TOM AND PONCHO

[tomandponcho]

VITS 2016

Since the last post, Poncho has been repaired and cured of all battery charging issues, he’s never run better!

I managed to get him interstate for the first time ever to the annual VITS (Volkswagens in the Square) event in Albury! It was awesome to get Poncho to his first VW show and meet so many other enthusiasts. 

The drive up consisted of many fuel stops, impatient drivers who didn’t like being stuck behind us and all round laughs and good times. Our free camp was huge and there was a few other campers there too.

One of the best parts about going away in the van is that I’m almost always up to see both the sunset and the sunrise each day. Seeing the sun come up over the hills across the lake was magical and is certainly a very pure way to kick off the day.

[tomandponcho]

The only thing that’s inevitable 

9/4/16 12:30am  A good Volkswagen friend once said to me “They’ll let you know when they don’t want to go somewhere...” I write this as Poncho rests in a cold carpark by himself for the night. After seemingly resolving Poncho’s alternator and charging issues, I took him for a spin after being driveway bound for the last week. He felt great and purred away, running like he should until I stopped in the carpark. 

The air-cooled engine turned over but there was no spark, no life, no go. After a good hour of cold, late-night troubleshooting we gave in, but didn’t give up.  After photographing Poncho in his bad state, we got a lift home and here I am sitting in bed writing and thinking about my lovely Volkswagen.

I will return to Poncho in the morning equipped with more tools and a crash course on ignition troubleshooting via the Kombi Club forums, The Samba forums and other online resources.

Whilst these vehicles are notorious for breaking down, they are equally notorious for their simplicity to work on and tight-knit community and following of fellow owners.  This is the real #vanlife

[tomandponcho]

Lunch

For me this moment really marked the ownership of the van and exactly what #vanlife is all about. 

We were looking for somewhere quiet to prepare and eat lunch in the van, but were limited as it was school holidays. We drove up a hill (in first gear at somewhere around 10km/h) to be greeted with a junction. There were signs pointed left back to the town and to a picnic area, perfect for lunch. But instead we went right.

The right turn lacked any sign posting, but it didn’t need any. If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there! We drove for about half an hour over tracks which nearly rattled the van to pieces with views that left our jaws on the floor.  We ended up here, popped the top, swung out the stove and started cooking lunch. Bonnie and I had pancakes in the van surrounded by nothing but trees, the sound of birds and our good friend Poncho. 

[tomandponcho]

Lorne Foreshore 

This is where me, Poncho and my good friend Bonnie ended up for the first ever night spent in the van. 

The initial plan was to park up here, set up the bed and curtains and then drive somewhere more discreet. After brushing our teeth and getting the bed ready, we decided the back of this carpark was plenty dark enough for us to go unnoticed. 

Other than the onshore gale that greeted us in the morning, the night was a comfortable one and the makeshift curtains kept out much more light than the brittle 35 year old ones that hung inside before. 

About five minuets after this photo was taken, someone arrived dressed formally and clutching a clip board, inspecting an RV which arrived after we fell asleep. We figured this meant it was time to go and shot through to the township to buy breakfast supplies. 

[tomandponcho]

You made it!

Welcome to my blog! This is a project thats been on the back-burner for a few months, but with Poncho The Kombi on the road and with many adventures planned, what better time to start! 

Differently to my other social media platforms, here you will find more in depth documentation of all the struggles and successes of #vanlife with Poncho and more insightful information into my photography! 

A simple share on Facebook or Instagram to help boost this project would help me hugely and I always appreciate the support of my followers!