Well, it's back on again for 2013. Bug Off Cancer! is going Coast to Coast linking the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The dates aren't finalised as yet, but looking at the end of June/early July.
This will cover about 8,200km over a 16 day period, and will be the Bug's fourth cancer research fundraiser for Australian Cancer Research Foundation. That 1200 engine just keeps on going.
Also, if there are any businesses or companies out there that would like to have their name on the side of the Bug in exchange for sponsoring us, that would also be greatly appreciated.
It is a great thing you are doing, and my wife, Veronica, and I would like to help. If you are passing near Bowral, perhaps we could meet up?
Veronica has been fighting with lymphoma for the past two years, and we are hoping to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary in December.
Can I offer 5 cents per kilometre traveled, as a donation to your drive?
Who else is going to 'kick the tin?'
Best wishes,
Greg
65standard ·
G'day all.
Dave, at this stage it's just me and the Bug. Mario can't make it this year. We'll see as the time gets nearer.
Greg, any amount offered as a donation is fine. My last stop would be Canberra, and the last leg would be back to Sydney via Batemans Bay and the coast. I'm more than happy to make my way to Bowral via Kangaroo Valley and get the chance to meet yourself and Veronica before making my way back home along the Hume.
DubLeg, no you can't kill 'em. And why would you want to? I may not travel in all the comfort of a modern car, but I certainly travel in style, as you do in a Bug.
All donations over $2 are tax deductible and any donation of any amount is appreciated.
Anyone who is in business or knows of a business that would like to advertise on the side of the Bug, can drop me a line.
Cheers,
Norm
65standard ·
Just an update on the Bug Off Cancer! drive for this year. Will be departing Sydney Saturday 29 June and will be a duration of about 16 days including a rest day in Perth and due to be back in Sydney on Sunday 14 July.
If you're interested, I've put a compilation together of the previous drives and some of the experiences on the drives.
Greg (HappyDaze) I have decided to make my way back through Bowral on Sunday 14 July and if you're willing to meet up, I'm more than happy to meet yourself and Veronica.
Cheers,
Norm
donn ·
PM sent
donn ·
Hi Norm, got your reply though your map wouldn't load but that's ok as I followed your itenery on my maps, you certainly have booked in some long days but even though I had no particular timetable on my trip to stick to I did a couple of longer days, though certainly not many and certainly not day after day, makes me wish that I had thought of making my trip into a fundraiser, though I don't think it would have worked too well as I tended to turn in the direction that suited me at the time and stay where I landed till I felt like moving on 😁 As I said, I,m really just kicking tyres at this time but it's looking very tempting do you usualy take someone with you as a pasenger or a support vehicle? Top job your doing for a great cause 👍. Hmmm thinking thinking.😵💫
65standard ·
Don,
I plan my trips as though I'm solo, but every year have had a passenger who decided to join later on. I don't have a service car that follows. I'm driver, mechanic, trip organiser. I carry enough spares for foreseeable problems.
I have to run a tight schedule due to work and family, otherwise I'd be away for weeks at a time doing some real exploring.
65standard ·
Just want to give a BIG THANKS to Club VeeDub Sydney for their continued support of Bug Off Cancer!
I'll be Bugging Off Saturday 29 June and driving to the other side of the island and back in my trusty '65 Beetle to raise funds for Australian Cancer Research Foundation, and to hopefully be rid of this hideous disease once and for all one day.
I'll also be meeting up with the VW Club Of WA and VW Club Canberra Chapter along the way
A get together has been kindly organised by the club and Dino's Pizza at Glenmore Park on Friday 28 June. Hope to see you down there.
Hope to catch up on the 14th of July.......the family has something organized that day [my 72nd birthday], but I'm sure we can sort something out.
65standard ·
HappyDaze wrote:'Onya Norm.👍
Hope to catch up on the 14th of July.......the family has something organized that day [my 72nd birthday], but I'm sure we can sort something out.
Look forward to it Greg.
65standard ·
It's the morning of Bug Off Cancer!, and I've yet to get to sleep, but I have to give a BIG THANKS to Dino of Dino's Pizza at Glenmore Park for putting on a great night for everyone attending the drag races at Eastern Creek tomorrow, and for raising awareness about the Bug Off Cancer! drive. Another thanks goes out to Craig of VWMA (VW Magazine Australia) for also raising awareness about the fundraising drive and for handing me a great duffle bag.
I can't forget Steve Carter for helping to organise my attending tonight also.
Last but not least, a BIG THANKS goes out to those that donated tonight at Dino's Pizza.
