Where on earth does the time go. It was just a few short months ago we were talking about how we had such a long time to get everything planned and ready to go. And now, it’s barely four weeks until our much anticipated departure date and still we have so much to do.

What brought about a sudden realisation that it was all getting so much closer was the hours I spent on the internet this week, in the hope of selecting a suitable caravan park in the Darwin region, where we hope to spend at least 3 weeks. Being that we are up there at the busiest time of the year and right in the middle of the school holidays for pretty much every state and territory in Australia, I was going to ring and book us in. As it turns out, the dog friendly caravan parks up that way either don’t take advance bookings, or come somewhat overwhelmingly un-recommended. So, that throws my idea of a perfectly planned trip into total disarray. We are now going to have to bravely go where I have not gone before. That is, drive into Darwin, fingers and toes crossed, in the hope that someone can put us up for a few weeks. If you thought, that I thought that the whole canopy episode was stressful, well this new development is at least on a par with that. Have I mentioned that I like to plan to the minutiae!

As you would well know, I spent Tuesday at the caravan and camping show, which was a huge success. Just being among like minded people got me all revved up and ready to go. I must say though, the shows have changed over the years that I have been attending them. I think back to when I first started going to these shows, something close to 10 years ago. Back then, I would have been amongst the younger visitors. Not so much anymore though and I can’t decide if that’s a side effect of growing older, or the demographic getting younger.

Tuesday was also the day on which I received a phone call from ‘the canopy contact’ letting me know that he was back from overseas and ready to work his magic on ‘The Beast’. This was exciting and comforting news, and thus Wednesday saw me at the factory going over some measurements and particulars with him. Arrangements were made to drop ‘The Beast’ off on Friday for the actual construction to begin.

The remainder of Wednesday, and as it turned out Thursday were set aside for fitting some cargo rails into the tray of ‘The Beast’. What was meant to be a simple job turned into a bit of an effort when some of the pre-drilled holes in the rails didn’t allow for easy access to the bolts from beneath the tray. To maintain the rated capacity of the rails, 28 countersunk set screws, 28 washers, 28 nuts and the drilling of 28 holes in the back of ‘The Beast’ were required. About a day and a half was spent on this, not a bad effort considering some of the inventive methods I came up with for holding the screwdriver in the tray, whilst tightening the nuts below decks. Just one final nut alludes my efforts to secure it to its corresponding screw.

Wednesday evening was all about the dogs and their pre-trip check up at the vets. Our regular vet went over Bethanys test results from a couple of months ago, and suggested that she was doing rather well at the moment, which was of some relief to us. However, she does have a badly decaying tooth which is sure to cause her further health issues if it is not dealt with, so is now booked in to have that pulled out next week. This will require anaesthesia for her again, the poor dear. Then, as if for moral support, Alvin presented with a mole on his flank, which the vet with barley a glance declared to be nasty looking and would require removal. At least they will be together at the vets on Wednesday now and can recuperate at home with each other.

On Friday I bid farewell to ‘The Beast’ for a week or so, leaving it in the hopefully capable hands of the canopy guy. He has at least given me visitation rights, although like a groom seeing his bride before the wedding, I might wait until the job is done and ‘The Beast’ is dressed.

Without ‘The Beast’ to tinker on, I spent the remainder of Friday ensconced in the caravan, fitting a fancy new antenna point and signal booster. Naturally enough, it turned into a bigger than Ben Hur type operation, but it’s now completed. It also pretty much marks the final modification that was required to the van. Not only that, but that bad boy ought to ramp up our TV signal to a level that will enable us to get a direct feed from the Mars Luna Rover. We might be ‘roughing’ it, but we want to ‘rough’ it in comfort, and that means keeping up with our regular diet of trashy TV whilst on the road.

Saturday had been set aside for a special behind the scenes look at the nearby Werribee Veterinary Hospital. Being that we have only just recently donated a substantial amount of money to them, ostensibly for treatment for Bethany, we thought we’d go and check out their open day which we learned about from a flyer in the mail box. It was also of interest to us, as there was to be a lecture on first aid for pets, which we hope against hope that we won’t need to practice while away, but would rather have buried in the back of our minds just in case.

Imagine our surprise when we arrived, to find the place deserted. We were expecting it to be a rather popular day, although the lack of cars and people and animals should have been the first clue. It didn’t click until I saw the big flashing neon sign, proclaiming the open day to be on Sunday! As it turns out, someone (alright it was Bec) had read the flyer wrong and got her Saturdays and her Sundays all confused and we were a day early for the fun and festivities. So tail between our legs, we turned for home, ready to do it all over again tomorrow. In Becs defence, I had read the pamphlet as well, also failing to pick up that we had the incorrect day.

In a case of deja vu, Sunday had been set aside for a special behind the scenes look at the nearby Werribee Veterinary Hospital. Being that we have only just recently donated a substantial amount of money to them, ostensibly for treatment for Bethany, we thought we’d go and check out their open day which we learned about from a flyer in the mail box. It was also of interest to us, as there was to be a lecture on first aid for pets, which we hope against hope that we won’t need to practice while away, but would rather have buried in the back of our minds just in case.

This time when we arrived we were much more impressed to see that the activities were in full swing. We were treated to a self guided tour of the hospital, a series of displays detailing all things related to animal health, as well as making time to listen into a few lectures on animal behavioural traits and of course the much anticipated first aid for pets talk. It was a good way to while away a few hours on an otherwise bleak and somewhat miserable Sunday morning.

For the afternoon, Bec travelled to Geelong to meet up with a friend, whilst I went out to the caravan and hooked up the TV. My excuse was to test out the new antenna cabling, but if the truth be known, I just wanted to watch the Grand Prix. I also managed a half hearted attempt at tidying the garage in preparation for next weeks jobs, none of which are remotely connected to getting ready for the trip, and yet are deemed by Bec to be essential to be completed before we depart.

Until next time, stay safe, have fun and don’t forget to write.