The official day started quite early. At 7:30 all cars started to move towards Martin Place, the heart of Sydney. The street welcomed DreamQuest with a light rain (the famous dry season is at its height ) and with a rush-hour. In spite of all mistakes in the road-book teams are still smiling. Two national flags greet arriving cars. Under didgeridoo sounds the ceremony starts : the Honorable Tim Fischer, Former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and M Laurent Delahousse, Consul General of France in Sydney speak about French-Australian connection, about difficult trip ahead and wish “Bon courage to crazy French people”. “Crazy French people” don’t understand so well English, but are still smiling.

The difficult trip is not so far away; the OT1 takes it upon itself (assume) : a little bit to high border to get from the Martin Place back on to street way, the angry noise of Mob (Big 15, 1954, rouge) and the first breakdown... Sydney mourns either the departure of Dream Quest or the loss of Mob’s torsion bar – the rain starts to be very strong. The group picture in front of the Opera is impossible – the Opera disappeared behind the curtain of heavy shower’s matinee. Everybody gets a daily-kit with road book and some other infos and starts to leave the noisy city.

The organization and big support team remain stuck for 4-5 hours to console Mob.

Indeed they are missing the first acquaintance with Australian animals in Koala Park and first discoveries: it’s very difficult to see koalas in the nature, kangaroos are big beggars and Australian parrots speak Aussie language (“Hello, how are you going !”, “Shut up”).

After crossing Hawkesbury River by ferry, a little cosy place of St.Albans, where the young keeper of Settlers Arms serve a nice lunch. First colorful parrots show the way to the wine-country… Hunter Valley – the best place to stop for “crazy French people”. Instead of speaking about Australian wine, we’d better taste it…

Team 218 !!! Good idea to have a “maxi-bar” in the car - for the case, if your car decides to stop just before the wine-tasting because of a breakdown… Poor Gisele!!! Not so good idea to have a birthday on first rally-days..

With rain and few breakages, Dream Quest 2006 started !!!

Text & photos : Tatiana Parfishina