Time for adventure

[SimonM]

We have had restless feet for a while now and have constantly changed our plans but recent events including the death of a friends 2 year old son, has put things in perspective, and made us realise that life is too short. We dont want to regret not doing something when we had the chance.


So in 6 or so months, or whenever the camper trailer and Defender are ready, we will be hitting the road for an undetermined length of time. The main plan at this stage is head to WA, as Sarah wants to track down her dad, hasnt heard from him for a long time :mad:.

We are thinking of bypassing Tassie initially as we are afraid we would never leave ;).

The defender is getting some canvas over my new rack (thanks 2stroke;)), and I have been in discussions with Drifta about some drawers for the tub.

My camper trailer needs some work and I have started stripping it down, taken the old kitchen out (to be replaced by Drifta kitchen), stripped all the wiring (bodgy job by previous owner), and replumb the water tank.

Cant wait :).

[Xtreme]

Wow .......... sounds like big plans and a new direction. I'd better stock up on some more of your great honey before you hit the road. ;)

Great time to do it while your family is young - the billy lids will learn so much from such an experience.

Have a talk to Ranga at Glenreagh in October - he did the same about 12 months ago, also with young family and 130 with small caravan though instead of camper. I'm sure you'll have lots of questions for him.

[SimonM]

Hey Roger,
Yeah I will definitely be strolling over to Ranga's camp with a beer or two.

I can supply you with some bulk honey to staisfy your cravings anytime. My brother and nephew will still be working the bees, if you need anymore.

[Xtreme]

I don't wish to turn this thread away from your proposed Adventure but do you intend opening the honey shop for a short while at Glenreagh?

[SimonM]

Edit: double post

[SimonM]

I don't wish to turn this thread away from your proposed Adventure but do you intend opening the honey shop for a short while at Glenreagh?

Yep. I am now bringing the camper trailer so will be able to fit more in ;). We might need a bigger camp site!

Not sure if this was discussed before but are dogs allowed at Glenreagh?

[Davo]

If you're planning on heading to WA in about six months, as you know it will be rather warm at that time of the year, so I'd recommend going along the south coast through Denmark and so on. It's usually pretty warm but still cooler than the rest of the state then.

There's only one problem with my recommendation - I haven't actually been there yet! I just keep meaning to. It always sounds like a great part of WA to be in while the rest of the place is roasting.

You're absolutely right about getting out there and the reasons for it. If only I could get a decent car sorted out . . . I'd do it too!

[SimonM]

If you're planning on heading to WA in about six months, as you know it will be rather warm at that time of the year, so I'd recommend going along the south coast through Denmark and so on. It's usually pretty warm but still cooler than the rest of the state then.

There's only one problem with my recommendation - I haven't actually been there yet! I just keep meaning to. It always sounds like a great part of WA to be in while the rest of the place is roasting.

You're absolutely right about getting out there and the reasons for it. If only I could get a decent car sorted out . . . I'd do it too!

Thanks mate. Our plan is to head south for the summer and north for the winter :).

[Xtreme]

Yep. I am now bringing the camper trailer so will be able to fit more in ;). We might need a bigger camp site!

Not sure if this was discussed before but are dogs allowed at Glenreagh?

Yes, dogs are allowed - under the usual control regarding annoyance to fellow campers and provided 'deposits' are cleaned up by and disposed of appropriatly by owners.

[bobslandies]

Wow .......... sounds like big plans and a new direction. I'd better stock up on some more of your great honey before you hit the road. ;)

x2

Bob

[SimonM]

x2

Bob

Noted Bob ;).

Now away from honey talk and back to trip prep, the Defender is with my
local canvas guy :). Can't wait to see the final product. Getting zips all round so the canvas can be rolled up as needed,with a front clear window so I can still see out the back with the canvas up or just to check whether the dog has eaten something it shouldn't.

Whilst there I also discussed getting a new camper top made up, as our current one is ok but not the best quality, and has been known to leak. The new one should also be slightly quicker to set up.

The sale of the Disco and my sea kayaks should help pay for all these mods ;:p.

[SimonM]

Today I picked up my Defender from the local canvas guy - Bushcamper Canvas - who did a good job on the canopy. I got him to sew in a clear window adjacent to the Defenders rear window, so that if I need to have some rear vision I can just roll up the rear canvas. It also has some front vents built in.

We then drove to Gloucester to check out Drifta kitchens and got the tub measured up for some drawers, this will hopefully be done in the next month or so, along with a kitchen and drawer system for the camper.

[SimonM]

And a photo of the 2stroke tub rack. It has a solid roof, and some sub-roof racks which i will probably store recovery gear, axe, shovel, camping chairs etc.

[MacMan]

Sometimes a good kick in the bum like this ends up being a catalyst for much needed change. Good for you making the decision to do it.

[Yorkie]

We then drove to Gloucester to check out Drifta kitchens and got the tub measured up for some drawers, this will hopefully be done in the next month or so, along with a kitchen and drawer system for the camper.

did you see my camper kitchen which i pickup tomorrow?. :cool:

[SimonM]

Sometimes a good kick in the bum like this ends up being a catalyst for much needed change. Good for you making the decision to do it.

Yep we all need a good kick up the backside some of us more regularly than others


did you see my camper kitchen which i pickup tomorrow?. :cool:

Yeah it looked crap :p. So what camper is it going in?

[SimonM]

I handed in my resignation at work last week. With a finish date of December 31, though effectively I finish just prior to Xmas. Man that felt good :). We will stay with family for a couple of weeks leading up to Xmas and probably head off mid January. Initially we will be heading for the south coast, where I used to live, and take our time exploring there again. It will be difficult being there without one of my sea kayaks though :(. I am contemplating getting a folding kayak, though they are expensive.

A bit more of our stuff has sold, but still heaps to get rid of; got rid of one of our spare beds, some car and camper related stuff, and our fridge and washing machine will be going to family. One of my sea kayaks is nearly sold, funnily enough to a guy from Rocky who is on his 4th Landy :). My brother reckons he has a buyer for my Disco but I will believe it when the money is handed over.

Yesterday I started prepping the inside of the Defender tub to get ready for the drawers, which will be going in on the 23rd of this month, and on the same day I will be picking up the Drifta DPOR package with customised kitchen for the camper to suit our stove.

I have ordered some new camp chairs and a dual fuel lantern to compliment our dual fuel stove. Also bought some fuse blocks for the new wiring in the defender and the camper trailer, some quickfists for the axe and shovel, and my canvas guy is ready to make a swag similar to the Saul swag which will be used inside the camper for the kids or me ;). This swag will replace the two dome swags I have, so they need to go.

[2stroke]

And a photo of the 2stroke tub rack. It has a solid roof, and some sub-roof racks which i will probably store recovery gear, axe, shovel, camping chairs etc.
Looks like it went on pretty much as is, don't think you'll have any trouble finding things to fill the racks. The canvas cover seems to finish it off nicely too. Good luck with the trip, to say I'm envious is quite the understatement.

[SimonM]

Looks like it went on pretty much as is, don't think you'll have any trouble finding things to fill the racks. The canvas cover seems to finish it off nicely too. Good luck with the trip, to say I'm envious is quite the understatement.

Yeah mate, I didn't see the need to change it at all. Just not sure if the dog will fit in or not when I get the drawers, damn thing won't stop growing :eek:.