Getting Ready To Launch

Well I got my hands on the van. I've named it Homey, after Homer Simson cause the first thing I said when I drove it was "D'oh!" . It's not that its all that bad I was just what came into my head. The only real problem is a terrible creaking noise in the front suspention and a slight grinding noise when I turn to the right. If I hadn't promised to buy it I would have passed it by. But then I would have spent a couple of days just looking for a van. Instead I am going to drive it to Christchurch and have a mechanic look at the front end and fix it as cheaply as possible while I'm out paddling. I just don't want to be stuck broken down in the middle of nowhere! Other than that it's fine. A dent here and there but the engine starts right up and doesn't make any funny noises when its running. No power but then what do you want for 2000cc's

I was going to build a platform inside so I could store my stuff under the bed but I just sleep next to it and It's find. Nothing like snuggling up to your gear at night! Many women have accused me of doing just that, now it's true. I spend the first night in the van parked along scenic bay side road. The strong winds rocked the van all night and the cars going to work rocked it all morning. I was parked near a public bath so I was able to get a sauna and steam with my morning shower for less than the cost of my morning latte! Not bad.

The person that sold me the van was also going to give me her sim card for the phone but she flaked and now I have to get my own. Not a terrible issue accept that I gave out the number to a few people already.

I also discovered that I have a power issue. I got all these car chargers for my laptop, camera batteries and cell phone but the van's battery is very small ( not the right one for the van ) and I don't think that it will take the strain. As I used up most of my laptop battery the first night and the next morning( I left the wall charger in the my luggage that was in the van the first night) I had to sneak back into the YHA to plug in my laptop to charge it up. This morning I have it plugged in at the coffee shop that I use to connect, so I can finish charging the unit. Live and learn.

Need to be ready for the ferry by noon today. Just a couple of hours off. Then it time to cross over the the South Island. I will be looking at a couple of kayaks tonight and be in Christchurch by Wed. I already feel pressed for time. Funny how is that!