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Post by kiwijim on Aug 5, 2012 16:08:45 GMT 10
Howdy Gang, At last I've sorted out that Photobucket, It appeared that a photo which is copied from an original will not appear on the forum, hence I have had to wipe out something like 150 pic's and reload all in original format. " GEZZ" what a job. So we're away with a few Pic's of our trip to the Frozen East..... While crossing the Nullarbor, we spotted the remains of some-ones caravan, sure hope they had it insured........ Plenty of more pic's to come, as soon as I get them uploaded. Cheers kiwijim
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Post by kiwijim on Aug 6, 2012 20:15:51 GMT 10
Another day on the road, Today we passed this Falcon or Holden Ute burnt out on the side of the Highway........ A few hundred clicks more and we stopped at the only water available on the Nullarbor.......... Arriving in Ceduna and the rain caught up to us again......... The Miss's spotted this ultra modern Loo. complete with push button paper dispenser and piped music........... While camping in the Airport Caravan Park in Ceduna, I spotted this Harris Caravan, it had a Falcon attached but looked pretty abandoned.......... Making some inquiries with a local resident I was told that the van was owned by some Surfers in Adelaide, they came up to Ceduna on odd occasions and towed the caravan out to some beach for a weekend then left it sitting out in the weather in the park until next time, what a criminal act. On to Port Augusta and beyond tomorrow. kiwijim ;D
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Post by kiwijim on Aug 8, 2012 4:26:42 GMT 10
As we crossed the Nullarbor, we heard that there were Whales to be seen in the Bight, so with a detour of about 30km we headed out to the coast for a gander......... Looked East, couldn't see any........ Looked West, still nothing, the Weather was just too overcast..... A couple of Pic's of a rather large On-site van in the Norseman WA Caravan Park........ On arriving at Our destination...... Crystal Brook, a very small Town, inland from Port Pirie, we booked into the Caravan Park and straight away noticed this nice little (on-site) Bond Wood caravan....... I ran into the Caretaker who informed me that it was too small for on site hire so, he was going to stick it on top of a pole to advertise the Park. After a heap of abuse and a very generous offer to buy the van from him, he still refused to sell, now there's an act of " Vintage Abuse" if ever there was one. kiwijim
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Post by kiwijim on Aug 9, 2012 4:03:33 GMT 10
We arrived in Crystal Brook a day before my Brother turned up from Brisbane, on his arrival we camped together in the local very small ( 20 powered sites ) Caravan Park..... Crystal Brook, is a small town, inland from Port Pirie S.A., it's a very clean and tidy peaceful place, although bitterly cold, but a good stop over to take a break in..... While there, we toured around and noticed the very fertile country side with the Wheat crops already around 1cm high....... In the Main street, there is a large sculpture of a wooden lizard.... kiwijim ;D
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Post by millard1399 on Aug 10, 2012 13:54:14 GMT 10
G'day kiwijim, I'm finally catching up with replying to your thread. Thanks for all the photos so far. Those places you've visited look real interesting, so we'll have to make sure we get to them when we do the rounds. I see you've developed a keen eye for spotting the old vans. That old bondwood would be an absolute waste sitting on top of a pole. Would probably only last a couple of years before the plywood starting falling apart. I reckon the ol' Bus looks fantastic in the photos. Are you sure you can't put a V8 engine in there somehow, so you can keep it? ;D cheers, Al.
