I am off on my first solo trip on Tuesday !!! I am going to Canberra - I haven't been there for about 25 years and then it was an overnight stop. I have found a caravan park that only has drive through sites - fabulous .. no reverse parking the van.
My dad has done a few small repairs to my little caravan, installed the 12V, sorted out the TV aerial, etc, and I have had Autosteadies installed (and new legs). These are fabulous - all I need to do is press a button and the legs go down. You have to put them down one at a time but can put them all up at the same time. No bending or crawling around try to wind down the legs - the back ones were horrors. And I have sorted (and hopefully fixed) the pantry door - nothing like opening the caravan door and the pantry contents coming to meet you. It is strange 'cos you really need to push the button to open it - you can just pull it open, but it doesn't want to stay shut when you move!
Here's hoping all will go well - I'm a big bit excited and a little bit scared.
Cheers,
Travel Bug said
05:20 PM Apr 30, 2011
Good on you Esmeralda
Have a great trip...and be sure to pack your winter woolies
Keep us posted about how it all goes. Cheers.
Ma said
05:27 PM Apr 30, 2011
Have a fantastic trip Es. which CP are you staying at?
Firefly said
05:27 PM Apr 30, 2011
You go girl and have a blast. A nice little shake down trip, good on you.
jules47 said
05:32 PM Apr 30, 2011
Good on you Esmeralda - I know the excitement you must be feeling - where are you heading off from? I had a cupboard closer thing that refused to stay closed - my trouble was it was the cup cupboard - broken wine glasses and cups - drat! Anyway ordered a new part from Coromal, and my daughter (who is a lot handier than either me or her husband) fitted it - fixed! I like Canberra - lots to see and do - have a great time - enjoy yourself, and drive carefully - don't let anyone push you, take it easy cheers
Esmeralda said
05:51 PM Apr 30, 2011
Not only will I pack the winter woolies but I have just bought some flannette sheets!!
jimricho said
05:56 PM Apr 30, 2011
Esmeralda wrote:
Not only will I pack the winter woolies but I have just bought some flannette sheets!!
I even know of one wuss that has an electric blanket in his van.... He even owns a Goldstream just like mine!
Cruising Granny said
05:57 PM Apr 30, 2011
What are you travelling with? Caravan in tow or camper-van/motor home? I understand your trepidation and excitement all at once. I always feel that when I hitch up and tug out. I felt it again when I set out on my first real overnight escort job. It's about the new adventure under your own steam. It's really called independence. I love it! Take your time, watch your mirrors and enjoy the scenery as it slides by. I went to Canberra to see the National War memorial and the Museum. Very significant establishments and well presented.
Esmeralda said
08:00 PM Apr 30, 2011
Thanks Ma - I will be staying at the Canberra Motor Village - certainly not the cheapest in town but looks like it is close to the city and near a nice looking park.
Esmeralda said
08:03 PM Apr 30, 2011
No thoughts of an electric blanket Jimricho, but maybe a hot water bottle - I have just checked on the weather forecasts for Canberra and there were some low overnights including 3 degrees. Also the previous owner put in a reverse cycle air conditioner - a little overboard I think but may come in handy some time.
NandK said
08:08 PM Apr 30, 2011
Congrats on your new van and enjoy your trip Esmeralda,cheers..
Esmeralda said
08:08 PM Apr 30, 2011
Thanks CG - I will be towing my little caravan with a Kia Sorento. I have changed my avatar to a picture of Esmeralda - she is about 8 feet shorter than your van - my father says I will have to go outside to change my mind.
I am looking forward to the National War Museum, not doubt it has changed since my last visit to Canberra. Also National Library and National Archives - I am doing my familly tree and a number of the early settlers went to Goulburn after they arrived from Ireland.
Cheers
Helena said
08:27 PM Apr 30, 2011
Good luck with the van and the trip once you start you will wonder why you didn't do it before. Take care on the road. Helena,
ChiChi1 said
08:32 PM Apr 30, 2011
PM me when you get here. Maybe we can meet for coffee. Regards Chi Chi
Travel Bug said
11:20 PM Apr 30, 2011
Had to laugh when I read your post jimricho I must be an even bigger wuss..... I take an electric blanket too but I try not to travel to cold places in the winter. I prefer to go into hibernation at home where it's warm
jimricho said
06:51 AM May 1, 2011
Travel Bug wrote:
Had to laugh when I read your post jimricho I must be an even bigger wuss..... I take an electric blanket too but I try not to travel to cold places in the winter. I prefer to go into hibernation at home where it's warm
That bloke I was referring to is a serious wuss, he's been known to get the hell out of the cold and head north. He's led me to believe he may do something similar again this winter.
("hell, "cold" I think there's something not right about that metaphor)
Ma said
08:27 AM May 1, 2011
So when do you head North Jim.................
