I have been following the Forum for quite a long time now, but I was waiting until I actually knew when I would be getting a van before I joined and this was looking like it would be a number of years.At the Sandown Leisurefest last October I met the Leylands and we talked of my dream of travelling with my 4WD and van.Mal told me to just pack up and go, dont worry about the money it would sort itself out (easy said!!). Ten days later my workplace called for interest in voluntary redundancy packages.So it was hello voluntary redundancy, goodbye work and hello to my new toys the beast (Kia Sorento) and the beauty (Regal Deluxe Compact Tourer, the whole 12 feet of her!!)OK, she is a little van but she does have ducted reverse cycle air conditioning.Together will do great things; i.e. travel all over the countryside.I hope we meet up sometime.
-- Edited by Esmeralda on Monday 7th of March 2011 11:56:47 PM
-- Edited by Esmeralda on Monday 7th of March 2011 11:59:01 PM
Welcome Esmeralda. You go girl!
It's a great feeling, and a good life. Enjoy what you experience over every hill and around every bend.
See you out on the road some time.
pws25 said
05:20 AM Mar 8, 2011
Gmornin Esmeralda, good onya mate for takin the plunge! So where/ whens ya first trip??...
Firefly said
11:16 AM Mar 8, 2011
Mal was right after all mate.
Welcome to the forum and I just loved that story, congratulations.
Cee said
08:01 PM Mar 8, 2011
Hiya Esmerelda,
Welcome to the forum..........great bunch of people here, always helpful and great for a few laughs as well............congrats on taking the plunge..........luv the pic of the van.
Keep Smiling
Esmeralda said
10:52 PM Mar 8, 2011
Hi pws, I am planning a short trip to Shepparton in the next few weeks (a bit of a practice run) and after Easter school holidays I plan to follow the Murray River for a little while. Only planning shortish trips at the moment - but then again the Murray isn't short.
Esmeralda said
10:57 PM Mar 8, 2011
Thanks for the welcome. The van is small but hopefully will do the job for a while this is all a learning curve. I have to get used to towing and parking by myself. Going forward is OK but I need a bit of practice reversing!
blaze said
11:26 PM Mar 8, 2011
Has the 4x4 got a low range. I have been reversing things for 30 years and in tight spots I always select low range
cheers
blaze
Esmeralda said
01:32 PM Mar 9, 2011
Hi Blaze There is a dial which says 4x2 HI, 4x4HI and 4x4LO - so far I have only used the first one.
Esmeralda said
01:34 PM Mar 9, 2011
Thanks for the warm welcome Cee, Firefly and Cruising Granny. Look forward to meeting up some time.
Happywanderer said
01:36 PM Mar 9, 2011
Welcome Esmeralda, You will find it all a lot of fun and learn along the way, good luck.
Sheba said
03:23 PM Mar 9, 2011
Welcome from me too Esmerelda. That suggestion from Blaze sounds good to me. You'll be able to go reeeeeeeeeally slowly.
Cheers, Sheba.
nomadic1 said
05:49 PM Mar 9, 2011
Welcome Esmerelda. I'm just finishing my 'shake out' trip. I've had a great time doing it - now just have to fix the bugs I've found then I can start for real! See you on the road some day.
HeadnHome said
07:41 PM Mar 9, 2011
G'day and Welcome, hope you enjoy your first trip away, and trip along the murray sounds great!
Cruising Granny said
10:20 PM Mar 9, 2011
Well HeadnHome, I hope your gumboots don't leak. You've sure had more than your share of rain up that way.
HeadnHome said
05:26 PM Mar 10, 2011
not wrong Cruising Granny! its either been to hot, to wet or to bloody windy to
really go anywhere and enjoy it, I'm getting itchy feet just want to get away for
a weekend in the camper..
rockylizard said
08:48 PM Mar 10, 2011
Esmeralda wrote:
Hi pws, I am planning a short trip to Shepparton in the next few weeks (a bit of a practice run) and after Easter school holidays I plan to follow the Murray River for a little while. Only planning shortish trips at the moment - but then again the Murray isn't short.
