Well finally as the title said we got our van and it will be delivered personally to us next week by a beautiful pensioner couple who had never been to Inverell in their travels and wanted to take their girl out for one more ride. . . .isn't that gorgeous!!!
I found it on ebay and it had not been up for very long it had ALL of our requirements ticked even though it was a little above our price it said this is the full price or you can make an offer, so we did. He came back with a counter offer which had another $2000 added so we said "accept offer" and the van was ours. I have seen this particular van so many times in person over on the coast in the last couple of months and online so I knew this was the configuratiion that suited us best. It is a Jayco Westport 1999 model 23 Feet - it has a full ensuite, front kitchen, east/west bed, 150 ltr 3 way fridge, gas hot water, it came with a flat screen tv and the antenna and a full annex and I am as happy as a pig in poo.
Now can someone clear this up for me please. . . .is the Westport the old Heritage? As in was the Westport renamed? Because the Heritage model is the one I really wanted and this looks exactly like it, layout wise but older.
The van has been very well looked after and is in excellent condition and the couple are only selling it because they are heading overseas for 4 months to stay with their daughter and did not want the van left so long unattended. . .now that is dedication. The ad said local pick up only but once we spoke on the phone they offered to deliver it to us, which blew me away.
I had Dazren look over all the pics that were online on ebay as in my opinion he has the experience with over 30 years caravanning under his belt. Hence his earlier post.
The sad part is we cannot even take it out for a trip on Ray's days off for two months because I have my Mum coming to stay for eight weeks, and she is far too old (she is only 75, but very frail) and unsteady on her feet to take with us, so I just get to stare at our new girl.
When we get the van I will post pics of the interior so you can see how well she has been looked after.
Thankyou for all of your input on my questions it has been very very helpful. So now we are officially van owners . . . .SWEET!!!
Michelle
-- Edited by BohemianGypsy on Sunday 8th of July 2012 08:13:36 AM
Keith19837 said
10:00 AM Jul 8, 2012
BohemianGypsy wrote:
Hi everyone,
Well finally as the title said we got our van and it will be delivered personally to us next week by a beautiful pensioner couple who had never been to Inverell in their travels and wanted to take their girl out for one more ride. . . .isn't that gorgeous!!!
Hi Bohemian Gypsy. Congratulations and well done. (You'll have to imagine that I have added here lots of streamers, popping corks and trumpeting 'cos I don't know how to put that stuff in) I've seen them around and they look very nice. I'm very happy for you. Good luck and happy trials.
-- Edited by Keith19837 on Sunday 8th of July 2012 10:03:21 AM
BohemianGypsy said
10:05 AM Jul 8, 2012
Keith19837 wrote:
BohemianGypsy wrote:
Hi Bohemian Gypsy. Congratulations and well done. (You'll have to imagine that I have added here lots of streamers, popping corks and trumpeting 'cos I don't know how to put that stuff in) I've seen them around and they look very nice. I'm very happy for you. Good luck and happy trials.
-- Edited by Keith19837 on Sunday 8th of July 2012 10:03:21 AM
Oh Keith it doesn't matter about the streamers and such your heartwarming good wishes are enough, thankyou. We plan on having happy trails only *grins*
Michelle
-- Edited by BohemianGypsy on Sunday 8th of July 2012 10:06:23 AM
Yuglamron said
03:41 PM Jul 8, 2012
Sounds great Michelle,All coming together now.
I am sure you will be doing more than looking while your mum's there.Little disapearing trips to look and figure out what gets packed where and what little nick-nack will add to the van.
Glad for you ,it's an exciting time. Enjoy
Cheers.
Trevor
BohemianGypsy said
04:08 PM Jul 8, 2012
Yuglamron wrote:
Sounds great Michelle,All coming together now.
I am sure you will be doing more than looking while your mum's there.Little disapearing trips to look and figure out what gets packed where and what little nick-nack will add to the van.
Glad for you ,it's an exciting time. Enjoy
Cheers.
