Later on this year, probably around August, Mrs Bort and I are going to do the big drive across Australia. It’s something we’ve been talking about for years, going back to 2001. Back then, we had a trip to Queensland planned. Hotel was booked, flights were booked. Then the airline went bust. Rather than call the thing off, we decided to drive from Melbourne to Queensland’s Gold Coast. It was around 1700km each way, and we did it in two days, each way - stopping overnight in Dubbo, which was about half way.

That drive gave us a taste for doing some big distances, and from then on, we thought it would be good to drive across the Nullarbor plain, from Melbourne to Perth. It’s nearly 4000km each way, through some pretty remote areas, so we don’t want our car to break down.

We had a few options:

- We could fly to Perth. While this is the cheapest and quickest option, the holiday to me is not exactly the Perth part, it’s the journey I’m looking forward to. So this option is out.

- We could take my car. It’s getting on a bit in years, and will be having its eleventh birthday on the trip, but it hasn’t done that many kilometres for its age. Plus it is great on the highway, really relaxed.

- We could rent a car. It would be pricey, plus I’m not sure how well the rental agencies would take it if we bring the car back three weeks later with 8000 extra kays on the clock… Another thing, when I have hired a car a couple of times this year, both times they have been around 7000 km overdue for their service (ie 30,000km service due, with 36-38,000 km on the clock).

- We could take Mrs Bort’s car. It’s a little smaller than mine, but it could be a little cramped.  Plus I don’t want that one getting stone chips all over it.

In the end, we decided my car would be the one to take. The big 4 litre 6 cylinder engine of the EF Falcon just ticks along at around 1800 rpm at freeway speed. Of course, as it is getting older, it is worth preparing it for the trip.

The first thing done was to get the head gasket replaced. At its last service a leak was noticed; as a precaution it’s best to fix it now than risk it blowing completely out in the middle of nowhere. It only came to $700 - the head didn’t need machining or reconditioning. The gasket is a bit of a weak point on the falcon engines, so it’s good that it is out of the way.

Next week will be a transmission service, and a replacement spare tyre. The current one is nearly bald, and we may have to drive on it for a few hundred kilometres on the trip if we get a flat. Frankly, the original spare tyre is crap, and around $120 will get a quite good new one.

A wheel alignment and balance is next. Eight thousand-odd kilometres will put a bit of wear on these tyres, so I want the balance and alignment to be spot on, to avoid any additional wear.

The car will need a general service - it is nearly at 120,000km, so that will come soon as well. These items will all be done at least a few weeks before the trip, so any dodgy repairs should make themselves evident before the big trip. 

Hell, I might even get around to planning the actual trip soon!