65standard ·
Day 1 of Bug Off Cancer! got off to a little bit of a late start due to my sleeping in this morning. Was supposed to be a 0500 departure, but woke at 0450. Still got away at 0535, so not too bad after all.
The day started off in the dark, rain and light fog at my place, but the fog got thicker in the mountains and around Hartley. The rain followed me for most of the 451 miles (722km), and was heaviest about 90km from Cobar for a run of about 30km. Sydney's rain has certainly stretched out to the central west of the state.
The drive was uneventful overall, except for the rain. Here's some pics along the way. Not too many photo opportunities due to the weather.
I'd better thank Cobar Town & Country Motor Inn for donating the accommodation for tonight, and Sharon Harland from The Cobar Weekly. She does a story on my drive every time I drive through.
65standard ·
Could have done with a beer that size after today's drive.
1303Steve ·
Hi Norman
I hope you find some good weather soon. Did you find your way out of Glenmore Park OK? I followed some people who I thought knew the way and we went way in the wrong direction.
Steve
65standard ·
G'day Steve. Sorry for the delay in responding, but the internet in Broken Hill was less than productive. The weather has been much better since yesterday and so far so good with the Bug. Arrived in Port Augusta this afternoon, and a pleasant afternoon by the water having good old fashioned fish'n chips by the water.
I got out of Glenmore Park OK. GPS is my friend in unfamiliar territory.
Here's some pic from yesterday.
Brilliant sunrise over Cobar and hangin' wid da bros in da hood in Silverton.
65standard ·
The start to today from Broken Hill was just as good as yesterday's from Cobar. Clear morning and an open road. Just the way I like it. First stop was Cockburn on the NSW/SA border, then on to Peterborough for a quick pitstop and then on to Port Augusta where I'll stay for the night.
Covered a distance of 263 miles (421km) in 5 hours.
Other than that, not much to report, so here's some more pics.
Cockburn on the NSW/SA border, leaving Peterborough and Port Augusta.
Camo ·
Hi Norm,
great job and you sure don't stuff around. I think you have done more kilometers already, than I have in a year in my Beetle (nothing for me to be proud of).
Love the photos, keep them coming. Have to ask, are you sleeping in a decent bed (hotel) every night.
Kev
65standard ·
Kev, The VeeDub keeps going as long as I can. No complaints from the 40 horses behind me (so far). As for the accommodation, it is in hotels/motels and some of the places have been generous in donating the night's accommodation as their contribution to the fundraising cause.
As for today's drive (Day 4), the day started brilliantly in Port Augusta, and just kept getting better all the way to Ceduna, with a few photo opportunities along the way.
The 299 miles (478km) between Port Augusta and Ceduna were covered in 5 hours 19 minutes
Brilliant sunrise in Port Augusta, then hitting the half-way mark in Kimba, and then meeting up with the Big Galah in Kimbah.
65standard ·
Just a few more photos from today's drive.
A convenient pitstop during the morning's drive, well-earned lunch in Ceduna, and as the day started in Port Augusta, it ended in Ceduna. Brilliantly!!
Tomorrow's another drive and a big one at about 760km.
Camo ·
Great photos, why would you want to be anywhere else. But you don't have time to stop 😂😂😂😂😂
Enjoy, be careful and keep up the great job.
Kev
65standard ·
Now that I'm back in mobile network coverage after spending a day and night on the Nullabor (not that I'm complaining, as the phone became my music system for the duration and it wasn't going off when I didn't want it to), I can update the goings on of the last couple of days.
The day started well in Ceduna yesterday (3 July) and continued to get better as the day went on. The total distance covered was 500 miles (800km), and saw the day end in Cocklebiddy, a roadhouse on the Nullabor.
One of the first highlights was crossing the eastern end of the Nullabor (treeless plain), then I took a diversion to Head of Bight National Park. This 20km diversion and $15 entry fee was worth every bit. I got to see for the first time, whales, and quite a few, all gathered in one area. After about an hour, it was time to make tracks to make Cocklebiddy while it was still light.
After whale watching, it was on the SA/WA border. This is a big inspection station for fruits and honey. One quarantine officer asked if the boot was in the front or back. He gave me a funny look when I told him the rear boot is a bit noisy, and that he may want to look in the front.
After about half an hour of crossing the border into WA, I was pulled over by the police. When I asked if I did anything wrong, the officer replied "You certainly weren't speeding, but this is a routine licence and registration check." He took me details, commended me on the fundraising drive, did a U-turn and drove off.
65standard ·
Nullabor Roadhouse. Glad I wasn't filling a 4WD at 201.9c/L for 91 Unleaded.
