We have power
23 March 2011
We've always intended to live 'off the grid' as much as possible. Paying to plug in to power would make our lifestyle so much harder to fund.
So we had plenty of solar panels installed, and all the fancy stuff in black boxes that makes it work.
Unfortunately, the builders took shortcuts when installing it (clearly they were already in trouble) and so it has never worked properly. We have had to plug in every couple of days to keep the batteries full. They weren't even charging up when we were driving because the cable from the alternator was too thin.
So, we've just spent a couple of days and over $4000 having this rectified. Not only did a lot of new wiring have to be pulled, we also replaced the battery charger and the solar controller.
It doesn't make us very happy having to fix things we'd already paid for, but this should be the last of the big costs. We got even grumpier when we found out one of our expensive AGM batteries had been dropped at some stage - the builders had just put putty over the crack and there was quite a bit of leaked acid in the battery compartment.
So, with that quick trip to Auckland and AA Solar out of the way, we're heading back down the country again, with a week to relax before we start a couple of weeks looking after Mercury Bay Holiday Park.
We've always intended to live 'off the grid' as much as possible. Paying to plug in to power would make our lifestyle so much harder to fund.
So we had plenty of solar panels installed, and all the fancy stuff in black boxes that makes it work.
Unfortunately, the builders took shortcuts when installing it (clearly they were already in trouble) and so it has never worked properly. We have had to plug in every couple of days to keep the batteries full. They weren't even charging up when we were driving because the cable from the alternator was too thin.
So, we've just spent a couple of days and over $4000 having this rectified. Not only did a lot of new wiring have to be pulled, we also replaced the battery charger and the solar controller.
It doesn't make us very happy having to fix things we'd already paid for, but this should be the last of the big costs. We got even grumpier when we found out one of our expensive AGM batteries had been dropped at some stage - the builders had just put putty over the crack and there was quite a bit of leaked acid in the battery compartment.
So, with that quick trip to Auckland and AA Solar out of the way, we're heading back down the country again, with a week to relax before we start a couple of weeks looking after Mercury Bay Holiday Park.
What's in a name?
13 March 2011
It's a thorny issue, this naming of your bus/motorhome. I actually don't like the idea of a name at all - there are just so many corny names around, the cringe factor is too high. And, yes, I know that statement makes me come off as a snob.
Having said that, it's a very personal thing, and what seems corny to me might have an awful lot of meaning to the people who named it. And there are some great names around, too - The OKs is one of the best we've seen.
So, a compromise has been reached. Our bus doesn't have a name, it has a title. Yep, splitting hairs, but that's how I can handle it in my head.
And the title is, of course, On happy ground.
It's the title of a Pete Murray song. The first few lines are:
Happy days are coming my way,
It's been some time but here to stay
Is the life of love I've found
Sends me up on happy ground.
It's a thorny issue, this naming of your bus/motorhome. I actually don't like the idea of a name at all - there are just so many corny names around, the cringe factor is too high. And, yes, I know that statement makes me come off as a snob.
Having said that, it's a very personal thing, and what seems corny to me might have an awful lot of meaning to the people who named it. And there are some great names around, too - The OKs is one of the best we've seen.
So, a compromise has been reached. Our bus doesn't have a name, it has a title. Yep, splitting hairs, but that's how I can handle it in my head.
And the title is, of course, On happy ground.
It's the title of a Pete Murray song. The first few lines are:
Happy days are coming my way,
It's been some time but here to stay
Is the life of love I've found
Sends me up on happy ground.
What a difference
9 March 2011
Ever had that double-take feeling when you change your hair colour? Every time you look in the mirror you get a fright, remember that's what you look like now and admire it anew.
That's how the bus is making us feel - we can't quite believe it's the same bus.
The painters have done a beautiful job - and we're just so impressed with what a great team they are. And they vacuumed inside before they gave it back!
Ever had that double-take feeling when you change your hair colour? Every time you look in the mirror you get a fright, remember that's what you look like now and admire it anew.
That's how the bus is making us feel - we can't quite believe it's the same bus.
The painters have done a beautiful job - and we're just so impressed with what a great team they are. And they vacuumed inside before they gave it back!
 |
| Giving it a polish before we take it away. |
Timing
5 March 2011
Sometimes it's just about being in the right place at the right time. We're couch-surfing at the moment; bludging beds off friends and family while the bus is being painted.
Last week we were in Napier. During a winery visit, we got chatting to the staff and it came up in conversation that we are travelling around in our bus, looking for work. One of them instantly asked 'Do you want to park here and pick grapes?'. We'd love to, but the harvest will probably coincide with when we have to be in Auckland to get the electrical system fixed.
Then this week we've been in Wellington staying with my sister. We were at her work (Bodega) the other day when the boss mentioned the cleaner had gone AWOL and he was having to do it himself. Of course we offered our services. Because, after all, we've got experience.
Which is how we got three days work cleaning a pub.
Timing.
Sometimes it's just about being in the right place at the right time. We're couch-surfing at the moment; bludging beds off friends and family while the bus is being painted.
Then this week we've been in Wellington staying with my sister. We were at her work (Bodega) the other day when the boss mentioned the cleaner had gone AWOL and he was having to do it himself. Of course we offered our services. Because, after all, we've got experience.
Which is how we got three days work cleaning a pub.
Timing.
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