January 17, 2009. After a week of frustration, Bluey arrived. I found Bluey on eBay 2 weeks ago for a 'Buy it Now' price of just $350. Admittedly, she was a bit rough and unregistered, but I figured I could spend the rest of this year doing up the old girl and turning her into a camper. She's a 1989 Nissan Nomad. At the moment, she's a people mover, with two rows of seats in the back. But that will change at some stage.

The problem was getting her from Brisbane to Taree, where I presently live. I got 3 quotes - $1200, $950 and $550. Guess which one I took? Daniel, the truck driver, turned up late yesterday afternoon. He was wonderful... very obliging. He helped me get Bluey started (flat battery) and then drove it into my front yard for me. He was on his way to Sydney to deliver the rest of his load. "Do you ever sleep?" "Yeah." "In a motel?" "Nah... I sleep in the truck. If the weather's okay, I sleep in my swag on the side of the road." Daniel is quite a character, and a young man who's not afraid of hard work, or sleeping rough. He was also full of ideas about how to kit Bluey out as a camper.

Kim, the previous owner, has also been fantastic. We've chatted numerous times on the phone during the drama of the delivery process. Later this year, she'll be moving to Tasmania to be close to her mom who ain't getting any younger. So one of these days on the Odyssey, Bluey and I will call in for a visit.

Bluey is powered by a 2.4 liter 4-cylinder donk that develops 74 Kw (100 bhp), so that should do the job pretty well. It's coupled to a 5-speed manual box that feels kinda sporty. Vroom, vroom! I'll have to get myself an MG type cloth cap.

I'd love a dollar for everytime I've gone to the window to see if Bluey is really there in the yard. I've been dreaming of this for so long, the reality is kinda scary - even spooky. By the way, during the past week I purchased an ice chest, a pair of front seat covers, and a porta potti. So it's all happening, folks.

Over the next whatever months, the Bluey page will document various improvements as I get the cash to make them. Once Bluey is registered and insured, I'll sell Tough Titties and use the proceeds to put the finishing touches to Bluey. Stay tooned. Click here for the 1st Bluey photo album.