31-07-2022, 08:45 PM
We woke to the mass exodus of suburbia at 5:30 as the next lot of shift workers left for mines. However, the view at sunrise was worth it.
I should point out here, as to look down on the roof of the Sunburnt Express, why we call the bus this name. [All our vehicles have names but kombis, in general, all seem to have names]. Sunburnt - because the paint had been burnt off in the scorching heat of western NSW where it had sat for 15 years prior to us getting it. And Express - because it’s a bus and also because kombis are not “the fastest car on the track”.
Anyway back to the story.
After a more subdued start to the day, and finding a sunny spot for breakfast, we had an inspection of Deans nephew and partners reno’s and hit the road.
We pulled into Taree for lunch and got lost trying to find the main area and ended up parked outside The Red Shop. It looked like an old corner shop and after talking to a bloke in shorts and cut-off hi-vis shirt with tats and mullet (and a lovely fella) we found out it’s been a take away since he was a boy. Always painted red and the best take-a-way in Taree. While waiting for our hamburgers, snittty wrap and spring roll, Tess worked or how to use a pay phone by calling Dad 2m away, lol. Things kids don’t know these days and it’s FREE! We would have killed for this at boarding school (however I must admit Mum was one of the last telephonists in Australia so I did get most of my calls for free). Yes I’m getting off story again.
I should point out here, as to look down on the roof of the Sunburnt Express, why we call the bus this name. [All our vehicles have names but kombis, in general, all seem to have names]. Sunburnt - because the paint had been burnt off in the scorching heat of western NSW where it had sat for 15 years prior to us getting it. And Express - because it’s a bus and also because kombis are not “the fastest car on the track”.
Anyway back to the story.
After a more subdued start to the day, and finding a sunny spot for breakfast, we had an inspection of Deans nephew and partners reno’s and hit the road.
We pulled into Taree for lunch and got lost trying to find the main area and ended up parked outside The Red Shop. It looked like an old corner shop and after talking to a bloke in shorts and cut-off hi-vis shirt with tats and mullet (and a lovely fella) we found out it’s been a take away since he was a boy. Always painted red and the best take-a-way in Taree. While waiting for our hamburgers, snittty wrap and spring roll, Tess worked or how to use a pay phone by calling Dad 2m away, lol. Things kids don’t know these days and it’s FREE! We would have killed for this at boarding school (however I must admit Mum was one of the last telephonists in Australia so I did get most of my calls for free). Yes I’m getting off story again.
Hayley (Quombi)
Sunburnt Express - it’s only original once
No we are not restoring it, we are preserving it and driving it!