24 December 2010
What a day it has been. It is almost Christmas Day and we are parked on the street outside the BBC, having a dinner of cheese, crackers and nuts.
An incredible amount has been achieved today; so much more than we hoped. Some things will need to be finished off when we pass back through Taupo in February, but we are absolutely delighted with how the bus looks. Paul and Shelly have done amazing work.
Unfortunately, when we went to leave we discovered they had forgotten to wire in the tow bar. This means we can't tow our little car as we would have no lights. We will have to drive our two vehicles separately until this can be remedied - which won't happen in the next four days of public holidays.
So we're staying put tonight and will drive to Pataua tomorrow, starting our adventure in a slightly off-key way.
What do we do now?
24 December 2010
It is early morning on Christmas Eve and our bus isn't ready yet. We're devastated. There is so much still to do and we really have to leave Taupo today. We've already had to give up the idea of joining my family in Kerikeri for Christmas so we can go straight to the campground where we are due to start working on Boxing Day.
If we do leave today it will be with many things half finished. It all feels like one big string of broken promises.
It is early morning on Christmas Eve and our bus isn't ready yet. We're devastated. There is so much still to do and we really have to leave Taupo today. We've already had to give up the idea of joining my family in Kerikeri for Christmas so we can go straight to the campground where we are due to start working on Boxing Day.
If we do leave today it will be with many things half finished. It all feels like one big string of broken promises.
Finishing
22 December 2010
There is so much activity at the workshop, but progress feels so slow. The BBC are working flat out - 16 to 18 hour days - and we're just doing whatever we can to help so we can drive out of here in the next couple of days. Unfortunately any little hiccup costs us valuable time.
Yesterday Craig did things like wallpapering the bedroom panels, bolting in seatbelts and attaching the fastmounts to the pelmets and bedhead. On the other hand, I spend most of my time trying to stay out of the way, although I can run around picking up things like wallpaper smoothers and a jerrycan of diesel for the bus when she refused to start.
When the bus got back from getting its certification yesterday, Craig couldn't resist demonstrating the mount he made for the hand wringer - on the bike rack, which goes on the second tow ball.
There is so much activity at the workshop, but progress feels so slow. The BBC are working flat out - 16 to 18 hour days - and we're just doing whatever we can to help so we can drive out of here in the next couple of days. Unfortunately any little hiccup costs us valuable time.
Yesterday Craig did things like wallpapering the bedroom panels, bolting in seatbelts and attaching the fastmounts to the pelmets and bedhead. On the other hand, I spend most of my time trying to stay out of the way, although I can run around picking up things like wallpaper smoothers and a jerrycan of diesel for the bus when she refused to start.
When the bus got back from getting its certification yesterday, Craig couldn't resist demonstrating the mount he made for the hand wringer - on the bike rack, which goes on the second tow ball.
Nearly...
21 December 2010
We're feeling very 'on hold' this week. We've left our home, said many goodbyes and are in Taupo. The bus is so very nearly finished, but it feels like there are still a million things to be done. Glaziers, upholsterers and other tradesmen are coming and going; Craig is even helping out by wallpapering the panels for the bedroom.
We had a farewell picnic planned in Wellington last Sunday, but of course the weather didn't co-operate. Quickly transferred it to the local pub and spent a lovely couple of hours catching up with family and friends.
We're feeling very 'on hold' this week. We've left our home, said many goodbyes and are in Taupo. The bus is so very nearly finished, but it feels like there are still a million things to be done. Glaziers, upholsterers and other tradesmen are coming and going; Craig is even helping out by wallpapering the panels for the bedroom.
We had a farewell picnic planned in Wellington last Sunday, but of course the weather didn't co-operate. Quickly transferred it to the local pub and spent a lovely couple of hours catching up with family and friends.
The Emporer's new bus
We're having a farewell picnic on Sunday. It was intended to also be a chance for our family and friends to see our bus before we hit the road, but of course we won't actually have it.
Never mind, it's a great chance to catch up with everyone before Christmas and we're planning some good old-fashioned picnic games like egg and spoon races.
