Getting on...(camper van tales)

[Marilyn]

Oh yes...bought the proper chemicals and a new filter. Flushed the system well and it took about 2 hours to get it all tickets boo. You are going to cringe when you see the filter, which was what the previous owners were drinking from! I've sent pics to Stanley as he seems to be feeling a bit better, and hopefully he can manage to post them ( but I've told him not to rush).
We both screamed "oh my God!" in unison when we pulled the old filter out. Then Febby chased me with it! The neighbours must have thought we were mad. ( I hate anything dirty)

[Stanley]

I braved the pain.....

[LizG]

You'd think the water would be dirtier on the way out!! Yuk

[Stanley]

That's what filters are for....

[Marilyn]

The housing was disgusting inside...the filter was bathed in muddy soup. I soon had it scrubbed.
We get our Sat Nav, reversing camera, crash camera, Bluetooth fitted tomorrow..
Then I think we are about done!

D has amused himself working out a trip to Alice Springs. I'm not that impressed by what he has come up with because it's long days driving and he hasn't made much time for looking at anything!
He wants to be there and back in under 10 days. ( this is typical of his style of holidays...go like the clappers and get home exhausted!).
I shall be "working" on that plan of his...

[Stanley]

I'm with you Maz but for a lot of that trip there won't be a lot to see....... I'd have to look it up but I have an idea that my dad abandoned a wife in Alice......

[Marilyn]

What do you want me to say to her if I come across her ?

Hubby said exactly the same thing about "not much to see on the way". It's a 3,000k round trip ( if we go to Ayer's Rock it is more. ) I just don't really see the point of calling it a holiday, but it is on his "bucket list" because his Dad's and Mum's and Brother's ashes were spread there. So I understand his wish to go...
I am not a red dust and tumbleweed kind of girl...( couldn't we just fly there and stay in a motel...with a pool...and those lovely big cocktails that have paper umbrellas and fruit hanging off the rim...and spa baths...with bubbles?)

[Wendyf]

Sounds like a nightmare to me Maz....especially being confined together in a very small space!

[Tizer]

In the 1980s I was invited to give a lecture at a science conference in Canberra and flew first with Mrs Tiz to NZ to visit her grandparents and then we went on to Sydney to visit a company. We were taken to Canberra by scientists from the company and they said we would travel by road so that we could see the countryside. I think it was really because it would be cheaper than air fares - the views were terribly monotonous and the only place where we stopped for a closer look was, I think, a fort of some kind about halfway into the journey. Canberra seemed a boring place too and all I remember is the croaking of thousands of bullfrogs!

[Marilyn]

I went to Canberra in the '70s. All I remember was that every corner was a roundabout!

[Tizer]

I'm surprised it was there in the 70s. It looked like they'd only just finished it the night before we arrived!

[LizG]

Hubby said exactly the same thing about "not much to see on the way". It's a 3,000k round trip ( if we go to Ayer's Rock it is more. ) I just don't really see the point of calling it a holiday, but it is on his "bucket list" because his Dad's and Mum's and Brother's ashes were spread there. So I understand his wish to go...
I am not a red dust and tumbleweed kind of girl...( couldn't we just fly there and stay in a motel...with a pool...and those lovely big cocktails that have paper umbrellas and fruit hanging off the rim...and spa baths...with bubbles?)

I love the Alice. Go with an open mind. Lots of great walks and things to see in both the East and West MacDonnell Ranges. Make sure you go to the Desert Park.

Have to agree there's lots of 'same same' country to look at on the way.

[Stanley]

Best to keep stum if you meet her Maz,....

[Marilyn]

Maiden trip this weekend. Have arrived at Lake Albert and set up camp. All seems to be working and operational. Some wrangling with the Sat Nav en route, but all sorted now (except I have to get rid of the American woman and find an English voice). Dinner at local pub tonight...

[Stanley]

Hope it goes well Maz...... You may arrive back with a list of tweaks you want to add......

[LizG]

Exciting Maz. Look forward to an update.

[Marilyn]

It's going great, thanks.
Beds comfy...just our luck the nearby sport club had a loud disco until about 1am.
Off for a bike ride as soon as Febby finishes kitchen duty.

[Stanley]

[Marilyn]

Folding bikes are awesome! ( purchased 2nd hand from friends). They fold into bags and travel on my bed...which is much better than having conventional bikes hanging off the back of our old van...which fell off the carrier once, and were run over and crushed by hubby on another occasion when he reversed up a steep incline forgetting they were on the carrier!
I am pleased how good the folding bikes (6 gears) are to ride. They fly!

[Stanley]

You'll be as fit as a butcher's dog after this trip!

[Marilyn]

First night out on our trip "North". Camped beside a creek, nesr a big Gum tree . ( bit worried about the Gum tree!)
Febby cooked a Barbeque for Two tonight. Can hear the Galahs screeching as they settle in the trees for the night. No TV here, so we have the wind up bush radio on as we sip wine at sunset.
( of course we could put videos on, but that would spoil the atmosphere of a beautiful starry night).

[Tizer]

Very romantic, Maz!

[Wendyf]

Sounds good Maz!

[Marilyn]

It is good. Romantic is the right word too.. Sometimes you just have to STOP, and live to a different beat.
( Country radio is so "quaint". I know those in more remote areas work hard to maintain constant radio station output. I feel like I am in a 60s time warp...eeee...hubby tells me there was "nowt wrong with the 60s"!!!)

[Moh]

Sounds idyllic - I agree with David!