Where is the Grinch?

It might be Christmas time but someone is still grumpy that they are not getting their brand new toy in time for Santa to stuff it down the non-existent chimney – just another reason there’s no way of getting around to naming the new truck, Grinch - it's Aintree Green (Land Rover colour) and Matt hates Christmas time (but I reckon there's a little bit in him that can be transformed over the years - ha, a goal of mine!).

We're back Ozway

Back from the States and alas, no news on the Grinch but we did have a wonderful time!

Started in San Francisco, on to Amador County wine country with my Aunt Sally & Uncle Jerry, down to Yosemite National Park, then on to drive down the Big Sur before overnighting in LA.

We flew across to Clearwater, Florida where we savoured all that a family Thanksgiving has to offer complete with smoked turkey and duck! Then finally over to Albuquerque, New Mexico before flying back to Sydney - a big fabulous trip!

Off to the States

So the Grinch (aka the new Land Rover Defender) didn't arrive in October which is just as well since Matt was going to stay behind and not visit the States with me as planned to play with his new toy - yeah, for the delay!

How will I sleep?

The Northstar Offroad Camper looks like this from the inside - or at least the layout.

We both have side storage and the queen size bed sits over the front of the Defender cab with the door opening off the back.

He bought me a potty!

Some girls like diamond rings, some girls like flashy clothes, I just want a toilet seat and that’s exactly what my wonderful man has purchased for me!

This is not the actual one but it's the same concept but mine is all black.

And it's not for common usage but a nice to have...more stories on its use and misuse to follow!

Sit, relax, have a cup of tea

I’ve been adamant to get informed on the 4 wheel drive experience now that Matt has locked in a vehicle and found a wonderful excerpt in Gregory's 4WD Australia book that I bought that said in the case of an incident,

"sit down, make a cup of tea and calmly think through a plan for recovering the vehicle."

Ha, I highlighted this one in big marks and have re-read to anyone that will listen! You can imagine the truck bogged half way down on its side, filling with water and Matt trying to keep his calm while making orders for me to action – then me, “Dear, would you like a cup of tea?”

Impressing the hard cores

We went to an ARB Open Day where I impressed the sales man when I kept interrupting to ask the use for that and why we might need this other thing or how it works. Instead of getting annoyed with the girlfriend that doesn’t really have a clue, he said,

“You’re the first partner here today that actually paid any attention through the process rather than just commenting on the final price.”

Matt proceeded to break the bank with the snorkel, winch (not me), suspension, maxi tracks, eskie, and on and on till the truck will be fully suitable for the outback.

Decision made

A Land Rover Defender dual cab with a tray back and a Northstar 6 foot slide on camper pop top from the States with 5 year off road warranty.