Blimey! It goes fast, doesn’t it? And I’m not talking about the work biscuit stash you thought you’d hidden out of harm’s way. I’m talking about the year. Another 12 months has rocketed by. Another 12 issues of the magazine and a brand-new TV series, Foodie Trails have kept us more than busy. So it’s a surprise to look up and realise that it’s almost Christmas. According to the ratings, it appears you’re enjoying Foodie Trails in great numbers, so thank you! As I talked about in the last issue, it was fascinating to see new places and meet wonderful people in the creation of the show. Hopefully, we will build more for next year. 

It’s also amazing when you try to take stock of the year and see what’s been going on, and what hasn’t! I bought a 1974 Millard caravan with the aim of restoring it, but I managed to renew the roof hatch! And tear out the ceiling and other minor jobs but in the scheme of things I didn’t manage much. Still, there’s next year to wade through the stuff I have bought because 'that looks useful’. 

It's been an eventful year in the Lemon RVs Facebook page saga, with court cases coming to a close - see our news story on the most recent decision. Today, we have noticed that the infamous 'buyer beware list' has been removed from the group page, with no announcement that we can see. On this list was virtually every Australian caravan brand and it was the source of much interest and frustration. Apparently being included was easy, being removed was almost impossible. Still, have recent events brought its demise? We will see. 

Now, despite what cynics think, we haven't had a vendetta against this page nor its admins. We have reported on the news that's industry-related. However, it's still unfortunate for the way things have turned out. We're in favour of a balanced approach to customer representation, as long as it is balanced and the Lemon page approach was anything but balanced, and its bluff was called. Is it the end of the story, we doubt it, but hopefully there may be avenue for better dialogue between an industry that has its problems, and the consumer and industry critics. 

It would be hard to round out the column without mentioning the national crisis that is the bushfire situation. During our tour of northern New South Wales and southern Queensland, we were shocked by still-smoking landscape on a large scale. And then to return home to the Blue Mountains to be witness to the huge threat engulfing the east of New South Wales, and incidents in WA too. 

With the weather forecast set to see temperatures ramped-up to record highs, it looks likely to be a frantic and restless time for many people. Most of all the firefighters and their families. Christmas is meant to be a time of coming together but for lots of these brave people it won’t be, as call outs demand urgent attendance in pursuit of dangerous duty. 

So if you’re still shopping for presents – and even if you’re not – maybe have a look at what the fire stations might need. I’ve seen social media requests for everything from the more obvious bottled water through to tubes of lip balm required; tubes mean it’s easier to apply. Pocket-sized snacks, soft-drinks in poppas, etc; stuff that can be easily carried. Or maybe ask locally if they require anything for their own Christmas station celebration if they have any time to down tools on a rest. No offer would be refused! 

Wherever you are and whatever you’re doing, stay safe and have a fantastic Christmas. Thanks for your support and all the best for a wonderful 2020. 

CHRISTMAS PRESENTS YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE CONSIDERED 

TIM SCOTT EDITOR - RV DAILY