65standard ·
At Border Village quarantine station.
65standard ·
Some interesting statistics about Cocklebiddy, coupled with fantastic sunset and sunrise this morning (4 July)
65standard ·
The run from Cocklebiddy to Esperance today started off well, albeit a chilly 7 degrees, which dropped to about 2 in the wind. Started the 90 mile straight run, and completed that in 88 minutes. Then drove along one of the many Royal Flying Doctor Service emergency landing strips. This one was just west of Balladonia, after the 90 mile straight. We lined the Bug up for take off.
The day ended in Esperance, where the weather wasn't as kind as the last few days. They had a storm Wednesday night, and the streets looked it. There was heavy downpour as I started to do my updates tonight. Hopefully it clears for the morning.
vwpizza ·
Great pictures Norman, keep up the good work and keep safe..
donn ·
Mate, you sure are covering some ground, brings back memories of my trip in 2011. Keep up the good work.. Love the pics
65standard ·
Well after 2,768 miles (4,429km), I have made it to the other side of the island. The natives on this side are a peculiar lot. A very curious and inquisitive tribe. They were amazed at the motorised vehicle I was being transported in. Like it was from another time far, far away.
After the heavy downpour of last night, this morning was still cloudy, but looking to clear over the course of the day. And it did. The 765km run today was relatively uneventful, until I landed in Perth. After the few days driving in the outback and mixing it with kangaroos, road trains and the odd emu, I realised I was missing something (NOT). Traffic, congestion and impatient drivers. I thought I left Sydney behind me. Oh well, it's only for a day or two, before I head back to the outback again. Tomorrow is a rest day, so it'll be a do what I want, when I want, if I want type of day.
Just a few photos for today.
Big shears at Ongerup
Big Ram at Wagin
End of the day at Scarborough Beach
Camo ·
Near 5000km's, must be time to adjust the tappets before returning home and having to do them again 😂😂😂
Kev
65standard ·
Haven't even had to top up oil yet. Tappets won't need adjusting till I get back to the eastern side of the island.
65standard ·
Today started off with a start. A cold one at that. After a complimentary breakfast, it was off to meet the VW club of WA at 0800. They were meeting at Karrinyup shopping centre for their cruise to the Historic race meet at Barbagallo Raceway. I was unable to attend the cruise with them, as I had a 447 mile (715km) drive ahead of me to Norseman.
Anyway, I had been corresponding with Jamie Barrett, the President of the VW Club of WA, for some months about my Bug Off drive to Perth, and he and the club agreed to meet with me.
With VW's of all descriptions gathered in the carpark of the shopping centre and the exchanging of stories between VW owners, Jamie organised a collection for donations, and to my surprise, $205 was raised. A BIG THANKS goes out to the club members of VW Club of WA.
65standard ·
After farewelling my newfound fellow Veedubbers, it was on to Norseman. This is a town in WA that is the junction when travelling west along the Nullabor, that will take you north to Kalgoorlie or south to Esperance. After my run across the Nullabor, I turned left and went to Esperance, Perth, and did the loop back down to Norseman, before I travel east along the Nullabor for the east side of the island.
The drive today was uneventful, but long, as I got into Norseman just before sunset.
I had been offered a 50% discount on my accommodation, for which I was grateful. To my surprise when I checked in, I was told no charge, as they heard about my drive on Radio West in Esperance. The front desk clerk, also donated $50. A BIG THANKS to Norseman Great Western Motor Inn for their support.
To add to my surprises in Norseman, whilst I was waiting for my dinner in the Norseman Miners and Workers Club, one bloke came up and donated some money, as he saw the Bug parked outside. Another one recognised me from the Ten news that was on earlier, and he told another bloke who came up and gave a few dollars. All in all, they gave $15. It's not the amount of money, but the fact that they came up to me, an out-of-towner and unknown to them, and put money on the table to help with cancer research. I found this very humbling, and they were over the moon when I presented each of them a Bug Off Cancer T-shirt. The smiles on their faces said it all, and that made my day complete.
1. Classics of the aviation and automotive worlds meet.
2. Entering the 5 Star town of Southern Cross
3. Lake Cowan, on both sides of the road, without a drop of water. About 5km north of Norseman
Camo ·
Hi Norm,
That's great of the WA guys and Gals to meet up with you. It is things like this that makes all the hard work worth it and always nice meeting other VW enthusiast.
Not that I have anything to do with Norms trip, but it makes me feel good what the WA VW club did and the donation. hats off to you all 👍👍
Norm, you are definitely seeing some great places which is just a bonus.
