we have wheels

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Camper van....yes! Angus decided that he wanted not just any van but he
wanted a project. So we bought a newly decommissioned ambulance. It has
amazing cupboards and oxygen hoses and stuff. It is a 2003 Mercedes
Sprinter diesel, which is Angus's dream machine. It only has 147,000 kms
on it and has been very well maintained. WE parked it at Tim and Chris's
house. Did I mention that Tim is a shop teacher and an amazing all round
handy man with an amazing workshop behind his garage. So the work started
and 8 days later we are on the road. WE have a settee which folds down to
make a double bed. We have sink and cupboards (br vanity). We carry 60
liters of water in jerry cans which are hooked up to the faucet. so we
have running water. We will cook on 2 butane hotplates. We have an Engle
fridge/freezer. The porta potti makes us legal for off road camping.
We have joined the Australian " grey nomads" a moving, large group of
people. Actually most Australians are camping-mad. The camping
equipment stores outnumber many stores. There is a gizmo to make every
aspect of camping easier.....really incredible.
Yesterday we started off, heading north. By dusk we were at the small
costal town of Guilderton. The caravan park was so crowded. We did
not want to pay $25 to sleep 3 feet from our neigbour so we checked out the
rest stop along the highway. (most of these allow overnight camping and
are listed in the free/low budget camping guide book. But the rest area
was too crowded with rowdies also. So we stopped alongside a dead end
road and set up for the night. We were serenaded by kookaburras laughing
at us and a few other loud bird noises. We woke up to sheep staring at us
and bleating a welcome. At 2 am the night sky was incredible. We got
up to see the southern star and the milky way in brilliant definition.
Good so far.
Today we visited "The Pinnacles", unique limestone formations, and then
continues onto Cervantes. WE drove through desert. Although it is quite
green now in the spring time. We drove along the ocean and stopped to
view the sparkling, squeaky clean, white sand. Tonight WE are in a
lovely, quiet caravan park. It is Sunday so all the noisy campers have
gone home, just leaving us grey nomads. It is crayfish country so that is
on the menu for us.

---

Photos

settee
note cupboards full of food and dishes

yikes
hope we see all these lovely animals alive and well

bright sun
Big hat for big sun

Comments

[Lucius et Rollande]

WOHWWWWWW
What a beautiful idea . Thes days I'going back to Louise's house to improve the electric distribution. We had done most of it 10 years ago and now we are completing. Did I tell you that her house was all wired up with 2 single wires one for HOT and the other for ground. We punctures so many holes that the whole house needed a complete plaster job. I presume you have received our slside show from Turkey. That really was a nice trip. Just as good as Bali. We are now thinking of Peru. Allways hoping our legs and arms will hold up. That's allways the big question. Keep on you wolderfull life. I.m so happy for you. Lucius et Rollande

[Sharon]

Grey Nomads
Dear Nomads...Wow...love your home on wheels, clever idea! Sounds like you are having a wonderful time and keeping well. Hard to imagine a green desert but I am sure you have lots of photos to show us when you get back. As you can guess, the Comox Valley is on the fringe of winter. New snow on the glacier, and chilly days in the valley. After a windy and rainy week, the sky has turned blue and it looks like a sunny day for the Santa Parade down Fifth street.(Jasmin is an "Elf" with the dance troupe...I love to watch the kids.) We are looking forward to hearing more of the "Grey Nomads" adventures...take care and love you both... Sharon and Hans

[Patty Larson]

Rolande and Angus, Sandy and Chris shared your blog entry with me. I'd forgotten you were down south. What an adventure! Have you been able to do any shelling? I framed a couple of those beautiful paper nautilus you gave us in Mexico in 2009. Always wished I had found one myself. Take care and be safe! Patty

[Jackie]

whooooo hooo
van looks a ripper! well done! - more stories and pics please xx

[Teri]

Need a little pick-me-up?
I just looked at the pictures of the van, it looks fabulous! Is there a little oxygen hanging around if you feel a little down? Or maybe some morphine left in the cupboards? What fun.. We would kill to be able to find one of those here. Enjoy dearies! Teri

[pete and barrie]

wow
very interesting mate ! Reminds me of when my dad did Oz on an Ariel motorcycle.