Thanks for all the ideas they all sound good really.

Carboard boxes sound like the cheap option, and I'm quite tempted, but the lack of space means things may have to be stacked and also everything's bound to have to be unpacked on a wet day to get to the one teensy but important thing at the bottom, so this time round no carboard (although it did stirling service in the back of a Mini on the Tower to Tower runs I used to organise.

Pelican cases sound lovely but expensive (they do have a colour which matches the car though), I might drift towards them if things have to be put on the roof though, and the waterproof (Ortlieb?) stuffsacks sound ideal for the nights when I do get to stay somewhere other than a tent.

So it looks like it'll just be some cheapish, plastic boxes then, and I'd completely forgotten about how the sides often slope inwards so you waste loads of space. I've found some at my local dive store which look good though, they don't seem to have a brand, but they have lock down lids, sit securely on top of each other and also seem solid enough to sit on (so no need for camping stools then.

I'm also going to throw in a couple of those collapsable plastic boxes as well, as they've got perforated sides, which I figure could be useful for throwing soggy things in so they don't develop that nice musty smell.

Panda's still not arrived, but when it does I hope to take out just one of the split fold seats, and use the mounting to construct some simple barrier to stop everything going everywhere, and keep the other seat for waifs and strays (sorry hitchikers) or a place for me to sit should I get in a moody with Cameron, my co-driver and fool.

It's looking like none of this trip is going to get off the ground before 2008 now though, pity as I've seen a good few people going my way too.

OH and Matt, tell me more about the AX.

__________________