Mon, 5th October, 2015 Greens Point, Sofala to Mount Panorama Volunteers Campground, Bathurst

9.5 degrees in the van this morning at 7am which in real time is 6am!! Clear blue sky again. Packed up and headed off. Stopped at Sofala to check out Fred and Diane’s new house Fred built as a weekender. Very nice. It is next to the old pub I took a photo of last year with its wobbly front walls etc.

Up the steep climb out of Sofala and through Wattle Flat again. Down the other side as we head to Bathurst.

First glimpse of Mt Panorama.

Stopped at the Accreditation Centre and got our tickets and goodies bag. We got a jumper instead of the big coat this year, a scarf, lanyard, cap and two shirts, grey and orange (nicer than last years).

Along pit straight.

Into Pole Position.

Around the corner and up Mountain Straight then into the campground. Will have to do the drive around the track next Monday.

Around to where we were last year but they have moved the numbers up one so we have the skinny site next to where we were last year – oh well, we only have to share with a lady in a tent. Not sure who Leanne has coming to share her site. . Only place where we will put up being squashed in like sardines!!

Our old neighbours are behind us so we all settled in for a cuppa and a chat. Certainly not cold here. Up to 31 degrees again and apparently Melbourne and Tassie are having a scorcher so we are lucky we are up here!!

Another van pulled up and apparently they are supposed to be on the site with Leanne!! The chap rang the camping supervisor and they got moved to another spot – poor things. We had all emailed saying we had vans but they obviously didn’t bother to check who had what!!

Lovely sky with the planes leaving their vapour trails across it.

Took Leanne and Rick for a walk around the campground and to find where we had to go to work at Gate 12 which is at the entrance to the tunnel under the track. Our neighbours did that last year and said you get to see lots of drivers through there too.

Lou should be here helping these guys set up. He is towing down a trailer with gear for them from Townsville.

Closer to the sign on the hill here.

Great view back down Conrod to Murrays Corner.

Stopped at the SplashDown complex to enquire about Kevin who we have chatted to over the years. He was due to have surgery straight after the race last year. They said he is ok but lost most of his stomach and a lot of weight – just like Grant. They are hoping his wife will bring him up for a visit as they have changed the sign for the Avenue just for him.

Rang Mum and Dad for a chat – Wal had stroke but is ok. Will be great to see him soon.

Still warm enough to have dinner outside. Too much light around here to see any satellites here. Interesting day watching everyone set up.