Geez it feels like its getting close now, even though its still 4 months away …

The countdown has taken on a more urgent and somewhat sinister tone.  Not that I’m not looking forward to the trip, quite the opposite, but I’d like to get a few more pre-tasks checked off the list sooner rather than later.

I am panicing a bit at all the things that still need doing and yet every weekend still seems to get chewed up with other tasks and events.

In reality, a lot of things are already done.  The trip agenda is as planned as its going to be.  The van really doesn’t need a lot done to it to be ready.  Not many more items need to be purchased.  If we needed to we could go tomorrow.  Except …

The big news though is that the tow vehicle has changed.  A bit of a spur of the moment decision has seen all my preparation for the current vehicle wasted and I need to start again with a blank canvas.

The blank canvas has already been coloured in pretty well though.  We’re starting with a Prado Kakadu Diesel.  Bullbar, Towbar, Dual batteries, Snorkel, High current wiring loom, Roof racks, etc all need to be found, purchased and fitted in the time remaining … and I’ve not placed the order for it yet.  That should all happen tomorrow though and the dealer has one in stock in Kellies preferred choice of colour.  Delivery is hoped to be April 1st.

The Rexton celebrated the news that it was not going to be going on the big trip by overheating … it wasn’t really overheating, just the gauges said it was.  And folks reckon cars don’t have emotions, feelings and personalities … I beg to differ!  We’ll all feel a bit more security in doing the trip in a less exotic vehicle though.  I’ve woken up a few nights from dreams where we’d been stranded and our holiday ruined due to not being able to get a part for the Rexton. 

Hopefully my dreams return to blissful Coral Bay sunsets, sipping something from Margaret River, while watching the kids play on the beach and marvelling at the location.  The most frequent recurring dream I have though is one of hitching up on day 1 and driving past work that last time (for awhile), up and over the Westgate and looking back over the city … it’s a bit emotional .. and it’ll be bloody surreal (and unreal)  when it happens ‘for real’, with a rod and reel stowed in the van and REEEEAAAALLY quiet kids in the back of the car … in just 109 days.  Doesn’t seem quite real yet … I’d best go to bed and dream some more.

Kellie has us both back on ‘the crazy diet’ for another 3 weeks stint.  We should be both very close to our goal weights by then.  I’ll be the lightest I’ve been since discovering beer …