Diddley i Potatoes - Phil

We have got a campervan!!!

Well, nearly.

Since we last wrote, we offered Michelle and Paul (Mitsu Delica) less than what they wanted, but they weren't too happy at our pitiful (but realistic) offer, so we didn't pursue that any further. We decided that more van-viewing was required, so that's what we did yesterday (Wednesday).

However, on Wednesday morning, I was starting to feel a bit lazy and un-exercised, so took myself off for a run around the nearby hills. It was fantastic and the route I took afforded the most amazing views of Auckland harbour and the beaches and bays on Waiheke. It ended with a run along Blackpool beach, which made me feel at home.

We hoped there would be a chance to see and stay with Jo Clayton, a friend of Meg's from the UK who has been working in Auckland. So we took a possible change of clothes with us into Auckland. However, we didn't have a very appropriate bag/daysack, so our first task was to get a new bag. I get particularly excited when we get to go into camping shops, so after getting the midday ferry into town we spent about an hour looking at bags and rucksacks, and camping stuff. It was ace. I love my new rucksack, and got to wear it all day. I can't wait for the next time I can use it.

We arranged to see the new lot of vans at the Ponsonby backpackers, the same place as where we had been on Monday. It was just slightly out of town, and was quiet enough for the vans to find somewhere to park and us to look around.

The first one was owned by Nick, and was a long-wheel-base Toyota hi-ace. It was excellent. It had loads of fittings (fridge, sink, bed-cum-sofa) and looked more like a caravan than a campervan. However, we weren't sure about Nick, a mancunian who had just had the van a few weeks and wanted to get rid of it as he was going to be travelling in a group of 5, and obviously the van wasn't big enough to cater for that many people. The van was very sensible, but lacked a bit of character. Also, he wanted quite more money than anyone else we had seen.

The second van was Tobin and Marianne, from Denmark and their Mitsubishi Delica. It was ok, but no better than some of the other ones we'd seen on Monday.

The third van was 2 German girls with their Mazda Bongo. Unfortunately for them they had their van broken into the night before, and had ALL their stuff stolen (except their passports), so just wanted to get rid of the van asap before flying back home. We felt really sorry for them as they had lost all their clothes, possessions, and photos from their travels. But we're still not buying their rubbish van.

The 4^th van was owned by a surfer dude who took great pains to tell and show us the handiwork that he had done on his van. He had built all the framework for the bed in the back, and was incredibly proud of what he had done. Unfortunately he came across as just too pushy so we were immediately sceptical of his selling tactics. However, it is clear to us that we have arrived in NZ at a time when there are loads of vans for sale, but not very many buyers. Most people are really desperate to get rid of their vehicles before they are forced to give it away for nothing to some dodgy dealer.

Our final car that we saw is the one that we are hoping to get. Meg was initially unsure about seeing the van as the advert that had been placed in the hostels just showed a silly, garish, painted van, that was traveller-cliche all over, but when the van pulled up beside us, we immediately liked it. The guys that own the van (John and Jess, a german couple) clearly both love the van and desperately don't want to have to sell the van. They have kept it in good condition, and seemed very trustworthy, and we warmed to them straight away. It is a long-wheel-base toyota hi-ace, so had lots of room, and makes all the other vans seem really cramped. It is high enough to almost stand up straight it, and plenty of room to get changed without having to do everything lying down on the bed. It is a 5 speed manual car and has the gear stick on the steering column which was a bit weird at first, but not too difficult to get used to. It has the ability to get hooked up to electricity points (available at campsites), and comes with a host of added extras: lots of storage space/boxes, some drawers, remote control lights for night-time, a surfboard and bodyboard, 2 wetsuits, a tool box, gas stove, 2 heaters/fans for when it's cold/hot, and lots more. The van has also done a lot less mileage that most of the rest that we had seen..

Although we had doubts initially (when we saw the advert) we have decided we love the fact it has 'Diddly I Potatoes painted on the bonnet, a pegasus-style horse on one side and a BFG on the other. But we figure that if we're going to go travelling, we may as well go travelling in a hippy style van. We won't get the chance to have a van like this again, so why not? We'll certainly remember where we parked it.

We rang John and Jess a few hours after discussing our options, and they came to meet us and discuss the payment. We didn't want to pay as much as they were asking, so they have agreed to lower their asking price so that they have not lost out on what they have paid and put into the van. However, before we exchange monies, we are taking the van for an AA inspection check tomorrow afternoon. Presuming that everything is fine, we will agree to buy the van, and then our adventures can properly start!!

Unfortunately, we couldn't stay with Jo Clayton last night as she was busy at work, but we will hopefully see her another day. Instead we got the late ferry back to Waiheke.

Today we have spent the day around the house. I have made a cracking spanish omelette for lunch, and Meg went with Heidi to take the childen to playgroup.

This afternoon Heidi took us to the eastern part of the island, which was out of this world. It is pretty much deserted of people, except for a few hippies here and there, and the odd 'bach' (a kind of cool wooden holiday home). We saw the most awesome bays and clifft op views, quite a few vineyards, and forests. Meg took the obligatory photos, and then we raced back home in order for Heidi to take Kirby to the boat so he could go to work.

Tomorrow, we will be doing the AA check with the campervan. If it's considered ok, we will hope to exchange money tomorrow, but it still may take a few days if the banks don't play ball. So the best scenario is that we can head off tomorrow night into the sunset. The less-good scenario is we have to wait 3-4 days for bank transfers to take place, and then we can head off into the sunset. The worst-case scenario is that the AA think the van is rubbish and we have to start off all over again and there is no sunset.