BobnBev said
09:18 AM May 1, 2011
Welcome to you and we hope you have as much fun reading all the travel goss as we do.. Get a feather doona its the best and so light to carry.. travel safe..Bob n Bev
Clare46 said
09:21 AM May 1, 2011
Esmerelda
Glad to hear you are on your way.I leave from Sydney for Western Qeensland on Tuesday so there wil be a few of us out on the road.
Safe travels everyone
sandsmere said
12:32 PM May 1, 2011
Have a good one Esmerelda .
Fpr Gods sake keep checking your oil , water and tyres etc. .
Cheers Brian .
Esmeralda said
03:16 PM May 1, 2011
Thanks CC that would be great - I will drop you a line.
Helen
jules47 said
05:22 PM May 1, 2011
Clare - a few out on the road - understatement, judging my the numbers of vans and motorhomes etc., passing by my Visitors Info Centre here in Boonah - in an hour today I counted 24 assorted vans and mh's - heading to and from the coast - I remember one year there was a report that there were 80,000 grey nomads on the NQ roads - at that time we were lucky enough to be among them, but some places were packed out, oh, well bush camping to the rescue.
We had 277 people through our Visitors Centre last weekend, and we have a long weekend here in Qld this weekend, about 60 yesterday through and 105 today!!!
Hi all,
I am off on my first solo trip on Tuesday
!!! I am going to Canberra - I haven't been there for about 25 years and then it was an overnight stop. I have found a caravan park that only has drive through sites - fabulous .. no reverse parking the van.
My dad has done a few small repairs to my little caravan, installed the 12V, sorted out the TV aerial, etc, and I have had Autosteadies installed (and new legs). These are fabulous - all I need to do is press a button and the legs go down. You have to put them down one at a time but can put them all up at the same time. No bending or crawling around try to wind down the legs - the back ones were horrors. And I have sorted (and hopefully fixed) the pantry door - nothing like opening the caravan door and the pantry contents coming to meet you. It is strange 'cos you really need to push the button to open it - you can just pull it open, but it doesn't want to stay shut when you move!
Here's hoping all will go well - I'm a big bit excited and a little bit scared.
Cheers,
Good on you Esmeralda
Have a great trip...and be sure to pack your winter woolies
Keep us posted about how it all goes. Cheers.
Have a fantastic trip Es. which CP are you staying at?
You go girl and have a blast. A nice little shake down trip, good on you.
I like Canberra - lots to see and do - have a great time - enjoy yourself, and drive carefully - don't let anyone push you, take it easy
cheers
Not only will I pack the winter woolies but I have just bought some flannette sheets!!
I even know of one wuss that has an electric blanket in his van.... He even owns a Goldstream just like mine!
I understand your trepidation and excitement all at once.
I always feel that when I hitch up and tug out.
I felt it again when I set out on my first real overnight escort job. It's about the new adventure under your own steam.
It's really called independence. I love it!
Take your time, watch your mirrors and enjoy the scenery as it slides by.
I went to Canberra to see the National War memorial and the Museum. Very significant establishments and well presented.
Thanks Ma - I will be staying at the Canberra Motor Village - certainly not the cheapest in town but looks like it is close to the city and near a nice looking park.
No thoughts of an electric blanket Jimricho, but maybe a hot water bottle - I have just checked on the weather forecasts for Canberra and there were some low overnights including 3 degrees. Also the previous owner put in a reverse cycle air conditioner - a little overboard I think but may come in handy some time.
Thanks CG - I will be towing my little caravan with a Kia Sorento. I have changed my avatar to a picture of Esmeralda - she is about 8 feet shorter than your van - my father says I will have to go outside to change my mind.
I am looking forward to the National War Museum, not doubt it has changed since my last visit to Canberra. Also National Library and National Archives - I am doing my familly tree and a number of the early settlers went to Goulburn after they arrived from Ireland.
Cheers
Had to laugh when I read your post jimricho
I must be an even bigger wuss.....
I take an electric blanket too but I try not to travel to cold places in the winter.
I prefer to go into hibernation at home where it's warm
That bloke I was referring to is a serious wuss, he's been known to get the hell out of the cold and head north. He's led me to believe he may do something similar again this winter.
("hell, "cold" I think there's something not right about that metaphor)
So when do you head North Jim.................
travel safe..Bob n Bev
Esmerelda
Glad to hear you are on your way.I leave from Sydney for Western Qeensland on Tuesday so there wil be a few of us out on the road.
Safe travels everyone
Have a good one Esmerelda .
Fpr Gods sake keep checking your oil , water and tyres etc. .
Cheers Brian .
Thanks CC that would be great - I will drop you a line.
Helen
Clare - a few out on the road - understatement, judging my the numbers of vans and motorhomes etc., passing by my Visitors Info Centre here in Boonah - in an hour today I counted 24 assorted vans and mh's - heading to and from the coast - I remember one year there was a report that there were 80,000 grey nomads on the NQ roads - at that time we were lucky enough to be among them, but some places were packed out, oh, well bush camping to the rescue.
We had 277 people through our Visitors Centre last weekend, and we have a long weekend here in Qld this weekend, about 60 yesterday through and 105 today!!!