The Adventure lasts at least three days

We arise with the first of the feathered aviators – True to recent form I complain bitterly about the weather overnight – this time it is because the chilly air of the previous night never materialised leaving my chosen sleeping attire of beany, track suit over-pants, socks and woollen shirt as significant contributors to severe overheating requiring me to oversee their progressive shedding throughout the night.

We meet John and Brigid at John’s establishment for breakfast - The Artisan Café in Lewis Street – a must for all travellers who find themselves in need of sustenance in Mudgee – the place is great – the customers happy and proprietors rightly pleased with themselves.

We return to the van for a leisurely departure – the packing up process surprisingly smooth – not even the slightest temptation for either of us to become agitated – Melanie’s holiday plans are becoming safer by the day!

The texts and emails start to arrive –  Kamahl’s questioning of mankind was entirely appropriate – why are people so unkind! – Take for example Brian Royal’s suggestion that I contact NSW Police in relation to our previously lost esky

The unkindness continues with Keith Donaldson – his advice that David Parker had found some replacement wine for me and that Brian Royal could lay his hands on a used esky was not intended to contribute to my either my cheerfulness or my sense of self worth!

It was to be a day of travel to a slightly extended stay in the Hunter Valley – four hours is too much travelling on the by-ways of the central west – Mudgee to Scone and Scone to Cessnock – demanding but brand new to both of us. We watch the mirrors and listen for unusual sounds – none eventuate – amazing – perhaps we will have a dramaless day!

We set up – 20 minutes – amazing – this caravanning is easy! – nothing to it! - time to relax!

Drink some wine – give the thumbs up to some young lads in the caravan park setting up for a few
days of misbehaviour in the Hunter Valley over the Anzac Day long weekend – their spectacular four wheels drives had been professionally modified to within an inch of their lives – the thumbs up we render to them are enthusiastically received – we wander on a little further - look at those cars says an old fellow (he was at least a year younger than me) – kids get it too easy these days! – he expected agreement from us and when it was not forthcoming he turned on his heals – clearly there was something distinctly wrong with us in taking pleasure in the seeing the fun these kids were having.

Bernie is too tired to cook – it is your turn Michael – Thai take-away is collected from the Blue Thai immediately next door to the Caravanesi office

The needlework emerges and threads fly – the laptop emerges - we have both gathered at the rear of the van - we are conscious of unusual flexing of the van – curses - bugger – maybe we were just a little quick to congratulate ourselves on the speed and effectiveness of our van set-up – the rear stabilisers have not been lowered – Mike occupies the rear bed – Bernie in the front bed – If there is any bed hopping tonight it better be Mike joining Bernie and not the other way around otherwise we will not be telling Chris Harpers nocturnal misadventures in a similar van to all and sundry but rather be telling a story all of our own!