Don't go to the hardware store with your Missus

[atouchofglass]

Don't go anywhere near a hardware store with your Missus.

It is damned expensive.

Here's the scene.
About two weeks before Xmas 2010
Wife and I decide to buy supplies for our trip up to Tinaroo dam over the Chrismas break.
^{The trip that didn't happen}

We need to get a few things from the hardware store.
Bit of matrix and maybe go to the camping place for some nice chairs... ^{currently sitting in the van unused.}

So off we go - unsuspecting just how much this day would cost us.
Wife driving
Turn into the street the hardware store is on.
She spots a 4x4 parked under a tree with A4 signs in the windows.

"For Sale
Ph xxxxxxx
$XXXXX"

"Lets pull up and see what it's like" says she already pulling over.

Yes it is a few years old but..... wow only 200k on the clock
Paintwork a bit faded,
Tyres need replacing....
Nice looking rig though.

Out comes the pen and paper and she's furiously scribbling down the mobile number.
Ten minutes later I am in the hardware.....
She is outside thinking.... big mistake Atog.

Back in the car heading to the outdoor place.
"Give the guy a call"
"Sweet, it's a petrol and we want a diesel. Besides we are $X short"
Pulling into the outdoor carpark

^{head swiveling around and around in a disturbing manner.}

CALL HIM
OK

Twenty minutes later
We are inspecting this 4x4

Deal is struck
He takes a deposit and we leave to buy the outdoor chairs that havn't been used yet.

Remember this scene from twelve months ago?




Well as of Saturday it now looks like this.



Yep
Going to the hardware can cost you big time.
Now have a 1997 40th anniversary 80 series petrol Landcruiser.

Be very careful about taking your missus to the hardware
It's all I'm gunna say.
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Oh and yes - she is impressed

Atog
the broke

[millard1399]

G'day atog,

Do you get the impression that the "cheese and kisses" would prefer to travel in something else other than the WB?? (Anything else!!?? )

cheers,
Al.

[atouchofglass]

Hey Al
My cheese and kisses is very subtle about it.
She hinted that the WB wouldn't suit our travel plans by saying
NOT IN THIS LIFETIME!

She wanted a 4x4 just incase we wanted to do some dirt work
I said it was a good idea cause it's big enough to tow a 21'Olympic ;D ;D

Eh Eh ..... subtle ..... but sneaky

Atog

[kiwijim]

Hey Atog,

Congrats on joining the 4x4 club,

That's a very nice Toyota you have scored there,

I bet you are back in the good books with your "Dear One" now,
and hasn't the Olympic patch on the front lawn recovered well ;D ;D ;D

Yep, that will teach you to take the Missus to buy a couple of camp chairs, next time..........

At least now you have the right vehicle to tow that 21' Olympic when you find one, they will look good together and should please the wife even more ;D ;D ;D

By the way, that Toyota should make it across the Sand Patch with ease, Huh Huh ;D ;D ;D

Happy drivin, Kiwijim ;D

[bobt]

hmmmmm

nice wheels..

too high off the ground for me............ I would get dizzy and fall out...

[kiwijim]

Been driving around in the Austin Skate Board,

tooooooo Long Mate. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[atouchofglass]

Hey Gents
Yes Jim she is a decent vehicle that's for sure.
Never thought I'd like a 4x4 ..... but must say.... she's growing on me.
The missus said over the weekend that I look better in it than our little vectra.... too small for you she says...

Hmmm perhaps I won't have that extra piece of pie.
;D ;D

Bob it definitely is tall.
Climbing into it reminds me of watching blokes climbing into trucks..... well almost.
Still it will pull the 16 footer with ease and when I finally get to chasing up a 21' ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Cheers
Atog

[ronaldjohn]

Atog,

They are a really dependable vehicle.
A guy in Victoria recently clocked over 1,000,000 km on a ute, never overhauled and the same motor as yours.
His was on dual fuel!

Service it regularly and it will last for ever!

Cheers,
Ron

[philouise]

G'day Atog.

excellent choice - our congratulations to your missus.

Phil&Louise.

