"An Around-the-World-Ticket for Two, Please."

Campervan Day!

Posted by Sarah O'Neill , Thursday, 11 November 2010 17:19

So, on Wednesday night we saw an advert on Gumtree for a campervan that was being sold about 15 minutes away, for only $1000 and thought we ought to at least check it out! It had everything we'd need with it, cooking equipment, chairs, table, bed etc, so emailed and went to bed. On Thursday morning we had a reply and arranged to meet them, so headed off to the hostel they were staying at.

It was two young American girls selling it. When we arrived they told us that it had been sat on the drive way for 2 months and wouldn't start!!!! They had a battery jump lead pack and managed to start the engine, however, when it was turned off it wouldn't start again! Used the
battery jumpe leads again and Ben and Sam took it for a test drive! They also told us that it had black smoke coming out of the exhaust, but they had taken it to a mechanic who said it was piston ring that needed replacing, maximum cost $350, and that they had dropped the price in last few days because of this, and that they needed to sell it by Sunday!

We tried offering them $800, but they said $900, so we went half way and threw in our Thailand guide books which we happened to have with us as we were taking them to the second hand book shop. This was great as the girls were going to Thailand next! They accepted $850 + books, and we had oursleves a deal! Started her up again, with the jump leads, and off we went!

The smoke out of the exhaust was pretty bad and smelt so we decided we would get it looked at soon. When we pulled up at Kelly and Sam's we were hoping that having driven it for a while the battery might have charged up a bit, but unfortunately when we turned it off, it would not start again! We knew this might happen! So, we decided to bite the bullet and go and buy a new battery. Sam took us, and then Ben fitted it! We all held our breath and waited for Sam to turn the key, ... nothing, just a little clicky noise!

Luckily, with the van came breakdown cover, so just phoned them and they were on their way! Sam and I went to pick up some lunch while Ben waited with the van, who is called Gunther by the way (they named it!). The RAC man came and said it was the wrong battery (even though we'd asked the sales people!) and the new battery was apparently dead! So, after lunch by the beach, off we went back to the battery place. Got the right one no problem, and Ben fitted it! We all held our breath again, ... nothing again, just the same clicky noise!

Called the RAC back out, and the same man came! He looked at it, and noticed a wire that was not connected. Once he connected it, we had lift off!!! We wonder if we needed a new battery at all, as that wire had not been connected to the old one, so that could have been the problem all along! Oh well, can't hurt to have a new battery!

Finally we were on the road! Ben and Sam went for a little drive, and tested out the sound system! It is hooked up with massive speakers and a rather good CD player, and the volume is deafening!! They also left us all their copied CDs in a CD sleve which is great! We set about finding out exactly what came with it! So, we have a camping stove, chairs, table etc. A big box full of cooking stuff and plates etc, a box full of other random stuff, like matches, dustpan and brush, electrical tape and touch up paint, and all sorts of stuff! There is a football, a rugby ball, and some snorkel gear! Most of the stuff is pretty grubby, and needs a good wash, so I will be cleaning it all ready for when we get on the road!

Had a lovely evening, Kelly and I went to the cinema to watch 'Life as we know it', it was so nice to go and see a chick flick and have some girly time! We got home and the boys had been playing Fifa11 all evening, what a suprise!!!