89 - Another week, another milestone.

First of all, fantastic to hear from the Biz Wizards Adventurers, arriving back in OZ after a 6 month stint in the U.S of A. We met Mike and Kerry at the Big 4 CP at Southwest Rocks, northern NSW coast around October 2009. We continued to meet up, in various different places all the way down the NSW coast, with our final get together at Batemans Bay. From there we went west to Canberra, then to Dubbo, Goondiwindi, then coming to a stand still for 5 months at Undara Lava Tooooobes.

Mike and Kerry continued their Odyssey around the coast, and as per last blog will be around the Adelaide area till early next year. We do however, communicate quite regularly by email outside our respective postings. We may even meet up again on our tracks towards NT in 2011. Fantastic people and have an interesting blog, which is listed on the side here.

Mike and Kerry the Biz Wiz Adventurers with the Retro Roamers 

You know that's why I love about this traveling thing. Apart from the fantastic places you see and visit, the folks you meet out there are just awesome. Who cares what your background is, your lifestyle, the rig you have, how much money or possessions you have.......to mine no ones gives a rats. We all seem to have a common goal, of traveling and enjoying life. A mate of mine said to me some time ago.... "The curtain is coming down, and there ain't no encores. "How true is that!!!!!

WE have had a some new travels join us this week. Just love following all these folks, and all the others too, and we feel we are traveling with all of them. We get quite envious, especially us being in the one place for a period of time, however in saying that, this "tour of duty" is serving a purpose, so we are thankful for the longer stint.

As in our heading, Another week and another milestone. This of course is in relationship to the chariots. The Val and its nearly finished Ya!!!!!!!!!!!!. This week was all about a new fuel pump, which for the mechanically minded, is a Ford manual fuel pump, that the mechanic actually, re-worked it to fit the Val. Couldn't get a new manual fuel pump for Val, under a skillion dollars, so I hope the Val can handle a FORD part in her....sssssshhhhhhhhh.

Had the brakes adjusted, new oil and filter also. So what's left.......!!!!!!!! Yes the Val goes back to hospital again on Tooosday for the last time, for a final inspection. The brakes are still not quite right, just a tickle up here and there, and hopefully she is ready to go.  The hospital closes on Friday for six weeks so all has to be done. However the torn air bag will not be repaired, as it hasn't been a priority. Not an issue either, but will attend to it some time down the track.

We really can't wait to see how the Val performs with the RetroLiner on the back. In saying that, and as I posted earlier, with the woes of the car, caravaning to mine was becoming a real chore. The whole idea of re motoring the beast two years ago, was to hit the highways and byways with a Muscle car and have a ball, but for two years have been doing battle with an extremely under performing and very sick vehicle.

Lets hope our dream will be continued without the hassle of a broken motor car. Actually I am going to send the  bill for the repairs of the motor to the original mechanic, with a note highlighting their incompetency. Now I'm being a real bitch.  I know I won't get any compensation, but the satisfaction is the major factor here.

So where are we now! Well can't say much about the RetroLiner at this stage. Last report most of the minor repairs, are all but done. Just waiting now, for an element for the fridge, and a new gas lighting thingo. With a bit of luck, I will have the Val back later next week, and hopefully the repair on the RetroLiner will be  finished. One would like to think, both will be home here at the motel by no later than Friday 17th of December. Mmmmmmmmm we live in hope. Geeeeeeezus it is going to be a very expensive week all round, but all worth it.

Getting away from the chariots, weather wise still very ordinary here in Mackay, however we have not had the rain that most of the east coast  and central areas of NSW and Queensland have copped. I was saying to the bride, we are in a good place right now, with dry feet and a roof over our head. There is definitely a lot of travelers caught up with this rotten weather...our thoughts are with you.

Stay toooooned for this time next week.

Cheers and beers