woo-hoo - another campervan relocation job lined up
after the fun of last years jaunt in nz's north island
this one rather more ambitious - sydney to alice springs
4 days allocated to cover 3000km - we opt for another 2
another lesson learnt from last year - bigger is better
so a 6 berth vehicle is selected to provide more comfort
a later than planned start due to some airport deliveries
then tardiness in the dealing with paperwork at base apollo
we are the lowest class of customer so nothing too unexpected
though melinda and her french intern are helpful and pleasant
we have taken full advantage of the unlimited baggage allowance
so multiple suitcases, boxes and bags are loaded into the vw van
a round of pre-trip photos and we're off - speedo reads 139217km
the comfort factor flickers in the high register with our vehicle
it is responsive, comfortable, has great visibility and/but auto
all tested quickly while navigating around the sutherland shire
google maps assisting to avoid toll booths and unwanted ticketing
a great feeling of escape as we hit the hume's dual carriageway
it has been a busy 5 days in a busy city so the contrast is felt
we're loaded up with asian munchies galore so hunger is abated
liqourice dried fruit, wasabi seaweed, taro moshi balls to start
before long the carefully selected cd wallet is also plundered
old favourites - cafe del mar, neville brothers, st germaine
perfect driving music and a pretty decent sound system at work
we had a choice of north and west or south and west - same kms
memories of the hay plain and the murray river suggested south
target for today - hay - a late start so that is under review
a few spots of rain and a reminder of more predicted westwards
quite light traffic and a cruising speed of 110km - all is good
we change driving roles and both agreeing - a pleasure to drive
no worries then about the 5 long driving days to come - prepared
we hang a right off the hume and hit the a94 - burley griffen way
good to get onto a previously untravelled road and some new scenery
dual carriageway it is not but entirely enjoyable it certainly is
a gently twisting and undulating road through gentle hilly country
the traffic now lighter again as we now excitedly head due west
we pass through small towns that seem to be closed for business
for sale signs on a few houses bringing to mind the sydney scene
another contrast - i doubt there is any real estate frenzy here
and for me a real sense that urbanisation is an almighty force
our apollo lady said 500km per tank - surely not - has to be more
so despite passing through various towns offering fuel we push it
silly us - the last quarter of tank disappears quickly as do towns
6 hours after leaving sydney and darkness approaching - worried
and then the god of petrol stations thankfully answers our call
a kind of roadhouse in the middle of nowhere and diesel on tap
inside reminding me of a scene from some american road film
and the lady cashier all but wishing me to 'have a nice day'
the final push for the day gets us to the town of narranderra
it seems relatively large but it's now dark so no investigation
we pass through and find a rest area in the trees at yanco creek
cruise in and then spend the required time to finally unpack
read the compulsory how-to manual and rustle up a fine meal
rice and pickled vegetables washed down with a nice shiraz
with the ambience of rain showers and illuminated road trains
very happy - 566km covered on the first day of darwin-or-dust
and an early night in order for an early start and do it again...