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Post by kiwijim on Aug 10, 2012 16:34:31 GMT 10
Howdy Al, Glad you like the Pic's, the "Dear One" will be so happy, ;D ;D ;D Yep, I'm not happy at all about that Caravan Park Manager shoving that Bondie up a pole, you're right, give it 12 months and then a bit of wind and he will have it sitting on his roof, serve him right, I made an offer in the four digit range but he still said no.... "TWIT". I was thinking to re-power the Bus with a bigger motor but, I am afraid this would still not over come the other problem, this is that Jean felt very claustrophobic while laying down with the inside width being very narrow, there's not much room to move around. Nup, it's on the market then, another nice very wide and full size 18' van on the front lawn, I suppose "she who must be obeyed" will whinge about that as will. kiwijim
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Post by kiwijim on Aug 10, 2012 19:19:49 GMT 10
The weird and wonderful things one sees while touring around, Camping in the bush one night near a wheat Silo called Minnipa (641 in the Camps 5 ) It was freezing cold and there was almost a full Moon, I took these shots at dusk ......... The next morning I had to stop at a rather unusual object at the entrance to the camp site.......... After spending a week in Crystal Brook the low temp got the better of us so we decided to head back towards Port Augusta and got this rather long distance shot of the Rangers behind the town.......... Next we head for Iron Knob. kiwijim ;D
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Post by bobt on Aug 10, 2012 21:32:53 GMT 10
Hey kiwi fella
Love the pictures, flat pack caravan, specially rat rodded holden ute and the view of the whales. I notice there was no 'south' shot.
I am back on me medication so now not feeling jealous about being stuck at work an not out an about like you.
keep the pics coming..
turbo charged V8 diesel is the way to go and a slideout on the side to get that little bit extra inside space ;D
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Post by kiwijim on Aug 11, 2012 11:06:52 GMT 10
Hey there Bobt, Sure glad you are taking your medicine again, like a good boy, Personal message sent regarding the Coaster. Now, here we go again, off the see the great town of Iron Knob, "boy" what a sorry looking place this is, I could guarantee that if the mine should close, this place would disappear into the dust in no time. We tried to find fuel here but the only garage we found had been closed for years...... The whole town is just a litter of old cars, caravans and some very run down looking houses, driving down the main street........ The local rest area had no shade and they wanted a gold coin donation for using this rather decorated this Dunny...... Here is what you can expect to see driving around town....... After a very short stop we were back to the highway and heading for a few overnight stops before reaching Ceduna again.
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Post by kiwijim on Aug 12, 2012 16:47:30 GMT 10
On our Way back to Ceduna we passed through Kimba. Here, there is a large Galah out side the Road House...... The next thing we say was a Memorial dedicated to the farmers who opened up the country around Wudina..... On the way back to Ceduna, we traveled through some very rich country side, thanks to the rain..... Arriving back in Ceduna with the rain, we parked on the water front, just ahead of this motor home ...... After a couple of hours shopping and loading up for the Nullabor crossing, we returned to the Coaster to find the Sun was breaking through...... Our next stop on our West-Ward journey, will be the Nullabor Road House. kiwijim ;D
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Post by bobt on Aug 12, 2012 18:36:18 GMT 10
excellent stuff Love the photos A couple of Morris Majors, wouldn't mind one, just a little far to go a collect. Did you get to talk to character with the Monster Motor Home. Bet ya his fuel bill was a little different to yours ;D
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Post by kiwijim on Aug 14, 2012 3:13:37 GMT 10
Howdy Bobt, "Nup" I didn't get to talk to the owner of that Motor Home, I saw him sitting in the front Passenger side, but he was busy on his Lap Top when we arrived and he was still at it when we took a couple of hours later. Up and away we went, out into the real Desert..... and called into the Nullarbor Road House, ( Raining again ) didn't buy any fuel there, just topped up the Coaster from the Jerry cans we carried. "Boy" was it freezing cold here....... After a very brief stop, we headed for Boarder Village, here we had to open everything for the Fruit Fly Inspector to make sure we didn't have any Fruit or Honey !!!.......... From Boarder Village, we traveled on a Plateau until arriving in Eucla. the fuel costs here were something that made us glad we had loaded cheap fuel back in Ceduna...... Leaving Eucla, we dropped down off the Plateau traveling through the Eucla Pass, very steep but a great view of the Plains ahead.........
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Post by millard1399 on Aug 14, 2012 9:31:09 GMT 10
G'day kiwijim, I'm following your travels on a map on my computer screen. "Yep, he's just across the border from SA." Great story and great photos so far. I reckon the closer you get to home, the more you'll wish you could turn around and go back in the other direction! cheers, Al.
