Sometimes, someone will say something, or you will inadvertently say something about the trip. peoples eyes light up and they hang on every word about the trip. they offer advice, tips, resources and they totally believe that we're going on this trip. It astounds me, because I think I'm only 40% convinced that this will eventuate, yet everyone is convinced this is going to happen. It's nice.
Just last week, I was at a workshop to learn how to work in indigenous communities. As usual with any workshop, they have a 'get to know one another' activity which has you revealing details of your life to strangers in an effort to have them know something about you. Example questions include "What sport do you play and or follow", "What is your ultimate travel destination", "What is the name of your favourite pet?" etc.
Well, my response individually was telling them about the trip I have planned - their eyes always lit up with interest. After this activity, we regrouped to share what we had learnt about one another. Someone volunteered my travel plans, and again everyone was excited and staggered at the enormity of it.
Cassie today dropped in conversation something about Russia, and her friend piped up, and said "what trip? what are you talking about?" Cassie had just said in conversation that we will be going through Russia. I'm not sure why, but the more people that know about this, the more it feels possible. Everyone just accepts that this is what's happening.
The flip-side of this, is that I now have to go, because everyone knows! d'oh!
Cassie raised an interesting idea of donating the car once we reach our destination - that way it won't feel so bad leaving it behind.
OK Fuel gauge
The fuel gauge linearity research may all have been a waste of time. A few nights ago, I most certainly filled the tank yet it failed to read full. Even after much jiggling and pounding the dash. It would only read 80%.
Even the next day after driving for about two hours did it read up to the full mark. Convinced this was just a 'dirty connector' causing too much resistance in the circuit to the tank sender unit, I removed the connector and earthed it out - sure enough, read full in just about a minute. Also tested the low fuel light - working fine.
I took the sender out of the tank and tried to somehow breath life into it, testing it's movement, making sure the float wasn't punctured etc. Gave it a few taps and re-installed. Oddly enough, it was reading higher after all this. Perhaps from now on I will conduct the tests again. I'm sure it's never going to be perfect, but not showing full isn't a good start.
Starter Motor
Finally after trying to fix my old one, it still was exhibiting the same symptoms. Out of interest I checked eBay for prices to gauge how much a potential repair was going to hurt. To my surprise, $180 delivered. It was a slam-dunk. New one arrived, replaced, works perfect. It's all about the confidence a repair gives you that is worth the money. That little place in your mind, where you store uncertainty about your car, has had a tiny clean out.
Roof Rack
Every time you consult someone for advice, you need to take it with a grain of salt. I have had this approach early on in the trip planning, because I didn't want anyone talking me out of it. On Sunday, I was standing with Tom looking at different ways to store the things we want to carry on the trip. Jerry cans, hi-lift jack, Maxxtrax, tables and chairs are by far the bulkiest items. Thankfully, they are low value items, and could easily be placed on a roof rack, freeing up the interior for keeping the important things safe and dry. This certainly opens up possibilities when it comes to using the space that was reserved for this gear. Another tip from Tom was to lay out everything you want to take on the ground, everything from socks and undies, to fridges, food, tools, fluids, water, fuel, bags, camera gear, laptop etc. Only then, will you have perspective on your storage needs and the optimum location for these items.
Ah wheel bearings - they are my arch nemesis. I bet I hold the world record for replacing them. I was too embarrassed to take the car back to the mechanic who replaced them last time - it's probably only been 20,000KM. Today I setup workshop on a dusty paddock to see if I had the tools to change a wheel bearing in the middle of nowhere. Seems like I did, I was just confused about been unable to find this lock nut, and needing a huge breaker bar and special socket to remove it. Only after sitting at home studying the books, turns out I did remove the lock nut - with my fingers. It was only just sitting in there, with the lock washer on top of it. I mean it can't really come out, but it's worth noting. Excuse the poor quality video - I only had my phone on me. 
