Hi everyone, I've missed you! I settled the sale of my home last Wed 17th and picked up my new Avan Ovation the same afternoon. In my next door neighbour's property for the school hols whilst I learn the ropes of this thing. Have just connected. And it's wonderful! Feels just like home. Which of course it is. What a learning curve. Yesterday I discovered how to fill the 180ltre water tank. Today I discovered where the bonnet release thingy is. Every day I understand a little more about my new home. The fridge is great, I have food, wine and fags. And the stars and at night as well as a very tenuous wireless internet connection. Such is the "black spot" that is Bodalla. Am still unpacking my things from a neighbour's spare room. And yes, I have way too much "stuff". But am getting there. Albeit slowly. Can't wait till the "silly season" is over. Hope you all have a peaceful and happy Christmas. Fond regards, Sue
xina said
11:54 PM Dec 22, 2008
Congratulations Sue, I'm not game to try one that size yet. Maybe one of these days, Cheers, xina.
twobob said
07:46 AM Dec 23, 2008
Congratulation Sue Now the fun begins, finding all those little things. You are doing it the right way, know the rig before you head out. Just a mention, when packing remember weight and distribution. By keeping heavy items low, helps with the way the rig handles, as does distributing it around the rig. To the front than rear, all where possible. Most people take way more than they need, but you can only find this out over time. What I do also, after packing is to keep an eye on the tyres when travelling. I look for even tyre wear. The manufacturer general advises a lower tyre pressure for a comfortable ride, but we are the ones paying for replacement tyres. Wear on the outer edges means the pressure is too low, middle too high, and the front tyres may require a different pressure to the rears (rears generally higher) You may also wish to look into an outside aerial for your wireless internet, for better reception. Hope it does all it should, and you feel confident and safe
Xtrail51 said
08:42 AM Dec 23, 2008
WOW. Well done, stay safe and enjoy. See you out there. Barb.
dave06 said
09:45 AM Dec 23, 2008
ohh!!! Sue what can I say, you are doing everything correctly and the important advice has already been dealt with, all that is left up to me is to say WELL DONE YOU!!! and I hope all your travels are great and life is now a fun filled fantastic journey, never lose your wonder for life,
remember to say gday at every opportunity and don't be afraid to approach that camp filled with laughter, we are at all times right there with you, so if ever you do feel alone, of course you are not. you go get 'em
Bubs said
11:29 AM Dec 23, 2008
Congratulations Sue with you 'not so little' Chrissy present!! You deserve it too! Go girl! I hope we catch up one day. Keep us all posted. All the best for Christmas. 2009, here we come! Cheers, Dianne
ibbo said
07:24 PM Dec 23, 2008
Good on you Sue.Life is only what we make it and you are going to have a ball.As Dave has mentioned before it would be great if all the Grey Nomads could meet up andjust mingle and yak.Cheers Ibbo..Oh and of course we have to help the grape and malt producers.............lol
suenami said
07:52 AM Dec 24, 2008
Thank you muchly folks. I'm also learning about wireless internet. I didn't appreciate two bars until yesterday (storms?) when I had no signal at all. twobob, I appreciate your words and will have many questions to come. A timely reminder about weight distribution (top and bottom). ibbo, I've long been an active supporter of the grape and malt producers - a very important industry
Question 1: I need the chemicals for the Thetford cassette toilet. Is there anywhere between Batemans Bay and Bega in NSW where I can buy what I need? And does anyone know if I can buy them on-line?
Thanks in advance
Xtrail51 said
12:01 PM Dec 24, 2008
Hi sue. Caravan accessory places, and some caravan dealers, also most camping stores. I am sure there are some near where you are. Merry Christmas and safe motoring. Barb.
pawsoz said
06:30 PM Dec 24, 2008
Congratulations Sue
All I can say is ENJOY, yes I know I am shouting but hey I am excited on Sue's behalf (also insanely jealous...I still have a year or two to go yet!)
Keep us all posted!
