Bundaberg Caravan Handover Trip

After buying a Ford Ranger at the Manheim auction in Brisbane in early August, it was all go to get back to Bundaberg to pick up the caravan in the Jayco yard. Handover day was booked for Monday 10th September.

Here is our lovely old 1987 Toyota Coaster, just to show some of the contrast we will be getting into in OZ

Richmond’s Queen Street with its new updated Main Street.

Leaving NZ (Nelson in particular) the views are stunning



There are only two such natural Boulder Banks like this in the world and we’ve been to both. The other is in Japan near Miyazu called Amanohashidate: “The Bridge to Heaven”.

Brisbane arrivals seem to be always at sunset...nice, nice!

So we left NZ on the 5th Sept to stay with relatives in North Lakes, near Brisbane to get all the various ducks in order.

Setting up a Westpac bank account in Australia was clunky and difficult at best with several trips to the bank, finally we got there!

The warmer weather was much appreciated on my morning walks around the suburbs and we even had some rain (not much in drought stricken Queensland).

The photo below show the local park which has a cricket ground in the middle, with combination Rugby/Soccer goal posts.

Crazy paving

The golf club has a treemendous bulge tree, you could say it has quite a bit of bottle!

Proof that yes it does rain in Brisbane!

The first job was to replace the “munted” damaged aluminium bar on the back of the ute, so that the canopy guys can install the new checkerplate canopy. This was quite a nice job...thanks Nick for the use of your tools and workshop (much appreciated).

On she goes mate, bolted down through the old ali deck which is also lined with 4.5mm rubber sheet.
 

A Chinese guy called Max (yeah right) bolted it all down through the existing deck.

Next job, get some folding bikes to put inside the canopy.

Back at North Lakes bike shop, some folding action was happening.

The canopy has two walls 450mm in from the sides, with an inside ceiling height of 1m

Gas struts and rubber seals, hopefully making it red dust proof?

So we should have plenty of storage room both in the car and canopy.

Off we head north staying in the Mooloolaba/Caloundra area, with the essentials.

This is the Mooloolaba Marina.

The next morning at 7am on a Sunday it is all go!







Classic lifeguard stance and build...he’s sunk a few too by the looks!

We double backed a bit to go to the Caloundra Market, which was worth the trip.

This artist finger painting on the spot on glass with oil paints was really good...but couldn’t put a finger on it!

Nope this hat didn’t pass muster

Meanwhile back in the marina this was happening.

Oh oh...I’ve come to the End #6....good job I survived the other 5!

 Next Blog will include handover day and all that, that entailed.

Whew...this holiday is enjoyable hard work....

Cheers Jimu & Christine.

“Too easy...Too easy.... Mate”