22nd May
We booked our flights and accommodation in Brisbane to go and see the Caravan and Camping show. We are really looking forward to that weekend. It was our anniversary a couple of weeks ago, so we decided to go and have a weekend at a B&B in Annerley we had stayed at before.(link on the blogg)
I have contacted a few dealers about vans over the last few months and we (Fae & I) have both come up with the same van that suits us. It is a Jayco either 23ft or 25ft rear en-suite front end kitchen model. We want to take out the dinette and put in a couple of smaller arm chairs that we found in A-mart that are very comfortable. I know once again that no one agrees with us but there you are.
I sold and managed a caravan yard in Adelaide for over 6 years and I used to recon that Jayco built a reasonably good van. The prices of vans now are unbelievable, especially one like Baroma etc. The prices are amazing. Yes I know you get what you pay for but how they can justify some of the prices !!
I have got to tell you about an incident the other day. Went and had a look at the new Millard on show near home, 23ft , I could not get down the side of the N/S bed. The wheel arches were there plus only about 8 inches of room for legs. I lifted up the bed on the gas struts, to be pleasantly surprised by the amount of room under there. But the very first joint I looked at had four staples in about 20mm of wood and only two were holding. After talking to the sales man he asked what I was looking at in a van and I told him about the Jayco we liked. His reaction should have been “yes, a nice van but I believe ours are a bit better because of ……………..etc.” instead of that he said , you know what they say about Jayco? You only have one because they are crap. Guess I won’t be dealing with him or Millard. Never mind each to his own, that is why they are all in business, just as I said before about the Holden and ford drivers. Any way as I said we are both looking forward to a weekend in Brisbane. I don’t think we can afford a new van but it will be nice to dream and see what you can get.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Spending day (again)
20th May
Hi all, we went to have a look at the shops today to see what we could see, you know, just a browse. We saw a brilliant price on a small combination convection oven for the van $156 for a 25 lt. microwave and convection oven combined. (most we have seen are $400 up) Yep! We will have one of those to replace the micro that comes with the van. No you wont, none in stock until next week, bugger again. Also found a four in one rice veg and slow cooker designed for two, also perfect for the van. Got one of those. The range of electric things that are made for a large family is overwhelming but try to get stuff for two or a caravan and it gets harder.
We have got together various things for our new life; some times we forget what we have bought. When we arrived home we found a turbo oven we had bought some months back tucked away at the back of the cupboard. (this will do instead of the convection oven) We have also got a new pie maker, toaster, electric jug, stainless steel steamer, cutlery set, dining setting etc. The idea was to have as much as we could new there fore giving us a good start. (must check the other cupboards and see what else we got)
Hi all, we went to have a look at the shops today to see what we could see, you know, just a browse. We saw a brilliant price on a small combination convection oven for the van $156 for a 25 lt. microwave and convection oven combined. (most we have seen are $400 up) Yep! We will have one of those to replace the micro that comes with the van. No you wont, none in stock until next week, bugger again. Also found a four in one rice veg and slow cooker designed for two, also perfect for the van. Got one of those. The range of electric things that are made for a large family is overwhelming but try to get stuff for two or a caravan and it gets harder.
We have got together various things for our new life; some times we forget what we have bought. When we arrived home we found a turbo oven we had bought some months back tucked away at the back of the cupboard. (this will do instead of the convection oven) We have also got a new pie maker, toaster, electric jug, stainless steel steamer, cutlery set, dining setting etc. The idea was to have as much as we could new there fore giving us a good start. (must check the other cupboards and see what else we got)
Bad news day
15th May
Whoops!! bad news from dealer. Appearently our new vehicle was taken off the truck and given to another dealer down south (someone is driving our new tug, bugger). I was advised by the guy that our ford will now be here by the end of July, I promptly handed him over to "she that shall be obeyed" so he could give her the good news personally. She took it fairly well and so we wait.! On the positive side I had a call from our son to advise he had a second hand honda EU20i just brought in and did we want it(hell yes). It has done one half hours work. We got it at cost so we are very happy. Tried it out as soon as we got home, boils the 2400watt jug so it's bloody great as far as i am concerned. Nice to win one now and again!
