Adventures of a Different Kind for Eric and Solo Camping for me

Sunday, May 13, 2012 at 10:19

Member - Lee & Arrabella A'Van

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Eric my love, husband and fellow adventurer passed away on 2 May 2012 after a long illness with Carcinoid Cancer. I like to think that he is now off on his next grand adventure.

This now means that Arrabella (my newly acquired trusty A'van) and I are setting up for an extended trip up to the Pilbara and Kimberly while we get my head around and settle into travelling and camping solo.
Arrabella is an offroad (I'd call it a soft road) 1995 Avan Aliner Camper Trailer. She has a little bit of rust - which I am dealing with- and needed a good clean up but it looks like she will do the trick for me.
So it's all systems go.
Work so far on Arrabella has included:
Replacing the hayman reece connector /adapter from van to 4WD
Fitting a new 100amphour Gel Battery
Fitting an external anderson plug so i can charge the battery with a solar panel
Acquired a 120W folding solar panel and regulator ( so I am able to bush camp as long as my water holds out.
Replaced the wiring on the 3 way fridge and overhauled the piezzo ignition.

The next thing to look at is improving the water situation as the A'van only holds 43 litires. I can carry 50 litres in the dicovery but would prefer to also change the tank in the camper to a larger one.
Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.

Also the A'van only carries 2x 3.7 kg gas bottles which are expensive to refill... so I will also look at fitting 2 x 8.5 kg bottles instead.
This will mean asking a friend to do some welding... as well as ensuring we can fit everything onto the A'frame.

I also have to look at communications and safety... I have a UHF radio and aerial fitted to the Disco but am also looking at getting an epirb. and if i go on an extended trip around the block will look at satellite phoine as a back up.
My intent will be to mainly free camp or low cost camp as I go, using caravan parks to have a good shower and clean up, do the washing etc every now and then.

I really don't know how it will go until I try it...it really is all a great experiment at this stage.

I would appreciate any comments or suggestions..as this camper/caravanning thing is all very new to me.
Lee & Arrabella A'van - the adventure wagon
A new era of adventure - tavelling solo uncovering the wonders of this land a little at a time.

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BlogID: 3959 Comments: 6 Views: 1303 Attachments: 1
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Submitted: Sunday, May 13, 2012 at 11:50

Fred G NSW commented:

Lee, our deepest sympathies and condolences on the loss of your Eric. He has obviously left a legacy with you, in that his spirit of adventure and travel, you are determined to keep going. Good luck and safe travels. I am sure I speak for all at EO when I wish you well in keeping the dream alive. Eric will be your guardian angel, watching over you. I hope lots of us get the opportunity to have a cuppa around a campfire with you somewhere on the track, so you can share some of yours and Eric's adventures with us. God bless.
Don't regret growing old. It is a privilege denied to many.......

Hoo Roo
Comment 1 of 6
Submitted: Sunday, May 13, 2012 at 13:25

Member - Arsenal Phill commented:

Good luck Lee. Hope your memories give you all the company you need.
Comment 2 of 6
Submitted: Sunday, May 13, 2012 at 15:50

Member - Lee & Arrabella A'Van commented:

Thanks Fred and Phill... life wiill be different but I am up to the challenge. I am looking forward to meeting new friends on the road and finding great places that Eric would have loved as well.
So many people to meet, campfires to build and yarns to share.
Lee & Arrabella A'van - the adventure wagon
A new era of adventure - tavelling solo uncovering the wonders of this land a little at a time.
Comment 3 of 6
Submitted: Sunday, May 13, 2012 at 19:27

Fred G NSW commented:

Great attitude Lee. You'll be OK, and we are here to help/share/comfort.
Don't regret growing old. It is a privilege denied to many.......

Hoo Roo
Comment 4 of 6
Submitted: Monday, Jun 04, 2012 at 21:06

Member - Redbakk (WA) commented:

Lee, sorry to here about Eric, I hope you are going OK and still intend to go on your adventures, I recently purchased a 85 litre underbody caravan water tank off ebay.......there are lots avaliable...infact I get lots of bargains from there and you look forward to seeing them arrive at your home.
In regard of the water tank it's a matter of measuring the space underneath your van where you can mount it and plumb it up.
They usually give you the size, ie, a 90 litre tank (1270 x 400 x 210 mm)
Hope this helps, send us a member message if you need more help.
Comment 5 of 6
Submitted: Tuesday, Jun 05, 2012 at 05:12

Member - Lee & Arrabella A'Van commented:

Hi Redbakk,
Thanks for the update on the water tank idea...
The Avan has an internal water storage (underseat) and doesn't appear to have any space for the water tank... unless it can be placed between the frame beams. I'll ask my freindly caravan guy when I next see him.

As for adventures.. sure am ... I am taking off up to the northwest sometome later this week... when I get my act together...hopefully be away 4 to 6 weeks. It really depends on how things are going on the home front as to how long I am able to be away.
I am looking to find a nice shady tree near some water to just 'be' for a little while. Can't wait!
Lee & Arrabella A'van - the adventure wagon
A new era of adventure - tavelling solo uncovering the wonders of this land a little at a time.
Comment 6 of 6
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