Ha Ha 

Hello everyone, hope you are all safe and well and not letting the China Bug get you down.

What a massive first year we have had on the road (or lack of road) It all started with a 3 month shakedown run through the Central West of NSW to iron out all the bugs with the truck/Fiver combo. Threw out a lot of crap we didn't need, and bought a lot of stuff we didn't think we would need. Found out that 200L of fresh water was not going to cut it for extended off grid camping, so the net result was "We needed a bigger truck"

We returned to Adelaide late October 2019 as our Daughter was having another baby, so we could help her out and look for another truck. Luck was on my side, and I sold the IVECO for $65K within 8 hours of listing it on truck sales. Panic set in that we were now truck less and had no way of moving the Fiver if there was a fire in the area (Staying at a Caravan Park in the Adelaide Foot Hills)

Blessed to find an immaculate ISUZU NPR300 Premium Automatic dual cab with only 52K on the clock located in Orange. 1 owner, full service history, and 7 brand new Michellin tyres on it. Only wanted $40K for it, and it had massive locker box's on it already. BARGAIN

The Dealer then found out I am an Ex Veteran, and had heard about our work with Veterans that are doing it rough around Australia, and offered the truck to us for his cost price (plus rego) so we ended up getting it for $32K. Did I say BARGAIN ?

Got the truck home and ordered up a massive amount of new gear for her, which was fitted by Extreme Car & Caravan & Camping, this guy sure does know his stuff, and has done all our work on the Fiver and now truck.

During this time, my Service/Assistance dog Lu Lu tragically passed away on one of our daily walks, I just felt a tug on the lead and thought "here she goes again, sniffing something again" only to turn around and she was on her side spasming and not breathing. I commenced CPR and got her breathing again, but before Julie could get back to the Caravan park and get the car, Lu Lu passed away. I took this very hard, and it still makes me cry whilst typing this. I loved this dog, and she has saved my life on numerous occasions by keeping the Black Dog at bay.

Great story Lofty being prepared is half the battle hope all goes well from now ,sorry about LuLu mate,, I too have lost my best fur mates over the years, it cuts deep .Looking forward to updates along the way. Safe travels bruva

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Hello Lofty,great to see you are on the road,I went searching for this thread a week or so ago to see what was happening. Sorry to hear about Lu Lu it is always hard when our mates pass away but their memories remain for ever. Great update and photos, look forward to the next installment. Safe travels to yourself,July and Bella.  

million dollar bogan my arse ..   how about a vlog loftybob , id be up for watching how things are going for you .. "living the real dream"

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good to see the adventure/trip is going well bob,sorry to hear of your loss of lulu. our gsp who was with us for the last 12 years developed prostrate cancer in the last month or so and went on his last hunt this thursday gone. its not easy to cope with one going thats been part of the family , but we must move forward,my wife isnt coping as well as me [ not that it is any easier for me ] as he was her all day companion.cheers.

So sad lulu passed mate, hopefully that little bluey fills the void as I’m sure it will, all the best mate on the trip. I might be joining you sooner rather than later if I sell the business ??

Safe travels Lofty. I’m betting the ppl you meet and give hope to along the way will appreciate it.

Great to hear your back on track mate

Great update Lofty, was only wondering how your travels were going recently, the motorbike dealers must miss you  lol

get the look on the faces when he is cruising along in the rig pulling the 5th wheeler and looks to Phoenix and says "get a look at that track to them sand hill, I reckon we could get up them"