Possible search over...

[halps]

My wife has been keen on a vintage van now that we have 3 young children. Something about clean living, fun holidays, spending time together, talking...you know that sort of 1960's/70's fun-stuff. She has been watching the site, scanning the web and researching makes and models. She has found something just around the corner...1606kms around the corner in Melbourne. ;DReddo said that we may have to travel ;D. I will not give too much away until next week (possibly buying from an existing member) but any prayers/thoughts/quick reflections while sipping your beer will be greatly appreciated.

May the "VV force" go with me

HALPS
Brisbane

[halps]

Thanks Olfarts...with a name like that you must be a Jedi Knight of V Vanning. Your spirit goes with me.
HALPS
Brisbane

[Deleted]

Thats good news Halps....
Good things come to those who wait...

As Mr Niagi said ( Karate Kid) .. "patience Daniel son... Patience."....
Ummm hang on a minute i might have the wrong movie....

Arr well who cares... good luck and may the patron saint of travel sit on your shoulder if you have to Travel to Melbourne to collect your treasure.

Cant wait to get the whole storey. ;D

Reddo

[budgie]

Jeepers, halps,
must be some van to travel 1606kms to collect it.

I'll be waiting with bated breath for the story and photos of this treasure.


May the Vintage Vaner Angels be with you on your trip.
Budgie

[halps]

Well I am back from a 3408km round trip to Melbourne to check out a V Van. I will get to the point... WE DIDN'T GET IT! Yes that it is right...it stayed there.

Some might think that this really was a wasted trip and that it was a waste of time, money ($556.00) and energy. HOWEVER I DON'T SEE IT THAT WAY.
Here are the reasons:
1. I got to meet some really nice people. Not only the V Van owner (who was most supportive in our quest to find the van that would meet our families needs and encouraged us to think long and hard about the "specific" things we wanted), but also the people along the way...George the WW2 Vet in Moree sitting outside the Post Office. He told me that he served with the 'Chocolate Soldiers' on the Kokoda Track. We spoke at length about our experiences (I completed it in 1996 and 2001, although I wasn't defending the country, I was simply honoring their amazing achievement). The mud, the rain, the foot-rot, the mateship, the ones that didn't come back were all touched on. It was a real honour to speak with him.
2. The Truckies in Coonabarabran that gave me tips on how to drive long distances pulling a load: the importance of rest breaks, keeping left, driving stress free and cooperating on the road even though others don't.
3. Listening to other caravaners talk at length about good spots and places to see...give Dubbo RSL a go everyone. We arrived late on a Sunday night and they went out of their way to give us a great meal and when they heard about how far we had come "not to get something" they shouted us a couple of beers.
And the time spent away from the TV, work, bills to pay, etc was great.

So our search continues. We followed the advice of a lot of people on the forum and the van wasn't for us. We see it as a win. The bank cheque that travelled 3408kms is back in our V Van account waiting for the next opportunity.
Reddo was right when he said that if we speak with active members about vans you are generally speaking to honest, passionate individuals that care about V Vanning. He was right. The van that we looked at will be a great buy, at the right price for another person out there.
Thanks for all your support on our quest...

HALPS
Brisbane

PS: My three young kids made a sign that they said they would take to the V Van gathering in Mooloolaba in QLD. It read "Will swap our Dad for a Vintage Van". I hope they were only joking as I will have trouble sleeping for the next few weeks.

[halps]

Thanks Dave,
It is your passion and the passion of others that keeps us motivated. V Vans are in our blood so we just have to 'keep the faith'.
HALPS
Brisbane

[sportsman 1]

Keep looking Halps,

it took us a couple of years (and some fortunate timing from the tax people) to find a van that really suited us.

When I see how much some people have picked up a van for I still think I probably paid too much, but then I have got a unique van that I have no intention of selling and every intention of getting years of fun out of so I gotta be happy with that!

Good luck with the hunt,

cheers, Leigh.

PS if you are in Melbourne again look us up, only too happy to help, share a coldie, etc.

[kingy]

Have sent you a PM Halps

[Deleted]

Sorry to hear you are back home empty handed Halps.
Dunno what ta say....
One word comes to mind that probably sums it all up...
"kharma"....
Wasnt meant to be... something better in store for you down the track. Frustrating part about that is.. ya dont know just how far down the track that might be.

Just remember.. if you had hated the road trip... then perhaps caravanning of any sort would not be for you..
Without a road trip....... caravanning would be bloody boring..

My apologys to anyone who has chosen a caravan as the permanent fixed place of abode.. Trish and i lived in a 24'ft Glendale alloy van for 2 years .... and loved it.

Had to laugh at the poster the kids have planned for Maroochydore...

"chin up old sock"

Reddo

[halps]

Your words are soothing, but the encouragement is worth bottling. The kids have now changed the sign to read "Sell us a vintage van and nobody gets hurt" to bring into Maroochydore. Perhaps they were talking to their Irish Grandfather...

I don't know what damage 3 kids under 4 could do???
(Have I just said something stupid there?)

Again a sincere thanks to you all...

HALPS
Brisbane

[dorian]

There's a glass is half full kinda guy...

On ya mate!