More planning

Back in August I contacted my mate Brian who had been up to the Kimberly a few years ago. He was over the moon with praise for that area but warned of the dangers of the roads – it sounded familiar and reminded us of the days we pounded corrugations (OK – in a Land Rover) in Ethiopia and East Africa. I started out with a few thousand dollars in mind and she’d be right, but at this, our point of departure, I honestly don’t want to know how much we have spent but tomorrow (after purchase of a second regulator for the gas ring for the wok – we’re not going to go short on the food stakes) will hopefully have us all squared away and kitted out to do this every year from now on.

The first decision was where we should sleep. On top, along side, or maybe to the rear? In no time you will be buried in options, but because I heard of an architect who was selling a good camper trailer, who had been to the Kimberly a couple of times, I was able to get the low down from a fellow traveller, and that made buying easier. It probably added $10,000 to the bill, but he was very helpful! Within a week or two we owned our own suitcase with wheels on it. It’s a Tvan made in Melbourne, and can be confused with a waste recycling vehicle (as one “friend” reminded us!). But we think it’s going to be very good. We’ll let you know – it’s pouring outside and we’re thinking a fire and a steak and a warm and cosy bed will do just fine tonight! Perhaps we’ll leave after lunch instead.