Van Nats

Hi all. We are underway and at Hillston tonight before the crossing of the plains tomorrow. The van didn't make it but that's another story. Wagon is going well and keeping infront of Rod and Jens yellow van with the red van in tow.

Travel safe all and see you tomorrow. For everyone else I will try my best to keep the photos rolling.





Note the oil slick

Comparison of the big rigs

Hey Hayley, getting pretty excited here, really looking forward to catching up with everyone! 

We will be arriving on Friday sometime after lunch.  Tell Rod I will do my best to wait for him this time so that he can help me put up the 'thunderdome'   

Thanks for sharing the pics, keep them coming until we get there!

See you real soon!!  

Thanks for teaser Hayley
Can't wait to see more..as the weekend progresses
Spewing we couldn't be there too.."............................ 

thanks for the pics i am going to make it to the nats one year

"Goooooddddd Moooorrrrning" broke the quiet this morning at 6:45 over the loud speakers. Then there was a hum of activity of polish cloths and burbles as the van made the 50m drive into the oval. We have a lovely day with clear skies and a breeze. There is a good roll up of vans already and a good crowd of MV's and friends. Photos to come.

As usual great pics Hayley keep them coming,also the weather looks perfect as well say g'day to Dean for me.

Regards Tony.
  
"leave em"wanting more!

Bowtie383 wrote:As usual great pics Hayley keep them coming,also the weather looks perfect as well say g'day to Dean for me.

Regards Tony.
  
"leave em"wanting more!

Yep ..
What Tony said Hayley..

Just back in from dinner 70's style and the light show. MV's and friends did an awsome job at 70's and were pipped at the post. Mel and Adrian look fab as did Lee and cool dude Darren. Dno and Jennie looked the part in original parent material (terylene) and special mention to Sam for entering both female and male events.

Karl did well in the light display. Mully attracted the kids with the flashing lights and all us good.

The afternoon ended off with a fantastic photo shoot with all the sandmans lined up and then the millennium vans, escorts and the the fords. The two fantastic wagons lined up for a quick pic as well.

Most photos are on the camera but will try and load some more soon. Having a great time sorry for those missing out. Book in for Bathurst next year for the 40th over 20 registeted already.

Off for a few drinks in the dark

Loving the updates Hayley.   

Thanks for keeping us posted.

Another fantastic day at Van Nats. Up and convoy to friend of someone's friend to have alook at their collection then down to the river and drive around before some had lunch at the pub or pooled resources for a snack. MV spirt alive with an on the run fix up for Ash who got stuck in reverse. Then off to the van line up photo at Chaffey House. After much organisation photos were at last taken of the line up. We photo bombed at the end with the wagon front centre. A lovely dinner at the RSL although Karl and Trish missed out then off to auction and awards. Awards are still on the go but I came home with Tess. I can here the cheering from camp so they must be happy. Stay tuned.

Indoor locations for Bathurst Nats sold well in excess of $800 at auction. Seems it is going to be a big event so add it to the calendar now.

Skid Row came first and Red Baron second. Jaffa third. Final destination 4th

Hayley congrats on the award for your wagon and well deserved,also I would like to thankyou for all the pics you have posted up for all of us that could not be there great work.

Regards Tony.
  
"leave em"wanting more!

 
WHAT A WEEKEND

Anna and I arrived home safely from Mildura after saying our final goodbyes at BP Calder. 


After what was a VANtastic weekend with friends that feel like family and meeting new people at our first Australian Van Nationals. 


For those that were unable to attend, let me give you a brief run down as I know others (Karl for one) will do a much better and more detailed report. 


FRIDAY
After meeting up at BP Calder we headed North along the Calder Highway on our journey to Mildura. Our convoy looked great and turned heads as we went through the towns. We stopped at Charlton for a quick refuel, food and whatever was required. 


We had an unscheduled stop after that when Serendipity decided it needed to have a rest. As is typical with MV hands got dirty and minor repairs were carried out. 
Next stop Ouyen, again for fuel and then non stop to Mildura. 


Tents were set up, cans were consumed and stories were told.


SATURDAY


Show day, judging day, call it what you will. Today was it. 
Vehicles were moved onto the oval and after a flurry of polishing rags and tyre shine the gates were finally opened to the public........... AND the judges. 
Weather couldn't have been better. 


After a long day, we headed over for dinner/party. The theme was 70s. There were a few suspicious looking characters there. (I'm sure photos will emerge).


SUNDAY


A free day so we went for a cruise where we were joined by a few other vans including Red Baron, which Rusty got to be wingman in.  A few right turns, left turns, wrong turns and U turns we got to where we were going.


Dinner that night was at the RSL where most of us enjoyed our meals. Karl and Trisha (who organised the booking) missed out on theirs. 


Back to camp for auction and presentation. 
Majestic Vanners and members won the following;
Best Attended Club
Best Non Local Club
Encouragement Award - The McGuires (Serendipity)
Best Original Van - Ron Franks (Mini)
Hayley also won an award with her green wagon but I didn't catch what is was for. Sorry Hayley.


MONDAY


After saying our goodbyes to those staying or traveling in opposite directions, those of us heading south headed off. 
First stop, Charlton for fuel and lunch.
Second stop, 500 metres down the road with the call on the UHF radio "I've got a fire, I've got a fire" and "We've gotta stop, we've gotta stop".
We stopped and returned to the distressed car to find Kane's green wagon burning one of its batteries. Fire extinguished with use of fire extinguisher. Battery isolated and we continued on our way again. 




We then had an uneventful trip, apart from traffic and people that can't drive, to BP Calder where we said our final goodbyes.




CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL MAJESTIC VANNERS ON A GREAT TURN OUT.

Nice summary Mully. Great to meet you finally and everyone else too.
I had a blast.
Pics as soon as my numbed limbs wake up a bit.
P.s, that was one of the quickest 'U' turns i have ever seen!!!!!      

home at last, tired so no pics till i wake up lol, an awesome time at our first nats with a van , so good to catch up with our majestic family again and share stories.
also wonderful to meet new people with a passion for vans as well, many thanks to all who helped us out with our alternator problem on the way up and our overheating problem on the way home.
all is sorted now and sometime this week we will put up some pics.
humbled to receive an encouragement award for serendipity and many thanks to dogman for the 2015 calender and nats patch cause he loved our van,
cheers kerri and andrew