When preparing for a trip like this, with a caravan, you are able to be very very organised. I have hear alot of stories from family whom travel regularly about ridiculous costs of items in remote areas and considering we don't have much of a plan in regards to where we will be and when we will be there, its a good idea that we have plenty of food prepared.
When we bought the van we decided we wanted to be able to have the things we enjoy readily avaliable, despite the possibility of being in remote areas. So we bought a few appliances and contraptions that can be used inside the van (some of which require our generator being plugged in) that can help us to enjoy the food/beverages/occasional treats that we like despite where we are at the time.
A few of the things we have considered and bought and the reasons why:
Soda Stream: We purchased this as we find ourselves buying soft drink from service stations while travelling (for many reasons including just for somthing different and for the caffiene somtimes) We also use "cola" as a mixer when we enjoy the occasional alcohol beverage. So we worked out the the soda stream was a cost effective way of enjoying soft drinks occasionally. They use a small gas cylander to make the water fizzy and therefore need no electricity (other than a fridge to chill the water for the soft drink, or a freezer to make ice to chill the water) Our soda stream cost about $60 and the falvourings are generally under $5 a bottle and each bottle makes around 12 litres of soft drink. You can buy them from the following link however they seem to be more expensive than they are when purchased from K-mart. (http://www.sodastream.com.au/auretail/category.aspcatalog_name=Sodastream&category_name=SYRUPS&Page=1&cookie_test=1 )
Bread maker: My mum and step dad bought me a breadmaker for Christmas (as per my request, when asked what I would like) and it is truly a brilliant machine. I only just mastered it last night, unfortunately, but now it is perfect. I bought it as I generally purchase the $1 loaves of homebrand bread from the supermarkets and I cannot handle the idea of spending $4 - $6 on a loaf of bread from a service station upon running out when not near a major supermarket. I tried really hard to get mine to work with cheap, homebrand flour and other cheap ingredients but I simply couldnt get it to work. I eventually gave in and bought a bag of "Defiance breadmix" from Coles and last night I popped it in and it worked perfectly (I had to add yeast of course but one large tub of yeast is incredibly cheap and you only need a and 1/4 teaspoon for each loaf). I absolutely love the idea of stopping in the middle of nowhere, setting up for the night, plugging in the generator and cooking up a loaf of bread before bedtime (whilest having showers, making dinner etc) to have fresh delicious sandwiches for lunch the next day. One packet of breadmix is about $10 and it will make about 13 loaves in my sunbeam breadmaker with just a bit of yeast and a cup of water (the loaf size is quiet small, but enough for a full day or two for my family). This is similar to mine, from sunbeam: ( http://www.sunbeam.com.au/Pages/Browse/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=1713 )
Slow cooker: We absolutely love our slow cooker. Although we most likely wouldnt use it in remote areas where we need our generator for power, we would use it while plugged in to electricity. They are a wonderful inviention and perfect to pop in a lasagne, corned beef, or simple casserole before you head off for a big day of exploring a new town. Theres nothing better than coming home to a beautiful home cooked meal without having to salve away in the kitchen.
A multitude of baking ingredients: We thought it would be great to be well stocked up on baking ingredients (mostly dry ingredients) and savoury ingredients to make recipes from scratch. This way we can make our own cakes, biscuits, etc at the drop of the hat if we happen to want somthing. We can also make delicious homemade meusli bars, slices, etc. With all the dinner ingredients we are able to make curries, casseroles, lasagnes and bechemal sauces (and pretty much everything else) from scratch should we decide we want somthing different for dinner. I definately suggest stocking up on a HUGE variety as it will stop you eating takeaway and thus wasting more money.
I just rememeberd a few things I have to get done so I had better go. However I will continue on with this list in a new entry at a later date.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Our New Travel Blog
This is our new travel blog where we will record the details of our journey. We (myself, my husband, Brent and our two and a half year old son Zac) have just purchased a caravan and have decided to spend anywhere upto the next entire five years travelling around Australia. Our caravan is a Jayco Sterling (24-75-1) and our tow vehicle is a 2010 Nissan Navara D40.
About us:
Brent -
Brent is a 26 year old qualified diesel mechanic. He is going to be running his own mobile diesel mechanic business from the back of our ute. He will also be contracting himself out to mechanical jobs in the farming, mining, agricultural and small engine industries. Brent has a keen interest in Bundaberg Rum (mostly the drinking of it, haha) and AC/DC. He loves live bands, the outdoors, motorbike riding and spending time with his son (and wifey of course).
