14th of may to the 24th of May

14^th of May.

On the road again and loving it, our first port of call was the Pinnacles 170km north of Perth.  We had lunch in the van in the car park before disconnecting the van to drive around the loop road. We then headed onto a free camp about 100km south of Geraldton. The campsite wasn’t bad for an over nighter with the Indian ocean 10metres from our van.

 

15^th of May

Drove up to Geraldton and set up camp in a caravan park the kids enjoyed the afternoon playing in the park and I met up with some new people at beer o’clock.

16^th of May

We were going to head off, But Jess was a sick little girl. Megan and I headed off for a bit of fun one on one time. We headed up to hmas Sydney memorial then down to the park for a play.

17^th of May

Drove from Geraldton to Kalbarri. On the way following the coast road calling into the cliff face lookouts over the ocean. At Kalbarri we had lunch in the park and drove out to nature’s window for a 1km return walk with the girls. After the 50km dirt road return drive from the main road to the lookout we head back out to the main highway heading north and ended up about 160km north of Kalbarri at a free camp.

 

18^th of May

Had the best start yet kids woke up around 6.45am we had breakfast Kate fed the baby and we are on the road at 8.30am. 10km up the road driving along the truck decided to blow up its motor. I had to use the sat phone (as we didn’t have Telstra or Vodafone reception) and ring up Nrma for them to organize a tow. After a couple of calls and waiting, Lucky for the caravan just sat inside and watched a dvd while the kids played at the dinner table. The tow truck turned up at 1pm with a car already on the tray an old Au falcon. I transferred all the baby seats into the back of the falcon while the tow truck loaded up my truck. The next problem was the tow truck couldn’t hook up to my caravan so the only option was to hook the caravan up to the car. The only problem the old falcon towball was rusted in and I needed to fit my offroad hitch. Even with a big spanner, a hammer and wd40 I couldn’t get it off. Then I remember some heat applied to the nut could free it so up onto the tow truck to get my map gas bottle and burner. After 5minutes of heating I could have almost undone it by hand if it wasn’t so hot. After a long day the nrma organize for a us to stay at a caravan park and the tow truck dropped my truck off at the local racv.

19^th of may

Started ringing around trying to price getting a motor and getting it fixed. The mechanic where my truck was already had another patrol with the same problem and it had been there for a month and still waiting. I had found another option but was still looking down the barrel of close to $12000+ in repairs. I spoke to Brunswick diesels that do chev v8 conversions and they appeared interested in buying my truck if I didn’t want to spend $25000 converting my truck to a v8 diesel. I liked the v8 diesel idea but also had to pay over$2000 to get my truck towed to them plus have no vehicle for over a month so ruled this out as an option.

20^th of May

Being a Sunday I just relaxed went to the beach with the kids and tried to forget about my small problem. Before heading to bed that night I decided to send some pictures of my truck to Brunswick diesel with an option for them to buy it.

21^st of May

8am I get a phone call from Brunswick diesel and they are keen to buy. Only problem is there 800km south and I need to send more pictures I walk up to the racv shop take some pictures and email them off. He tells me he needs a couple of days to add up some figures and work out if he can make money on it.

22nd of May

Today is our 8^th wedding Anniversary so we all head up to the local pub for lunch and have a walk around town. Not much else we could do with 3 kids by ourselves.

23^rd of May

Brunswick calls and agrees to buy my truck they send a contract for it via fax at the caravan park reception. I sign it and return and by that afternoon the money is in my bank account.

24^th of May

I walk around the caravan park at 8am dressed and with a bag looking for someone packing up and heading to Perth. The 2^nd guy I asked is going straight down as he is also looking to buy a car for the wife. He is almost packed and leaving in 15mins. Well after a long day sitting in the back of someone else’s car (his wife even paid for my meat pie at lunch must of felt sorry for me lol) we arrived at Joondalup where he wishes me luck and drops me off at the shops where our Friend Danni picks me up. I had a few cars to look at a few pajeros and prados. I ended up looking at a pajero that night but decided to look at few more the next day before making a decision.

I have to thank the Gentleman and the Lady that took me down to Perth. (sorry I have forgotten your name to much going on in my head this week)

Thank Dani and Jamie for taking me in again

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