Gday... Welcome to the forum and it all sounds great Esmeralda ... I am currently on the Upper Murray ... came over from Wangaratta, Kiewa, Tallangatta, Tintildra, Walwa and now in Corryong. The drive along the Murray Valley Hwy and Murray itself is magnificent ... so green and the water is breathtaking. It would be a great 'short' trip ... round trip from Albury. Cheers and happy travelling John
jules47 said
09:10 PM Mar 10, 2011
Welcome Esmerelda - I have a little van, and have just done my first solo trip with it (14ft) no AC though, fans are good. Went down to Victoria from SE Qld - just got back today - and yep, going forward is fine - have to learn backing - wanted to get it in the yard, and lucky me - my lawn mower man, who used to be a truckie, arrived and backed it in for me - he reckons he will give me some lessons one day - when he is not busy - that will be never! Oh well, might just do some small backing in yard - after I clean the grime off.
Esmeralda said
09:52 PM Mar 10, 2011
Thanks Jules - it looks like you had a great trip. I am sure I will get used to the small space but, as you said, it does have air conditioning, personally I think the previous owner went a tad overboard, but no doubt it will be appreciated in the hot weather. My Dad is teaching me to tow and to reverse park (and getting a bit confused about left and right) but I think I will get a reversing camera for the van, the one on the car certainly helps. Cheers
Esmeralda said
09:58 PM Mar 10, 2011
Hi John, It is a long time since I spent much time on the Murray. I am thinking of going to Corryong and start from there, but still not sure. I plan to spend a little time in Rutherglen as my uncle and aunt had a winery/farm there some time ago - now both deceased.
Esmeralda said
10:04 PM Mar 10, 2011
Thanks Sheba, I think I have mastered going slow and the never ending getting in and out to see where I am at - it is the backing straight I seem to have problems with - and coordinating the mirrors. Cheers,
Hi all,
I have been following the Forum for quite a long time now, but I was waiting until I actually knew when I would be getting a van before I joined and this was looking like it would be a number of years. At the Sandown Leisurefest last October I met the Leylands and we talked of my dream of travelling with my 4WD and van. Mal told me to just pack up and go, dont worry about the money it would sort itself out (easy said!!). Ten days later my workplace called for interest in voluntary redundancy packages. So it was hello voluntary redundancy, goodbye work and hello to my new toys the beast (Kia Sorento) and the beauty (Regal Deluxe Compact Tourer, the whole 12 feet of her!!) OK, she is a little van but she does have ducted reverse cycle air conditioning. Together will do great things; i.e. travel all over the countryside. I hope we meet up sometime.
-- Edited by Esmeralda on Monday 7th of March 2011 11:56:47 PM-- Edited by Esmeralda on Monday 7th of March 2011 11:59:01 PM
Welcome to the forum and I just loved that story, congratulations.
Welcome to the forum..........great bunch of people here, always helpful and great for a few laughs as well............congrats on taking the plunge..........luv the pic of the van.
Keep Smiling
There is a dial which says 4x2 HI, 4x4HI and 4x4LO - so far I have only used the first one.
Welcome from me too Esmerelda. That suggestion from Blaze sounds good to me. You'll be able to go reeeeeeeeeally slowly.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Welcome to the forum and it all sounds great Esmeralda ... I am currently on the Upper Murray ... came over from Wangaratta, Kiewa, Tallangatta, Tintildra, Walwa and now in Corryong. The drive along the Murray Valley Hwy and Murray itself is magnificent ... so green and the water is breathtaking.
It would be a great 'short' trip ... round trip from Albury.
Cheers and happy travelling
John
Cheers
It is a long time since I spent much time on the Murray. I am thinking of going to Corryong and start from there, but still not sure. I plan to spend a little time in Rutherglen as my uncle and aunt had a winery/farm there some time ago - now both deceased.
Cheers,