Thursday, July 8, 2010

Happenings in Cairns

Well let’s see what’s new.
I have been on workcover for three weeks as I seem to have RSI or the likes from the computer at work. But that stopped when they did x-rays on my neck and decided that there was more wrong than we thought.I was booked into a specialist surgeon yesterday and duly went to see same. A rather nice bloke actually, he asked when I was going into semi retirement and I said around mid October. He answered that that was a very good idea with what he saw on my X-rays?? He explained that I had Degenerative Arthritis of the spine and I was at my “use by date”. Nice! He explained that I should take it easy at least for the next three months whilst it settled down again. Then no undue heavy lifting, pushing etc.
So that settled it we are on the road mid October and we are counting the weeks.
We have spent more money in the form of a little electric heater, waterfilters, and a new solar panel set up for the fridge in the tug. I went with an 80 watt folding display which should be enough to run the Engle and keep the battery topped up for the evening run.
I selected the Platinum Plus filter set to filter all water coming into the van ,and we also have a carbon filter under the sink for drinking water. We hope to be able to pump water out of running creeks some times, just to top up the tanks, of course all the creek water will go through the twin filters before going into tanks.
I have to get a rack put in the back of the truck to put the table and chairs on above the fridge. That should be all for the tug. The next bit is a bike rack on the rear for two pushbikes, yep, finally got talked into it by the boss. She says it will help with the neck thing and keep us a bit fitter than I am at present,. LOL to all from Dreamcaster & Fae

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Beautiful Day in Cairns

Hi again from Lake Placid, well how things change. As was previously mentioned the site fees went up and the amenities block has still not been opened, Bah! I went to dry the washing the other day to find they have now put up the cost of washing and drying to $4 a go !! and still no toilet roll in the handicap loo !! Have to walk another 200 metres.
Still I guess the poor buggers have to make it whilst they can, as only full for four months of the year.
Last year we reported that we went to Bali, well I will post a couple of pics from there. We went to the new Bali Safari Park. I am telling you it was the best money we have spent over seas, we had an absolute ball at the park including the high lights of being able to cuddle the animals, including the Orana tang and big cats. If you would like to know more go to the guest book and leave me a note and I will contact you.
We finally found out how much we have to pay for Fae’s HECS bill before we head off, Ouch!! that is going to really hurt!!! Ow!! again, about 20 weeks of budget. Bugger.
The weather is just starting to promise what to expect, cool nights with sunny days, can’t wait as we are really over the rain. (yep heard you!!)
I have to do the jayco’s water again as we are having trouble with the pressure reduction valve getting stuck shut and no water. I have pulled it out and am going to the plumber for a replacement, I hope.
Have a great day folks

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Update From Cairns

Hi again from Cairns, I for one just can’t wait to get on the road so we have some thing exiting to put in the blog. We have had such a long run of rain up here every body is over it, yes I can hear you now, but please come and help yourselves,!!!
I just noted that we have done 30000klms on the Ford, it seems only a few months ago we bought it; it will be worn out before we start our adventure. Fae has had a big clear out of goods and chattels, the van should drop half a tonne at least. All those things we could not do with out!!! Suddenly we can. You don’t need 36 pairs of shoes! 10 will do, same with hand bags. Ouch!! Ouch again!!
We went in to Kmart today and they had some good specials on push bikes, we got two Cyclops ones, gel seats (a must have), two baskets (for Misty carrying) and of course two “hats ridicules”
I have to look at mounting a bracket on the rear bar to carry these.
I have upgraded the lights inside the van to LEDs, very easy to do and the savings on battery power will more that pay for it.
Having a look at a new 120amp hr AGM battery for the van, gees they are cheap !! not. I have purchased and fitted a nudge bar to the tug and it looks great, if I say so myself. I have to mount the radio now and all will be finished.
We changed over to the turbo wireless internet modem the other day, what a drama that was, Telstra is very helpful when you finally get to talk to someone in OZ not India. This set up will be much better that the old blue Toaster type.
The park is slowly starting to fill up now with the not so grey nomads and their million dollar rigs. Still they will move on shortly as the park is already nearly booked out for the rest of the year. The park manager has been able to keep one block (half) of the amenities closed as a cost saving to him, and an inconvenience to every body on the wrong side of the park!! Unfortunately the site fees went up by $10 a week from next month, and I still have to ask for a toilet roll to be put into the toilets!!! Maybe he is saving on that too.
OK folks that’s all for now, keep safe and well

