There's nothing like having a car that is meant to give you freedom, whilst living in a country that has shut down your freedoms.
It's hard to complain, because we're meant to be grateful we're 'not like India'. We're meant to be grateful that our hallowed State government is taking care of us. We're meant to be grateful that our government Knows What Is Best for the people. We are meant to be grateful that people aren't dying of COVID, although it's okay that they die from other things, like heart disease, cancer, domestic violence, poverty, police brutality or suicide in detention centres.
Buttercup's roofrack has been regalvanised and painted black.
Did I digress? Sorry. I'm clearly feeling bitter and outraged that we aren't allowed to cross state borders and travel this 'free' country, as touted in our national anthem. Currently, we can't go to South Australia, where we had planned to go, because every Victorian goes to Bali and Queensland for their winter holidays, and failing that, at least New South Wales. Exactly why we don't want to go to New South Wales - because every man, woman, child and their dogs and cats are going North, and we like to go against the tide, preferring to shiver on a South Australian beach, as is our right as Australians 'young and free' (see National Anthem again).
We bought a new 270 awning, so we can cook under shelter
We did think about going to Tassie. Then we slapped ourselves, because it's more cold than a fishfinger stuck in the back of the freezer at this time of the year, and we have failed to order a cheap Chinese diesel heater in time for the school holidays. Then there is the rest of this beautiful state we live in, of course. But if someone says 'it's nice to finally have opportunity to see our own backyard' one more time, I'll scream.
And so, we continue to work on Buttercup so she's ready for an adventure that might only be just down the road a ways. The roofrack has been modified, and we've bought a lovely new 270 degree awning that came up second hand on Gumtree. The 12V battery has been charged ready to go, though we were wishing we had got that lithium one we were going to (next time). It also has a refurbished SU carburettor, so it actually goes up hills at 60kmph instead of 40kmph, and can even overtake tractors.
My husband's ass Installing the New Carburettor
Meanwhile, I keep refreshing the news to see if the Powers That Be have opened up those borders yet. Those 'boundless plains' of the national anthem are calling, and we are super restless.
How are your restrictions working out for you? Are you grinning and bearing it, or going a little stir crazy? Have you got a road trip planned?
With Love,
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You can read our other Landrover posts by clicking on any of the links below. Follow us on Instagram @wildtrackdreaming
Landrover Club Meet Up Victoria
Sunday Driving in The Great Otways Park
In Which We Buy A Series 2 and a S3 Military
RedNeck in the Australian Bush: A Landover Horror Story
Buying the 130
Landrover Camper Improvements
Progress on Series 3
Series 3 Restoration Complete
Nut and Bolt Restoration Ending - Series 3
How to Trick Your Wife Into a New Landrover
Series 3 Build Progress
Starting the Rebuild
70th Anniversary at Cooma