Pre-planning

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2019/2020... what a time! Drought ravaged much of Australia, and then horrific bush fires burned through thousands of communities which destroyed any Christmas or summer tourism opportunities. 

And then COVID hit. 
And came back for subsequent bites as borders closed and states dealt with their own outbreaks as best they could.
It became increasingly obvious that local NSW travel was probably going to be the only travel opportunity available to us for the foreseeable future. 

What to do? 
Robyn and I have been together since 1982, and since that time we've talked about travelling around Australia in our retirement.

So we started planning.

July 2020

I put in a request for my next salary sacrifice company car to be a Mitsubishi Pajero Sport.
It was the only 4WD with any towing capacity I could request, so it was ordered

Started looking in earnest at camper trailers and what we might do to both of these to complete our lap.

August 2020

Work put a freeze on all vehicle turnovers due to COVID-19 concerns.

February 2021

COVID is still a thing, but cars are back! Re-ordered the Pajero Sport.

Continued checking out campers, whittling down our list as we learnt what we wanted v needed.

March 2021

More uncertainty as I resigned from my job and so won’t be pursuing the Pajero Sport.
Decide a ute with a canopy will serve our needs better.
Narrowed our vehicle choice down to Mazda BT-50 or D-Max or Ranger.

April 2021

Went to the Sydney Caravan and Camping show on the weekend, and put down a deposit on a van.
Up until this time, we had thought we would travel in a forward folding camper,that was predominantly canvas. However, once we started thinking about storage of stuff we want to access for a year and travelling in wet weather, we decided against living out of suitcases and dealing with wet canvas and started looking at hybrid vans instead. 

We chose the Stoney Creek Gen 2 15 as we liked the king bed, food and clothing storage, separate shower and toilet compartments and the full pull-out kitchen.

May 2021

I flew up to the Gold Coast on the weekend to look at and buy a BT-50 with only 25K on it.
It comes with a range of accessories, basically ready to tow and go.

June 2021

First trip (without van) up to Nth Stradbroke Island and the Sunshine Coast.
First time driving on the beach... had to buy a tyre deflator and inflater, and learn to use them!
Started making drawer slides for the canopy.

July 2021

COVID Lockdown again for Sydney. My new job means I'm working long days so the drawers aren't progressing!

Excitement is definitely building!

August 2021

So near but yet so far... the van is ready, but we can only travel 10kms due to Sydney's lockdown.
And Newcastle, where the van is, has just been locked down!

September 2021

As you might recall, in NSW as we moved through late August, September and October we were continually locked down here in NSW. Children went through an entire school term without a single day on site in their schools. HSC trials in New South Wales were all done remotely. Rugby league and Australian Rules grand finals ran in Brisbane and Perth.  A law that restricted any travel to within 10 km from home was dropped back to 5 kms.

What a time! 

And so while our van continued to sit ready to collect in Newcastle, I continued building the drawers for the Ute.

The weather is really starting to become just perfect for travel!

October 2021

Ute drawers done - very happy. They roll well and are just as I wanted.

I used skateboard bearings for the rollers, and included a built in table compartment.

November 2021

The regions have opened, so was able to drive to Newcastle and pick up our van.

Towed well, no sway.

It will stay parked out the front while we live at this house.

Bought a couple of things to secure the van and stop it being stolen. 

November 2021

Started a few minor modifications to the van that we know we want

• sorting out keys
• extending shower height with removable 3D printed extender
• blind on screen door for privacy
• sorting out cupboards etc. for storage, especially of glasses and crockery etc.
• towel rails
• glasses/cups/crockery storage and access
• locks, chocks for wheels, coffee machine storage etc. #luxury #itsnotreallycampingiknow ;)