I have taken the van down to the mechanics to have the starter motor fixed or replaced. He will also look at it and tell me if anything serious is wrong. That will mean that I will then have no excuse not to go somewhere by myself as I won't have to worry too much about getting out and banging the thing myself. It was like, in, out, bang, in, out, bang, in...you get the drift. It is easier with 2 of us, one banging and 1 turning the key but this will get rid of that hassle
When it comes back I will give it a good scrub inside. I have finally managed to take out the bed platform that was in there and it has had a wipe-over but it has travelled up north and there is still red dust that can be seen in places.
I took out the small seat from the back last night and Hubby showed me how to turn the other one around. It seats 4 now instead of 5 but 2 in the front and 2 in the back is fine. Taking the single seat out has given me a lot more room getting in and out the side door and if I want we can take out the other seat as well but that will depend on if I think I will use it with passengers or if it will be just a *camping car*
And that's what I will be doing, thinking...about what I want in it, what I need, how to set things up. Do I want a platform for the bed or will a mattress on the floor be good enough? Will I need to use a sink and stove inside? I will be reading a few blogs and things to get ideas from people who have done it already.
There are some clever adventurous adventurers out there. I want to be one of them.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
McAlinden Overnighter.
We had an OK stay up at the BiL's property on Monday night but I need to remember to take decent food when we visit these people. There should be food in the tuckerbox for this type of situation but because I am so onorganised there wasn't. So we had nothing to eat until pizza was offered at 9.30pm. I had lunch before we left and took a couple of apples up with me but was feeling crook by 7. Hubby had had nothing all day and was ready for bed but had to wait 'til after *tea*. A tin of something in the car, or some sandwiches would have been better for us.
They thought us strange to be wanting to sleep in the car but that was our plan and no air-conditioned loungeroom with Foxtel was going to change our minds. We took our shower and the port loo so we didn't need anything inside. Next time we will go further away from the house so as to not be able to see it but it was OK where we were. Maybe a bit too close to their dogs...
I was up at 4.45, went for a decent walk then back and made coffee on the little gas stove. Had an apple and read for awhile until Hubby was up and there was movement over at the house.
Will put a photo here later.
We left around 10 and called into a place that we have been to once before and liked. It is an old coalmine that has been flooded and is now used for swimming. I didn't think that you were allowed to camp there but there were no signs and there were a couple of people there camping so it looks like it is allowed. No facilities at all though so you would need to be self contained. As we can be we may stay here on our next visit this way.
It is near Alanson and is called Black Diamond something. Maybe BD pool.
Will put a photo here later.
We nearly left home without a billy for coffee making as it was in the bigger box and I was only taking the little one but luckily Hubby did my job for me and checked as he was loading. That would have been sad if I didn't have something to heat water for my coffees.
I have a bag in the shed that should fit a stove and basic stuff for times like this so I should get it put together. It will be able to be taken anywhere then.
Once again, I could/should have done things better but apart from food we didn't need anything we didn't have and as it was only overnight we didn't need much anyway. Was glad for the mossie net and a torch would have come in handy so I think I will buy another couple of windup ones and keep them with the camping stuff.
They thought us strange to be wanting to sleep in the car but that was our plan and no air-conditioned loungeroom with Foxtel was going to change our minds. We took our shower and the port loo so we didn't need anything inside. Next time we will go further away from the house so as to not be able to see it but it was OK where we were. Maybe a bit too close to their dogs...
I was up at 4.45, went for a decent walk then back and made coffee on the little gas stove. Had an apple and read for awhile until Hubby was up and there was movement over at the house.
Will put a photo here later.
We left around 10 and called into a place that we have been to once before and liked. It is an old coalmine that has been flooded and is now used for swimming. I didn't think that you were allowed to camp there but there were no signs and there were a couple of people there camping so it looks like it is allowed. No facilities at all though so you would need to be self contained. As we can be we may stay here on our next visit this way.
It is near Alanson and is called Black Diamond something. Maybe BD pool.
Will put a photo here later.
We nearly left home without a billy for coffee making as it was in the bigger box and I was only taking the little one but luckily Hubby did my job for me and checked as he was loading. That would have been sad if I didn't have something to heat water for my coffees.
I have a bag in the shed that should fit a stove and basic stuff for times like this so I should get it put together. It will be able to be taken anywhere then.
