Monday, November 29, 2010

The Bell River escapade

* a collection of stories and memories, in no particular order, from the life and times of John Clarke, who served as a policeman in the Australian Police Force, a great practical joker, he also had a great affinity with people and wildlife, was a champion swimmer, snooker player, loved golf, still loves fishing and is also an artist. I hope you enjoy his recollections - cheers, karin (his daughter)

- - - -

At Wellington (NSW, Australia) 1977, a new Senior Constable arrived - Denis (Dutchy) Holland. It was my duty to show him 'round the Patrol.

We took off in the Police Car, me the driver, to check out the country on the other side of the Bell River.We went out on the Molong Road and turned right down the track to the Bell River.

Recent rain had fallen and the Bell was a little high, however, being the intrepid drive, I had a go, got half way across, and the Police Car began to slide sideways downstream.  I got 'Dutchy' to open his door and I opened mine and this allowed the push of water to go through the car and stopped it pushing so hard on the side and stopped us sliding further, but we stopped and the car wouldn't start.

We got out and walked down the paddock and found a bloke on a tractor and he was good enough to come and pull us out, then got us started with a squirt of WD40.  We went back to the Station and syphoned a lot of water out of the fron, rear and boot of the car and tried everything to dry it out, of course we told nobody nothing!

Next day, the Boss had to go to Dubbo for a Police Meeting.

He returned about 4pm - came into the station soaking wet and stated in his usual manner 'Jesus Bloody Christ, this is the most humid day I've ever seen'.

Somehow we managed to keep straight faces.  He never found out!! (it was midsummer)

PS.  When we got the car out of the river there was a tortoise on the floor of the front seat - duly released.

No comments:

Post a Comment