Move out of the old car thread, I'm loving my new van.
But some prick side swiped me the other day so I've now got two scratches the full length of the driver's side. Not going to get it fixed yet because I don't want to be off the road.
Youngest daughter has organised a family holiday to Kingscliff, so loaded up today to head off tomorrow. Me and the dog in the van, Wife, Daughter 1 and boyfriend, and daughter 2 flying in Sunday.
Two SUPs on the roof, two longboards (9'4" and 9'8") inside.
I made up the longboard lengths but it's something like that.
And a fish.
Boards fit inside with the back bench seat folded down.
Got beer and food.
Taking 4 days to get there.
Night one at a very nice dog friendly motel in Wodonga.
Not going far each day so I don't over stress the dog.
Just need to find a dog friendly pub for dinner.
I do keep looking at vans for similar purposes.
But the Wife-Boss frowns every time I mention it, given that I have a swag, three different sized tents... and a camper trailer.
We're actually off to Hastings Point next weekend, to 'camp' at the old Big4 there ("North Star" now?).
I'll keep an eye out for your van when we inevitably swing into Kingscliff - I'll side swipe the other side to balance the damage for you.
I also see your water cannister in the back of your van. Last Christmas, my two eldest 'kids' independently gifted me a "Beach Soul" 'beach shower' (www.beachsoul.com.au). My initial thought, in my head, was what the F am I going to do with one, let alone two. Turns out, I'm a convert. I keep one in my car and one in the camper trailer.
They claim that the unit keeps water warm/hot - I'm not convinced, but have never tested it either.
And you could probably re-purpose a Bunnings garden sprayer to do a very similar job at a fraction (?) of the price, of not worried about the black plastic and neoprene cover.
Nonetheless, great for washing feet, boards, kids, and maybe even dogs?
Wodonga to Wollongong today.
Easy trip but my GPS took me via the Illawarra Highway which must be the most windy road in the world! Some corners signposted at 15 kmh. Not going that way again.
Select to expand quoteMacaha said..
Just posting so AL's classic car thread isn't on the top 
Good luck to ya,it will be No1 all time thread soon
Select to expand quoteAl G said..Macaha said..
Just posting so AL's classic car thread isn't on the top Good luck to ya,it will be No1 all time thread soon
Port Macquarie tonight.
Can't believe how busy it is up here.
Wollongong to Newcastle was full on traffic, and I seemed to be the only one concerned about the speed limit.
Easy roads though, freeway just about all the way
Great looking Van 
Like Damned I was looking at the hybrid, but cost is up there compared to petrol!
Hope you're getting plenty of waves
Good week in Kingscliff - great to be out of the Melbourne weather.
Bit windy all week but daughter 1 boy friend got out every day on longboard or fish.
Daughter 1 out on longboard, I got out on the creek as surf and wind scared me too much on the beach breaks.
Surprised how busy it was and how big Kingscliff was.
Had a great house walking distance to beach, shops and restaurants, pub, surf club.
Van did a great job ferrying us around the place - with the back seat up to make a 5 seater Gabe's fish still fitted behind it.
On the way back now- me and the dog in Port McQuarrie again.
Greetings from Wollongong!
Crap day on the road - stationary for about an hour on the M1 between Newcastle and Sydney.
Five hour drive took six and a half, put me in to too much traffic coming through Sydney and in to Wollongong.
Howling windy shaking my lake front cabin
Select to expand quoteNozza said..
Greetings from Wollongong!
Crap day on the road - stationary for about an hour on the M1 between Newcastle and Sydney.
Five hour drive took six and a half, put me in to too much traffic coming through Sydney and in to Wollongong.
Howling windy shaking my lake front cabin
Great thread Nozza one of the best for sometime. Safe travels mate.
Wodonga for the night after a much better day on the road.
Adaptive cruise control in the van makes things really easy.
Totally shocked at the crowds in freeway service centres with MacDonlads and KFC etc..
I carry my own food and stop at non service centre rest areas if I remember to fuel up in the morning and don't have to on the way.
I think I actually hate people in groups no matter what the circumstances......
Back home after a horrible drive in to Melbourne in pouring rain, too many trucks, accidents, freeway speeds down to 40k.
Thinking of a Pambula River trip in November now
I drive to the Gong and Newcastle from Sydney southern end but don't go north often enough to get used to that freeway. It is a survival game. If you do the speed limit you are an obstacle. I can imagine anxiety levels rising in that traffic. I also drive to Geelong a couple of times a year and seem to hit Melbourne at peak hour in the afternoon. That is just as crazy. Everybody in a rush to get home. I thought drivers were more cautious down there because of unmarked cameras etc but there are quite a few crazies there as well. At least you are home safe and relaxed. Maybe time to fix that 11ft Munoz.
I tried to keep an eye out for you while I was down at Hastings (and travelling to/from Kingscliff and cabarita)- at least your van, so I could scratch up the other side for you.
Was great weather - but had too much fun hanging out with my 7 yo son to worry about surfing much. He became a fishing demon, and made great friends with the local pelicans. If I wasnt so lazy, I'd post a couple of pics.
For the sake of posting something I resumed my Covid activity of waterblasting the pavers yesterday.
Did out the back - very satisfying.
Photos to follow.........
About half way through.
Much better doing it in spring when the temperature was 32 degrees today, I can do it barefoot rather than freezing in wet workboots.
Beaches down here have got so busy I can't cope with Melbourne.
The Island is much better.