Drive careful, Kev
amazeer ·
I've saved up $22 now to rebuild my oval :P I hope you are still doing these trips when I am finished, I'd love to tag along.
HappyDaze ·
Keep up the good work, Norm.👍
I will be home on Sunday, if you can call in......there will be a cheque waiting, as promised. Phone 0402 415 022 for the address, and directions.
Cheers, Greg
Chris, why not give Norm the $22, and start again.....a few more years won't matter❗
65standard ·
Kev,
It was great to meet up with the WA VeeDub guys and girls. Albeit it was for about an hour, but still worth the effort.
Chris (Amazeer),
Keep building the Oval. I intend to keep doing these fundraising trips as long as I and the Bug can hold out. So far, so good. I've only had to top up about 1/2 a litre of oil on the return trip to Cocklebiddy. That's after 3,685 miles (5,896km). Not bad for the ol' girl.
Greg,
I'll call you tomorrow and arrange a time with you. I'll be meeting up with some of the VW Canberra guys on Sunday morning, before heading back to Sydney. Hope I'm not imposing on you on your birthday.
65standard ·
A few more updates.
After leaving Norseman on Monday morning, it was a quick trip down to Salmon Gums, about 95km south of Norseman, then back to Norseman and the Eastbound run for Cocklebiddy.
1. The "Big" roundabout in Norseman
2. Lined up on the Royal Flying Doctor Service emergency runway on the Eyre Highway
3. Ready for the 90 mile straight run. Did this Eastbound run in 85 minutes. Shaved 3 minutes of the Westbound run!!!
65standard ·
Yesterday, it was a 484 mile (774km) run from Cocklebiddy to Ceduna. A long run, but an uneventful one. It was a cool 2 degrees in Cocklebiddy, and I left just before sunrise in the fog. I was in fog for about 40 miles, before it cleared and was clear skies all the way to Ceduna.
1. Sunrise on the Nullarbor about 38 miles east of Cocklebiddy
2. The informative roundabout in Ceduna
3. The day ending in Ceduna as it started on the Nullarbor. Just brilliantly!!
65standard ·
Today, another great start to the day in Ceduna, but it was a cool 3 degrees, but worth being up for the sunrise. Today's run was a short one at only 297 miles (475km). Another uneventful day, and actually arriving in Port Augusta with a few hours to spare, and actually unwind and relax and have lunch by the water.
Rest up tonight for the biggish run to Wentworth tomorrow.
1. Great sunrise in Ceduna
2. Half way back to Sydney
3. Another great ending to a great day
amazeer ·
65standard wrote:I've only had to top up about 1/2 a litre of oil on the return trip to Cocklebiddy. That's after 3,685 miles (5,896km). Not bad for the ol' girl.
I know of plenty Polo gtis that would be well over 3 litres by now.
Dont worry Greg, I've made a donation.
Trouble with having a supersize garage is that you get to accumulate 3 cars spaces worth of shit in just 5 years. Over the past week or two Ive been making room. I've been inventing storage solutions for athletics gear and push bikes and fishing rods, dumped a lot of rubbish, turned the cubby house into a garden/paint shed... when I get rid of the dead tv's computers and other electronics I'll start rebuilding the front beam spindle to spindle. If I put Bad Camberg trip on hold I'll be with you on the 2020 cancer ride. Hopefully.
65standard ·
Today, like just about every other morning started off gorgeously in Port Augusta, albeit a crisp 3 degrees, but worth getting up for.
Today's run went from Port Augusta through Snowtown and then trekked up through Clare Valley to the Sturt Highway and then on to the SA/Victoria border and on to Wentworth. All in all, a 396 mile (634km) run for the day. Another uneventful day, but a great day indeed.
1. Sunrise over Flinders Ranges
2. Approaching SA/Victoria border at the Big Dunlop Tyre
3. At the SA/Victoria border
65standard ·
Just a few more photos.
1. One of my favourite spots where the Murray and Darling Rivers meet, in Wentworth
2. Old Wentworth Gaol
3.. Another fantastic end to a great day.
Camo ·
Hi Norm,
again, beautiful photos. I see you are back into VIC, you're nearly bloody home and I bet looking forward to a rest. To me, it seems like it has gone quickly but I bet your bum isn't thinking the same way 😂😂😂
Well done and will probably see you at the next Club Vee-Dub meeting on Thursday.