Once again, I could/should have done things better but apart from food we didn't need anything we didn't have and as it was only overnight we didn't need much anyway. Was glad for the mossie net and a torch would have come in handy so I think I will buy another couple of windup ones and keep them with the camping stuff.
Monday, January 3, 2011
We're Doing An Overnighter.
Hubby's brother is down brom Broome for a bit and he was going to go from work tonight and visit with his family up at his other brothers place. A phonecall from his boss last night has ended up with him having today and tomorrow off so he will now leave from here and I will go up with him.
We will take the cruiser, the swag, coffee making stuff. We could stay in the house but it sounds like they'll have a few people there and this way will be more camp like and good practice for me.
They live up east of Collie, WA so it is a couple of hours away and becausewe he now has to undo the work related stuff that he did yesterday we won't be leaving here until just after lunch. We will have to be back here earlyish tomorrow for the dog and chickens but it will be a good overnighter.
Pity I haven't got all the stuff we'll need organised yet.
What? It's only been a few months so no,
I haven't had plenty of time!
We will take the cruiser, the swag, coffee making stuff. We could stay in the house but it sounds like they'll have a few people there and this way will be more camp like and good practice for me.
They live up east of Collie, WA so it is a couple of hours away and because
Pity I haven't got all the stuff we'll need organised yet.
What? It's only been a few months so no,
I haven't had plenty of time!
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Van Naming.
I.have named my van.
Hubby rolled his eyes and thinks I am nuts.
Her name is "Wanda"
And together, one day, that is what we will do.
Me and Wanda, we will wander.
She is booked in to have the starter motor looked at next week.
I have been driving it around, usually it starts but a couple of times we have had to get out and give the SM a few bangs before it will start, not a big deal but it is easier when there are 2 of us. Getting it fixed though will mean I wont have to worry about it.
I still haven't emptied it completey or thought about what to put in the back but I am going to make a list and make a start next week. Once the mechanic has looked it over and given it a good report we will take it away, maybe just overnight but we might wait until the school holidays are over. That will make more sense I think, so really, that gives me around 4-5 weeks to get it ready for an overnighter. That should be plenty of time, even for me.
One thing I REALLY need to do is find out how to get to the engine. We have looked but haven't worked it out yet and as there is no book with it...I need to have a look on the internet, or ask someone. If I haven't worked it out by next week than I will get the mechanic to show me but I really should find out before then and before I drive it too much, just in case...
Hubby rolled his eyes and thinks I am nuts.
Her name is "Wanda"
And together, one day, that is what we will do.
Me and Wanda, we will wander.
She is booked in to have the starter motor looked at next week.
I have been driving it around, usually it starts but a couple of times we have had to get out and give the SM a few bangs before it will start, not a big deal but it is easier when there are 2 of us. Getting it fixed though will mean I wont have to worry about it.
I still haven't emptied it completey or thought about what to put in the back but I am going to make a list and make a start next week. Once the mechanic has looked it over and given it a good report we will take it away, maybe just overnight but we might wait until the school holidays are over. That will make more sense I think, so really, that gives me around 4-5 weeks to get it ready for an overnighter. That should be plenty of time, even for me.
One thing I REALLY need to do is find out how to get to the engine. We have looked but haven't worked it out yet and as there is no book with it...I need to have a look on the internet, or ask someone. If I haven't worked it out by next week than I will get the mechanic to show me but I really should find out before then and before I drive it too much, just in case...
Monday, December 13, 2010
I Looked. I'm Back.
I rang, it was still there so we left. Fremantle isn't very far from here, maybe an hour and a half...give or take...
We ummed and aahed about whether to take my car or his and finally decided that we'd take mine because if we did buy the van I'd rather drive mine home than an unknown one. He drove up and we did call into Woodman Point and that area will stay near the top of the list.
Found our way to where the van was parked and looked it over and talked about it. It wasn't set up as a camper but had a mattress and some wooden stuff in the back. A shower cubicle like the two we had bought before was in there. The body was a bit rough, after all it is nearly 20 years old. No rust but you could tell some had been cut out and the body repaired. Bit of a dent. It had a roo bar but no towball. . The bloke was asking $3800.
Because it was a bit rough I thought I'd make an offer of $3500. If it started OK and the inside wasn't too rough.
So we rang the guy, arranged a time for him to come meet us and went and had lunch while we waited.
He came, we looked, he opened all the doors and we could see a couple of batteries and an inverter under the bed. It had seats in the back and the bloke said that they come out or can be turned around.
