Meander memories

[tinnie]

Hi fellow VVers,

Thanks so much to the organisers and all my fellow participants in the Nationals for what was a great event the Gristy tribe thoroughly enjoyed. Thanks especially to Geoff'n'Jude for organising a great Meander.

Some pics:
We joined the Meander at the Queenscliffe ferry - but alas missed the boat: ;D


Then discovered we were missing something (wow honey look at that a Franklin Sunliner)


Caught up with Goingrey (brendan) at Mitre ten just out of Queenscliffe and purchased materials for new roof hatch, then drove out to the great ocean road:


First night for us at Apollo bay, installed new hitech roof hatch:


line up at apollo bay:


Line up of vans at the 12 Apostles:


Brendan cruising into Port Campbell (mmm fish'n'chips for lunch):


Campsite at Warnambool (happy hour):



Finally got to our destination, The Mount, and set up by the Playground:


View down the street: Reddo's, fibrevan and yute, Clyde's Fugly, Chippydave's camper:


Our neighbours Robyn and Ian with the Bedford and early Franklin:

View outside Macs at the TnT ball:


Sutcac ready to go:


On the way home, rented towcar, set up camp in Ballarat and some cheeky buggar parked their cabin right beside us:


Plenty more to follow later (we took almost 2 gig of pics/video, oops)

Thanks again,
Cheers,

Gristy

[Deleted]

Onya Gristy
Great shots.
Happy hour (s) ... what a great aussie institution . ;D
I sat there one morning having a cuppa and watched the kids enjoy that playground at Mt G. , I thought to myself..Kids actually outside playing on swings.. geez ya dont see that much now that comoputers have taken over thier ( ours) lives.
I enjoyed the run home back along the great ocean road. Apollo Bay was bathed in brilliant sunlight when i came through it. It really is a beaut location and i would love to spend more time in an around there.

Hope the Falcon is back on its feet after its illness
we want more pixs from you guys
Reddo

[goingrey]

Gedday Gristy,
Great pics.

Didja find yer roof hatch on the way home If it was a timber hatch maybee it saw the lovely countryside on the way and tried to return itself to nature.

I hadda look for it on the way home but struggled to even see the road such is the dazzling performance of my cars headlights in the dark

What will you call the return to MtG to pick up the Falcon?
Mission to the Mount
Must go to the Mount
Multiple trip to the Mount
Most trips ina week to the Mount

or perhaps:
Mistreat a rental car to the Mount ;D

Look forward to futher pics,

Chow
Brendan.

[JBJ]

Well got home OK on Saturday arvo, after 24 days on the road. Our Dodge ran like a dream, even in the 42^ heat. We replaced a rear wheel bearing at Mt Gambier, & that was it. It needed about half a litre top up of radiator at most every morning. No idea of petrol & gas consumption as I don’t bother keeping track of costs when I’m travelling.



Started with the meander crew at Coledale, after a couple of nights in Laurieton & Newcastle.


first night was Bermagui, then second night Lakes Entrance.
We couldnt find a chinese restaurant in the town, which is very unusual for a big town.



It was great, nice easy travelling, & a party time every night.

We detoured into the Burbs to buy something, & were sitting in bumper to bumper traffic, nearly boiling, when Skyline 59 rolled up alongside us, & found out where we were going. He then guided us to a Bunings carpark, then drove us in his airconditioed car 20 Km each way to my destination & back to the van.

Thanks heaps Brett, it was very appreciated.

That night was Flinders, & it was a great night. John & Brendon joined us there, & Minicamper rolled in to say hello




The ferry ride was something else.



next night was Appollo Bay, where we were scattered all over the park. john had to go back to Melbourne as he could only spare 2 nights, but it was great meeting you mate.

Warnambool was end of next day, & Cobber & Yvonne caught up with us there.

All the time we were bumping into Sutcac & Barb, who were making the same trip, but staying in dog friendly parks.

geoff & jude also caught up with their Renta-ute, after leaving the Falcon at mornington Ford.










We got to the mount on Sunday, & the whole exercise went well from our point of view.




























This is the inside of the aeroplane fuselage van.


I counted 42 vintage vans, & have compiled a list. One thing I did notice was that a fair few people were at Mt. Gambier, wanting to be part of the fun, that were either in late model vans or other accommodation, or just called in & talked to most of us regulars.

