Thursday and we drove from Eungella Dam towards Mackay and turned off to Eton and then down the Peak Downs Highway and had lunch in the Retreat Hotel Rest Area and on to Nebo where I dropped Steven off to continue his hitch hiking safari down to Emerald and Carnarvon National Park. I have done enough going south and wanted to get back to Townsville and had decided to visit Lake Elphinstone Camps6 #82 so I started northwards inland towards Collinsville and Bowen. Lake Elphinstone is an out of the way location but is hugely patronised by the travelling fraternity, there is a large area to camp stretching along the lake with good amenities and a donkey shower. I had never heard of donkey showers before but they work by heating up large quantities of water with any available wood, in this case with pallets and used wood from the mines heating two 44 gallon drums and then being pumped into the showers. My last shower was at Guthalungra so I gratefully took advantage of the donkey shower. Dont work out the number of days it is too embarrassing. John
jetj said
03:36 AM Aug 11, 2012
Another beaufiful place, I was wondering about showers availability on the road, I guess they are or can be a problem.
yeoeleven said
03:50 AM Aug 11, 2012
jetj wrote:
Another beaufiful place, I was wondering about showers availability on the road, I guess they are or can be a problem.
They can be but I am lazy I have a shower tent and a Coleman Hot Water On Demand shower unit but never seem to be in one place long enough to be bothered setting it up. I intend to stay in one place longer this time and get set up with the annex too, I got sidetracked with Steven catching up and then setting off quickly down to Eungella.
John
Sheba said
03:59 AM Aug 11, 2012
How does the Hot Water On Demand Unit work John ?
Cheers,
Sheba.
Duh said
04:10 AM Aug 11, 2012
Looks like a nice spot John, don't forget you can heat a bit of water in a saucepan on you gas ring and use a facecloth in a bowl to have an all over body wash, advise start at the top and finish at the bottom......not as good as a shower but you will feel much better for it! I used an icecream container for my wash bowl when I was travelling solo! Baby wipes are good too for a quick wipe over without the mess of water.
PS: I didn't have a shower tent then but kept a good distance from others and had my wash outside the van on the hidden side after dark!
yeoeleven said
06:23 AM Aug 11, 2012
Sheba wrote:
How does the Hot Water On Demand Unit work John ?
Cheers,
Sheba.
Hi Sheba,
the water is heated up by gas there is a location at the back of the unit where a canister screws in, it can also take a larger bottle using a flexible pipe.
The water is pumped up with a 6 volt battery unit so it can be used seperately from the van and there is a plastic pipe running from the unit into a bucket or special water holder.
The water is pumped up into a shower rose that is tied to the top of the shower tent.
It is a good system but bulky for the van and I have a special cupboard for it and the generator.
John
yeoeleven said
06:29 AM Aug 11, 2012
Yes Vic I remember how thorough you were from Cosy Corner, much more diligent than I was and I haven't changed since then either.
John
Duh said
09:10 AM Aug 11, 2012
yeoeleven wrote:
Yes Vic I remember how thorough you were from Cosy Corner, much more diligent than I was and I haven't changed since then either.
John
Nice shower that one outside the dunnies, surprisingly for a cold shower it was luke warm.....pity it was located in the day area and not further down the beach in the camping area though....
I do remember you giving me a demo of the workings of the hot water on demand system you had at the free camp at Borden....
-- Edited by Duh on Saturday 11th of August 2012 09:13:35 AM
rockylizard said
05:05 PM Aug 11, 2012
Gday...
Please, please be very aware of unrestrained articles within the passenger area/s of your vehicles. Should anything occur, and heaven forbid it never does, loose items can be killers.
An example - a sudden stop from 60kph, (an accident for instance), will cause a box of tissues on the rear parcel shelf of a sedan to travel forward and and have sufficient force to knock an adult unconscious should it hit the back, or side of the head. Imagine what heavy unrestrained articles would do if the vehicle overturned - even if only onto its side.
Always restrain articles within your vehicles.
