A final trip in the van (#vanlife)

Just back from a few weeks touring north in the van. When the latest quick pandemic lockdown in Victoria ended I took the opportunity to drive north from Melbourne, up through country Victoria, through NSW and ending at an old friend's place at Dorrigo.

Along the way, it was great to see VK3EB, VK2BLQ, VK2ASU, VK2KB, VK2NWB, VK2KYP plus Debbie, John (2), Peter, Sue, Hansen, Merv, Charlie, Bronwyn, Rosie, Tony, and Paul, (the latter who oddly don't have amateur radio callsigns).

This time I turned off and saw the dog on the tucker box at Gundagai for the first time.

I enjoyed sleeping in the van and in particular it's nice when it rains.

On this trip I did avail myself of quality local accommodation along the way. It used to be that the feature on the sign was "Colour TV" now it's "free WIFI".

One motel had these wonderful chairs outside some rooms. I had just listened to an ABC RN program about Jimmy Possum chairs but I don't think this is one of them.

Mobile operation, mostly just digital, was good with the new IC-705. (I did find that there was RF feedback over the USB cable). Here's my travel case.

The van has now done 411,000km and it is showing its age. (The moon is closer than this! - 384,000km). Rust is spreading and apart from using oil and coolant the gearbox is wearing out. I plan to get the coolant leak fixed and sell the van cheaply or even for scrap soon. I've enjoyed the van over the past few years - it's taken me right across the country. I feel a little sad and nostalgic, but it's time to move on.