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Post by kiwijim on Aug 15, 2012 2:53:39 GMT 10
You're spot on there Al, we're back on the home side of the Boarder but, still a heck of a long way to go. There's one place I forgot to mention that we found all closed up on our last trip "around the Block" 3 years ago, and it still is today, That being the Yalata Roadhouse, situated between Nundroo and the Nullarbor Roadhouse, I was told the Yalata Complex was handed over to the local native land owners and finally closed down a few years back, Pity because it's a big place, a large restaurant up front and many motel type rooms at the rear. It's built in a gully with many large trees around giving good shade for the Summer traveler. Today as you pass, you can see the tattered remains of shade cloth which once covered the large front windows and also notice the good crop of weeds coming through the concrete driveway, Sorry no pic's of this place, you're sort of past it before you realize it's there. After passing through Eucla and hitting the plains there is a heck of a lot of driving and only the occasional Road Houses to stop at, if only to give yourselves a coffee break, there's........... Cocklebiddy.... And Balladonia........ Before we once again see the welcome sign for Norseman.......
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Post by bobt on Aug 15, 2012 21:06:50 GMT 10
oooouch
108 for lpg.... and I was gunna complain about 59.9
love the photos. back to the doctors tomorrow for a new script
you didn't come across a kruger with a euopean box on the back heading this way .. well most likely stopped on the side of the road with out fuel..? gott a mate on the last leg of his trip
wow! ya found a mobil service station, they are all gone from Victoria, Shell bought some, 711 some, others just closed up..
where did you spend your nights?
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Post by kiwijim on Aug 15, 2012 21:14:29 GMT 10
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Post by kiwijim on Aug 16, 2012 3:41:14 GMT 10
Now I've just gotta tell ya all about this Beaut Caravan Park we happened upon in Coolgardie, I won't Name the place, lets just say it slightly West of Coolgardie, I did wonder why there were no other over-night vans parked there when we arrived, I was soon to find out. When I went for a shower, I found that it consisted of a skid-mounted ex-mining company shed, containing 3 shower cubicles, Got undressed and as I took one step into the shower the other foot went through the floor to a depth of around 150mm. There was a thin piece of tin covering a great hole in the floor, the shower had hot water alright but, as soon as another person turned on their shower "JEZZZ" out of there like a rocket !!!! The next night we camped in a road-side rest area, "Yep" kept awake once again by the never ending sound of heavy haulage, one should learn to camp well down a side road. The next morning we awoke to very cold conditions and a heavy Fog...... Heading West towards Southern Cross we saw this smoke rising, it looked like an accident ahead.......... Lucky it turned out to be a farmer having a burn-off, probably threw a couple of tires in the fire as well. Our next stop was a very small Country Store just West of Southern Cross, around Bodallin, the owner was a mad collector of junk.......... Well home again, A couple of figures from the Log Distance traveled.....app 5047 km give or take a few hundred, trip meter going slow, due to cold He He. fuel used Petrol & Gas ..... 1086.79 L cost ....... $ 1234.82 Our next trip away (when I buy another caravan) will be back up the Coast to Kalbarri in the Spring when the Wild Flowers are in bloom. Cheers all kiwijim ;D
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Post by kiwijim on Aug 17, 2012 8:31:28 GMT 10
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Post by bobt on Aug 17, 2012 16:42:28 GMT 10
hey there kiwifella
Goodluck with the sale.
