Brisbane June 08

7th June 08

Well the big day is here and off we go to the airport. Great time of day to be travelling 10 o’clock in the morning (very civilized). Beaut flight arrived in Brisbane all OK. Air train to South bank and then bus to our accommodation. Not so fast, railway track works in the city, all off and board buses to Southbank. What a mix-up, many tourists just like us, not having a clue where we are going and the rail transit officers doing their very best. Finally got on the bus, I asked driver where we should get off to catch the bus out to Annerley?? The transit center, that’s where you need to go. Off the bus and cross road to transit center, nope no bus to Annerley from here!! Get the number *** to the Cultural Center and then catch your bus number something to Annerley. Not so simple! No staff at the center and if you don’t know your bus number or where you catch it bad luck. I asked two bus drivers before one looked the number up for me and told me where to catch the required bus. Great. Arrived at our accommodation Annerley B&B in good sprits. We were warmly welcomed by Peter one of the owners of the B&B. This place I can recommend for a quite weekend get away close to town but far enough away to be a quiet area. The proprietors Peter & Morna are a fantastic and caring couple, who will look after you with a big smile. A quick change and taxi to “Stone’s Corner” Yvonne’s favorite place in Brisbane. Chance of a bargain or two? She wanted some new bras, two sets and matching other things, two pairs of shoes (never can have enough shoes can you??) mandatory black jacket and a pair of beautiful tops finish it off. (I got out of that rather cheaply) Taxi back to the B&B, A nice meal at the local Thai Restraunt and on getting back to the B&B a nice bottle of white in the company of Wayne & Gabrielle Kelly ( B&B owners from Apollo Bay Vic). And so to bed!

8th June 08

We finally met Kym & Lyn from “No Boundaries” web site. What a terrific pair, they arranged to pick us up from Annerley as it was on their way to the Caravan Show. (I think they were just being very nice) They were attending the show to wave the flag and do a bit of net-working with the exhibitors.(once again check out their site in my links ) Lyn bravely allowed Kym to drive here car whilst she confidently navigated the various road works and detours. (Very glad I was not driving, too many bloody cars, taxis and trucks) The pair of them kept us in a very happy mood for the trip and it was obvious that they were very much soul mates, with constant jibing etc. (him not her). Well we arrived at the show and as Kym stated the car park was filling fast, although the show was not opened at this time. Just to show how organized Kym was, he opened the boot to get out HOT coffee and cake etc. How very civilized!! Many of the other show goers had done the same. After a coffee and chat Yvonne and I said our goodbyes and thanked Kym and Lyn for their hospitality to two complete strangers. It was great to meet these two and we look forward to keeping in contact with them as they too get ready to go “on the road” :
THE SHOW
We entered the show and were totally gob smacked by the amount of people and caravan products on display.
We were right to go to the show, as it was a great venue to get to see all the vans in one spot. This alone saved us many hours driving around the various agents. We were a bit disappointed with the “show specials” as the prices seemed to be inflated then reduced to what they were prior to the Caravan Show. I was given prices over the net only a couple of weeks before, they were cheaper. Some sales men really do need to do courses on how to sell with out needing to bag their opposition’s vans though. I guess they were all pretty busy but I recon we met only about four or five guys I would want to deal with. These professionals seemed only too keen to help and offer advice. Some of the vans, as I have said before, were priced way out of my league, even if they were offering much the same as lower priced ones. Some of the vans were still using door latches that were breaking down 20 years ago, when I was selling vans. (They were still sticking at the show).
Any way time for lunch!!! We eventually got through one queue to be greeted with “what do you want” A burger and chips please, and can I have a bottle of coke as well? The coke was $4.30 for a 600ml bottle. I know they have a captive audience but please! I did not want to contribute to his grandchildren’s education!!
Never mind we had a good look around and we are pleased with our original intention of buying a Jayco. (I can hear the tut tuts already)
Whilst looking through some vans, Yvonne and I were both taken aback by some comments made by a tribe of adults and kids (most of whom smelled & appeared not to have partaken of a shower or wash recently) coming out of a Jayco 25ft van. “How bloody lazy are some people, they even had a washing machine and a toilet in the van. I bet they don’t even get their hands dirty” This made me feel quite old !! perhaps not, just clean.
Just as we thought we had had enough and our feet were sore and tired we got a phone call. “ Hi guys we are heading for home, if you would like a lift meet us at the over pass.” Again it was Kym and Lyn offering us a lift to Annerley, we of course accepted and duly met the “clothes line” toting Kym at the meeting place. We decided that we had better have a quick ale at the local before saying our goodbyes. A grand little Irish pub it was too, except that you could not get anything to eat before six. Never mind, we had a couple of beers and again thanked the guys from “No Boundaries” for their help above and beyond. :-) Once home we had to make up our minds what to do for dinner, ummm, left over Thai sounds good to me. Another beautiful night’s sleep. Morning and the packing for home started. A quick taxi ride to the train station (bags in lockers) then into Queens Street Mall. What an eye opener, talk about spot the Aussie !!!. Hungry Jacks for lunch Yumm!! Then a quick sprint through David Jones and Meyers. (Damb, not quick enough) Some very nice stuff in these stores, according to the boss. Lol. More bags, no problems these will fit in the bag and the rest I will have as carry on luggage!!! Quite a nice trip home except for the go-around on approach, quite interesting really! Reality in the morning as we both have to go to work, ah! The curse of the working class.
Well we know what we now want; we will have to purchase the van by November so all should be well. No e-mail from the Ford salesman so the date of 1st August must still be on. (Bugger) oops! That’s Toyota’s thing
That’s us for now folks so keep an eye out for updates and please sign our guest book.
LOL