Cheers - John
-- Edited by rockylizard on Saturday 11th of August 2012 05:07:10 PM
jetj said
05:45 PM Aug 11, 2012
Those hot water on demand seem good from the descriptions, but in a Hiace I find it hard to even find room for pop up shower.
I used a cold shower in a picnic area at Hawkes Nest and suddenly there was an audience of about 30 kids and a few adults appeared.
Happywanderer said
06:36 PM Aug 11, 2012
Yes Janette, and what happened next. lol
Re finding room. I am about to repack my van which is the same size as yours. Have decided a lot more is going to be packed on the passenger seat and floor in front of it from now on, so I don't have to keep moving things around in the house part. So I am thinking My shower tent, solar panels (portable) and moon chair should all be able to stand comfortably on the floor with other stuff packed around them. Also my buckets etc should be able to slide in there, then all books and relative stuff will be on the seat, all packed in order of when I need them. Should be easier that way as you only have to open your passenger door and its all there to see what you want.
Loving your trips and photos yeoeleven (John). You give me so much inspiration.
jetj said
08:33 PM Aug 11, 2012
I would like a box with a lid to house the porta potti instead of it sitting there in all it's glory for everyone to see when I lift the tailgate.
-- Edited by jetj on Saturday 11th of August 2012 08:38:14 PM
Colls said
09:19 PM Aug 11, 2012
Hi Janette, I also have very little space in my wagon. Ive had to come back to Perth for Dr's so am in the middle of yet another cull in the hope to be able to use a tent...maybe. HW. the front seat seems a good way to go for storage. I was thinking of putting my mech/hardware stuff on the floor (in the hope I wont need it) just in case I do need it or the hopes that if someone else is in need I wont have to expose all the little things I probably should have left at home.
Duh said
09:33 PM Aug 11, 2012
How about a pull over cover made out of material as per one of Sheba's suggestions? That might work, also wouldn't be bulky etc.
-- Edited by Duh on Saturday 11th of August 2012 09:34:33 PM
Happywanderer said
12:14 AM Aug 12, 2012
They are more likely to go flying if I leave them stacked in the back of the van John. I have heaps of bits and pieces lying around the floor in the house part. Water bottles, portaloo etc. I also have a box of tissues sitting on the table in the house section. It never moves. Maybe the items in the front stacked upright on the floor on the passenger side could have an occy strap used to tie them securely. Might have to try that.
Sheba said
01:18 AM Aug 12, 2012
yeoeleven wrote:
Sheba wrote:
How does the Hot Water On Demand Unit work John ?
Cheers,
Sheba.
Hi Sheba,
the water is heated up by gas there is a location at the back of the unit where a canister screws in, it can also take a larger bottle using a flexible pipe.
John
That makes it a no-no for me then. Won't have any gas larger than a small butane cannister in my Campervan. I'll stick with the 12V unit and a bucket when I want Hot water. I was told the water from the external Shower would be warm enough after a full days travel, but haven't tested that yet.
The "Donkey" has been around for generations. Still used in some areas of Cape York today as well, and probably a lot of country areas.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Duh said
01:30 AM Aug 12, 2012
rockylizard wrote:
Gday...
Please, please be very aware of unrestrained articles within the passenger area/s of your vehicles. Should anything occur, and heaven forbid it never does, loose items can be killers.
An example - a sudden stop from 60kph, (an accident for instance), will cause a box of tissues on the rear parcel shelf of a sedan to travel forward and and have sufficient force to knock an adult unconscious should it hit the back, or side of the head. Imagine what heavy unrestrained articles would do if the vehicle overturned - even if only onto its side.
Always restrain articles within your vehicles.
Cheers - John
Some good wisdom John, I've often thought that a sedan boot is preferable to a hatchback for that reason also, less chance of anything in the back of the vehicle becoming a missile.......on the humerous side, imagine your shopping in the back of you hatch and having a dozen eggs hit you in the back of the noggin, apart from impact damage to your noggin, just imagine the mess!