We took an enormous load of gear to Taupo yesterday. We're not bringing the bus back to Wellington before we head north, so we need to get everything up there, ready to be packed in.
We managed to visit the workshop without actually going into the bus - we don't want to see it before we collect it on Monday. A couple of inadvertent peeks did show the ceiling panels look brilliant, and the bench top is place.
There was a bit of a panic about the blinds last week - the manufacturing company made them 10mm smaller in both width and drop. Apparently this is their standard process, but it would have been nice if we'd know. But the brilliant bus builders have managed to work around this and the windows are looking very smart.
Never mind, it's a great chance to catch up with everyone before Christmas and we're planning some good old-fashioned picnic games like egg and spoon races.
We took an enormous load of gear to Taupo yesterday. We're not bringing the bus back to Wellington before we head north, so we need to get everything up there, ready to be packed in.
We managed to visit the workshop without actually going into the bus - we don't want to see it before we collect it on Monday. A couple of inadvertent peeks did show the ceiling panels look brilliant, and the bench top is place.
There was a bit of a panic about the blinds last week - the manufacturing company made them 10mm smaller in both width and drop. Apparently this is their standard process, but it would have been nice if we'd know. But the brilliant bus builders have managed to work around this and the windows are looking very smart.
Petone
12 December 2010
Just 100m away, at the end of our street, is this glorious beach. There are certainly moments, especially at this time of year as we warm into summer, I wonder why on earth we are leaving. This is not a question I ask in the dead of winter, after three weeks of single digit temperatures and driving rain.
But it is a beautiful place to live.
Lounge camping
11 December 2010
We are now camping in our house. We have just the stuff we're taking with us in the bus, plus the TV and airbed which will go into storage at the last minute.
When we shifted all the furniture earlier this week, we were expecting to have the bus by now. However we now have a confirmed collection date of 20 December. So another week of lounge camping for us - although we will have to resort to borrowing a spare fridge off a friend - until now we're been making do with bags of ice in the laundry tub.
While the collection date isn't ideal, we will just adapt our plans to suit the new timing. Everything we've seen shows they build to a very high standard indeed and we don't want pressure from us making them cut any corners.
Moving day
8 December 2010
Yesterday we shifted all our furniture into storage. We kept the television as we still have a few days 'camping' in the house, so there's just that and our clothes to go into the unit later this week.
It all feels very real now - we're finally moving on from the holding pattern of the last few months. Of course we have moments of what feels like blind panic, but mostly it's excitement and impatience to get going.
Timing?
4 December 2010
This waiting is making us really anxious.
Had a text this morning to say the roof panels have arrived and look fabulous. All good, but he also said the kitchen benches will arrive tomorrow.
I know the kitchen is the last thing they're going to finish, but I'm sure he said that would take him three days. Which means the earliest we can really expect delivery would be Friday. At best.
This is pushing things really close to the wire. Friday would give us eight days to collect the bus (and learn how to use it), spend a couple of days around Taupo so we're close to the BBC if there are any little tweaks required, get back to Wellington, pack everything in, spend some time with our kids, have our farewell picnic and get on the road for the Far North on 19 December!
It also leaves no margin for error - if there are any problems with the bus, how will we have time to get them fixed?
Our original delivery date was early November. Various things pushed this back - changes we made and their shift of workshop included - and we accept these things happen.
But that isn't easing the current anxiety.
This waiting is making us really anxious.
Had a text this morning to say the roof panels have arrived and look fabulous. All good, but he also said the kitchen benches will arrive tomorrow.
I know the kitchen is the last thing they're going to finish, but I'm sure he said that would take him three days. Which means the earliest we can really expect delivery would be Friday. At best.
This is pushing things really close to the wire. Friday would give us eight days to collect the bus (and learn how to use it), spend a couple of days around Taupo so we're close to the BBC if there are any little tweaks required, get back to Wellington, pack everything in, spend some time with our kids, have our farewell picnic and get on the road for the Far North on 19 December!
