Parked the Pagoda, heading out in the Kombi

[Garry]

We have moved down the west coast of Western Australia without too many problems with the kombi.  Weather has been great and blue skies for weeks now.

towns stayed at include Exmouth, an old US Navy Submarine Base now just a tracking station, Ningaloo Coral Reef, Coral Bay and then on to Carnarvon where there was the US Satellite Tracking Station now de-commissioned.

Still about 1,000 km north of Perth but on the home stretch so if it breaks down it is not too far to get it towed to Perth. Taken the Kombi to places that I would never consider in the Pagoda

[Peter van Es]

It's a little bit crowded at that last beach... couldn't you have found something a little more secluded and private?

Peter

[Garry]

Well there were two of us on the beach, thats a crowd here.

Meanwhile Kombi spluttered to a stop 600km from Perth and I have it trucked the last 600km.  Problem not too troublesome but we are going to go home for a couple of weeks whilst it gets fixed and then start again to get it from West to east.  Short trip of only 4000km or so.

Story to continue in a couple of weeks.

Garry

[Garry]

Have arrived back home after getting the Indian Pacific train from Perth to Adelaide and then a hire car from there to home, a trip of just on 4000km.  The Royal Auto Club paid for the towing (600km) and accommodation for a few days in Perth. I already had a rail ticket so used that with an empty space for the car at the back of the train.  They also paidfor the hire car for three days and a return air ticket in three weeks to go back to pick up the Kombi from the repair shop. I will then drive it the 4000km back over a couple of weeks and finish the trip started at the beginning of June.

At least I was able to drive it onto the flatbed so not too embarrassing for the poor Kimbi

So far has been a great trip and even though It broke down, something was expected in such a long trip and it all went well with the support of the RAA.

Last pic of the Kombi sadly on the tow truck that also gave us a lift 600km to Perth.

[JamesL]

So what's wrong with the old type 2? Water pump gone?

I guess you'll double check the repair once you get home...

[Garry]

Well we travelled back to Perth and picked up the Kombi after its break down and drove back across the country over the last seven days. 

It was a great trip in total 10,000km (6000 miles) over more than two months with some adventures as you can imaging in a 40 year old car.

Now its back to working on the Pagoda and looking at finishing off the interior for summer.

[Flyair]

Garry,

good to hear that you made it safely home and congratulations on completing this amazing trip. Looks like one of the most pleasant life's experience...

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Nice to see you all safely back home, what an amazing trip, what memories in years to come. Thanks for sharing it with us Garry

[getsmart]

Loved reading your posts Garry, look forward to catching up with you (and hopefully Richard) soon ..

Best wishes from Joe

[Flyair]

Garry

I thought that for a VW Kombi lover, landowner of a new summer house, you should consider investing in an accessory like the one featured on the photo below

[Garry]

Have seen one of these and they are pretty cool and would look great in the shed/garage.  Should design one in a Pagoda likeness

[Flyair]

and then have a place in our TechnicalManual describing "how to make one..." for the sake of the Membership

Only imagine: a fridge type 230 with more chromes, 250 with a larger engine and 280 with maybe a different handle, and the very late model with the defrost option, each matching the color of your car... then...

some cooled liquid of your choice... priceless experience   

[Garry]

Or do what my brother does and put a keg inside the fridge and then a tap into the front door for nice cold beer.  He keeps it on the veranda so he can get himself a cold beer on a hot day whilst out in the garden working.