With the end of 2023 upon us and the beginning of the new year tomorrow, I thought I would reflect on where we are up to right now and what is needed for us to hit the road in our new rig next year.
We started the year in Victoria with the plans to arrive in Rockhampton for March. This was when Fred was to commence a full time work stint at Q Mag. It had been organised in advance and at the time we did not know just how long we would stay. Our initial idea was to spend a few months, save a few pennies and see where life would take us.
We had committed to volunteer at the Big Red Bash in Birdsville in July but this was our only real plans at the time. We extended this to include a 3 week trip in the Simpson Dessert which changed our lives. After a wet and muddy Bash we set off in our Jimny, leaving De Busta holidaying with some good looking caravans in the caravan park at Birdsville. The dessert was beautiful, green with wild flowers blossoming everywhere.
When travelling, Fred and I always find things to talk about. This trip, we spent a lot of time discussing the pro’s and con’s of downsizing our humble abode, aka De Busta. We love De Busta but 19 metres is a lot of rig and at times we feel limited to where we can go. We felt it was time to make a change to allow us to access more of our beautiful country. So typical of our form, once an idea appeals to both of us, it doesn’t take much for momentum to build . Within a week of returning to Rockhampton, Fred had found us a truck and the decision was made.
Fast forward to now and we have our truck home with us and the work has begun. We have removed the existing tray, fabricated a subframe, attached tool/storage boxes, attached the hydraulic levelling system, sourced and picked up the habitat box panels and are steadily squirrelling away various items for our build. To date we have been able to stick to our budget and hopefully this will be the case for the remainder of the build.
At the moment we are working on the roof rack which is almost finished, and ensuring that the truck is ready as it is booked for a roadworthy this week.
In the coming weeks, we await the arrival of our water tanks. After the tanks are received and installed, we will be able to begin the habitat box construction. Once the panels are erected, we will then fit out the inside leaving a few jobs; the outside kitchen, stairs, solar/power system, aircon, wheels, winches, tyre inflation system and the awning. Wow when put in black and white we still have a ways to go!
Our hope is to have our truck ready to head back to Birdsville for the Big Red Bash again in July and hopefully to tag on another trip.
Happy New Year to all, wishing you and your families a bright, bountiful and healthy new year ahead. Remember bounty is not always material, look after and take time for yourself, families and friends.
Stay tuned until next week…………. Fred and Gayle