Mel -
Mel is a 24 year old student. Currently studying a Bachelor Of Applied Social Science to become a counsellor. She loves the outdoors and loves being around the water but is definately excited about seeing the dessert. She loves spending time with Brent and and Zac and loves playing games or doing craft projects with Zac. Mel is currently on another journey - a weight loss journey to lose 40 kilos she gained over a four year period (which can be followed in her blog: http://idontwanttobeafraidanymore.blogspot.com/ ) she has already lost ten kilograms of it in just one month and is now working on the next ten.
Zac -
Zac is a very energetic, loving, beautiful natured 2 and a half year old. He is extremely eccentric in hiw ways and is always doing the strangest (yet funnyest/cutest) things. He loves being around his mummy and daddy and loves painting, singing, dancing and reading books. He LOVES Peppa Pig (a cartoon on ABC) and loves socialising with other children. He loves kisses and cuddles and snuggling up with mumma or daddy. Zac loves the outdoors and will definately thrive on the amount of time he will be spending outside throughout our journey. He also loves animals of all different kinds, especially dogs and cats.
About our Plan for the Journey:
We don't really have a plan as time and time again our plans have fallen through and because of that we have become people who plan as little as possible. Since buying our van around three months ago we have travelled between Mackay, Grafton and the Central Coast spending time with our families. However a week ago we decided that if we dont get into our proper journey soon it is never going to happen. So we made a last minute decision to just pack up and get on the road to Darwin. We are going to do somewhat of a trip plan with my step father and my mother as they are avid travellers of this beautiful country. But the plans may be drawn out of we pick up work in towns along the way and thus decide to spend extra time in some places than first anticipated.
We hope to be on our way to Darwin within four weeks however we have a few things going on at the moment that are slightly slowing down our plans. I am going through some medical testing at the moment and Brent is finishing off getting the ute and the mechanical business organised so that we can hopefully pick up some money along the road.
I am currently re-organising the caravan for our trip. I like to be very very well stocked up on food, toiletries, emergency supplies etc. Which takes alot of organising, shopping and sorting. I will write abit more about this and a few of our "tricks and hints" in another blog entry.
About us:
Brent -
Brent is a 26 year old qualified diesel mechanic. He is going to be running his own mobile diesel mechanic business from the back of our ute. He will also be contracting himself out to mechanical jobs in the farming, mining, agricultural and small engine industries. Brent has a keen interest in Bundaberg Rum (mostly the drinking of it, haha) and AC/DC. He loves live bands, the outdoors, motorbike riding and spending time with his son (and wifey of course).
Mel -
Mel is a 24 year old student. Currently studying a Bachelor Of Applied Social Science to become a counsellor. She loves the outdoors and loves being around the water but is definately excited about seeing the dessert. She loves spending time with Brent and and Zac and loves playing games or doing craft projects with Zac. Mel is currently on another journey - a weight loss journey to lose 40 kilos she gained over a four year period (which can be followed in her blog: http://idontwanttobeafraidanymore.blogspot.com/ ) she has already lost ten kilograms of it in just one month and is now working on the next ten.
Zac -
Zac is a very energetic, loving, beautiful natured 2 and a half year old. He is extremely eccentric in hiw ways and is always doing the strangest (yet funnyest/cutest) things. He loves being around his mummy and daddy and loves painting, singing, dancing and reading books. He LOVES Peppa Pig (a cartoon on ABC) and loves socialising with other children. He loves kisses and cuddles and snuggling up with mumma or daddy. Zac loves the outdoors and will definately thrive on the amount of time he will be spending outside throughout our journey. He also loves animals of all different kinds, especially dogs and cats.
About our Plan for the Journey:
We don't really have a plan as time and time again our plans have fallen through and because of that we have become people who plan as little as possible. Since buying our van around three months ago we have travelled between Mackay, Grafton and the Central Coast spending time with our families. However a week ago we decided that if we dont get into our proper journey soon it is never going to happen. So we made a last minute decision to just pack up and get on the road to Darwin. We are going to do somewhat of a trip plan with my step father and my mother as they are avid travellers of this beautiful country. But the plans may be drawn out of we pick up work in towns along the way and thus decide to spend extra time in some places than first anticipated.
We hope to be on our way to Darwin within four weeks however we have a few things going on at the moment that are slightly slowing down our plans. I am going through some medical testing at the moment and Brent is finishing off getting the ute and the mechanical business organised so that we can hopefully pick up some money along the road.
I am currently re-organising the caravan for our trip. I like to be very very well stocked up on food, toiletries, emergency supplies etc. Which takes alot of organising, shopping and sorting. I will write abit more about this and a few of our "tricks and hints" in another blog entry.
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