We are thinking it would be OK to get so ask to start it. It wouldn't start...he banged on the starter motor and it started but me and Hubby had already decided I think.
I pretended that we were looking at it for our daughter and were a bit concerned about it not starting so he said he'd drop a few hundred off. Down to $3200. We have had 2 cars that had to have the SM banged on sometimes before they would start. Not a big deal, easy enough to replace if needed so I thought his amount was fair. We were going to get it but something made me say "if we took it now would you take $3000" He said yes so, done deal.
He had said he would put 6 months rego on it too so, better deal. He said we could follow him somewhere and get it licenced and changed over so he drove the van and we followed him about 15 minutes away. We were behind the van so could see if the flickers were working or if smoke was coming out. It looked fine.
Got to the licencing centre and the car is now mine!!!
Hubby drove home and says it drives good. I took it for a drive once we got home but thought it had a very slow take off and pickup but he says that is because it is diesel But it is a turbo diesel so I just had to put my foot down more. It will take some getting used to having a very short front but shouldn't be too hard.
I have Ultimate RAC cover so if it conks out while I'm driving it over the next couple of weeks I'll be right but will get it looked at and serviced before I go off in it alone.
Hopefully there wont be any major dramas with it.
We will pull out the bed and all the framework, get it cleaned and decide what we will do on the inside.
We ummed and aahed about whether to take my car or his and finally decided that we'd take mine because if we did buy the van I'd rather drive mine home than an unknown one. He drove up and we did call into Woodman Point and that area will stay near the top of the list.
Found our way to where the van was parked and looked it over and talked about it. It wasn't set up as a camper but had a mattress and some wooden stuff in the back. A shower cubicle like the two we had bought before was in there. The body was a bit rough, after all it is nearly 20 years old. No rust but you could tell some had been cut out and the body repaired. Bit of a dent. It had a roo bar but no towball. . The bloke was asking $3800.
Because it was a bit rough I thought I'd make an offer of $3500. If it started OK and the inside wasn't too rough.
So we rang the guy, arranged a time for him to come meet us and went and had lunch while we waited.
He came, we looked, he opened all the doors and we could see a couple of batteries and an inverter under the bed. It had seats in the back and the bloke said that they come out or can be turned around.
We are thinking it would be OK to get so ask to start it. It wouldn't start...he banged on the starter motor and it started but me and Hubby had already decided I think.
I pretended that we were looking at it for our daughter and were a bit concerned about it not starting so he said he'd drop a few hundred off. Down to $3200. We have had 2 cars that had to have the SM banged on sometimes before they would start. Not a big deal, easy enough to replace if needed so I thought his amount was fair. We were going to get it but something made me say "if we took it now would you take $3000" He said yes so, done deal.
He had said he would put 6 months rego on it too so, better deal. He said we could follow him somewhere and get it licenced and changed over so he drove the van and we followed him about 15 minutes away. We were behind the van so could see if the flickers were working or if smoke was coming out. It looked fine.
Hubby drove home and says it drives good. I took it for a drive once we got home but thought it had a very slow take off and pickup but he says that is because it is diesel But it is a turbo diesel so I just had to put my foot down more. It will take some getting used to having a very short front but shouldn't be too hard.
I have Ultimate RAC cover so if it conks out while I'm driving it over the next couple of weeks I'll be right but will get it looked at and serviced before I go off in it alone.
Hopefully there wont be any major dramas with it.
We will pull out the bed and all the framework, get it cleaned and decide what we will do on the inside.
I'm Going To Look At A Van today.
It is under my budget and fits most of the criteria.
It is automatic.
power steering.
under 200,000km though that wasn't on the list it is good mileage.
Less than 20 years old, also not on the list but we have always had old cars, 'cept for the one I bought near new and always have trouble with...
It was advertised as a campervan but didn't say anything about the setup so that is something that I will see about today. If it has nothing in it it is not that important, we can do that ourselves but it may affect what I want to pay.
It isn't far away and I rang the guy last night and it was still there so I will ring him again this morning to confirm and we will be off.
If nothing else it will give us a chance to check out some places to stay at Woodman Point. That place is up the top of our list of places to go and see so this will tell us if it stays there or gets knocked off.
I will be back...
It is automatic.
power steering.
under 200,000km though that wasn't on the list it is good mileage.
Less than 20 years old, also not on the list but we have always had old cars, 'cept for the one I bought near new and always have trouble with...
