Day 2 - Delivery of the Cars

Up early for a walk along the beach and a swim before setting off to collect the cars, but not before we had completed another mountain of paperwork. No wonder the Thai paper industry is so successful.

Off to the Customs Bureau where we signed another mountain of papers, and then we sat and waited and waited and got moved on because we were taking up all the available waiting space. At 1630 we received a call that Thai Customs had finished going through the mountain of paperwork that they had us sign and were just going to check the details on the paperwork matched the vehicles - of course it did!!!!

1730 and the cars were released. Jubilation as the owners crawled back into their pride an joy and tried to start the cars. Most did, some need a bit of encouragement and others needed a bit more, including some petrol - it must have either evaporated or Tony misjudget the 1/8 of a tank allowance he was allowed to leave in the car.

Off in convoy in Thai peak hour traffic to the hotel where we arrived just before 1930 after a long and tedious day. But the journey is now starting to feel very real! 

Day 1 - Soggy fairwell

Sydney did its best to fairwell us: drizzle and a traffic jam at the airport that turned a turned a 20 minute trip into 80 minutes. Luckily we had allowed plenty of time to get there. Then the plane sat on the tarmac in the rain for an hour because of congestion.

But all that seemed to fade into a memory when we were welcomed to our Bangsaen Beach Hotel with a cold beer.

1 Day to go - Packing

It seems that technology rules the day on travel, or atleast for this trip. Telstra has cut off my internet acces becuase I've over run my data allowance and it seems as though I've been cast adrift.

And then when packing half of the available space has been consumed with 9 power plugs/ adapters, various power leads, computers, GPS, CB radio, 2 phones (one with a new SIM), iPads, a couple of cameras, a backup battery and a back up drive. We are not taking a portable power station (other than the battery pack which will kick start the car if all else fails) so will be relying on car generated power to keep things running.

Other than this the packing is running very smoothly as Loris is reduced what I am allowed to take down to a spare pair of knickers and a change of socks.

8 days to go - Cars unpacked

The cars have been unpacked from the containers. Pictures sent show them all lined up with bonnets in the air. I hope this is so that the Customs Officials can check all the VIN and engine numbers, not so that they can pilfer the motors.

Also given that the cars have been moved about into a storage shed, pending our arrival, I am hopeful that this means they were able to decipher our starting instructions and that the motors are running. 

16 Days to go - Cars have arrived

Just received news that the cars have arrived in Bangkok.

29 Days to go - Container leaving Australian waters

Our container ship is about to leave Australian waters. Heading for Singapore then on to Bangkok.

42 Days to go: Loading the Containers

Wet and cool - fine weather for a send off.

The cars were picked up today for delivery to Port Melbourne. From there they are shipped to Bangkok where we are hoping they will arrive in the same condition as we sent them, on 20th March 2017. In Bangkok they will be unloaded and stored in Bond pending our arrival on 2nd April 2017 to clear them through Thai Customs.

Loading for Bangkok

44 days to go: Packing the containers

The platform - inverted

Saturday morning 18th February 2017. Pretty much too late to do anything else with the cars other than give them a final wash down to get the road grime and squished bugs off them for the trip to Bangkok.

The scene at Mike Herlihy's factory was one of disciplined activity: building the ramps and platforms for the cars and strapping them down. two cars were loaded on the bottom facing out and then the platform for the top car was maneuvered into place.

Loading Dash B - hauled into place up the ramp by winch.

The third car then winched up the ramp with care and strapped into place - one strap on each wheel. Then finally the forth car was driven in facing the others. As a result the top car is effectively sitting over the engine bay of the two lower cars.

Containers all packed and ready to lock.

45 Days to go: Sydney to Melbourne

The cars are to be shipped to Bangkok from Melbourne as this is the home of the majority, so the 3 Sydney cars need a final shake down run to the loading point.

The two 40' containers were delivered to Mike Herlihy's factory yesterday, Thursday 16th February 2017 readly for packing on Saturday.

The Navigator in control and smiling on the way to Melbourne

Last time I attempted the run from Melbourne to Sydney, in January 2016 after buying the MGB in Melbourne, we got to Goulbourn before the car decided it had had enough, or more precisely the old SU diaphragm fuel pump gave up the ghost. This of course was a source of great amusement to many of my friends - how do you expect to drive to London, but can't even make it to Sydney?  We shall see.

A 0715 meeting with Goldie at Neutral Bay and we were off. Cars running smoothly, peak hour Sydney traffic, CD radios at last communicating, and a predicted high of 35c for most of the trip down the Hume Motorway to Melbourne.

Lunch stop at Little Billabong and a breather for the cars.

To my great relief the car drove beautifully. The engine did not miss a beat, the suspension and steering stable. The only challenge being the heat and the natural flow through ventilation - it was warm, but bearable.

After covering the 1000 klms, cruising at around 105 - 110 kph and a few breaks for food, drinks and stretches we arrived, still in good humour at our Melbourne destination at 1830.