What to pack

  Packing is always a difficult matter, especially when you are travelling for a long time and room is an issue. For over 10 years  we have always packed the car, we never used a trailer and so we learnt how to use every little air socket! Now we have the Tvan, we have a lot more space. James, however, is guarding this new found space closely making sure things like dust busters and hairdryers don't find their way in!!
 We each have a container to pack our things in. The usual things will get packed, jeans, shorts,swimmers, undies etc.. I dont expect to need any thing too fancy, last time I checked there was no dress code out in the bush! Despite this though, we still have a "his" list and a "hers" list of things we think we should take and they aren't quite the same. James declared he only needed one towel. Why take two, one will do me he said. Yeah right. In all the years camping I have always packed everyone two each, one for the beach the other for bathing. I will just slip it in when he is not looking and he can thank me later.
  James has spent a lot of time and consideration in making sure that the car and van is set up and serviced to the requirements needed for such a big trip. He has built,collected and bought all the equipment needed to meet any type of situation we may find our selves in. He has been methodical and thorough in our preparations and unless we come across an alien invasion, I feel we are very well set up and prepared.

  I have been busy planning the domestics of camping. I have over the years built up a good camp recepies and what are the essentials that should always be in the pantry. Most important, I have made sure that a fresh expresso with hot frothy milk will be available each morning. Then I can cope with any thing that might crop up.... who said camping was roughing it!!

Before we leave.

Hi all, Its nearly time for us to leave on our big trip to the Tip of Australia. Just over 3 months to travel to the top, down through the red centre and through the back of western NSW then home. After so many years in the planning we have all but made a date to leave. However there are a few things to sort out before we go.
 Firstly, we need to have Daniel cleared by the education dept to go. I sent in the form thinking that I only had to tell them of our plans, but no, you need to plead your case as to why you are taking him out of school because we are away 11days over the 50 day cut off for absenteeism. Its like going for a job interview!! Anyway, we have organised everything with school, and they have set him up for distant education. Daniel thought he was getting away Scott free!! I'm sure all will go well, lets put it this way, we are still going regardless.
 Then there's John our 18 year son who didn't want to come with us. John has been working hard and doing his travelling and will be in europe when we leave. Not what I had wanted but there you go. He,god help us all, will be looking after the house and the 2 dogs while we away. I only hope that our version of house keeping is some what close to his version, but judging buy the condition he keeps his room, I doubt it. But lets not think the worse yet.....

.........you never know.