Judy & Brian Tour Oz

Well, here it is then - the new hack! Finally managed to find a few minutes to actually hook the van up and sort out the hitch before taking it for a spin around the block. First thing that struck me was that the safety chains are now way too long - I can't imagine why this is so, perhaps it is that the ball is 5cm lower, but I've had to let the last 3 links dangle free to get anything like a setup that would stop the van from hitting the ground. Then there's the holes for the 'D' shackles - I was in the habit of poking one leg up through the hole and then fitting the bolt. This can't happen here because the hole is just too small (but stronger I tell myself). You end up having to put the bolt through the hole but the end of it jams on the hitch holding bolt/pin and it's just plain awkward. Took and age to sort out something that is OK to go. Next was the beloved breakaway link. I have to say that I'm not that impressed with this now mandatory ...

Sorry, couldn't help the pun. Yes, it's true. After 240,000km the time had come for the BMW X5 to be given a rest. We've grabbed a brand new Ford Territory, a Titanium no less, and had it fitted out with the Ford heavy duty tow bar, a Tekonsha P3 brake controller, a Redarc BCDC charger to keep the caravan batteries alive and had the faithful ICOM 440 two way radio reinstalled. The only other bits we went for were floor mats (can you believe that they sell you a new car and it comes with 1 floor mat on the drivers side? So you have to buy the pack of 3 to fix it up), a mat for the cargo space and a set of lock nuts to keep the wheels on the car. Apart from the niggle that at $55000 for a new top of the line car these things should be included, they then tell you that you have to put them in / on yourself or book it in and for a fee they will do it for you. Talk about 'memorable customer experience'. They have no idea. What would it cost them to supply the car f...

Drizzled rain all night. Not looking good for the grand parade! We braved the weather and 'did' the market, much the same as any market I reckon, although Judy managed to exchange hard earned for a bag of trinkets. We picked up some cheese and strawberries as well, so all is not lost. On the way over we walked past a jazz band just getting started, and they were still there on the way back, blowing up a storm. Naturally we had to stop and drink coffee and eat cakes and drink more coffee. There were great - thoroughly entertaining. We had a little comp to see who could take the best snap of the bass man who had the most wonderful craggy face. They finished up just as the parade was announced. Sadly it took another 20 minutes for the first bit of action, then another 20 minutes... Just a bit of fun in the end and we kept our coffee seats warm just in case. Oh, yes, the Autumn festival tag is because all the trees are turning and bringing some fabulous colour into the vall...

Slid out of town today and wandered off down to Bright in the Buchan Valley at the foot of the 'Alps'. OK so the hills are bigger than most others but 'Alps' is a bit of a stretch. Took lunch at Holbrook Bakery (where else?) and then down to Chiltern and across to Bright. Seem to have lucked into a really good spot, even if it isn't overlooking the Ovens River. This is the X5's swan song, watch the space, as they say!