Collecting Banjo

It turns out that ordering a van is a bit like a pregnancy - nine months in the making, lots of anxiety and heaps of excitement along the way, a lot of time researching and buying new gadgets that you never even knew existed, as well as a spot of nesting. It is the closing down of one chapter of life and the starting a new one.

So on Sunday 1 December we filled the back of the car with a bunch of exciting caravan paraphernalia, closed the door on our empty, echoey house and headed north.

Our destination was Whangarei, but we were so amped up we did swing by Vanari, the Snowy River supplier, to see if we could spy our "Banjo" waiting on the lot... Louis was super excited when we spotted her waiting quietly at the far side of the yard.

A lovely evening in Whangarei and dinner at the Quay was followed by an early night... and then it was the day of delivery. With mixed emotions, we headed back to Ruakākā - excitement, anticipation, a slight sense of nervousness all jostled together.

Mike from Vanari, who had handled our purchase and fielded all our emails over the past nine months, handed us over to Luke for the handover. Ascertaining that we were complete novices in the caravanning game, he was very patient and thorough with his explanations and demonstrations as he showed us how everything worked and answered our many questions. How does the awning work, what does this button do, how would we swap from solar to mains power, where should water go in and where should if come out, and most importantly - how do you empty to toilet cassette?!

Almost 2 hours later, we were exhausted but elated - Banjo was all ours and we kind of knew what we were doing... the proof of the pudding would be in the next few days of camping!

We hitched up, tested the lights and hit the road for the few kilometres to Ruakākā Beach Holiday Camp.

Our good friends Abby & Jez were already there to welcome us and have a giggle at Louis' first attempt at reversing and parking the big beast! Fortunately Jez is a bit of a pro at all things trailers, so was able to assist and before we knew it, we were settled in on a stunning site overlooking the estuary with panoramic landsape views out over the ocean.

The rest of the day was spent settling in, Louis was in charge of the externals and I spent hours slotting things into the many cupboards, drawers and cubbyholes inside the van. One of the reasons we chose a Snowy River was the wonderful storage space they offer. Living in a caravan for a year or more, the last thing you want is things cluttering up the living space, and you (well, I) need room for a decent wardrobe, spare linens, sufficient kitchenware and of course the cameras, laptops and other gadgets required to record this wonderful endeavour.

Meanwhile our other lovely friends Nickie & Russ had arrived for their inaugural camping trip in their newly imported Bailey which had come all the way from the UK.

There was lots of oohing and aahing over the new vans, plenty of gossip and giggling and memories being made.

We raised a toast to Louis' client Steve Wilcox who had kindly given him a bottle of Taittinger to christen our beautiful Banjo - thank you Steve!

As night fell we listened to the seabirds calling, watched a pastel sunset flood the skies and then the stars pricked the darkness. I decked Banjo in twinkly lights and we all got a bit over excited by the blue disco door handle.

Exhausted we turned in around 11 and slept surprisingly well in our new home on wheels - Banjo, I think we love you!