The first three days were spent covering 900 odd kms, from Adelaide to Streaky Bay, which is on the West of the Eyre Peninsula; from there we would get ready for the long drive to WA.
The first day, Friday 15th, was spent driving northwards, covering quite a bit of road we covered on our way South to Victoria from the centre. It was strange being in the car again – checking out all the little improvements Darren had given the car while I was away (including a shelf on which to put all my travel guides, camera, diary and all the other bits of rubbish that used to sit next to me on the seat).
Darren was very excited to be off starting again, but I felt a bit cautious. I had had so many questions from people asking if I was REALLY enjoying myself, and how did I COPE with the flies, mossies, lack of bathing facilities, toilets etc., I was starting to question myself about it. Can I really face another 6 months of this?
Our first night was spent at Germein Gorge. It was a beautiful evening and we arrived at our deserted free camp site as the sun was going down.
Here we go again …
Uncouple the caravan, check it is horizontal, I wind down the stabilisers, Darren winds up the roof. Darren pulls out the bed ends from outside, takes out the clothes box and cooking pot, unfolds the sink and cooker. We push out the canopies over the beds and secure them inside. Darren secures the canopies for the beds outside to prevent small creatures visiting in the night. I put the outdoor table, folded in its box, outside and then put up the kitchen table and make the beds. Darren puts the door in place and puts the clothes box on the fridge. I stop up all the holes with black bin liners and items of Darren’s underwear to prevent a mossie invasion. Then, a sweep out of all the sand and goodness-knows-what we have brought with us from the last place - and we are done!
I am exhausted. Zzzzzzzzz
Next morning, pack up. Darren takes out the clothes box out of the caravan, I dismantle the table and stow its leg under the seat. I unmake the beds and fold the bedding onto the now low table and place the folded outdoor table on top, also unstop any holes with the bags or underwear. Anything needing to go in the car (my bag, the computer etc) is placed by the door, where Darren collects it and puts it in the car. I close the gas hob cover and zip up all windows. Then pull down the canopies over the beds and stow the metal bars holding them up. Darren stows the bars that are holding up the beds from the outside, under the mattresses. Darren then unlatches the door and attaches it to the roof of the caravan. With luck, I remember to do up the skylight, as this can be problematical later. Darren folds down the sink and hob and puts the cooking pot in its place. I undo the canopies over the beds from the outside and place the box of clothes back in the caravan on the door mats and close the small door. Darren pushes in the beds to the centre of the caravan then starts to wind down the roof while we both check the sides are folding in on themselves properly. When he has nearly finished this, I start winding up the stabilisers (clockwise = going forward = going forward with the journey therefore clockwise when we are leaving, anticlockwise when we are setting down). Darren clips the roof in place, he returns the crank for the roof and I return the crank for the stabilisers to the car. He reverses and I direct, then adjust the jockey wheel to the right height so we can couple up. We then each attach a safety chain to the car. One last circle of the caravan, both check the gas has been switched off, and we are ready to go!
This, every day? Good grief how could I not LOVE it???? (And all that rigmarole is without the awning up!) I wanted to go to sleep just writing this, I am surprised you are still reading…
This is why, where we can, we spend 2 nights in a place, unfortunately that is not planned for a couple of days.
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