We picked up Dory on Monday. Dory is a big blue 2.8 litre intercooled turbo diesel 4WD. If she keeps taking us to 42 Wallaby Way, we may need to rethink the name.

She has rear seats that adjust sideways and backwards and even into a bed should it be too wet, too late or we’re too pissed to put up a tent. She has central locking, power windows and front and rear air conditioning. She also has a remote starter, but we don’t have the remote for it :-(.

The only concern is on Tuesday she kept making a random screeching sound. We’re not sure what this is all about, but I’m pretty sure she’s not speaking whale.

She hasn’t made the noise since, so hopefully will be ok. We’ll see if it happens at the same time next month.

We drove Dory to Manly on Tuesday night to visit Mike’s mate Mark. Mark has an awesome place overlooking the harbour. He fed us delicious home made burgers and salad and got me drunk on a delicious Hunter Valley wine (I normally hate Aussie whites). Mike had to stay sober as he was driving (story of his life).

Anyway, Dory is now all fitted out and ready to go, complete with porta-potti, cooker and cooking gear, shower and shower tent, sleeping tent, water, spare fuel, table, chairs, UHF radio and even food. We are going camping this weekend somewhere near the Blue Mountains to try out all our gear and make sure we know how to use it.

Here’s some piccys of the beast.