Chris

Kimbo, a photo would be great! I look forward to seeing it too. Chris

Thanks for this information Kimbo. This is one of the great benefits of the forum - sharing of information. We have been seeking information on a bullbar to go with the new 200 series, and you gave valuable advice to the effect that the Toyota bull bar is not necessarily as good as some others. Chris

Hi Arthur. I can endorse Jacky Jacky and Dazmit's experience; we put a chip in our 100 series TD LC and noticed about a 10% increase in fuel economy, as well as much improved pulling power. Especially useful for overtaking and going up steep hills with a 3.5 tonne van on back! BUT in Melbourne recently we had some trouble with the vehicle (wouldn't start one day - not a peep out of it when you turned the key). Turned out to be the chip had become faulty and interfered with the electronics. It took a Toyota deler about 4 days to discover the source of the problem. Uninstalled the chip and all was well. But this cost us $500 for the exercise. Now we are running without the chip as we will be selling the van and vehicle in near future (upgrading to another Kedron and a 200 series) but gosh! I miss the chip. Chris

I agree wholeheartedly with Dazmit. When we ordered our ATV 5 years ago (it is now 4 years old) we had a much loved Prado. The Galls said the vehicle wouldn't cut the mustard and suggested we trade it in on a LC. I think it was a bit stronger than 'suggested'... They were absolutely correct. The LC has much more towing Nm power and this is not only handy when towing uphill, but safer. The fuel economy is that much greater too when you're not struggling to carry too heavy a weight. We had a diatronic chip installed which improved the power and fuel economy even more again. We are very happy with the combination of van-vehicle. And yes, I can well understand the "I want one too!". That's how I now feel about the new Top Ender. :laugh: Chris

Well Dazmit, you succeeded in making me soooo envious! What a spot. I am going to insist you accompany us out there for a trip early next year. Definitely. And I want a marshmallow too. Is the spot hard to get to? Much beach driving, which needs local tidal knowledge? Chris

Alas Sue, it is too late!! I think we need to report it to Kedron. Chris

That's what it's all about, hey guys? Gosh how I envy them, sitting here in an office, files piled up next to me. Next year, just wait. Chris

Ahh Sue, so it's NOT the faulty washing machine in your van, which shrinks the clothes?!! I have dined out on that one.... Chris

No David, we haven't gone on the wagon! But probably drinking a bit less than while on the road. Don't know how that happens...maybe those lovely evenings sitting outside? Or the lovely wineries/ Or the good company to share a bottle with? Etc. I understand that the sausage rolls are fine in a bbq kettle - anything which gets the heat up a bit. Val loves the rolls, and if he's anywhere nearby when theyr'e being made, adds lots of chilli. A bit hard on the unsuspecting folk who eat them. Once in Alice Springs I made some as an afternoon snack with 5pm drinks, to be shared with the vanning couple next door. The idea was to have some for dinner later, with salad. The male half of the folk who came for drinks coudn't stop eating them, and although embarrassed at how many he was eating, couldn't stop. It was so funny - he ate them all. I was delighted to have someone appreciate my cooking so much. Chris

Hi Deb. I absolutely loved Carnarvon Gorge, and took many lovely photos there. Be aware (if you haven't been there before) that some of the camping sites are in the middle of a dusty, busy area. Like parking in a car park at Woolies, just not as comfortable as Woolies! Ring ahead and ask Takarakka for one of the sites around the edge of the campground, so you back onto foliage, and are out of the way of dust-rising traffic. Chris

You are welcome Jeanne and Geoff! It is interesting how many people are heading towards non-meat dishes. We try to eat some non-meat protein at least twice or three times a week. Yes, the pasta was delicious wasn't it? Next time I am passing that way i will thank the chef who gave it to me. Chris

Hi Glen and Debbie. You just knew that I would open any message with that topic in its header, didn't you? I use Photoshop CS2 and more often, Photoshop Elements 6. The latter is more user friendly (and hugely cheaper) but doesn't have the full range of features of CS. But it is pretty powerful, and still complicated enough to have puzzled me quite often. Have fun with it! haven't met up with Clive and Shirley (I don't think) but have met a few others recently. There was a bloke called George, who has a diving and boat company near Musgrave Island...(Great Barrier Island?) who we met at the petrol station here the other day. Can't remember his wife's name. Cheers Chris