Trevor
Thanks Trevor. If only you knew my Mum Trev She is not the type you do little disappearing trips on hehehe however we can say we are just hitching the van to take it for a drive a few times but because we are supposed to be mother-sitting there will be no overnight stays until she goes home to my sisters in QLD. Mum has to have someone with her all the time as she has a tendency to fall a lot due to severe rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis and every single time she falls she breaks her hip.
If we could sneak away for day trips at least to test her out I am sure we could at least get her in the car hehehehe
Michelle
Dougwe said
04:20 PM Jul 8, 2012
Wow Michelle, that's great. You two will be out there in the play ground before you know it now.
Just one question though, now you have a East/West bed does that mean when you travel North/South you can't use the bed???
Have fun you two setting it up to how you both want it BUT don't argue about it and remember that the fridge is mainly used for happy hour items.
BohemianGypsy said
04:36 PM Jul 8, 2012
Dougwe wrote:
Wow Michelle, that's great. You two will be out there in the play ground before you know it now.
Just one question though, now you have a East/West bed does that mean when you travel North/South you can't use the bed???
Have fun you two setting it up to how you both want it BUT don't argue about it and remember that the fridge is mainly used for happy hour items.
I know Doug I am sooooo excited about it and I just want to get out there now but have to show restraint for 8 weeks lol.
Well we might find ourselves on the floor if we are travelling north/south. It's just the east/west gives you more room in the van in my opinion which is why we have an extra two seater lounge and not just the cafe setting table and booth etc.
I can assure you Doug there will be arguments about it lol and neither of us drink so happy hour items are out of the question unless it is Pepsi Max or water . . . no thanks. Or a good cup of something hot except coffee, love tea and hot chocolate in the winter. However, we will always have nibblies in the fridge for happy hour, as we both love cheeses etc. So you never know Doug, we might just meet up on the road.
Michelle
_wombat_ said
04:41 PM Jul 8, 2012
You go girl, enjoy yourselves, when your mum has a nana nap hook up the van and leave a note saying you will be back next week.
BohemianGypsy said
05:12 PM Jul 8, 2012
_wombat_ wrote:
You go girl, enjoy yourselves, when your mum has a nana nap hook up the van and leave a note saying you will be back next week.
Thanks Wombat. That would go down like a lead balloon I can tell you that much lol
Michelle
Gerty Dancer said
06:21 PM Jul 8, 2012
Goodonya Michelle and Mr Gypsy!!! A new adventure begins!! One thing you can do while waiting is hook up and practise towing in a carpark on a Sunday with it... backing and turning, and get your signal system between you both sorted out. Mum can be a back seat driver for that... tell her you are taking her for a drive?
BohemianGypsy said
06:33 PM Jul 8, 2012
Gerty Dancer wrote:
Goodonya Michelle and Mr Gypsy!!! A new adventure begins!! One thing you can do while waiting is hook up and practise towing in a carpark on a Sunday with it... backing and turning, and get your signal system between you both sorted out. Mum can be a back seat driver for that... tell her you are taking her for a drive?
Gerty what a fabulous idea. I will tell Ray about that one and I am sure we will do just that at the back of Coles in town hehehe.
golivers travels said
06:53 PM Jul 8, 2012
How exciting for you both Michelle. The time will fly, you will have so much fun setting up your van with your own things, deciding where things should go, inveribly changing your mind and putting it somewhere else.
We have a Sterling with an east -west bed and really love it. As you said gives more room. Having the extra couch is a real bonus...this is my space when inside the van so I can quilt, sew, read etc. Gary has the table for his laptop. When you are away for longer lengths of time it is important to have your comfort.
I just love being able to get out of bed and staight in the shower as well. Use it all the time.
Enjoy the next 8 weeks preparing for the exciting first trip.