Colls said
01:51 AM Aug 12, 2012
Have just finished a cardboard template for a box with a lid to see how it went. Although it wont hold alot, it does hold small shovel, hammer, wire, matches and a couple of other small items. I was going to put a small esky on top but after your advice I might check it out for size as well before I actually make up the "real" box. Thanks for the advice, I can feel the eggs already.
Regards,
Colls
Happywanderer said
01:57 AM Aug 12, 2012
I am lucky enough to have a seat in the back with a lift off lid, plenty of room inside for all my tools. It holds everything from oil, to compressor, clothes line to hammer, torches to spanners. So everything is out of the way for when I need it. A bit like your box Colls, everything tucked away safely.
Sheba said
04:08 AM Aug 12, 2012
If you can't hide it, why not camoflage it some-how. Maybe either Paint it, or make a cloth cover for it, or cover it with an Adhesive Paper or something. I once covered a Fridge with Marble Patterned Adhesive Paper. Looked marvellous.
Is there any way you could make a Curtain to hide it behind ? Bit hard to make suggestions if we don't know exactly how it's situated when you lift the tailgate.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Happywanderer said
04:37 AM Aug 12, 2012
Sounds like you have it sitting in the aisle Janette. About the only thing would be a cloth cover over it. Mine sits on the other side of the side sliding door. Looking through your open door on your avatar, it would be on the other side wall and a bit to the right, sits next to the wardrobe. I have seen square cushions at the cheap shop in Childers, will go get one to pop on top of portaloo so it looks like a seat.
Mary said
04:39 AM Aug 12, 2012
I have a discreet can vas slop overcover for mine with some loops to fit restraints so it's firmly in place in transit.
jimricho said
02:41 PM Aug 12, 2012
Donkey showers at Lake Elphinstone
Very handy for washing donkeys, can they be used for washing mules and horses too?
(oops, sorry, didn't mean to make an ass of myself)
yeoeleven said
06:51 PM Aug 12, 2012
jimricho wrote:
Donkey showers at Lake Elphinstone
Very handy for washing donkeys, can they be used for washing mules and horses too?
(oops, sorry, didn't mean to make an ass of myself)
jetj said
08:24 PM Aug 12, 2012
Thanks for your ideas, some great ones. I haven't posted photos of the inside of the van because it changes so often. I'm still looking for the ideal setup. I must do so soon though.
Thursday and we drove from Eungella Dam towards Mackay and turned off to Eton and then down the Peak Downs Highway and had lunch in the Retreat Hotel Rest Area and on to Nebo where I dropped Steven off to continue his hitch hiking safari down to Emerald and Carnarvon National Park. I have done enough going south and wanted to get back to Townsville and had decided to visit Lake Elphinstone Camps6 #82 so I started northwards inland towards Collinsville and Bowen.
Lake Elphinstone is an out of the way location but is hugely patronised by the travelling fraternity, there is a large area to camp stretching along the lake with good amenities and a donkey shower. I had never heard of donkey showers before but they work by heating up large quantities of water with any available wood, in this case with pallets and used wood from the mines heating two 44 gallon drums and then being pumped into the showers. My last shower was at Guthalungra so I gratefully took advantage of the donkey shower. Dont work out the number of days it is too embarrassing. John
They can be but I am lazy I have a shower tent and a Coleman Hot Water On Demand shower unit but never seem to be in one place long enough to be bothered setting it up. I intend to stay in one place longer this time and get set up with the annex too, I got sidetracked with Steven catching up and then setting off quickly down to Eungella.
John
How does the Hot Water On Demand Unit work John ?
Cheers,
Sheba.
PS: I didn't have a shower tent then but kept a good distance from others and had my wash outside the van on the hidden side after dark!
Hi Sheba,
the water is heated up by gas there is a location at the back of the unit where a canister screws in, it can also take a larger bottle using a flexible pipe.
The water is pumped up with a 6 volt battery unit so it can be used seperately from the van and there is a plastic pipe running from the unit into a bucket or special water holder.
The water is pumped up into a shower rose that is tied to the top of the shower tent.
It is a good system but bulky for the van and I have a special cupboard for it and the generator.
