Today we really tested the van. Howling winds, hail, sleet. Drove most of the way and it handled brilliantly. Headwinds and hill climbs proved the greatest challenges but the combination of the Tarago and Jayco survived the test.
Can’t seem to lower the petrol consumption no matter how hard we try. Still between 280 and 320 K’s per full tank. We’ve also been doing our own fuel watch. Varies between 164.5 and 179.9 and diesel - well we won’t go there.
Interesting to note the cost of staying at caravan parks on a powered site. On the first night was $17.50. Day 2, $19.50. Day 3, $21.50. Day 4, $24.00 and here at Robe on Day 5, $27.00.
Facilities for those of us without showers or toilets in the van are excellent. The early morning hot water shower really starts the day. The ease of setting up each night continues to amaze me as time to do so gets shorter and shorter.
Now to the roads. The NSW Government can take a lesson from South Australia as they are far superior, especially the Princes Highway which we travelled on most of the day.
The verges have much more scope to stop without getting bogged, plenty of room to pull over, terrific rest areas and rubbish receptacles. But why oh why is there no allowance made for the parking of caravans within and around the CBD’s. Hate to be trying to find spaces in peak holiday times.
National sign posting is still a major issue as is distance to the nearest fuel location as not all small towns sell petrol. It’s something to look at after the trip.
Met an amazing number of people yesterday and today, both in the visitor’s centres, the caravan parks we stayed in and visited. And with respect to the ‘gray nomads’, you are getting younger all the time.
Our neighbours last night were a family with a 10 month old baby, a six year and a ten year old. Been travelling for 2 weeks with still a week to go. They love it and say it teaches their children about Australia, the environment and creates close family ties.
One other couple had been on the road for some 4 months. Told me they started years ago camping in the back of a ute, then to a tent, then to a van and now to a self contained van.
They love going off road but also miss the companionship of others stayiong in the caravan park. Another young man came form Switzerland looking for work.
Tonight we are camping alongside Grandma and Grandpa’s camper van. Can’t wait to meet them.
Whilst in Mildura we were stopped by a lady saying she was family of mine, asking was I really Jo Gash. Turned out she shares the same surname but hails from New Zealand.
Asked me if I would watch her swim as she wanted to let her friends know that a Gash came to watch her. It never ceases to amaze me the varying reports and comments we get. Put all these people in Parliament and Australia could probably be a better place.
Tomorrow we go to Mount Gambier via Naracoorte and Penola. Time to do some washing and once again, the hardest thing I’ve had to cope with is memorising the 7 digit code to get into the shower block and toilets.
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