Cheers
Glenda
BohemianGypsy said
07:05 PM Jul 8, 2012
Hi Glenda,
I know I can hardly wait to start putting things into the van seeing where things fit and will go. Putting our own bedding and quilt onto the bed etc. You are right the extra lounge will probably be Ray's though as I sew, use my laptop, scrapbook and my fav is multi media art so the supplies for that will take some space hehehe. Our big trip will not commence until next March but there is no reason why we can't make small trips in the meantime to get a feel for the van
Besides the art supplies the next biggest thing to look at for me will be cooking utensils, pots and pans etc because I will want to take it all but I know I cannot. But because I love to cook it is going to be difficult to leave some things behind
The clothes will hardly take up any space lol it will be all the other stuff for me that will take up the room, lucky I don't have to take books now that I have my ipad lol I can just purchase books online.
Thanks Glenda *smiles*
Michelle
_wombat_ said
07:27 PM Jul 8, 2012
Part quote "I will tell Ray about that one and I am sure we will do just that at the back of Coles in town hehehe."
Hmmmmm I have never done it at the back of Coles, will have to tell mrs W abount that,
dazren said
07:40 PM Jul 8, 2012
wombat wrote,
Hmmmmm I have never done it at the back of Coles, will have to tell mrs W abount that,
you wish ??? Ha Ha ! lol,lol,lol,lol,lol,lol,
_wombat_ said
07:50 PM Jul 8, 2012
dazren wrote:
wombat wrote,
Hmmmmm I have never done it at the back of Coles, will have to tell mrs W abount that,
you wish ??? Ha Ha ! lol,lol,lol,lol,lol,lol,
could be worth a try
BohemianGypsy said
07:58 PM Jul 8, 2012
_wombat_ wrote:
Part quote "I will tell Ray about that one and I am sure we will do just that at the back of Coles in town hehehe."
Hmmmmm I have never done it at the back of Coles, will have to tell mrs W abount that,
BEAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BohemianGypsy said
07:58 PM Jul 8, 2012
dazren wrote:
wombat wrote,
Hmmmmm I have never done it at the back of Coles, will have to tell mrs W abount that,
you wish ??? Ha Ha ! lol,lol,lol,lol,lol,lol,
Yes he does darn well wish
BohemianGypsy said
08:00 PM Jul 8, 2012
_wombat_ wrote:
dazren wrote:
wombat wrote,
Hmmmmm I have never done it at the back of Coles, will have to tell mrs W abount that,
you wish ??? Ha Ha ! lol,lol,lol,lol,lol,lol,
could be worth a try
Go for gold then Wombat, I am sure Mrs W will love to practise turning the van and parking it etc at the back of Coles!!! You know where you are heading now don't you? Yep off to "The Room" with Doug and no cinema I broke it!!
Michelle
Gerty Dancer said
08:15 PM Jul 8, 2012
BohemianGypsy wrote:
Gerty Dancer wrote:
Goodonya Michelle and Mr Gypsy!!! A new adventure begins!! One thing you can do while waiting is hook up and practise towing in a carpark on a Sunday with it... backing and turning, and get your signal system between you both sorted out. Mum can be a back seat driver for that... tell her you are taking her for a drive?
Gerty what a fabulous idea. I will tell Ray about that one and I am sure we will do just that at the back of Coles in town hehehe.
Whilst I'd like to take the credit, this was suggested for newbies in The Grey Nomad Times by the couple interviewed in the "Characters on the Road" section.
We did a towing course in the showground carpark, and learned heaps. Strongly recommended.
_wombat_ said
08:18 PM Jul 8, 2012
BohemianGypsy wrote:
_wombat_ wrote:
dazren wrote:
wombat wrote,
Hmmmmm I have never done it at the back of Coles, will have to tell mrs W abount that,
you wish ??? Ha Ha ! lol,lol,lol,lol,lol,lol,
could be worth a try
Go for gold then Wombat, I am sure Mrs W will love to practise turning the van and parking it etc at the back of Coles!!! You know where you are heading now don't you? Yep off to "The Room" with Doug and no cinema I broke it!!
Michelle
bye, going to meet Dougwe now, see you next week
Esmeralda said
09:56 PM Jul 8, 2012
Congratulations Michelle - it is a great feeling to get your van!! Your van is much bigger than mine - twice the size actually!! Its great fun getting all the bits and pieces - I really splurged when I bought the pots/pans - I bought a Tefal Cocoon - all the pots and lids fit inside each other and the frypan is the "lid". Very expensive but I shopped around and ended up with about $100 off through Kitchenware Direct. When you only have limited space they are fabulous.