[atouchofglass]

Thanks Gents
The price and condition was just too good to pass up.
We expected to wait another year and save up some more...
But now we are a year ahead on our finances......
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Now starts the saving for the trip around


Cheers
Atog

[kiwijim]

Howdy Atog,

Would that be the Trip..... " AROUND THE BLOCK" ;D ;D ;D

I haven't heard from Millard 1399 lately, ??

Sure hope he hasn't been washed away.

[millard1399]

G'day kiwijim,

I haven't heard from Millard 1399 lately, ??

Sure hope he hasn't been washed away.

No, fortunately we're "high and dry" here where we live. Well, maybe not so 'dry' with all the on-again off-again rain we've been having here lately. Certainly we are well away from the dramas they've been experiencing in Qld, although we did travel through the Toowoomba region when we joined the Vintage group in Crows Nest back in last July. So we've been watching the TV events unfold up there, and sharing a sense of amazement that the lovely places we travelled through are now fighting for their very lives.

As far as any plans for us to do our 'Around the Block' trip go, the only plan we have at this stage is to look for a 16-foot van that has the 'right' layout for us. Until we find the right van, we'll confine ourselves to shorter trips away in the poptop.

Longer term readers of this forum will know I have a couple of vintage caravans as well as the 1977 Millard poptop. One of the vintage vans is now on the "job sheet" and is currently being restored. My boilermaker brother has finally found some time to come over and repair and reweld bits and pieces on the chassis, so for the last few days we've been head-down/bum-up getting stuck into that project. Once we've finished the chassis, it'll be full-on for me to rebuild the rest of it.

At least this one won't have Millard louvre windows...

And nor will the 16-footer we're looking for.

Doing those windows once in a lifetime is enough fun. ;D

cheers,
Al.

[kiwijim]

Howdy Al,

Good to see that you're High & Dry,

I thought that after the great job you did on those Millard windows, you would be biting a the bit to have another crack at some more, ;D ;D

We, also are considering up-dating our holiday accommodation,

That means the Thomson could be on the market in the next couple of months,

The Members on this Forum will have first option for a period of time, then it will be offered on the W.W.W.

Like you, we have a certain lay-out in mind and until we find what we want, we will keep looking,

We have already looked at a heap of vans but, there is always something that just isn't right.

I thought I had scored a good cheap 22ft Coronet last week-end,
I rang the owner who agreed to give me first option on it after inspection,

The "SOD" rang me later to say he had an offer of $2.500 more than the advertised price, I could still have first bite, that was if I immediately drove almost 300 km to see the van, and pay top price if I wanted it.

My answer.......good luck to Ya Mate....I'm not interested.

cheers kiwijim

[atouchofglass]

Jan 12, 2011 17:37:20 GMT 10 kiwijim said:

Howdy Atog,

Would that be the Trip..... " AROUND THE BLOCK" ;D ;D ;D

Sorry for the late reply
Yes mate we are now saving to "go round the block."
The saving on the car puts us way out front time wise.
Our daughter has declined to join us.
If she had said yes we would be in the market for a 21' Olympic. ;D ;D ;D
Instead she will continue with her job here in Cairns while we galavant around the countryside.

I'm taking today off as this weekend is our anniversary.
So we can spend a long weekend doing not a lot ;D ;D ;D

Jan 12, 2011 20:06:40 GMT 10 millard1399 said:

G'day kiwijim,
As far as any plans for us to do our 'Around the Block' trip go, the only plan we have at this stage is to look for a 16-foot van that has the 'right' layout for us. Until we find the right van, we'll confine ourselves to shorter trips away in the poptop.


cheers,
Al.

Hey Al
Still looking at Olympics?

Cheers
Atog

[philouise]

G'day Atog and Missus.

Happy Anniversary.

Phil & Louise.

[atouchofglass]

Thanks Philouise
27 years and counting.
;D

Figured I'd take today off and just chill.....
in the humidity of Nth Qld

Cheers
Atog

[kiwijim]

Howdy Atog,

A Very Happy Anniversary to you and Yours,

Take it Easy and Keep Cool. ;D ;D ;D

Kiwijim & Jean.

[bobandjacqui]

CONGRATULATIONS to you both Atog ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Bob and Jacqui

[atouchofglass]

Thanks Fellas
We spent the day quietly and went out to a Greek restaurant for tea.
Very nice indeed.

Cheers to you all
Atog