Annie and her boyz
Wombat 280 said
05:53 PM Dec 26, 2008
Good on Ya, enjoy
Remember " Life is a Journey not a Destination"
Basil Faulty said
08:45 AM Dec 30, 2008
Sue, thats an impresssive peice of kit.... Enjoy! As for wireless internet I have this theory that this is one peice of technology designed to be sold to city dwellers, as far as I can see it's tenouous at the best of times anywhere there are hills or you are out of direct line of sight with the transmitting tower. I think it's mainly signal strength and don't forget that buildings and motor home shells attenuate the signal even more.. Recently I trialed one of those little USB wireless modem things and it was a fizzer, worked acceptably outside but inside dialup was faster...
suenami said
07:41 PM Dec 30, 2008
Basil, I have an a mobile card that just plugs in to my laptop. You can use your mobile phone as a modem; if Telstra would let you. But they don't. The "S" has gone out of Bigpond as an ISP. This morning I had 3 or 4 bars which is pretty good, but I don't think wireless internet is by line of sight. Otherwise I would get no signal. Just like my mobile phone (NextG) same signal. I haven't been anywhere yet so I have nothing to compare with. But whatever it is, it's better than relying on a telephone line (my experience only). I have a little aerial sitting on the windowsill (window closed). Twelve years of internet has made me very reliant on it (only as a tool) - banking, bills, shopping, weather, "Column 8" (lol), research etc. So When I head to the Nullabor in March I won't expect much. But I will have an aerial professionally fitted to "my home" as soon as I get over the "moving house process" (and the xmas hols). I sank most of what I had into this lovely machine. - doesn't even effect my pension - which is mostly all I have. - That's all I need...(waffling again) - cheers
I've missed you! I settled the sale of my home last Wed 17th and picked up my new Avan Ovation the same afternoon. In my next door neighbour's property for the school hols whilst I learn the ropes of this thing. Have just connected. And it's wonderful! Feels just like home. Which of course it is. What a learning curve. Yesterday I discovered how to fill the 180ltre water tank. Today I discovered where the bonnet release thingy is. Every day I understand a little more about my new home. The fridge is great, I have food, wine and fags. And the stars and at night as well as a very tenuous wireless internet connection. Such is the "black spot" that is Bodalla. Am still unpacking my things from a neighbour's spare room. And yes, I have way too much "stuff". But am getting there. Albeit slowly. Can't wait till the "silly season" is over.
Hope you all have a peaceful and happy Christmas.
Fond regards,
Sue
I'm not game to try one that size yet. Maybe one of these days,
Cheers,
xina.
Now the fun begins, finding all those little things. You are doing it the right way, know the rig before you head out.
Just a mention, when packing remember weight and distribution. By keeping heavy items low, helps with the way the rig handles, as does distributing it around the rig. To the front than rear, all where possible. Most people take way more than they need, but you can only find this out over time.
What I do also, after packing is to keep an eye on the tyres when travelling. I look for even tyre wear. The manufacturer general advises a lower tyre pressure for a comfortable ride, but we are the ones paying for replacement tyres. Wear on the outer edges means the pressure is too low, middle too high, and the front tyres may require a different pressure to the rears (rears generally higher)
You may also wish to look into an outside aerial for your wireless internet, for better reception.
Hope it does all it should, and you feel confident and safe
You deserve it too! Go girl!
I hope we catch up one day. Keep us all posted.
All the best for Christmas. 2009, here we come!
Cheers,
Dianne
twobob, I appreciate your words and will have many questions to come. A timely reminder about weight distribution (top and bottom).
ibbo, I've long been an active supporter of the grape and malt producers - a very important industry
Question 1: I need the chemicals for the Thetford cassette toilet. Is there anywhere between Batemans Bay and Bega in NSW where I can buy what I need? And does anyone know if I can buy them on-line?
Thanks in advance
Merry Christmas and safe motoring. Barb.
As for wireless internet I have this theory that this is one peice of technology designed to be sold to city dwellers, as far as I can see it's tenouous at the best of times anywhere there are hills or you are out of direct line of sight with the transmitting tower. I think it's mainly signal strength and don't forget that buildings and motor home shells attenuate the signal even more.. Recently I trialed one of those little USB wireless modem things and it was a fizzer, worked acceptably outside but inside dialup was faster...
I haven't been anywhere yet so I have nothing to compare with. But whatever it is, it's better than relying on a telephone line (my experience only). I have a little aerial sitting on the windowsill (window closed). Twelve years of internet has made me very reliant on it (only as a tool) - banking, bills, shopping, weather, "Column 8" (lol), research etc. So When I head to the Nullabor in March I won't expect much. But I will have an aerial professionally fitted to "my home" as soon as I get over the "moving house process" (and the xmas hols).
I sank most of what I had into this lovely machine. - doesn't even effect my pension - which is mostly all I have. - That's all I need...(waffling again)