We got a van!!!

We expect to take delivery of our Jayco Journey in November this year! We can’t wait!

The first day at the fair was so exciting. We rocked up to the train station only to realise we were the only people there under 65. The train was full. It was so crazy and everyone was looking at us, as clearly we must have been in the wrong place.

Sorry guys, but consider us your Grey Nomad companions – yep, and only in our thirties!
It was such a long day. We were one of the last ones to leave the park that day and there was a noticeable drop in attendance around 3pm (nanna nap time).  We left the park after the event was closed and feeling so excited while the options of the day sunk in.

The next morning, we were up early feeling very low. It was such a contrast to the high of yesterday. We realised that we only liked parts of the caravans and neither of us were keen on just one complete van.

It was so overwhelming and to top it off,  we realised we have potentially blown our budget. Each van we saw, we were adding to our spending, starting at a realistic amount and with each van we saw, thought it best to increase our budget. We had been through the entire showgrounds and didn’t find one caravan to suit our needs and that was within our budget. We were hoping to find something at the show, make an offer and drive down the following week to collect. Sadly this wasn’t the case.
As we walked around, we discussed the pros and cons of blowing our budget but then realised this is our first caravan and seriously, anything will be a step up from what we had before. Having said that, neither of us wanted to feel ripped off again.

So we didn’t make a choice. We went into recon mode. We gathered as much data as we could and came home to debrief.

After all our research, we opted for an off-road Jayco. There is a  limit to accessing the outback in a caravan, as caravan’s are obviously bigger than camper-trailers, but we can now fit the swag in the caravan. So potentially we may see more of the country. Granted, the boat can’t come, but hey, with some of the remote places we’ll be visiting, I’m sure we’ll still enjoy fishing from the banks! 🙂

NEW ETD: November – once the caravan is built and we have taken it on a test trip!

There have been many crow calls in our camp lately.

To say this trip has not taken a mental toll on us already is a gross understatement.

To say this trip has taken  a mental toll on us already, is a gross understatement.

When we came home from some work out at Orion, we decided it was best to have the chassis strengthen prior to heading north, so once again we planned a quick trip south. Creative Conversions were great at getting us in as they knew we needed to get on the road ASAP.

Christmas was spent with the family and we arranged to camp with some mates for NYE. We were pretty stoked to show off our new home on wheels. But sadly, we opened the camper after Christmas and it was covered in mould. Everywhere. Doors, floors, roof, ceiling. Everywhere.

So we spent New Year’s Day and New Year’s Eve scrubbing out the camper using 11 and 1/3 bottles of Antibacterial Cuddly Concentrate Fabric Softener and then a final spray of oil of cloves to ensure the mould spores were annihilated. It took 2-3 days to dry and then it was back to where we purchased the camper from, to get sealed properly.

Upon our return from Brissy it rained, so we checked the camper the following day only to find water on the canvas. There was no language, no words. Just silence.

After we spoke about the pros and cons of burning the camper and travelling with the swag, we realised that it would be better if we did the work ourselves. We didn’t take into account how mad we would get, stripping it back and seeing all the short cuts taken and the poor work produced.

I know a lot of people are questioning why we didn’t go back, but we can’t understand why we would. We knew we could do a better job, use better materials and actually end up with a half decent product, so that’s why. Don’t worry, once we are calm, we will call them and let them know exactly what was wrong and what needed to be done to fix it and how unhappy we are with their product. Even their staff mentioned that it’s hit and miss with their product. Some campers are great, yet, some campers like ours, are just problematic.

But alas, our future is now back in the hands of Hughie. Will

  • the sealant dry in time
  • we be able to put the carpet back in time
  • the camper be packed

all before it rains? It’s pretty overcast out there.

You know what, bring it on Hughie! Tim and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and for us, it just keeps getting brighter!

Pomona

Pomona – where we had some stressful RnR. On the up side, we finally have the new tray and have saved over 200kgs!!!

We called in to see friends on the way back home. The plan (there’s that word again), was to stay the night, pick up the tray the next day and head home.

So the following morning,  as per instructions from the fabricators, we rocked up just before 8am to fit the tray. This was to take 1.5 – 2 hours. However, ‘big lap’ luck kicked in and after a lot of re-work, alterations and some scratches on the cab, we left a little deflated at 3.55pm… We were there all day with Snow.

