Arriving home from an overseas trip last October Joy suggested holidaying in northern Australia next time. This was just the opening Barrie wanted! Two weeks later we were looking at a secondhand Ssangyong Musso (shown here when we tested its carrying capacity by helping Adam move).

New Year’s Day we bought the caravan. This was not exactly what Joy had in mind when she suggested the holiday. However, the plan is to drive to Cairns in June, spend 2-3 months exploring the northern and north western parts of Australia, then return home.

Readying the vehicles for the trip was more extensive, and expensive, than we had anticipated. On the Musso we have: added electric brake controls; had the windows tinted; bought all terrain tyres; added transmission cooling, cruise control, a level ride to keep the caravan stable and a cargo barrier. For the caravan we have bought, in addition to kitchenware, bedding, a TV and an air conditioner, sundry other items too numerous to mention, but including gas bottles, water hoses and connections, a gas light, … The canvas poptop has been replaced, some minor repairs carried out, gas connections provided, …

The van came with a 4ft wide island bed. “You’ll be sorry you don’t have single beds in the heat up north” warned all of the experienced caravanners. “One of you can always migrate” came some additional advice. Barrie decided to widen the bed and volunteered to be the one to crawl in from the end. His new 5ft wide ‘games area’ now dominates the interior.

"We need a van with air conditioning" said Joy. Apparently air conditioning is installed in a cupboard, and much of the kitchen has to be rebuilt -- at a cost of $2,500 and some cupboard space. Joy grudgingly agreed to settle for a fan. "It's all you need said the experienced caravanners." However Joy does not give up easily and when she saw inexpensive room air conditioners advertised she decided that one could be fitted into a window. Barrie has manufactured a support structure and surround fill. The air conditioner can be carried in the Musso, and fitted into the window relatively easily and quickly when needed.

Another essential addition was the microwave. This fits nicely into a corner for carrying, but cannot be used in that position. Barrie has manufactured a fold out shelf to sit it on when it is needed. The air conditioner will certainly ensure that the microwave doesn't overheat (there's not much space in a caravan).

At the end of April we had our first trip away in the van -- two nights in Bendigo. We had booked this site before we bought the van. Joy had been organising a family reunion at Campbells Creek (near Castlemaine) for this weekend and we decided to stay at a caravan park in Bendigo. As a gentle start to the hardships of caravanning we chose a site with an en suite.

We chose to drive up the 'back way', through the ranges most of the way. This is a challenge for our automatic diesel Musso, however we made it, with a stop off at the Campbells Creek hall. After setting the van up we were able to relax for a while before going out to dinner. Joy is shown here 'relaxing', the TV in the background was telecasting (live) the ANZAC Day football match for Barrie.

The family reunion was great. Lots of new relatives, all lovely people. There are photos at http://au.photos.yahoo.com/teague_family_site. Sunday morning (our birthday) we woke to steady rain, despite the forecast of a beautiful, fine weekend, and packed up in the rain, Joy holding the umbrella as the rain gear was at home. After visiting 3rd cousin Adele and Norm, we drove home down the freeways, much better than the drive up.

Essential for any trip away is Internet access. Joy purchased a new mobile phone with GPRS, and an infra red detector. We plan to take two laptop computers, one for Barrie, to be used mostly to download photos from the digital cameras and turn them into slide shows, one for Joy for Internet access. Joy spent considerable time trying to do three apparently simple things: connect the computers using a crossover cable, attach a printer to either, and set both up for Internet access. Thanks to some help from a very generous new friend everything now appears to be working. "Why are you taking two computers when you are going on holiday?" asked our insurance rep when Joy phoned to sort out insurance details. "Doesn't everyone?" responded Joy.

"Why does Barrie need so much time to get ready for the trip?" we get asked. Barrie has been doing all sorts of minor maintenance and 'little' construction tasks, such as the air conditioning surrounds, the bed, a cover for the back of the Musso and, most recently, a support structure for the gas light in case we are without electric power anywhere. In addition to providing us with a high, stable outside light, this piece of construction (still to be painted) also doubles as an outdoor drinks table.

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