Xpandafan's 18.57-7 - the learning curve.

[Xpandafan]

Our Expanda finally got the ultimate tick of approval today when my two granddaughters (from Brisbane) visited for their pre-holiday check. They could work for Jayco Quality Control; every cupboard and drawer was inspected. When they found the ensuite there was an all of a sudden need to use it. They found Nana's chocolates, grandpa's wine and everything else. All lights work OK, as do taps, curtains, etc. Where will we sleep? was sorted quickly, and I assured them the TV was for real. Will Santa know where to find us? I showed them the GPS tracking sticker, so that's another box ticked. My pre-holiday check is complete!
And just maybe Santa might bring me some noise canceling headphones.:wink:

 

[zerosecta]

Lovely - Much like my Daughters - 3 and 2. Let them loose on it for 30 minutes. good way to find all the thing that would have needed fixing at some stage anyway and get them out of the way early.

 

[Brad]

Our Expanda finally got the ultimate tick of approval today when my two granddaughters (from Brisbane) visited for their pre-holiday check. They could work for Jayco Quality Control; every cupboard and drawer was inspected. When they found the ensuite there was an all of a sudden need to use it. They found Nana's chocolates, grandpa's wine and everything else. All lights work OK, as do taps, curtains, etc. Where will we sleep? was sorted quickly, and I assured them the TV was for real. Will Santa know where to find us? I showed them the GPS tracking sticker, so that's another box ticked. My pre-holiday check is complete!
And just maybe Santa might bring me some noise canceling headphones.:wink:

Ummm..... Could work for Jayco quality control???

 

[Antman]

Well done Xpandafan. Sounds great.
have a great holiday.

Antman

 

[Xpandafan]

Seasons Greetings to you all, especially expanda, all our moderators, and the numerous members who we've directly shared adventures, ideas and advice with. We've enjoyed your company over the past four months and your thoughtful posts, great pics, helpful suggestions, sense of humor and general good nature. You all have certainly helped make the learning curve so much smoother. We look forward to everything the forum has to offer in 2013 (unless of course those bloody Mayans were right!) May you travel safely in good company over the holidays. Look after yourselves and look out for each other. - Bill & Jenny

 

[Burnsy]

Well put Xpandafan, those bloody Mayans better not be right....I havn't used my shower yet!

 

[Xpandafan]

Well all set up on the spit between the sea and the Barwon River. Pathfinder returned 12.9 on trip down and van towed beautifully once again. She slotted into our regular site with just inches to spare. All level with door side wheels up on ramps and the drawbar resting on the ground - the under slung axles have just paid for themselves! Screen fence and gazebo up, chairs and table out, fridge cold and time to relax while Nana has granddaughters out in surf. Getting a bit of a ribbing from neighbours who thought our FlamingoOB was a bit over the top! More vans coming in during day, but fairly quiet at present but for the sound of pent pegs being hammered and the odd "setting-up domestic". A few Expandas here so will go looking for stickers later. Will fire up BabyQ for steak, chops and snags for dinner with baked potatoes, grilled asparagus and salad. Thinking nice Yarra Valley red -Boat O'Craigo Pinot Noir to accompany. Nothing beats roughing it, does it?

 

[cruza driver]

Thinking nice Yarra Valley red -Boat O'Craigo Pinot Noir to accompany.

Boat O'Craigo hey, I know that one :wink:

Nice spot down there and you probably now friends of mine who have set up this weekend down there for the summer holidays :thumb:

 

[Xpandafan]

Boat O'Craigo hey, I know that one :wink:

Thought you would! Almost from your own back yard. Hope 2007 was a good vintage, got a case lot!
We're Riverside 055...and not easy to miss now.
Site offers excellent drainage, slopes in two directions!
Got it years ago for that reason. No one could get a van on it in those days, it was just considered a tent site.
now everyone's envious.

 

[Burnsy]

Nice one Xpandafan, enjoy your holiday mate, sounds like a nice spot! Curious about the fence?

Cheers.

 

[Xpandafan]

Nice one Xpandafan, enjoy your holiday mate, sounds like a nice spot! Curious about the fence?

Cheers.