It was advertised as a campervan but didn't say anything about the setup so that is something that I will see about today. If it has nothing in it it is not that important, we can do that ourselves but it may affect what I want to pay.
It isn't far away and I rang the guy last night and it was still there so I will ring him again this morning to confirm and we will be off.
If nothing else it will give us a chance to check out some places to stay at Woodman Point. That place is up the top of our list of places to go and see so this will tell us if it stays there or gets knocked off.
I will be back...
Friday, December 10, 2010
I Don't Fish... So...
When we went to GreenHead in June and the others went fishing I stayed back at camp. After them coming back and telling me about the things that they had seen down near the water I decided that next time I would be going along as well. But I don't fish so what was I going to do? I would take a book!
So...While we were up in GreenHead, back in November, it was just Hubby and me this time but I did take a book and some magazines to read while he went fishing.
I needed to be on the spot as I didn't want to miss out on seeing *things*
So while he fished for Whiting in Billygoat Bay this was me...
Until I decided that that was a waste of lovely looking water and went swimming. Much more fun than sitting on the beach reading.
But wasn't Hubby a Dear to set up a flyproof area for me.
When he went fishing for squid off the jetty I was there.
But it was cold and windy so this time I was rugged up and looked like...
I was warm and cosy though and wasn't going to miss out on seeing any creatures if they were around and seeable...There weren't any though but if there was going to be, I was there.
While he was out in the boat with the bloke from the camp next to us I was out riding along the coastline. Way down there are these birds.
While he fished in the little cove down behind the caravan park I was there.
I walked along the water and found some creatures.
Yay, I saw some things. OK they were only black snails but pretty cool. I wonder if you can eat them.
There was a cool looking bird there too.
I walked in the water
and discovered the hidden lair of a wolf like creature.
OK, there's a story behind this. Read it and decide whether I'm *full of it* Or not.
Hubby and I were walking along a track when we saw a wolflike looking animal up ahead of us. It wasn't an ordinary looking dog, it made you think 'wolf" I made him slow down a bit because everyones knows that wolves eat people...Anyway, the next day we were down in this cove and I saw the prints. They led to a small cave. There were scratching marks in the sand out front of it.. The cave went back a long way but we could see where the sand had been dug out to make a hollow. For the "wolf" to sleep in. We stepped back and walked away. Goosebumps running up the back of my neck...
I have decided that next time we go somewhere, even if there is fishing involved, I will leave the book and mags back at camp. There is a lot to see and do out there in this great country of ours and I'm going to see and do it firsthand. I don't want to be living out of a book.
So...While we were up in GreenHead, back in November, it was just Hubby and me this time but I did take a book and some magazines to read while he went fishing.
I needed to be on the spot as I didn't want to miss out on seeing *things*
So while he fished for Whiting in Billygoat Bay this was me...
Until I decided that that was a waste of lovely looking water and went swimming. Much more fun than sitting on the beach reading.
But wasn't Hubby a Dear to set up a flyproof area for me.
When he went fishing for squid off the jetty I was there.
But it was cold and windy so this time I was rugged up and looked like...
I was warm and cosy though and wasn't going to miss out on seeing any creatures if they were around and seeable...There weren't any though but if there was going to be, I was there.
While he was out in the boat with the bloke from the camp next to us I was out riding along the coastline. Way down there are these birds.
While he fished in the little cove down behind the caravan park I was there.
I walked along the water and found some creatures.
Yay, I saw some things. OK they were only black snails but pretty cool. I wonder if you can eat them.
There was a cool looking bird there too.
I walked in the water
and discovered the hidden lair of a wolf like creature.
OK, there's a story behind this. Read it and decide whether I'm *full of it* Or not.
Hubby and I were walking along a track when we saw a wolflike looking animal up ahead of us. It wasn't an ordinary looking dog, it made you think 'wolf" I made him slow down a bit because everyones knows that wolves eat people...Anyway, the next day we were down in this cove and I saw the prints. They led to a small cave. There were scratching marks in the sand out front of it.. The cave went back a long way but we could see where the sand had been dug out to make a hollow. For the "wolf" to sleep in. We stepped back and walked away. Goosebumps running up the back of my neck...
I have decided that next time we go somewhere, even if there is fishing involved, I will leave the book and mags back at camp. There is a lot to see and do out there in this great country of ours and I'm going to see and do it firsthand. I don't want to be living out of a book.
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