It was a chilly night last night, with Bec curled up under a pile of blankets while I sat spilling the beans on our days activities. She wasn’t overly happy when I reminded her as I slipped beneath the covers that since the generator was still chugging away, she could have been luxuriating in the same glorious warmth I was about to enjoy by turning my electric blanket on! We ended up so hot that we were soon kicking the covers off.

Sadly, we couldn’t leave the generator on all night, as it would have petered out before morning due to a lack of fuel, but it was nice while it lasted. Surrounded by the golden silence once we switched the generator off, with just the occasional truck thundering by to annoy us, we were both soon enough feeling the chill again, while the blankets made a welcome return.

We were woken early by the pitter patter of rain gently falling upon the roof and little feet running up and down the van, Bethany needing to go out to relieve herself. Despite the allure of watching what looked to be a magnificent sunrise, a vivid pink just starting to peek out over the top of the trees, it was back to bed then, shivering cold, for an hour or so before the alarm was due to sound. When it did, we jumped up to get ourselves ready for the relatively short drive into Adelaide. Still icy cold, we made good time if for no other reason than to be able to get up into the warmth of ‘The Beast’.

The Morning View Out Of Our Kitchen Window.

It was only 9:30AM when we wheeled out of our little camping spot and took the road west towards Adelaide. We had an appointment to keep at the Adelaide Showgrounds where the annual R.M. Williams factory outlet sale was in full swing. My plan was to see if we could score a car park nearby, remembering that we would still be tugging the van along behind. If no suitable space for our 14 something metres was to be found, then we would check into a caravan park for the night, drop the van and make our way back to the sale. As you can imagine, this was to be the first highlight of our trip. We just had to get there first.

This was easier said than done as we hunkered down and put pedal to metal to zoom up and down through the Adelaide Hills at pretty close to the speed limit. I did notice that the needle on the fuel gauge was dropping at a rate quicker than I would have liked or expected, It was enough that I was worried that a brake or wheel bearing on the van might be dragging. I decided to throw caution to the wind however and strive for the mighty R.M. Williams sale first. I would sort the van out after that.

Arriving on the outskirts of Adelaide, we wove our way through the suburbs to the showgrounds. Turning into the entry road, I decided to do a drive by first, to see what parking was available. Bad mistake, as ‘Shazza’ failed to highlight that the tiny little street I had just turned onto was a no through road. At the end of the diminutive little avenue, I was faced with the ominous choice of reversing back out around the 90^o bend or making an illegal maneuver to exit against the one-way sign. Illegal or not, there really was no other option, so with a swift tickle of my right foot on the accelerator, ‘The Beast’, followed by a bouncing tin can surged out into the un-expecting traffic.

It was then a bit of an effort to find our way back to the entrance of the car park, but at least I had been able to confirm that there was ample parking space for our rig, caravan and all.

Let Me At It!

The R.M. Williams sale itself was being held in one of the sprawling sheds of the showgrounds, although many of the tables were already gloomily bereft of wares. Despite the early signs, we were soon manhandling armfuls of goods back and forth to the fitting rooms and before we knew it we had blown much of the budget for the entire trip. And surprisingly, Bec spent more than I did! As a bonus though, free parking was included with any purchase, so it turned out to be a respectable choice to park onsite.

Back at the van, I spent the better part of the next hour emptying the boot to get access to the jack, winding up each side of the van in turn to check the brakes and wheel bearings. I was unable to identify any issues, so the unexpectedly excessive fuel use remains an unsolved mystery.

Having squandered away close to three hours already, it was time to make a beeline for a nearby petrol station for more go-go juice for ‘The Beast’ and another gutful of insipid fast food for Bec and I. Fueling up ‘The Beast’, the generator and a small jerry can of unleaded for the generator drew the ire of one impatient witch who had the misfortune to pull in behind us, although as far as I could see, there were still a half dozen other bowsers she could have headed for, and I’m pretty sure I couldn’t see her name on the ones we were currently emptying.

Back on the road proper, we then only had to navigate our way through the centre of Adelaide, popping out on the other side and heading for tonights camp spot right on the beach in the small township of Parham, barely an hours drive out of Adelaide. That will put us in good stead to reach our next stop tomorrow.

Despite the low number of kilometres added to the odometer tally today, it still felt like a pretty full on day, and we were glad to be pulling in for the night by about 4:00PM. Being right near the beach, albeit a beach covered in piles of stringy, dry and crunchy seaweed, we took the babies for a quick walk along the limited patches of sand we could find for them. It is Alvins birthday today after all, and at this point in time we were still happy with them.

The Whole Gang On The Beach.

That was all about to change though, when Bec decided to have an afternoon nap, only to find an extensive puddle of what could only be dog pee all over the bed. It had obviously been steeping and seeping through the bedding since we had left Adelaide, and had by now successfully soaked through every single layer of bedding. Spare sheets and doona covers we came prepared with, but as for a mattress protector and a rather expensive, dry-clean only woolen underlay, we were left sorely wanting.

It was a somber mood as we struggled to change the bedding, before hoisting the sodden mess that was the soiled bedclothes into the back of ‘The Beast’ for dealing with hopefully tomorrow when we are at least due to check into a caravan park for a couple of nights.

Naturally our ire couldn’t last too long, as both of the babies looked at us with big bold puppy dog eyes, almost as if to say: “If you hadn’t left us in the van for hours, we wouldn’t have pissed on your bed”. So with the little ones almost forgiven, I must now go and get Alvins birthday dinner ready, before we sing him ‘Happy Birthday’.

By the way, I have decided that since hasn’t come to the party, yet, I will try for an agreement with R.M. Williams. You know the deal, click as many times as you can on the logo, to let them know that I love them!!!

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