Wellington - Melbourne

16th April 2008. Departure date at last. Sad to say goodbye to Nicola, Adrian, Brodie and Kaley but we have a big adventure ahead of us.

A bit of nervousness at the airport due the large amount of luggage; 3 large suitcases and 2 sets of golf clubs to be checked through plus 2 pull along trolley cases; 1 computer and 2 hand bags to be carried on. It was quite a feat getting everything organised but no excess baggage fees so Jim was happy! Stephen met us and it was great to catch up with him, Sarah, Oliver and Nicky again having not seen them for over a year.

Down to business first thing the next morning with a visit to the bank to activate our account etc. an then off to pick up the 4WD Prado. Very impressed but there are a few things we have to get done to it; window tinting; alarm; wiring for van fridge etc. so a few days needed to get these things done.

Picking up the caravan was next on the list. Very happy with our choice and then “We went shopping” Did we what! We went to a shop called IKEA that had just everything we needed to furnish and outfit the caravan. It is the most amazing place I have ever been to and we had a great day. Our trolley was just loaded by the time we left. We then had to buy the electrical appliances so Harvey Norman happily had a sale and TV, DVD player, iron, toaster, jug etc. were loaded into the car. The neighbours must have had a field day watching the comings and goings. We certainly filled the rubbish bin that day with all the packaging, wrapping etc.

We were very tired that night and too tired to really appreciate the fact that we were spending the first night in our new van. We are staying at a Big 4 camp about 10 minutes away from Stephen’s. Lots of vans still moving around and the big difference we have noticed here compared to NZ is that at home there are many more camper vans than caravans on the roads, here it is the complete opposite. We have only seen a couple of campers here and the sites are all big with lots of rooms for cars as well, not like at home where the camping grounds are really only geared for campers now.

We haven’t even made the CBD for shopping yet but after being in more malls than I care to remember we are totally shopped out. Never want to see another shop for ages.

Stephen and family have taken us out and about and last weekend we went up to the Dandenongs for a picnic and then a look around the area. Loads of lovely little craft and antique shops and lovely autumn tints in the bush. It was very busy up there with cafes and restaurants doing a roaring trade. Yesterday we went to watch Oliver play rugby. He is captain of his team this year and they had a great win so that was a great way to start the season.

Melbourne has been covered in a smoke haze for about a week. There has been burning off up in the Dandenongs and with no wind the smoke just hangs around. The only visible sign we had for the first few days was the haze but about last Thursday we could also smell the smoke and on Thursday evening the sunset was amazing with the sun looking like a big red ball. The one day I didn’t have my camera with me. We have had some rain now and it has blown away the haze. Melbourne is in drought conditions and the rain has been welcomed by the locals, we don’t want too much of it though.

If all goes according to plan we hope to be on the road to Moe on Wednesday 30th April and then the real adventure begins. My next instalment should be from the coast somewhere between Melbourne and Sydney.