Great Lynda and Len! We will let the forum know if we are moving on from here so you know before you get here whether or not we are still here then... Val is acting headteacher at the local school, filling a back-filled vacancy (where the current head is acting in a promotion position in Darwin). How long we are here is dependent on how long it takes the Government to advertise and recruit to the position permanently. Val has really retired, but does these jobs every now and again. We need the money for the new Top Ender on order! :laugh: Chris

Hi Rod and Judy! Good to hear from you. I think it is likely we will still be here in late June or July (although open to flexible arrangement, dependent on the Dept of Education's filling of a position). We would love to see you, with or without Tassie wine (but preferably with!). We have a friend from Darwin who will be leading a group of 25 local Ulysses bikers to Townsville. I think he said there would be 5000 of them there...? Cheers Chris

You're too kind, dazmit. By the way, you can make the sausage rolls in a camp oven. Chris

Hi Mark and Deb, we were at Girraween National Park near Stanthorpe recently and my preference would be to stay out at the national park rather than in town. The park is just beautiful. That said, it will be freezing (it was below zero overnight while we were there and that was a month ago) and if you don't have a diesel heater you could be cold! So then again maybe a powered site might be best! While we were there another 2 Kedron Top Enders came in... That region is bristling with marvellous things to see and do. Have fun. Chris

Hi everyone, here is my latest trip report. There is a recipe, and some photos, including ones of our rest stops on the Barkly Highway. It wasn't as dry as the photos suggest! I do hope you enjoy reading it. Chris Stage_24_Brisbane_to_Darwin.doc

Welcome Dave and Shell. It is always good to hear of new members of the "Kedron Family". We are normally on the road pretty much all the time (for a few years anyway) but are presently in Adelaide River NT for about another two months). If you are passing by call in and see us! (Details in previous message on this forum). Chris and Val

We think the Vitrifrigo is absolutely wonderful! It has done a lot of travelling in the heat of the NT and Queensland (for several days once at Mount Isa the temperature was around 47 degrees during the daylight hours) and it has always coped. it had no trouble with the Gibb River Road, or back roads in Kakadu. Once, in Clare SA one of the door hinges broke, and Val took it off, found someone with a welder which he borrowed and fixed it. And we have had to replace the door "handle" once. But the fridge keeps everything icy cold and that's its purpose of course. :thumbsup: Chris

Hi everyone. This is the time in the Top End of the NT that vans start to visit the region. The Dry season has arrived and people's thoughts turn to bush trips up North. We are in Adelaide River for a couple of months (not too sure just how long at present) which is 100 kms South of Darwin and on the Stuart Highway. Val has taken over the Teaching Principal role of the school - a very small school- while they recruit a permanent replacement for the position. Hey, the Department paid our travel costs to come back up so it can't be all bad. We have a nice 2 bedroom flat here (it comes free with the job) and a sizable garden. val has been weeding, mowing, spreading mulch - he's in heaven. Anyway back to the topic! If a fellow Kedronner is going through town and has the inclination to stop and say hello we would love to see you. We are in Hardy Street, parallel with the Highway, north side of the highway, two streets back. We're easy to find - there is a Kedron ATV in the front yard! Chris and Val

As some folk probably know, Shane and Elle recently picked up their new van and set out on a new life on the road. Does anyone know how they're going? Heard any reports? Chris

We have used Biomagic almost exclusively for two or three years, but don't think it is much of an improvement on the other substances. It seems to have about the same lasting power as the Thetford...meaning not too long in hot weather. I have heard that you must make sure the tank is scrupulously clean before using Biomagic for the first time. It's main benefit is that its environmentally friendly of course. Chris

I have just checked with Val, who has updated information on the route. He says "Don't do it!". Apparently there are a couple of culverts which would be tricky to get through with a van. He says it's fine up to Maryvale but questionable after that. From Finke to Kulgera is absolutely fine though. Chris

Oh yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How good is that? Anyway, that's what it looks like on the back road between Finke and Chambers Pillar. Chris

OK Webby, hopefully this will have done it. (At this stage, on my screen I see no picture, just a line of text saying attachmentid=76). What I am hoping will appear is a photo taken on the road to Chambers Pillar ... Chris