Cheers, Helen
_wombat_ said
10:11 PM Jul 8, 2012
grab one of these and you can throw ALL of your pots & pans out
Congratulations Michelle and Ray. I don't think anyone answered your question re Westport and Heritage. I think you will find that the Westport came before the Heritage then came the Sterling then came Starcraft (again- they seem to be repeating names now). Enjoy. Just remember your weight as you think about packing it. Sorry....I mean 'just remember the weight of the things you are packing' ...and I guess you can always remember 'your weight' - the Drs always want us to!! Hehe.
BohemianGypsy said
10:24 PM Jul 8, 2012
Esmeralda wrote:
Congratulations Michelle - it is a great feeling to get your van!! Your van is much bigger than mine - twice the size actually!! Its great fun getting all the bits and pieces - I really splurged when I bought the pots/pans - I bought a Tefal Cocoon - all the pots and lids fit inside each other and the frypan is the "lid". Very expensive but I shopped around and ended up with about $100 off through Kitchenware Direct. When you only have limited space they are fabulous.
Cheers, Helen
Hi Helen,
Thanks so much and I don't think I will be purchasing anymore cookware otherwise I could end up in the divorce court lol. I have good scanpans and le Crueset (spelling) and I absolutely adore them so will be taking them for sure hehehe.
Michelle
BohemianGypsy said
10:26 PM Jul 8, 2012
neilnruth wrote:
Congratulations Michelle and Ray. I don't think anyone answered your question re Westport and Heritage. I think you will find that the Westport came before the Heritage then came the Sterling then came Starcraft (again- they seem to be repeating names now). Enjoy. Just remember your weight as you think about packing it. Sorry....I mean 'just remember the weight of the things you are packing' ...and I guess you can always remember 'your weight' - the Drs always want us to!! Hehe.
Thanks NeilnRuth. I know the Westport came first but it looks exactly like the current Heritage which is why I thought they may have renamed it for later models??
I will try and remember the weight hehehehe both of the van and ourselves and you are right the doctor is always telling us aren't they?
Michelle
Janno said
02:14 AM Jul 9, 2012
Congratulations Michelle. As a newbie I've been on the road for two weeks now and just love my little house on wheels. I hope you have lots of fun in the coming months.
Jan
BohemianGypsy said
02:49 AM Jul 9, 2012
Janno wrote:
Congratulations Michelle. As a newbie I've been on the road for two weeks now and just love my little house on wheels. I hope you have lots of fun in the coming months.
Jan
Hi Jan,
Thanks so much for the congrats lol. Also welcome to the forum, as everyone said to me when I first came on . . . you will learn so much here. I hope you are enjoying your journey out on the road and maybe we will meet when we get out there.
Take care
Michelle
Nicholstones said
02:50 AM Jul 9, 2012
Congratulations, it is exciting for you to get you first van. Definitely suggest you go for several short trips before you head off on the big one, you will find heaps of things you thought were essential aren't actually needed, while others that never occurred to you are required.
BohemianGypsy said
02:57 AM Jul 9, 2012
Nicholstones wrote:
Congratulations, it is exciting for you to get you first van. Definitely suggest you go for several short trips before you head off on the big one, you will find heaps of things you thought were essential aren't actually needed, while others that never occurred to you are required.
Thanks Nicholstones, we plan on doing some mini trips but have to wait until my mum goes home lol as we will be mother sitting for 8 weeks as of next Friday. Will put some pics of our new abode when we take possession of it.
Hi everyone,
Well finally as the title said we got our van and it will be delivered personally to us next week by a beautiful pensioner couple who had never been to Inverell in their travels and wanted to take their girl out for one more ride. . . .isn't that gorgeous!!!
