A few hassles prior to leaving – firstly we took the car in for new tyres. Whilst it was there a stack of tyres fell on the front fender. The tyre company were very apologetic, and will of course, pay for the panel beating. However, as it was only a few days prior to us leaving, the repairs will have to wait until we return. It’s drivable, and isn’t that badly dented that we’d be embarrassed to be driving around in it. Next, three days before leaving, Paul plugged the caravan in. Internal lights, which run the twelve volt system, and the fridge in the caravan weren’t working. Paul tried a new fuse, but it just kept shorting out. Bad luck – I’m not so sure! Although it was a hassle, it was actually good luck to have happened prior to our departure. Imagine if that had happened in the middle of nowhere. And especially good luck, as not knowing any auto-electricians in our home area, we were soooo lucky to have found one that shifted things around and fitted our van in for repairs the day before we were due to leave. They started looking for the fault at 9am, were unable to find it, so concluded it must be somewhere in the wall cavity. Without removing walls they couldn’t find it, so they rewired it. It took about six hours in total. How lucky were we to have found them. A big, big thank you, and shout out to South Coast Auto Electrics in Mandurah. We can’t thank you enough, and will be eternally grateful.

That wasn’t all of the hassles in the lead up to departing. Paul took our (new to us) caravan in to get the wheel bearings done, and brakes checked. Not sure what the problem was but that turned into a bigger job, and much more expensive job than anticipated. All good now though. Then there were medical problems too prior to leaving. Paul developed some major pain and inflammation. I won’t bore you with the details, but doctor has concluded he has Fibromyalgia Rheumatica. He’s on a course of steroids, which won’t run out until at least we get home in four months time. They’ve certainly helped, however, being diabetic, he has to be extra careful with his diet and exercise to prevent the steroids from having a negative effect on his sugar level. Then there’s my dopomine agonist withdrawal. In the lead up to leaving I had an iron infusion to try and help as I continue my very slow reduction in mgs of Sifrol (Pramipexole). I used to take 2 X .25 mgs about 4pm. I’m now delaying the timing of my dose until around 6pm, and have managed to reduced the dose down to 1 1/2 x .25 mg tablets. I wouldn’t say it’s been that successful, as there are many evenings when I’m unable to sit, evenings that I walk the floor, stamp my feet, walk on the spot, dance to music in my head, anything that keeps my legs from jumping around and torturing the hell out of me. I’m getting sufficient sleep most nights, but sometimes I have a tortuous start to sleep upon getting to bed. I’m hoping the iron infusion will start to help, and if so, I’m hoping to start shaving a tiny bit more off the Pramipexole to reduce it further. All a bit more stressful living in a caravan that it is when in a house with another bedroom available if bed time becomes too torturous. There are nights when I wonder if I should continue, when it just seems too hard, but this is one prescribed drug that has done, and will continue to do, far more harm to me than it does good. The withdrawal though, well it’s tough going, and so far it’s not showing signs of getting any easier. For now I’ll persevere.

After we picked the van up on Tuesday, all has gone according to plan. We did our final shop for food stores and loaded what we could on Tuesday evening. Wednesday morning we were up bright and early (as we always are), and completed the loading, turned off the home fridge, TV etc, and the water, and were on our way to Milligan Island, near Greenhead. We’re determined to finally get into a more relaxed travel mode for this trip, and are pleased to say our first day of travel adhered to our slower travel plans. Mr Tilly had his usual morning walk before we departed home at around 9.30am. We had water, and some fresh fruit to eat and drink as we travelled along with our favourite travel play lists playing on the car radio. Rather than eating lunch as we travelled along, like we usually do, we took advantage of a nice roadside place to stop and eat our cold chicken and salad outside at a picnic table in the fresh air. A bit of a walk, stretch, and some exercises to help stop our aging joints from stiffening up, and we were on our way again. (In case you weren’t aware of it, that’s just one of the reasons oldies travel slower – old joints don’t take kindly to 8 hours of continuous car travel like they used to).

We arrived mid afternoon, set up, and enjoyed a lovely walk along the beach before dinner. It’s a lovely spot. We’re here for four nights, so plenty of time to get some photos to post.

Fuel used to get here:

49.44 litres.

Refuel cost: $2.59 per litre

Total cost $128

Distance travelled 378kms (that includes a short trip today needed to get a part for gas stove).