Whoops!! bad news from dealer. Appearently our new vehicle was taken off the truck and given to another dealer down south (someone is driving our new tug, bugger). I was advised by the guy that our ford will now be here by the end of July, I promptly handed him over to "she that shall be obeyed" so he could give her the good news personally. She took it fairly well and so we wait.! On the positive side I had a call from our son to advise he had a second hand honda EU20i just brought in and did we want it(hell yes). It has done one half hours work. We got it at cost so we are very happy. Tried it out as soon as we got home, boils the 2400watt jug so it's bloody great as far as i am concerned. Nice to win one now and again!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Tug (which do we choose)
10th May
Well after much looking around at various vehicles we have decided on our new tug. I had an early diesel Patrol tray top I was going to do up but costs got pretty high, reliability raised its head and we though better of it. After doing a lot of home work we made the decision to go to a new vehicle. All of us have different needs and expectances, so one man's choice does not necessarily mean that it is right for everybody. I know of a couple of forums that will shout me down for not buying a Patrol or Toyota purely on their ideas.
For us, we plan on being on the road for several years and staying in one place for some months at a time if convenient. Therefore we needed a veh that was easy to drive as a daily transport and a bit better on fuel at this time. Sure, it will use more when we tow but that was our choice.
After comparing many tugs, and comparing towing capacities (doesn’t that vary) prices and ease of service etc we decided on a new Ford Ranger, Supercab Pickup, 5sp manual, with a 3lt common rail turbo & intercooled diesel motor. Braked towing capacity of 3000kgs. 115 kws of power and 380 Nm torque.( far exceeding my old 4.2lt Patrol) I can already hear the pundits now saying he will be sorry, but hey! That’s life ! I know work mates that truly believe a Ford will fail as you drive it from the yard (they drive a commodore) and visa versa. I must admit it is the first Ford we have owned. We are having an ARB canopy fitted before we pick it up and of course tinting all round and cruise control. (not to be used whilst towing)
Well after much looking around at various vehicles we have decided on our new tug. I had an early diesel Patrol tray top I was going to do up but costs got pretty high, reliability raised its head and we though better of it. After doing a lot of home work we made the decision to go to a new vehicle. All of us have different needs and expectances, so one man's choice does not necessarily mean that it is right for everybody. I know of a couple of forums that will shout me down for not buying a Patrol or Toyota purely on their ideas.
For us, we plan on being on the road for several years and staying in one place for some months at a time if convenient. Therefore we needed a veh that was easy to drive as a daily transport and a bit better on fuel at this time. Sure, it will use more when we tow but that was our choice.
After comparing many tugs, and comparing towing capacities (doesn’t that vary) prices and ease of service etc we decided on a new Ford Ranger, Supercab Pickup, 5sp manual, with a 3lt common rail turbo & intercooled diesel motor. Braked towing capacity of 3000kgs. 115 kws of power and 380 Nm torque.( far exceeding my old 4.2lt Patrol) I can already hear the pundits now saying he will be sorry, but hey! That’s life ! I know work mates that truly believe a Ford will fail as you drive it from the yard (they drive a commodore) and visa versa. I must admit it is the first Ford we have owned. We are having an ARB canopy fitted before we pick it up and of course tinting all round and cruise control. (not to be used whilst towing)
Faerie-trail
Hi from Dreamcaster and Fae, (names changed to protect the innocent)
This blog is being set up with the idea of telling "our story" from the get go.
