Well it is Sunday the 19th July and close to midday and we are finally getting on the road to start the big road trip for Cairns. All in tow, camper, kids heaps of stuff plenty of excitement. We had to leave a week later than planned as Megs and the kids were sick so had to make sure they were ok and still good to travel.

All was going well, little rushed but going well until my trek carbon fibre 4.5 fell off the roof rack and bounced on our grass front lawn. Not happy I tell you - the rim buckled and I thought I had stuff the bike. After stressing and cursing for about an hour, I moved forward and continued to pack and get things going to get on the road. I was not a happy camper at this point as the rim's are very expensive along with the bike!!

We ended up getting on the road and we stopped at a BP service station near Nambour for a food break and to stretch the legs when an idiot decided to do donuts and burnouts in the gravel car park that we were in sending rocks and dirt flying our way. Mum got hit by the rocks in the legs and Dad's car and caravan wore the majority of the damage, leaving a few dints and stone chips in the paint work. We were lucky the kids had just got back into the car to start to get ready to be on the move again - they were safe and protected by Dad's car and van. Now Dad and I were not happy - so the day just seemed to be progressing downhill rather than up and we were losing excitment rather than gaining it.

Throughout the day we heard from Mother and Father Rob that they had taken a pole out with their caravan and done some damage, so they too were also experiencing the bad kharma from this day. Mother and Father Rob headed off a day earlier than us and will be getting Innisfail on Wednesday.

Again we moved on and got back on the road and continued the trip. We pulled in at Tario for the night and got all set up and settled, I went to have my nebuliser and quickly realised that the travel nebuliser that I had borrowed from CFQ was not the one I thought it would be and so I didn't have the right attachment and couldn't have my machines (a little over it all by now, and yep again not happy).

I guess for day 1 the excitement of the road trip was unfortunately lost very quickly, but I am still looking forward to day 2 to see what it has to offer and what is in store for us. Aiming for Marlborough tomorrow - see how we all travel.

Here are some pic's from the day -


Making sure the bikes stay on the roof rakes this time.


Yep this picture was taken after the bike fell off the roof - still smiling, I know surprising!


Getting ready - the convoy for day one.


Dad doing the last go over of the van.


Kids all excited and ready to go.


Our borrowed camper trailer at Tario - Was a little cold, but we had some backpackers playing guitar and singing for the majority of the night so it was very good for relaxing.


Dad cooking dinner on his new BBQ - needed to be tested to make sure it cooked well and it did - Great Job dad.


Wearing our head lamp lights and being silly, having a bit of fun!