Quite a few weren’t forum participants, but that didn’t stop the fun.

We made a lot of new friends, & enjoyed renewing old friendships.


We returned via Ballarat( A dustbowl) , Coburg, Newcastle, Southwest Rocks, & then home.

This is example of the ferocious wildlife at Trial Bay Van Park, near Kempsey on the NSW coast


Its great to walk on lush green grass again.

Jailbarjuice & Boots

[Geoff & Jude]

great photos dennis and sue.

particularly like the one of all the vans on the ferry.

geoff 'n jude

[tinnie]

Okay here's some more pics:
Nostalgia style ;D













Yeh no vintvan in the one above, but a great pub at Kalangadoo, 20 mins out of the Mount. Kids and dogs are welcome in the main bar, they even sell snake lollies behind the bar for the kids - and importantly the beers cols

Hey Brendan,

you are right, the rented Mitsusquishi will likely cop a floggin on the Mission to the Mount - just hope I don't buy any tickets on the way

Cheers,

Gristy

PS see even old holdens have some 'bling'

[jrod]

Photo's look great guys! Wish i was there, but couldn't get the extra time added to my annual leave over Easter.

And just to make you feel better Gristy, you weren't the only Franklin owner who lost a roof hatch over the Easter break!! I think mine is on the road near Canberra somewhere! Although i didn;t have the advantage of a high vantage spot to realise it was misisng, i was laying in bed my first night away and got a little confused when i could see the stars!

Hope all made it back safe and sound! J-Rod.

[goingrey]

Hey Gristy,

love the B&W and sepia pics.
Jeez Kalangadoo haznt changed in fifty years..... cept for the beer prices.... can you docta that price board to read three pound six ounces rather than $36 for the VB.

We betta organize that slide night.. ;D

Chow,
Brendan

[willyn]

Top photos JBJ and Gristy
there certainly was a wide variation of Vin Vans and Cars/trucks
at the mount
judging by the feedback I think generally it was a successful run
apart from a few breakdowns from the Modern Cars who would of thought that ?
Hatch Problems
just a little trick for anyone leaving home with a vin van
buy some black gaffer tape or gorilla tape and stick a piece over the little screw latches and two pieces either end internally onto the frame and the hatch it will never move

Lyn has sent some cards to the following thanking them for there commitment and services to our group whilst in Mt Gambier

Macs Hotel Mt Gambier
Franks taxi and bus service
The Blue lake Caravan Park

oh yeah!!!!!

and the Ford service centre ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;Dyuck yuck
they fixed our air conditioner ;D

It simply said on behalf of our group would like to thank you and your staff for the terrific service and effort each and every one made to make our stay in mt Gambier
an outstanding and memorable occassion
thanks a lot we take away fond memories and we would reccommend to any similiar group not to miss all that your beautifull town has to offer

Will and Lyn Bayley
For and on behalf of all members who participated in our 2008 Vintage Caravan National meet


Will and Lyn

[firefighter]

hi will & lyn

thanks for sending cards off on behalf of the vintage vanners at the mount.... well done
geoff ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[tinnie]

Hey Will,
Hold off on the card to the Ford Dealer - they haven't finished fixing my car yet! ;D

Seriously, thanks for that - a nice gesture!

Cheers,
Gristy

[Deleted]

Onya Will and Lynn

I am sure the people that "Put Up" with us while we where in Mt Gambier will appreciate yours and Lynns kind gesture.
The people that work in the hospitality/ tourism industry cop a bit of flack from time to time from disgruntled customers >:(and it must make them feel good when they recieve the occassional appreciation card or feedback .

Bewdy mate.
Reddo

[surferboy]

loving all the great photos

its a pity we couldnt make it in time for the caravans ( we arrived in Mt G on Thurs arvo for the Fe,FC Nats) we cruised by the park to view the few stragglers remaining.


we caught up with daggy and carrots at Eucla

caught up with Brad & Gemma at Norseman and cruised part of the Nullabor together


& Cathy

[marjie2]

A BIG THANKYOU to everyone at Mt. Gambier for meeting and greeting us so warmly - we had a great time and look forward to more Runs and Events with you all. Special thanks to Will and Lyn, Reddo, congratulations to Jeff and Jude on a successful "meander to" the Mount.
\

The pictures above tell a great story - we have enjoyed looking back through them all.

Robyn & Ian