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
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
Brisbane Caravan show
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.
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.
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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