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Up date on Blog

I have just had the finishing touches completed on the Ranger, new fridge plug and spare etc; the boys had to shift the Red Arc battery controller as I wanted to put in a cav type pre filter on the tug as it is a big job to change the standard fuel filter. The whole unit has to be taken out of the veh to access the filter, not a job to be done on the side of the road. I will put in the filter water trap (Cav type) before the main filter so I can drain the water and change pre filter every 5,000 klm or so. A much easier option!!
I must again sing the praises of the team at TJM Scott St Cairns, Jason and crew did a most professional job on the Ranger, you know, every thing was finished, no bits half done, insulation on all wires, kill rust and grommets on all holes etc, just a trade quality job. If any one up here needs any thing for their tug I would highly recommend them, Thanks again Guys.
The Mojo 150 scooter I bought is going great guns, very cheap to run and a whole lot of fun to ride, until it rains and you have a leak in your wet weather gear, right where you don’t want it. I got to work and had wet b***ls all day, bloody shit!**!!
It looks as thought we will be off in October now as we have a conference in Hervey bay then and a wedding in December in Mullumbimby!!! (hope I spelled that right). So we will have a month or so to do that short trip from Hervey to Byron Bay.
I am looking at a nudge bar for the Ranger so I can mount the UHF aerial on it, also for a little protection. Gee they are not cheap.$800 from Ford I might try ebay.
OK folks that’s all for now and a reminder please sign our guest book so we know someone is reading this
LOL Dreamcaster, Fae & Misty

Christmas has been and gone.

Well x-mas has been and gone, as expected we had an absolutely brilliant x-mas lunch at Bella Baci the owners Sam & Christine were the fantastic hosts you would expect. The day went of very well with Sylvia and myself doing justice to 4 or so bottles of Jantz Champers !!!!!*********** Bloody great.
New years was spent at the same establishment with much the same results ***********

Sister Sylvia had a few problems with her van whilst she was here but all in all she now has a few ideas of what she wants to change or not with the van. It will be interesting to see it when she has finished with the rebuild. She had a good trip back to Barmera but had some bad news as two of her friends passed and so she had a couple of funerals to attend. Not a good way to start the year.
Fae has just started a part time job; she bought some new sheets and saw a note, wanting staff. She asked the lady and was told they really wanted a junior, no worries she said, paid for her purchase and was then asked if she would be interested?? Got the job nearly on the spot, works on three days a week and has a ball, no stress, aircond comfort. The place is Pure Zone in the DFO at Westcourt Cairns.
Well bye for now and we will keep you posted on our journey.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Chrismas is Nearly here

Well Christmas is Nigh, Bah! Humbug!
Just got the tug back after being fitted out with Black Widow drawer system, Red Arc dual battery system, Anderson plug, aux plugs and second battery in the rear for fridge. The guys at TJM Cairns have done a beautiful job on the ford; it definitely gives you much more room and versatility in the back. The drawer system seems very strong and robust.
Sister Sylvia finally made it up from the deep south after an eventful trip. Flat tyres, running hot radiator in the Merc, Keys locked in van (yep twice ha! ha!) and a coming together with a kangaroo which tore out the trailer wiring from the van, bugger!!
That took a day out of her schedule awaiting an auto elec in West Wylong..
Still she is here now all safe and sound and trip number one under her belt, it will only get easier from here on. Healthy breakfast on the first day. (I saw her getting fresh mangoes for breaky from the tree.)Champagne etc for dinner tonight.
We have booked at our favourite restaurant for Xmas dinner and have just seen the menu, yummmm!! Looks great. This together with a champagne or three should just do the job, a nanna nap after will finish the day off just fine.
We installed a “doggie door” for Misty so she can please herself wether she goes in or out of the van, she picked it up quite quickly really, marvellous what a treat on the wrong side of the door will do!!
John and Sandy have left the park to drop their gear in to their new house before travelling south to be with family for Xmas, have a safe trip guys and we will look forward to your return in the New Year. These two are great people and we will miss the afternoon drinks etc with them. It is very quiet in the park as I said before but also it is very nice, we have more birds and wild life around this time of year. I planted a tomatoe plant and had a great first bunch, then the catapillars had a great second bunch between them!! Bugger again.
Just had a call from some very good and long time friends (way back when we first got hitched, loooong time ago) more later.
OK that’s all folks, to all our readers have a very happy and safe Xmas and new year and above all live life!!

Saturday, November 7, 2009

November

Well how things change, Fae has finished working full time and is going gently into retirement, (sound like we are putting her down!!!) She is only doing 10 hours per week now, just to help her old company out. I admit it is great to have her home when I arrive from work, meals cooked, van sparkling clean and every thing in its place. That is until I get home then it looks like a bomb hit, ha! ha!
Speaking of bombs, Misty is so very full of life. She was going to Pup Stars day care whilst we were both working, and at $95 per week it was like she was a star. The people there called her “energizer” as they would put her with various dogs during the day until she had run them all into the ground with her playing. She has grown up a bit now but is still in puppy mode while she plays, biting every thing, very sharp little fangs she has got as well.
She started in a bed along side ours, that lasted about 3-4 minutes then in to our bed, where she rules the roost. She has been sleeping right through the night now so it really is great.
Heard from sister Sylvia the other day and it looks like she will be joining us for Christmas, we will have a ball, she is getting her pop top fitted out with her stuff so it will be a good shake down trip for her. (a long way from Barmera S.A.)
The rains have just started to hit Cairns, not much really, just a promise of things to come. The park is almost empty now just a few of us left, our neighbors, Harold & Ann have had there house finished, a beautiful residence it is too! Our other friends John & Sandy are building at trinity and their house will be ready by Christmas, (may be!!!) so my lovely Fae and I will be alone for awhile I guess. Nice and quiet too!!
Well folks that wraps it up for today so drive safe and please keep in touch.