Here's a few more photos from Michael and Emma. (click on any to scroll through larger)
Things are happening everywhere. Who knows what's happening behind the scenes? The kitchen is looking lovely and promises to be absolutely fantastic when it's all finished - it's posing at the moment for a photograph. The copper jam pan sink is a real winner! I may not have the room or the equipment to make huge batches of marmalade anymore (not inside anyway) but the preserving pan was too good to leave behind. A little memory of the 'big' kitchen. Perfect repurposing. (once one useful thing, now another). The pull out table is looking gorgeous. Fitted on heavy duty drawer rails it can handle a fabulous dinner party for two or three or the iMac, Wacom and a good few books. The bookcase, next to the the bed end overhead cupboards, with it's copper pipe rail, is looking very special. I couldn't imagine a living space with no books at all. You can tell so much about a person from a wee shelf of well thumbed books and a few artful journals. There is storage under the bed... a cupboard to hang a few things, a cupboard with a shelf (I think) and a couple of drawers. I think there will be oodles of room for my small wardrobe of clothes. All the feather and down things - jackets, doonas, and sleeping bags can live in the space above the doorway to the cab. The contrasting timbers continue in the van with a lovely Tassie oak lid for the fridge /seat box and the same beautiful wood for the sofa back storage. The bathroom, with timber slat flooring and mini-orb lining, is a little hidden gem housing a shower and the Airhead composting toilet.
2 Comments
Somehow I have managed to re-activate the Chicken Pox virus that has been dormant in my body for the last 50 years. The result is called 'shingles' and it's not a very pretty sight. It is very painful and I haven't been my usual happy self for a few days now. But... the van is coming along really well and I feel a bit better knowing what is happening to my new little home on wheels. Michael and Emma found some nice 'natural edged' timber for my bench tops in Dubbo on the weekend. Of the two I chose the Australian Cedar as I liked the darker colour of the wood. I do wonder how they got such a slab back to the van in Mudgee? All the timber in the van will be sealed with Danish Oil, not sure how many coats but I expect a few layers on the bench tops. The bed base is made and in 2 sections for ease of access to storage space under. I think having slats with be better for the mattress and the bend in the slats will be better for my back. I have chosen not to have memory foam as I find it unnatural, hot and with a smell that takes a while to go. I shall have an ordinary foam mattress with a down mattress protector. I think that will be lovely and comfortable. The overhead cabinets are in at the end of the bed and I think the cupboards and drawers will be fitted to the front of the bed any day. The bathroom gets fitted in today and I can't wait to see it. It's a bit like something I saw a long time ago and I'm pretty sure it's going to be amazing. Watch this space 🙂 ...I said. You do beautiful work. Oh good, said Michael - with a smile I could hear. Can we take it to Tassie then? Can we have your ferry ticket and go for 3 months? Ummmmmm - let me think......No! If I were to let anyone take my van anywhere it would only ever be you two - but NO. Nice try 😀 Isn't it lovely when your van builders are loving your van as much as you do? |
I especially like the last photograph of the overhead cupboards, the silhouette of Michael is brilliant. His light source for taking this picture was his drill. It seems that work goes on into the evenings most days. | |
My friend Susan and my other friend Sarah and I spent a fun few days together in Byron Bay and Brunswick Heads after the van went to Mudgee. A little bit of rest time from van thinking, YouTube watching and cabinet designing. A rest too from those 3 am wide awake times with little ideas demanding to be acknowledged.
So here we are...
Photographs by Susan
So here we are...
Photographs by Susan
Sarah pretended to be a door so I could see what the door knob would look like.
Yes, we did have fun!
Women in their 60's know how to do that.
But what's happening to the van I hear you say.....
Amazing things have happened to Dandelion my van at roamingwildcampers.com
In the last week the van has seen these changes and I am very happy with the way it's all going. I don't feel pressured into anything or feel that I am unable to change some small details as we go along. It's my van - my plans and design. It's Michael and Emma's experience and expertise. A perfect match!
In the last week the van has seen these changes and I am very happy with the way it's all going. I don't feel pressured into anything or feel that I am unable to change some small details as we go along. It's my van - my plans and design. It's Michael and Emma's experience and expertise. A perfect match!
Dipa Das is an amazing craftsman and this door was was the inspiration for mine. Watch his youtube clips - he really is awesome!
The timber paneling is all in and painted. The doorway into the cab area is in and the flooring has been laid. the Maxxaire fan vent is in and the skylight has been installed at the other end.
And then, as if by magic.....
Soon I'll see the beautiful bespoke cabinetry and doors. I'm really excited about that. This is when the amazing Artistry begins.
I thought I just lost everything.... all the previous little journal entries and photos.
Luckily I didn't, just the entry for today.
When that happens - you just start again!
A lot happened last week. The insulation was finished in the main cargo area and the lining boards went in.
The brackets for the awning were fitted and the little dog went to a van party.
Luckily I didn't, just the entry for today.
When that happens - you just start again!
A lot happened last week. The insulation was finished in the main cargo area and the lining boards went in.
The brackets for the awning were fitted and the little dog went to a van party.
And then the lining - board by beautiful pine board.
Next, the skylights will be fitted. The holes in the roof were the first thing that happened to this van, letting the starlight in.
Makes sense now that the pine lining had to go in before the actual fitting of the skylight and the fan vent. I'm looking forward to seeing that!
The wall for behind the passenger seat is already made but will be installed once the floor boards are in. When the last bit of the paneling is done the floor boards go down, then the bulk head wall will be fitted.
Next, the skylights will be fitted. The holes in the roof were the first thing that happened to this van, letting the starlight in.
Makes sense now that the pine lining had to go in before the actual fitting of the skylight and the fan vent. I'm looking forward to seeing that!
The wall for behind the passenger seat is already made but will be installed once the floor boards are in. When the last bit of the paneling is done the floor boards go down, then the bulk head wall will be fitted.
Wow...it doesn't look like a cargo van anymore does it?
As a means of stopping myself from worrying about whether I actually remembered to tell Michael and Emma all the important things, I mucked about yesterday designing a magnetic sign for the side of the van for when the situation for it arose.
Dandelion is the name given to Air Force kids. Actually, all 'Services' kids. The seed blows on the wind, they land anywhere and yet adapt well and grow no matter how hard the ground.
Yep, that's me and my brother.
Dandelion is the name given to Air Force kids. Actually, all 'Services' kids. The seed blows on the wind, they land anywhere and yet adapt well and grow no matter how hard the ground.
Yep, that's me and my brother.
Photographer since the age of 10 Clare has decided to make photography her full time life by living and working in beautiful areas, in an amazing, hand crafted van. |