I found it on ebay and it had not been up for very long it had ALL of our requirements ticked even though it was a little above our price it said this is the full price or you can make an offer, so we did. He came back with a counter offer which had another $2000 added so we said "accept offer" and the van was ours. I have seen this particular van so many times in person over on the coast in the last couple of months and online so I knew this was the configuratiion that suited us best. It is a Jayco Westport 1999 model 23 Feet - it has a full ensuite, front kitchen, east/west bed, 150 ltr 3 way fridge, gas hot water, it came with a flat screen tv and the antenna and a full annex and I am as happy as a pig in poo.
Now can someone clear this up for me please. . . .is the Westport the old Heritage? As in was the Westport renamed? Because the Heritage model is the one I really wanted and this looks exactly like it, layout wise but older.
The van has been very well looked after and is in excellent condition and the couple are only selling it because they are heading overseas for 4 months to stay with their daughter and did not want the van left so long unattended. . .now that is dedication. The ad said local pick up only but once we spoke on the phone they offered to deliver it to us, which blew me away.
I had Dazren look over all the pics that were online on ebay as in my opinion he has the experience with over 30 years caravanning under his belt. Hence his earlier post
.
The sad part is we cannot even take it out for a trip on Ray's days off for two months because I have my Mum coming to stay for eight weeks, and she is far too old (she is only 75, but very frail) and unsteady on her feet to take with us, so I just get to stare at our new girl.
When we get the van I will post pics of the interior so you can see how well she has been looked after.
Thankyou for all of your input on my questions it has been very very helpful. So now we are officially van owners . . . .SWEET!!!
Michelle
-- Edited by BohemianGypsy on Sunday 8th of July 2012 08:13:36 AM
-- Edited by Keith19837 on Sunday 8th of July 2012 10:03:21 AM
Oh Keith it doesn't matter about the streamers and such your heartwarming good wishes are enough, thankyou. We plan on having happy trails only *grins*
Michelle
-- Edited by BohemianGypsy on Sunday 8th of July 2012 10:06:23 AM
Sounds great Michelle,All coming together now.
I am sure you will be doing more than looking while your mum's there.Little disapearing trips to look and figure out what gets packed where and what little nick-nack will add to the van.
Glad for you ,it's an exciting time. Enjoy
Cheers.
Trevor
Thanks Trevor. If only you knew my Mum Trev
She is not the type you do little disappearing trips on hehehe however we can say we are just hitching the van to take it for a drive a few times but because we are supposed to be mother-sitting there will be no overnight stays until she goes home to my sisters in QLD. Mum has to have someone with her all the time as she has a tendency to fall a lot due to severe rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis and every single time she falls she breaks her hip.
If we could sneak away for day trips at least to test her out I am sure we could at least get her in the car hehehehe
Michelle
Wow Michelle, that's great. You two will be out there in the play ground before you know it now.
Just one question though, now you have a East/West bed does that mean when you travel North/South you can't use the bed???
Have fun you two setting it up to how you both want it BUT don't argue about it and remember that the fridge is mainly used for happy hour items.
I know Doug I am sooooo excited about it and I just want to get out there now but have to show restraint for 8 weeks lol.
Well we might find ourselves on the floor if we are travelling north/south
. It's just the east/west gives you more room in the van in my opinion which is why we have an extra two seater lounge and not just the cafe setting table and booth etc.
I can assure you Doug there will be arguments about it lol and neither of us drink so happy hour items are out of the question unless it is Pepsi Max or water . . . no thanks. Or a good cup of something hot except coffee, love tea and hot chocolate in the winter. However, we will always have nibblies in the fridge for happy hour, as we both love cheeses etc. So you never know Doug, we might just meet up on the road.
Michelle
You go girl, enjoy yourselves, when your mum has a nana nap hook up the van and leave a note saying you will be back next week.
Thanks Wombat. That would go down like a lead balloon I can tell you that much lol
Michelle
Goodonya Michelle and Mr Gypsy!!! A new adventure begins!!
One thing you can do while waiting is hook up and practise towing in a carpark on a Sunday with it... backing and turning, and get your signal system between you both sorted out. Mum can be a back seat driver for that... tell her you are taking her for a drive?