Thankfully we were welcomed to stay with the Rays as long as we needed. Even better, their backyard is an oasis and so beautiful! It was the best place to be when all the issues with the tray were going on, as it seemed to be able to keep us somewhat calm.

So the following morning, Tim is out at the car and notices that not only had the paint been scratched off on one side of the canopy, but the other side had been dented. This was a major issue for us as the canopy was no longer dust/water proof.

So we were back at the fabricators around lunch and the items mentioned were fixed. I must say, they were happy to fix it, just a shame we needed to get this done.

After all this, I advised Tim, that I much preferred the tray he made and once we stop on this trip, I’ll buy him an aluminium welder and he can make me the original tray. Just not of out steel. 🙂

The bush is think in this part of the Sunny Coast
Scrub

The only other concern we had on this part of the journey was that we felt Snow may have chosen to stay with the Rays. If you think we spoil her, The Rays took ‘spoiling’ to a whole new level! She was given a pillow for her bed, toys to play with and loads of cuddles!

When we left, it did look like she was thinking of trading up, but when we dangled Australia in front of her, well, we knew she’d still come with us!

The great south east… hang on, we planned on going north?

Just an update of the trip we took for Cam and Helen’s wedding. next I’ll post what we got up too when staying at Pomona!

The one thing we have learned while on this epic adventure is that we must be flexible in our planning.

So when we found out our mate Cam from Toowomba, was getting married in November, we decided to head south before heading north and to use this trip as another test for our gear. On top of that we had to pick up our new, lighter tray from the Sunny Coast.

Toowoomba has some great places to eat out. I went to Cafe on the Park, and had such a fab time! Food was delish and the company great!

For the hens night, we went to Veraison for an indulgent night of food and wine. The 5 course degustation, started off by activating out palates and included a matching wine degustation!!! It was educational and fun!

The ‘big lap’ luck seemed to kick in at the bucks. As while the boys were doing laps in go-cart there was an accident in the car park. This wasn’t all bad as the driver came looking for the owner of the damaged car. Our car.

The bull bar on the Ranger needs to be fixed, but Tim was happy that that the driver came looking for him. The driver’s car sustained a lot more damage. Lucky for her, her parter is a panel beater.

The wedding we went to was beautiful. The bride was stunning and it’s always great to see the blokes in suits. The four lads looked very handsome. One thing I never thought I’d say about any of them, except of course, my Tim. 🙂

Unfortunately, on the same day, the ranger battery went flat, someone forgot his glasses (I missed some of the reception as I was collecting his glasses from town) and our beloved Snow became not so beloved after chewing through the canvas on the camper. She was soon forgiven once we realised she was tangled up and was trying to get in the camper during an afternoon storm. Don’t dismay, I did go and check on her between the service and reception, & on the way to collect the glasses.

We have decided no more test trips. Once we complete the current repairs we are off and will just work on the gear as we travel. Our gear will be Tim’s canvas – an evolving project. It will be interesting to see what we finish with. 🙂

 

 

 

Test Run 26-30 Sept 2014

We spent the week out and about in Central Queensland. Initially we were to leave on the Monday, however we were out of favour with the gods, as the rain poured down.

We managed to get away late Tuesday and spent a few nights in Comet visiting old friends and family. It was great. We went for a ride in a 1947 Rover as well as a walk around Koolamon. It was beautiful and I was surprised that we didn’t come across any snakes. Funny as when we arrived home to Rocky, dad informed us that they had three baby snakes. Nice, there must be a nest about in the creek…

After Comet we drove into Emerald and caught up with some of Tim’s old work mates before heading to Blackwater for a catch-up with the Scutts. This was a very late night followed by a day of skiing. I was a little too tired to ski but was super impressed with Timbo. It’s been over 10 years since he last water skied, and he was up on the second go! Sadly, a little sore the next day.

 

4 pairs of shoes… he has got to be kidding!

I cannot believe that he has put a limit on shoes. How can anyone select only 4 pairs of shoes when travelling for an undefined time? I mean, just off the top of my head, there are:
Winter shoes
• Summer shoes
• Spring shoes (for when we go to the races)
• Work shoes
• Hiking boots
• Joggers
• Pluggers
• Day shoes and
• Evening shoes.
To me, the above is the bare minimum, so how does anyone cut this to only 4 pairs of shoes? I have never heard of such obtuse thinking in my life!
4 pairs… This is going to be interesting. I’m already thinking of where I can hide shoes in the car…