Author Archives: rohan

Ararat Trip – Day 1

Posted on 19 September, 2010 by rohan

Odometer – (248 km travelled)

Start: 126129 km

Finish: 126377 km

Travel: Melbourne to Ararat via Ballarat

Weather: Mainly cloudy; scattered showers; A few sunny periods

Temperature: Max 16°C

Meals -

B: Usual (at home)

L: Beechworth Bakery @ Ballarat

D: Roast Lamb

After picking up the girls from their Guide sleepover at 10am, we packed the car, topped up with petrol and were on the road at 12.18pm.

With freeway conditions all the way to Ballarat, the drive was fairly easy.

Lunch was taken at Beechworth Bakery in Ballarat before the final stretch to Ararat via Beaufort.

Interesting to see a couple of wind farms along the way – Waubra and Challicum Hills – and also a small herd of Belted Galloways, none of which any of us had seen first hand before.

We arrived at the Acacia Caravan Park just after 3.30pm. John and Colleen had arrived earlier in the day and already had the main part of the van set up. Our first task was to get the annexe set up – a fairly simple task, although a little height is required. That done, we settled in, got bedding on the beds and dinner – roast lamb with all the trimmings – on to cook.

Dishes washed and  coffees drunk, we made our way to bed by around 10pm.

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Trial Run – Ararat

Posted on 12 September, 2010 by rohan

We’re heading off for a trial run in the new van next week – 3 nights in Ararat.

Day trips in and around The Grampians.

Should be fun!

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Let the Countdown Begin!

Posted on 5 August, 2010 by rohan

365 days to go until our big trip begins, and given how fast the last six months has passed, I’m sure it will be here before we know it…

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Quality Assurance

Posted on 13 July, 2010 by rohan

Today, John had the privilege of taking a tour through the Jayco factory to experience the caravan making process first hand. And the verdict was positive indeed – a big tick next to Quality Assurance.

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Sealed…

Posted on 6 July, 2010 by rohan

John today provided final confirmation to start the construction of our camper trailer.

ETA: 6 weeks.

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Signed…

Posted on 6 June, 2010 by rohan

Floorplan (picture courtesy jayco.com.au)

Jayco Swan (picture courtesy jayco.com.au)

After months of research on the net, a few “formal” holiday meetings, a couple of Caravan & Camping Shows, a library presentation and many conversations with more experienced caravaners, we were ready to bite the bullet and make our purchase – a brand new Jayco Swan, from Page Brothers in Seaford.

So this morning, John, Colleen, Emma, Sarah and Matilda made the trek down the freeway to Page Brothers to “sign on the dotted line”. They spent time going through all the details, including selection of colours, farics and optional extras.

Plenty to see.

Choosing fabrics

Done deal - John signs on the dotted line.

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“…yeah, why not?”

Posted on 14 September, 2009 by rohan

Driving home yesterday from yet another restful weekend at Seaspray, and Emma says, out of the blue, “I think I’d like to go on a driving holiday around Australia. I’ve always wanted to see the wild flowers in WA.”

Well, I certainly didn’t see that coming!

But it only took me a few seconds to mull over the concept before realising that the idea was, for some reason, very appealing. So my reply, “…yeah, why not?”, was probably more surprising to Emma than her initial statement to me!

And so the seed has been planted…. we’re going around Australia! The remainder of the journey was spent discussing potential timing, routes, method of travel and numerous other aspects of our new travel plans.

All very exciting!

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