Kev 👍
65standard ·
Camo wrote:Hi Norm,
again, beautiful photos. I see you are back into VIC, you're nearly bloody home and I bet looking forward to a rest. To me, it seems like it has gone quickly but I bet your bum isn't thinking the same way 😂😂😂
Kev,
It seems so long ago that I took off on that wet, foggy, miserable Saturday morning. Yes, I'm nearly home, and I was just starting to unwind. I might turn left when I get into Sydney, and start over!!
Anyway, here's some updates for today after doing 312 miles (499km) from Wentworth to Narrandera.
1. Great sunrise just out of Wentworth
2. 25 miles of this fog
3. Knocking at Hell's Gate!
1303Steve ·
Hi
Anybody wanting to meet up with Norman and escort him back to Sydney, please meet up at McDonald's Sutton Forest, Hume Hwy, Sutton Forest.
This is on the northbound side of the road.
Meet up with Norman Elias who is returning to Sydney after doing the bug off cancer drive, meet at 2.00 - 2.30 pm on Sunday 14th
It is with sadness that I write today. My wife's Uncle past away this morning from cancer, he was only in his mid to late 50's. Way to young!
So this makes me appreciate it even more what you are doing Norm and I hope to meet up with you tomorrow. If for some reason I can't, as mentioned I will see you at the vee dub meeting Thursday night.
Regards, Kev
65standard ·
Kev,
Very sorry to hear about your wife's uncle. Anywhere in the 50's is way too young.
Even though I don't know your wife or her uncle, please pass on my condolences.
Regards,
Norm
Camo ·
A few of us went down to Sutton's Forest to met up with Norm on his return trip. He had already met up with the Canberra club veedub guys and gals and then met us at McDonalds.
This is a small video of the escort crew and Norm.
There were 4 Beetles and 1 Kombi there to greet him home.
Again, job well done Norm 👍👍👍👍
Kev
65standard ·
Camo,
You really had to push it to keep up with me. Lucky I wasn't flooring it! 😁 Great video.
Today was the last day of Bug Off Cancer! drive 2013. The day started out overcast in Canberra this morning. I met up with Club VW Canberra at about 9:50, and as more VW's rolled up, the rain started to come down. 7 VW's turned up (including those new water-cooled types), and we had a convoy from Russell car park (near the American-Australian War Memorial) to Old Parliament House. After taking some photos in the wet, it was off on another convoy, this time to Goulburn. This was Club VW Canberra's way of escorting me part of the way home.
We pulled up in Goulburn, with many perplexed onlookers wondering what was going on with so many VW's in town, and had lunch at The Paragon. Great food, and in great company. Thanks very much for the lunch guys and gals!
A BIG THANKS goes out to Club VW Canberra and their members for raising $130 for the fundraising.
After lunch, it was off to Sutton Forest McDonald's to meet up with some members from Club VeeDub Sydney. A BIG THANKS goes out to Steve, Rudi, Joe, Martin and Camo that drove down from Sydney to Sutton Forest to escort me back to Sydney. That's what us VeeDubbers do.
In short, this year's drive covered a distance of 5,644 miles (9,030km) over 16 days. The 40 horses behind me didn't miss a beat, and only had to top up 1/2 a litre of oil for the trip. No other issues, apart from the left hand brake cable snapping on me on the way to Dino's Pizza night before my drive, and losing the magnet on the left rear quarter panel with all the sponsors stickers on it between Cobar and Broken Hill on day 2. I didn't realise this until I got to Broken Hill, and I wasn't about to go searching 450km of Barrier Highway for it either.
1. Snuck in an early photo this morning in front of Parliament House
2. Club VeeDub Canberra members
3. Lined up outside Old Parliament House
65standard ·
The date is set, the venue selected and the entertainment ready. Bug Off Cancer! Trivia night 2013 is GO!!
Keep the night of Friday 27 September free for an evening of entertaining brain twisting trivia. Your host for the evening will be the very funny Trudi Ross. Kick off will be 7:00pm
As in the past, our Trivia Night will be held at St George Rowers (1 Levey St, Wolli Creek) in the Captain's Room.
A donation of $20 will get you an evening of entertainment and a raffle will get you in the draw for some great prizes on offer, including 2 nights accommodation for 2 people.
Hi Norm, are kids allowed at the Trivia Night? Lily would be a very useful addition! If so I'm in...
65standard ·
Phil,
Kids are allowed. Trudi, while funny is clean, so Lily's ears won't be corrupted. My son Jet may be attending the night also.
Look forward to seeing you and Lily there.
65standard ·
For those of you interested, after much editing and putting together this year's Bug Off Cancer! video here is this year's Bug Eye view of this great country of ours in aid of raising funds for cancer research.