Following Michael’s inspection of the cloud, it was confirmed that they were pretty low over the mountain range & by this time it was becoming late morning & our options were dwindling.
We considered flying down south first toward Townsville & then coming across over the mountain range which is a lot lower but following some calculations, we would be pushing daylight to get to Cooktown in time. We all agreed that the only option would be to spend another night in lovely Ingham.
Although we have been held up, it has been good to rest up as myself & the team are feeling much better now in pushing ahead.
Tomorrow, depending on weather, we might be able to get up the coast however, our safest option will probably be going south, then west to Georgetown, then up to Cooktown. Although this route is double the distance to Cooktown, we need to get past this crap weather.
Discussing the day.
We will make a final decision in the morning.
It is disappointing to be stuck here & it is creating problems for us with arranging accommodation & transport in small country towns where options for these are very limited.
If anyone has any ideas for suitable accommodation around Burketown, please let us know as our accommodation has now fallen through due to our delays & we might end up sleeping under the wings of our planes.
Over & out,
Dave.
Dave,
Ingham!…. Ingham!……. You said it with such great enthusiasm.
Hope you all get out tomorrow.
Rudy
Hi Rudy,
There is only so much to see in Ingham.
It has been good to get some rest.
Cheers, Dave.
Escott Station a few clicks west of Bourketown, used to have basic visitor accommodation and a bush strip.
I hear they now don’t take visitors anymore, but maybe just maybe, they could help. I couldn’t find contact numbers, but sure Burketown visitors centre would know.
All the best for a Saturday departure.
Hi Alison, thanks, we will explore this option! Cheers Dave.
Hi dave,it’s Glenn again.try normanton for accom and I believe there is great b&b with a strip at lawn hill. Apart from that avagoodweekend! Regards Glenn Wattie.
Hi Glen, we did hear something about Lawn Hill & thanks for this – will find out more about this as an option. Thanks, Dave.
Hey dave, try adelsgrove ,with strip. 0747485502 regards glenn
Thanks Glen! Will try it. Cheers Dave.
Try Almora Station near Burketown. Sue & John Clarke. 0747 485575. I was at school at Boort with Sue. Flying Doctor can land there.
Hi Jan, thanks for this info with the number, will check it out. Cheers, Dave.
Hi Dave
It is good to see that you are up and flying again.
You showed good airmanship in waiting for the weather to improve rather than taking unnecessary risks.
The Whitsunday weather is slowly improving, although we are still getting occasional showers, measured 3mm this morning.
Say hello to the crew,
Regards,
Stan
Glad to hear you are looking at all options so you can keep going. ingham is a lovely place but there is a big country out there waiting for you.remember to enjoy ALL the trip these challenges are what make the adventure its not the destination but the journey that is important and who you share it with. shame linda was on Dunk for part of the adventure!!!!!! we will continue to follow your progress and wish we were flying with you. Julie and Ian and CAB SAV Airlie beach Whitsundays.