Gerty what a fabulous idea. I will tell Ray about that one and I am sure we will do just that at the back of Coles in town hehehe.
How exciting for you both Michelle. The time will fly, you will have so much fun setting up your van with your own things, deciding where things should go, inveribly changing your mind and putting it somewhere else.
We have a Sterling with an east -west bed and really love it. As you said gives more room. Having the extra couch is a real bonus...this is my space when inside the van so I can quilt, sew, read etc. Gary has the table for his laptop. When you are away for longer lengths of time it is important to have your comfort.
I just love being able to get out of bed and staight in the shower as well. Use it all the time.
Enjoy the next 8 weeks preparing for the exciting first trip.
Cheers
Glenda
Hi Glenda,
I know I can hardly wait to start putting things into the van seeing where things fit and will go. Putting our own bedding and quilt onto the bed etc. You are right the extra lounge will probably be Ray's though as I sew, use my laptop, scrapbook and my fav is multi media art so the supplies for that will take some space hehehe. Our big trip will not commence until next March but there is no reason why we can't make small trips in the meantime to get a feel for the van
Besides the art supplies the next biggest thing to look at for me will be cooking utensils, pots and pans etc because I will want to take it all but I know I cannot. But because I love to cook it is going to be difficult to leave some things behind
The clothes will hardly take up any space lol it will be all the other stuff for me that will take up the room, lucky I don't have to take books now that I have my ipad lol I can just purchase books online.
Thanks Glenda *smiles*
Michelle
Part quote "I will tell Ray about that one and I am sure we will do just that at the back of Coles in town hehehe."
Hmmmmm I have never done it at the back of Coles, will have to tell mrs W abount that,
wombat wrote,
Hmmmmm I have never done it at the back of Coles, will have to tell mrs W abount that,
you wish ??? Ha Ha ! lol,lol,lol,lol,lol,lol,
could be worth a try
BEAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes he does darn well wish
Go for gold then Wombat, I am sure Mrs W will love to practise turning the van and parking it etc at the back of Coles!!! You know where you are heading now don't you? Yep off to "The Room" with Doug and no cinema I broke it!!
Michelle
Whilst I'd like to take the credit, this was suggested for newbies in The Grey Nomad Times by the couple interviewed in the "Characters on the Road" section.
We did a towing course in the showground carpark, and learned heaps. Strongly recommended.
bye, going to meet Dougwe now, see you next week
Congratulations Michelle - it is a great feeling to get your van!! Your van is much bigger than mine - twice the size actually!! Its great fun getting all the bits and pieces - I really splurged when I bought the pots/pans - I bought a Tefal Cocoon - all the pots and lids fit inside each other and the frypan is the "lid". Very expensive but I shopped around and ended up with about $100 off through Kitchenware Direct. When you only have limited space they are fabulous.
Cheers, Helen
grab one of these and you can throw ALL of your pots & pans out
BTW its price is $2000.00
http://www.thermomix.com.au/
Hi Helen,
Thanks so much and I don't think I will be purchasing anymore cookware otherwise I could end up in the divorce court lol. I have good scanpans and le Crueset (spelling) and I absolutely adore them so will be taking them for sure hehehe.
Michelle
Thanks NeilnRuth. I know the Westport came first but it looks exactly like the current Heritage which is why I thought they may have renamed it for later models??
I will try and remember the weight hehehehe both of the van and ourselves and you are right the doctor is always telling us aren't they?
Michelle
Congratulations Michelle. As a newbie I've been on the road for two weeks now and just love my little house on wheels. I hope you have lots of fun in the coming months.
Jan
Hi Jan,
Thanks so much for the congrats lol. Also welcome to the forum, as everyone said to me when I first came on . . . you will learn so much here. I hope you are enjoying your journey out on the road and maybe we will meet when we get out there.
Take care
Michelle
Thanks Nicholstones, we plan on doing some mini trips but have to wait until my mum goes home lol as we will be mother sitting for 8 weeks as of next Friday. Will put some pics of our new abode when we take possession of it.
Michelle