Some days are diamonds

Some days are diamonds and should never be forgotten.  Today was one of those days!! 

The first thing I ever knew about the NRTHF was that every 5th year they hold a massive parade of old trucks from all over the county and that if we were ever to visit Will wanted it to be at that time so he could watch the parade.  When we made the decision to volunteer we accepted that there was a risk that we would have to work during the time of the parade and therefor miss out, but we decided to go ahead anyway and just see what happened.  And what happened was just amazing.Will did have a job to do thanks to Mr Kenworth.  He had a black T909 Kenworth to drive in the parade and Pete had a red 200?? to drive.  Yes, drive in the 25th Anniversary Parade of the NRTHF. 

At the start line

The alarm went at 6.15am and the air was already filled with the smell and the haze of diesel.  Trucks were starting up in the paddock, some quickly, others less convincingly.  Orange flashing lights from trucks were sending out wake up calls for any who had hoped for a slight sleep in.  We were at the Kenworth shed by 6.45 am and trucks were already pulling out.  With trade plates attached, and final instructions given, the last from Mr Kenworth being - Enjoy yourself, we rolled out!  And enjoy ourselves we did! 

As we lined up at the Motor Registration Office we watched trucks of all shapes and sizes join the queue.  Old ones, new ones, shiny ones and quirky ones.  The atmosphere was electric.  A journalist from the ABC spoke to us after they interviewed Craig Membrey, who was 3rd truck in the parade.  Paraders wandered in between the trucks and checked out each others vehicles, made comparisons and shared stories.  I found darling Noelene making a cuppa at the back of her and Dave's beautifully restored Diamond T.  When she found out that we too were in the parade she jumped for joy.  She was so excited for Bill that she couldn't stand still!!  She was even more excited when she found out which truck.  She said "Oh, I dusted that last year but the bastards always had it locked, I never got to see inside it."  My response was "Well honey, it's not locked now."  Boy did she move quick. She was up at the steering wheel in no time!!

Craig Membrey, Malcom (2nd in charge Kenworth shed), Peter and Di and a touch of our bonnet!

Once the Police Chief arrived in the helicopter to conduct the safety watch from the air the call came to move on out.  And so we did.  With toots and blasts of air horns the show began.  It was amazing.  The boys in their toys - and I say that with genuine respect.  They were all so proud of the rigs they were driving and so grateful and happy to be there, their air horns sang to each other and the camaraderie was palpable. 

The joy we gave to people and people gave to us in that 50 minute drive was immense.  You'd make eye contact and people would smile and wave.  You'd hear their conversations 'Look at the black one',
'I want that one', and they'd smile so brightly when you blew the air horn for them.  Will was a softy for the kids, I don't think any who wanted to hear the air horn missed out!  One or two ladies standing close to the edge may have lost 5 minutes off their life as he swung the enormous rig in their direction before correcting it with a burst of laughter.


As we sheded the rig Will said, "I wish it had been a longer parade," but fortunately for us Liz CEO of NRTHF said "Sit and watch guys, everything is under control and if it's not, too bad.  Volunteers should enjoy the parade."  And so we did for the next hour and a half.  We saw the other truckers and trucketts have the fun of waving and tooting.  I leaned over to Will and said, 'Watching a parade has always been a buzz, but it's sure not the same as being IN a parade!'

And I thought the day was about as good as it could get, but it wasn't quite over yet.  Another 3 hour stint in the kitchen saw us pack up and head for home - tired, sunburnt and warn out.  I thought I didn't have any energy left until returning from a cool shower I found the Birdsville crew sitting around the camp fire. The festival was over, the crowds were thinning and our crew had time to sit together for the first time since Wednesday.  Heaven.  Potatoes in the coal, a piece of corn, some roast lamb, a glass of wine, shared stories and camaraderie.  Some days truly are diamonds!!