134 - Gold Coast 2

The RetroLiner parked up on the Gold Coast

Note LED tail and clearance lights, new signage, extra pole carrier and water carriers

Wednesday 4th January 2012
Weather: Brilliant

Woke this morning to an absolutely picture perfect day. Royal blue skies, no cloud and no wind. So apart from the normal things the bride has to do, it was decided we will go for a swim in the ocean at Main Beach.

For those who know the northern end of the Gold Coast, there is not a surf beach....lots of water and canals. and of course the boaties paradise of the "Broad Water." If one wants to have a swim in the "Broad Water," hey that's cool, but when hanging out for a surf, one has to travel a little further...well a lot further.

Well we got going about 11am...WRONG!!!!!!! It is inevitable from our place of abode right now, we have no option than to go down the coast road to main beach for a dip in the surf. Well an hour later, which is normally a fifteen minute leisurely drive, we arrived at the beach.......but what next....can't park. Finally found a spot, wandered down the beach where there was a cast of thousands, had a quick dip and headed back to the car.

The reason we only stayed for a short time, is this beach like all on the coast, aren't really our cuppa of tea. I am sure most know, that we usually only frequent free or deserted beaches, so our time on the sand was very short here. I find it very hard to be herded into a specif area to swim, although safety first is paramount of course, be run over by screaming kids on their boggy boards, and run into by would be body surfers.  End of whinge.

So we headed home, which took another hour. So our social experiment of going for a swim in the surf was not good. We have decided we will not do the surf thing, until all the holiday makers, run away.

O'h incidentally, we look like being here till end January.

Thursday 5th January
Weather: Fine but cloudy

Several months ago, I broke the drivers side door handle on the Val. It has been dodgy for quite some time. One thing with these handles, as they get old, and of course their design, the handle breaks at its weakest point. A common problem. I have replaced many over the years, but a shocking job to replace.So all this time, I have been avoiding getting a new handle.

However the time finally came the other day, as we were sick and tired of opening the passenger door to open the drivers door from the inside. We have to replace the damn thing!!!!!! Seeing we were on the Goldie and my parts supplier was also here, so time was right to get a second hand door handle, as we have done in the past.

New door handles for the Val

Upon arriving at the parts supplier, SHOCK......HORROR........don't carry the second hand handles any more...........but we can supply you with a set of (2) new ones for a $195.00!!!!!!! Yikkies, how can a poor old age pensioner afford that! But after much deliberation, I cracked under the pressure and purchased the new set. Yes they do look flash, and should see out my life time, however the next job is to fit them. That is a mission in it self. Do that fitting job another day

Friday 6th January 2012

Weather: Fine and sunny

As there is a lot going on at the house, with packing up Ann's stuff ready to be transported to Melbourne, and the continual stream of visitors, so didn't do much. Definitely wasn't motivated to fit door handles to the Val....so will attack that another day. I just piked myself up for the trip to Mapleton to pick up the van and bring it back to the Goldie.....Mmmmmmmmmm!

Saturday 7th January 2012

Weather: Heavy cloud with showers

Up early for the trip north of about 200kms each way. Got away at 7.30am filled up with fuel and headed to Mapleton. Pretty good trip up until I got to the Gateway bridge...and drove into a cloud burst of heavy rain. That's cool, put the wipers on.....feeeeeeeerk the wipers don't work!!!!! O'h shite.........so luckily the rain was of short duration, and the sun soon broke through the clouds. Saved for the moment.

I continued on with the weather looking not to bad, however as I got closer to Nambour, I noticed the sky looking quite showery, and all the cars coming towards me with headlights on, wet and wipers going. This can only mean one thing.....rain ahead.

The only alternative from here was to pull off the side of the road, and sit it out the squall, however and per normal, nowhere to pull off safely........so as the rain got heavier I had my hand out the window, wiping part of the front screen with my hand. Not that successful, but helped. I finally came to an off ramp and took that till I found somewhere to pull off, and sit out the rain squall, and see if I can see why the wipers won't work.

Checked the normal things, like fuses etc., however to no avail. So what do I do. Push on and get the van, and take the risk of experiencing rain on the return trip, or turning back to the Goldie. It was decided to take the risk and keep going and get the van.

The rest of the trip to Mapleton was good with no more rain. So once at Mapleton picked the van up, and just threw all the bits and pieces that need to be packed properly, into the van and car, and made our way back to the Goldie.

Well all I can say is phew!!!!!!!!!!!!!. No rain and the van towed well behind the Val. The trip back was uneventful thanks heavens, however the next drama on Monday will be probably having to get another wiper motor. That of course will be another shock to the system. Firstly if I can get one, and secondly how much $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$, plus get it fitted. Me being as mechanical as a cockroach, you bet I can't do it, so Monday all will be revealed.

Sunday 8th January 2012

Weather: Hot and cloudy

Gave the RetroLiner a quick hose down, opened the windows, pulled the awning out, and generally let the van breathe. Took a few photies of the external of the van. Once the inside is cleaned up I will take more pikkies.

Airing out the van, and extending the new awning, I have removed the gas bottles.

Note the LED clearance lights

Note the checker plate door where the air con compressor was

Here is the cubby house for the Coleman Hot Water system

See it just slides out

The power supply to charge the battery of the HWS

All covered up for travelling