Special mod to keep out some of the relatives, Burnsy!
Actually wind/dust break for the six weeks we're here. Also a little bit of privacy for the three vans that back in at right angles to sites below ours (to right of pic). Also provides some basic security from any opportunist light fingered idiot that might be around. Even in this bit of paradise, and with everyone keeping an eye on each others stuff, chairs, hoses and esky's and stuff go missing. Used to be you could always leave your van unlocked - not these days. Could be I'm just getting old and we didn't have stuff worth pinching years ago.

 

[Brad]

Yeah what's the fence for?

 

[Xpandafan]

Yeah what's the fence for?

See Post #71. - Not all families are all normal like yours, Brad.:mmph:

BTW the wind got up yesterday and the fence in question also safely contained two body boards, 10 beach towels, and sundry bits of clothing that two granddaughters (7&9) obviously need but don't know how to peg out or put away.

Coped well with temps near 40 yesterday and nearly 30 overnight. The Expanda insulation did the trick. The fan/lights worked OK and the LED's didn't add to heat. Those campers with gas lanterns or incandescents were complaining a bit. Also glad we went with the carpet underfoot again, with sandy little feet and their inability to move anywhere without bouncing/jumping/dancing.

Anyone with kids/grand kids thought of installing a revolving door? Door has had more action in two days than the rest of the year.

Ranger impressed with our Expanda and how it's fitted in where Swan & Flamingo used to go. He's going to plant a few new trees on site boundary this week for us to try and get established after over summer. Putting them in Expanda/Pathie friendly positions, too! Two other Expanda's within BBQ smoke range so far, expect influx from Boxing Day.

 

[Xpandafan]

Boat O'Craigo hey, I know that one :wink:

Very nice drop indeed, CD. I'll drink to your health again tomorrow, have a great Christmas day. (Any excuse!).

 

[Brad]

.

Anyone with kids/grand kids thought of installing a revolving door? Door has had more action in two days than the rest of the year.

Yeah we have that too.
I have given up with the comment "shut the door the air conditioner is on"

 

[cruza driver]

Very nice drop indeed, CD. I'll drink to your health again tomorrow, have a great Christmas day. (Any excuse!).

Good to hear mate I hope you had a great Christmas day too mate

 

[expanda]

I am very interested in the fence but......

12.9 Fuel consumption, what in the world is the pathy drinking????

 

[Xpandafan]

I am very interested in the fence but......

12.9 Fuel consumption, what in the world is the pathy drinking????

Caltex and mind you its best figure I've had - fairly flat highway though most of way, steady 95kph, mainly in 4 (rather than auto). 8.9 on trip back yesterday.
Be reassured (?) chuck in a few hills and some windy roads and it creeps up to about 17 max.

 

[Xpandafan]

Survived another Christmas Day. Returned home for Christmas Eve, Dropped daughter off at airport just after midnight for trip to UK. Had few hours sleep then off to sisters 60k across town, for lunch. Crazy traffic, an hour and a quarter on "freeway". Too much food including great Xmas pudding we took in thermo-pot and lots of fun. Only disappointment was the backyard cricket when I was told to "try harder" by a three year old after clean bowled him twice. Apparently I should have been trying to hit his bat rather than the rubbish bin! Can't keep up with the way cricket is changing! Opportunity for family photos with my Dad (rare chance to get four generations together). Then more food cause it was dinner time...not because anyone was hungry).
Got back to the holiday campsite at 10.30pm and slept like a log. Only now just thinking about breakfast.
Hope you all had as good a day.

 

[Xpandafan]

Got a problem with ants at the moment- no offence to Antman. Little buggers are everywhere. Suggested trying to rent an echidna from the Jirrahlinga Wildlife Sanctuary but I think wife has already set me today's onerous task - spray and dust everywhere for ants. On the positive side they're a guide to finding where dust can get into your Expanda!
There's a bloke down here camping who actually went and complained to the Ranger about ants in his tent. Ranger found he was camped on wrong site so made him shift. Think he expected them to organise a crop duster to come over with a few hundred kgs of Antrid.
Any advice welcome as usual, and yes I've already thought of spreading a few bags of sugar around the (not an Expanda) van next door.