6 months and counting

[McGirr]

Well just a tad over 6 months to go for the big trip. How is everyones planning going.

I have still alot to do on the camper plus a few little things to do on the cruiser. But with the eet season approaching I should have all this done well before then, unless fishing gets in the road.

We will be heading to Darwin on Sunday 29th April 2018 for a few days to get a service done on the cruiser and maybe new tyres. Some shopping and then head to Katherine. 

Mark

[MarkVS]

We have to replace some things that are going to be going sometime soon(eg. car tyres, batteries in the car etc). But will do those closer to the trip.

Have planned the trip up and back at a high level..........not sure if we'll plan those bits out much more. Since we'll be going for 4.5 months, am keen to try a bit of 'winging it'.

Have spares etc to get.

Other than that, really not much more on the car or camper...
 
Just have to work out how the house is going to be looked after while we're gone, and how/if/where Olivia will be joining us...


MarkVS

[GeoffA]

.......... am keen to try a bit of 'winging it'.

I can recommend it Mark. Makes for a very relaxing holiday.

We plan to join the crew for part of the run down the GRR. We're really looking forward to getting out again. It's been too long since our last big trip.

[tracker]

We have to replace some things that are going to be going sometime soon(eg. car tyres, batteries in the car etc). But will do those closer to the trip.

Have planned the trip up and back at a high level..........not sure if we'll plan those bits out much more. Since we'll be going for 4.5 months, am keen to try a bit of 'winging it'.

Have spares etc to get.

Other than that, really not much more on the car or camper...
 
Just have to work out how the house is going to be looked after while we're gone, and how/if/where Olivia will be joining us...


MarkVS

   Just a suggestion on how to have your house looked after Mark..... We went on to Aussie House Sitters site and orginized a house sitter when we went to Broome for 2 months. We went placed our departure and return dates and then went through the list of applicants and after checking references ect. picked out a couple to house sit our house and look after our doberman. It worked out great.  The sitters don't charge anything and we didn't pay anything. They just stayed in house for free rent ect.

                                                     Cheers Tracker.     

[b1]

To whet the appetite 

https://vimeo.com/179548836

[Doweymex]

Bought a new to us car for the trip so that lessens the stress a little. Got a nice 100 series with not much left to add to it for the trip. Little bit more room in the back for the kids now!
Will start replacing the odd hose here and there now.

Trip up and back has changed a little as we realised dates worked in better with school terms than we thought. Probably do red centre on the way up, Tanami on the way home. Have 8-10 days to get home to eastern vic. Will plan this over Jan more.

Biggest planning thing at the moment is food. Be interested to hear what everyone else uses for planning. Do you use a spreadsheet etc?

Also now just packing. Moving down from ute to wagon has its disadvantages!

[McGirr]

Bought a new to us car for the trip so that lessens the stress a little. Got a nice 100 series with not much left to add to it for the trip. Little bit more room in the back for the kids now!
Will start replacing the odd hose here and there now.

Trip up and back has changed a little as we realised dates worked in better with school terms than we thought. Probably do red centre on the way up, Tanami on the way home. Have 8-10 days to get home to eastern vic. Will plan this over Jan more.

Biggest planning thing at the moment is food. Be interested to hear what everyone else uses for planning. Do you use a spreadsheet etc?

Also now just packing. Moving down from ute to wagon has its disadvantages!

With regards to shopping do the alcohol shopping in Katherine due to restrictions in Kununurra. Regarding food do the main top up in Kununurra as they have a Coles there. The WA border crossing is very strict with what you can carry in to WA. Along the way most places will have the bare minimum until we get to Kalumburu where there is a local store. Will go through all this when we all meet up in Katherine.

No need for a spreadsheet.

Mark

[MarkVS]

On some of our earlier trips, we used to plan out the meals and Kerry used to freeze up individual meals etc.

Kerry now makes sure our pantry has spices, dry herbs, rice, pasta, tinned veggies, sauces...and some good camping recipes you know you can do easily.......and we adapt as we go....
You never know how your day will turn out...long drive, hot day, quick lunch stop,instead of long.... and from what Mark has said and others on the GRR Facebook page, access to grocery shops isn't that hard....
We over planned our food.....if you are concerned about access to greens, then just take some supplements with you in case.....
So keep it simple and easy and don't over think it...


Mark & Kerry

[chester ver2.0]

Bit of Froze meat some salad and veg

It is the Gibb not the Kalahari

[barraboy]

Just wondering how many Fridges do members recommend. Say one for Drinks and cheese fruit and veges ect and another used as a freezer. From the Itinerary it appears that we are spending many days between access to supermarkets so I am thinking that the 2 fridges would almost be mandatory. What do you Guys think?

[McGirr]

Just wondering how many Fridges do members recommend. Say one for Drinks and cheese fruit and veges ect and another used as a freezer. From the Itinerary it appears that we are spending many days between access to supermarkets so I am thinking that the 2 fridges would almost be mandatory. What do you Guys think?

I will be traveling with 2 fridges. Currently have 2 x 40ltr ones but may upgrade to a 75ltr plus use one of the 40ltr ones. I drink alot. 

Also need to keep all the fish fresh. 

Mark

[MarkVS]

Have a 40l in the car and 90l in the camper

[McGirr]

Have a 40l in the car and 90l in the camper

Might go 110 ltr, just so mines bigger 

Mark

[GeoffA]

Our last trip that way in 2015 we had 90L in the camper, and 75L + 35L in the car.

Dunno, but it may have been a slight overkill.....

[MarkVS]

Our last trip that way in 2015 we had 90L in the camper, and 75L + 35L in the car.

Dunno, but it may have been a slight overkill.....

Says the man with 2 axles on his camper........😀

[barraboy]

I remember that fridge you had in the back of your Car Geoff, on the Cape trip. Always full of ice cold beers .Beautiful!

[MarkVS]

At the current 'parts replacement' rate that I am going at the moment, I will have an almost new Pajero travelling up.... ....Gotta love the Paj....

[Alan Loy]

We only have 1 fridge, is there any point in bringing an esky, is there enough ice available to make it worth while?

[McGirr]

We only have 1 fridge, is there any point in bringing an esky, is there enough ice available to make it worth while?

What size fridge.

Mark

[Alan Loy]

It's a Bushman so up to 50lt

[McGirr]

It's a Bushman so up to 50lt

There will be limited places along the way to get ice.

I just purchased a 75 ltr fridge and will also carry a 40 ltr fridge.

Mark

[McGirr]

I am slowly getting things done to the camper. My problem is I grab a beer stand there looking at the camper in the garage working out ideas on what I want to change / fix. Well that takes at least 4 to 5 beers by that time I forget what my idea was and then have a few more beers hoping the idea comes back but then too pizzed to do anything.

So waiting for gear to come from Ebay and hopefully the ideas I forgot will come back to me.

Mark

[richo36]

You and my hubby Greg are gonna get on pretty well I suspect ... same interests ... BEER BEFORE ALL ELSE!
Lyn Richo

[McGirr]

145 days to go. 

Mark

[Alan Loy]