When we had some very bad news six years ago, with reference to Fae’s health, life changed for us and we had to make some very hard decisions on what path our lives were to go on. My beautiful wife was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to go on with treatment urgently. She had her operation by a terrific and very supportive surgeon here in Cairns, she then had to go to Townsville for all of her other treatment like radiation etc. (unavailable in Cairns as yet). This was a biggy as I had to take extended unpaid leave from my job and we took out a loan to pay for our accommodation in Townsville and expenses both at home and away. The folk at Townsville hospital were terrific and looked after us very well. During this time my very supportive & caring sister, Sylvia flew up to Townsville to be with Fae so I could go back to work and pay some of the bills. We are both very grateful to Sylvia for giving up her own time so willingly, knowing that it cost her money as well. We have always been close to her and Tom (her husband who was lost at sea 2/7/94)
After our homecoming we had bills coming out of our ears and to top it off my boss put me off work because I no longer wanted to do the night shift, which left my Fae at home by herself. He could not understand and told me I was not the one that was sick, I tried to explain why I did not want to leave Fae at home nights but he would not try to understand.
After her ordeal my lovely lady went back to work as soon as she felt able and just got on with life looking after me and the household. She went back to uni and graduated with her Masters of Business Administration (mgnt). She left her position after 17 years with the govt. went back to school and graduated as a beauty consultant and opened her own successful Beauty Salon. This was something she had always wanted to do so got on with it. (very strong lady, mine)
I have always had the ambition to go on the road and enjoy life with my wife as much as I could, with this in mind I dropped several hints etc and waited to see if I would get a bite or not.
After loosing a couple of friends to various illnesses we both decided on a two or three year plan to get going, my wife’s boss of several years, never got the chance as he kept getting asked back to work, even though he had retired. Poor bugger went home for lunch one day and passed away with out ever enjoying a day.
So as I started out to say, this blog is starting out rather early, well before we get on the road or much less before we get a van.
I was asked to do this by Kym from “No Boundaries” a fantastic web site for those on the road. He advised that some people might like to hear of our experiences from the start of the plan and through to its inception and beyond.
Please read and enjoy our journey, with us, to our new life on the road.
This blog is being set up with the idea of telling "our story" from the get go.
When we had some very bad news six years ago, with reference to Fae’s health, life changed for us and we had to make some very hard decisions on what path our lives were to go on. My beautiful wife was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to go on with treatment urgently. She had her operation by a terrific and very supportive surgeon here in Cairns, she then had to go to Townsville for all of her other treatment like radiation etc. (unavailable in Cairns as yet). This was a biggy as I had to take extended unpaid leave from my job and we took out a loan to pay for our accommodation in Townsville and expenses both at home and away. The folk at Townsville hospital were terrific and looked after us very well. During this time my very supportive & caring sister, Sylvia flew up to Townsville to be with Fae so I could go back to work and pay some of the bills. We are both very grateful to Sylvia for giving up her own time so willingly, knowing that it cost her money as well. We have always been close to her and Tom (her husband who was lost at sea 2/7/94)
After our homecoming we had bills coming out of our ears and to top it off my boss put me off work because I no longer wanted to do the night shift, which left my Fae at home by herself. He could not understand and told me I was not the one that was sick, I tried to explain why I did not want to leave Fae at home nights but he would not try to understand.
After her ordeal my lovely lady went back to work as soon as she felt able and just got on with life looking after me and the household. She went back to uni and graduated with her Masters of Business Administration (mgnt). She left her position after 17 years with the govt. went back to school and graduated as a beauty consultant and opened her own successful Beauty Salon. This was something she had always wanted to do so got on with it. (very strong lady, mine)
I have always had the ambition to go on the road and enjoy life with my wife as much as I could, with this in mind I dropped several hints etc and waited to see if I would get a bite or not.
After loosing a couple of friends to various illnesses we both decided on a two or three year plan to get going, my wife’s boss of several years, never got the chance as he kept getting asked back to work, even though he had retired. Poor bugger went home for lunch one day and passed away with out ever enjoying a day.
So as I started out to say, this blog is starting out rather early, well before we get on the road or much less before we get a van.
I was asked to do this by Kym from “No Boundaries” a fantastic web site for those on the road. He advised that some people might like to hear of our experiences from the start of the plan and through to its inception and beyond.
Please read and enjoy our journey, with us, to our new life on the road.
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