John
Yes Vic I remember how thorough you were from Cosy Corner, much more diligent than I was and I haven't changed since then either.
John
Nice shower that one outside the dunnies, surprisingly for a cold shower it was luke warm.....pity it was located in the day area and not further down the beach in the camping area though....
I do remember you giving me a demo of the workings of the hot water on demand system you had at the free camp at Borden....
-- Edited by Duh on Saturday 11th of August 2012 09:13:35 AM
Gday...
Please, please be very aware of unrestrained articles within the passenger area/s of your vehicles. Should anything occur, and heaven forbid it never does, loose items can be killers.
An example - a sudden stop from 60kph, (an accident for instance), will cause a box of tissues on the rear parcel shelf of a sedan to travel forward and and have sufficient force to knock an adult unconscious should it hit the back, or side of the head. Imagine what heavy unrestrained articles would do if the vehicle overturned - even if only onto its side.
Always restrain articles within your vehicles.
Cheers - John
-- Edited by rockylizard on Saturday 11th of August 2012 05:07:10 PM
I used a cold shower in a picnic area at Hawkes Nest and suddenly there was an audience of about 30 kids and a few adults appeared.
Re finding room. I am about to repack my van which is the same size as yours. Have decided a lot more is going to be packed on the passenger seat and floor in front of it from now on, so I don't have to keep moving things around in the house part.
So I am thinking My shower tent, solar panels (portable) and moon chair should all be able to stand comfortably on the floor with other stuff packed around them.
Also my buckets etc should be able to slide in there, then all books and relative stuff will be on the seat, all packed in order of when I need them. Should be easier that way as you only have to open your passenger door and its all there to see what you want.
Loving your trips and photos yeoeleven (John). You give me so much inspiration.
I would like a box with a lid to house the porta potti instead of it sitting there in all it's glory for everyone to see when I lift the tailgate.
-- Edited by jetj on Saturday 11th of August 2012 08:38:14 PM
HW. the front seat seems a good way to go for storage. I was thinking of putting my mech/hardware stuff on the floor (in the hope I wont need it) just in case I do need it or the hopes that if someone else is in need I wont have to expose all the little things I probably should have left at home.
How about a pull over cover made out of material as per one of Sheba's suggestions? That might work, also wouldn't be bulky etc.
-- Edited by Duh on Saturday 11th of August 2012 09:34:33 PM
I also have a box of tissues sitting on the table in the house section. It never moves.
Maybe the items in the front stacked upright on the floor on the passenger side could have an occy strap used to tie them securely. Might have to try that.
That makes it a no-no for me then. Won't have any gas larger than a small butane cannister in my Campervan. I'll stick with the 12V unit and a bucket when I want Hot water. I was told the water from the external Shower would be warm enough after a full days travel, but haven't tested that yet.
The "Donkey" has been around for generations. Still used in some areas of Cape York today as well, and probably a lot of country areas.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Some good wisdom John, I've often thought that a sedan boot is preferable to a hatchback for that reason also, less chance of anything in the back of the vehicle becoming a missile.......on the humerous side, imagine your shopping in the back of you hatch and having a dozen eggs hit you in the back of the noggin, apart from impact damage to your noggin, just imagine the mess!
Regards,
Colls
A bit like your box Colls, everything tucked away safely.
If you can't hide it, why not camoflage it some-how. Maybe either Paint it, or make a cloth cover for it, or cover it with an Adhesive Paper or something. I once covered a Fridge with Marble Patterned Adhesive Paper. Looked marvellous.
Is there any way you could make a Curtain to hide it behind ? Bit hard to make suggestions if we don't know exactly how it's situated when you lift the tailgate.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Mine sits on the other side of the side sliding door. Looking through your open door on your avatar, it would be on the other side wall and a bit to the right, sits next to the wardrobe.
I have seen square cushions at the cheap shop in Childers, will go get one to pop on top of portaloo so it looks like a seat.
Donkey showers at Lake Elphinstone
Very handy for washing donkeys, can they be used for washing mules and horses too?
(oops, sorry, didn't mean to make an ass of myself)