Getting Set Up

So much to do!

We have the van; we have the 4WD, but before we leave, we had to fit it all out and customise the van to suit us and where we're going.

First job was to get rid of the awful mustard-yellow curtains and replace them with pale green block-outs. Of course, I had to buy new bedding to match :).
New crockery, cutlery, utensils and appliances, although we had quite a bit from our camper trailer, which we sold to buy the van.
Then, a new table top to replace the black one which the previous owner had scrubbed so much, she'd worn the surface off and every time you wiped it, the cloth turned black. We solved the problem by buying a 2nd-hand coffee table, removing the top and sanding and resealing it. Lovely - and it matches the cupboard timber.
We've also replaced all the lights with LEDs and added another deep cycle battery to the 4WD, so now we have 3 to collect the power from our 2 x 100 watt van-mounted solar panels, and the 120 watt portable solar panel.

The big items to be budgeted for were an 'axle-flop' for the van (the axle is underslung so it's below the springs instead of above them). This raised the van by 10cm, which stopped us dragging the hitch on speed-bumps, and will give us much more clearance on dirt roads. Then we had to get a pull-out step fitted so we could get in and out of the van at its new height.

Next big-ticket item is to fit a turbo to our 4.2 diesel Nissan Patrol. It will pull anything, but labours on the hills. A turbo will make it into a Beast!

New front tyres, a BabyQ Weber barbecue, a DreamPot (more later) and a halogen convection oven, and we're nearly set up.