I am sure there are plenty out in the big wide world looking for just the very thing that you have to sell.
bobt
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2012 20:58:18 GMT 10
Hi Jim, I reckon it won't take long before it's snapped up...ahhhh you wouldn't want to sell the genie separate would you ? I know someone who would be interested ha ha ha. Also have you got your eye on a van yet. talk to you soon Regards Teflon
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Post by kiwijim on Aug 18, 2012 4:54:36 GMT 10
Howdy Guys, Well I've had 122 hits on the advert for the Coaster so far, not a phone call as yet but, as you know Teflon, we live on a very busy street so, out goes the tripod sign today, that seemed to do the trick in the past. Sorry Mate, the Generator has been advertised with the Bus, I think having that in there will make sure I get pretty close to the asking price. No nothing new sitting on the front lawn as yet, I'm a bit frightened to have a good look for something just at the moment, just in cast I find what I want and have no where to store it. We have decided to go for another Classic, must be an 18ft'er hopefully with a shower and Loo but the "Dear One" reckons she could do with-out the shower as long as there is..... that all important "Thunder-Box"......Still haven't managed to get her to do the cleaning of one as yet, there is always the same answer....." You" go and do it Dear, and there will be a nice cuppa waiting when you finish. Catch Ya ole later. kiwijim ;D
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2012 20:56:19 GMT 10
Hi Jim, Ha Ha, when we were in Kalbarri in June, I said to Alison, come on love, you use the thunder box more than I do, I think you should learn how to empty it. Well she was all intrigued, fully focusing on how to separate, lot's of questions asked. That looks rather easy luv, don't see what the fuss is all about .. she said. My reply, we now have to empty it, over to the dump point undo this, push this ... then came the dry reach from the luv of my life. he he. Now my wife has a iron gut, she use to be a carer in a old peoples home. ( dementia Ward ) but that took the cake ha ha. So now I get the same Jim my old mate. " you go empty luv and I will have a nice hot cup of tea and a piece of cake for you when you get back.... ha ha ha ha, regards Teflon
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Post by kiwijim on Aug 18, 2012 22:44:55 GMT 10
"Yep" The Women Folk sure make you wonder, It never ceases to amaze me how quickly they can,........ "fill the Can" so to speak, and "Boy" does it weigh a ton when you have to carry it some distance to a Dump Point and just to cap things off, you almost make that 100m or so when you trip on a pebble and find the slide on the top is not quiet closed. I guess the old Road House "stop" has it's good points after all, at least it keeps the driver smelling nice. ;D ;D ;D Now Teflon, You say that you have been up to Kalbarri back in June? I thought you knew the rules around here ? ? ? ? "WHERE DA PHOTO'S MON" We gotta show the Eastern States Mob just how mild the climate can be over this way in the Winter ;D ;D ;D ;D Catch up to you shortly, Cheers, kiwijim ;D ;D ;D
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2012 20:28:40 GMT 10
Hi Jim, You are not wrong on how quickly they fill it, Empty one morning filled the next ha ha ha . Photo's no problem as soon as I work out the download part, guess it's easy as everyone else has. Yep the weather was beautiful, we left at 4.00am Sunday 10th june, the storm that hit Perth in the afternoon .. we drove thru it. hitting the head wind, at times. Even with my foot flat to the floor, straight stretch of road, 68kmph is all i could get,wipers on from swan valley all the way until the turn off to kalbarri. given the stops for coffee breakfast and a stretch of the old legs, we arrived at the caravan park at 12.30pm, GPS stated just over 7 hours of driving with an average speed of 72kmph. 2 and 1/2 weeks of mainly sunshine with just a few shower periods. Absolutely beautiful Regards Teflon
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Post by kiwijim on Aug 20, 2012 2:38:05 GMT 10
Howdy Teflon, Pity about the rain to start with, I'm glad to see that you had a good Holiday when you got there, It sure is a great place for a break. All I can suggest with that Photobucket and loading pictures is..... Preserver.........keep trying......... have a hair cut first because you will be pulling your hair out, eventually you will probably succeed, with a heap of luck. Then we should see some great snaps. I have been doing some checking back on this forum as to when we did the Wild Flower Tour and taking in Kalbarri, "Strike Me" that was way back in 2008, with the Thomson. ditzygypsy.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=clre2&action=display&thread=214About time we did it again. ;D ;D ;D kiwijim ;D
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