It also leaves no margin for error - if there are any problems with the bus, how will we have time to get them fixed?
Our original delivery date was early November. Various things pushed this back - changes we made and their shift of workshop included - and we accept these things happen.
But that isn't easing the current anxiety.
The people you meet
4 December 2010We're really looking to meeting lots of different people, when we're living on the road.
This week we had some time to kill in Taupo before we visited the BBC, so we went for a drive to Mangakino. There was a lovely big bus parked by the side of the lake near the boat ramps, so we wandered over to be nosy.
We met the most lovely couple, and were lucky enough to spend an hour or so with them, drinking coffee and talking about life on the road.
They've been living in their bus for six years and consider it home. They've never had trouble finding work when they want it - a fact that gives us confidence for our future.
But most of all, they were friendly, welcoming and more than happy to share stories of their adventures and some advice.
Excited much?
1 December 2010
Today we saw the bus for the last time before delivery. Delivery date is late next week, and we're not going to do another visit. The BBC are under instructions not to send us any more photos, even if we beg, wheedle, or threaten not to pay them any more money!
We saw our new captains chairs and they are positively yummy. The fabric is just perfect.
We are beyond excited and really just can't wait to get going on the next stage of this amazing adventure.
Today we saw the bus for the last time before delivery. Delivery date is late next week, and we're not going to do another visit. The BBC are under instructions not to send us any more photos, even if we beg, wheedle, or threaten not to pay them any more money!
We saw our new captains chairs and they are positively yummy. The fabric is just perfect.
We are beyond excited and really just can't wait to get going on the next stage of this amazing adventure.
Bus visits
We've reached a dilemma with our bus visits.
The visits to the BBC in Taupo have always been absolutely amazing. We make lots of progress with each trip, because decisions are so much more easily made in person that by email or phone. And we have a lot of fun. Paul and Shelly know how to have a laugh with us, but at the same time keep everything professional. This has meant the few small issues that have arisen have been easily resolved.
But what to do now?
We are somewhere between one and two weeks till delivery. There's a real temptation to not visit again until the handover date - that way we get the surprise of the big reveal of the completed bus. But we're so nosy and controlling, can we stop ourselves from going up again next week?
The visits to the BBC in Taupo have always been absolutely amazing. We make lots of progress with each trip, because decisions are so much more easily made in person that by email or phone. And we have a lot of fun. Paul and Shelly know how to have a laugh with us, but at the same time keep everything professional. This has meant the few small issues that have arisen have been easily resolved.
But what to do now?
We are somewhere between one and two weeks till delivery. There's a real temptation to not visit again until the handover date - that way we get the surprise of the big reveal of the completed bus. But we're so nosy and controlling, can we stop ourselves from going up again next week?
And a few more photos from this week
Yet another of those long-winded discussions required here - where to put the sink?
This shows the 'jellybean' shape of the couches (also handy for fitting three enormous gel batteries underneath).
The front area taking shape, waiting for our captain's chairs to arrive.
And now it's even harder for us to hide, with our pictures plastered all over the back of our car!
This shows the 'jellybean' shape of the couches (also handy for fitting three enormous gel batteries underneath).
The front area taking shape, waiting for our captain's chairs to arrive.
And now it's even harder for us to hide, with our pictures plastered all over the back of our car!
Most un-Sue-like behaviour!
20 November 2010
I actually squealed with excitement when we saw the bus this week. More specifically, the vinyl in the bathroom and toilet.
The vinyl was one of the hardest choices we've made. Most of the options looked like something you'd find in the toilets at a pysch unit. We agonised and talked this around in circles for ages. But, as usual, Shelly and Paul from The Bus Boy Co persevered until we found something we loved. The shower is not-quite-white vinyl with one wall and the floor done in a charcoal and silver pattern. The bathroom, which doesn't need to be a wet room, is the same colour as the main walls in the lounge, but with one wall and the floor also done in the patterned vinyl.
And we're delighted with the outcome. Even though it's jolly hard to take a decent photo of it.
I actually squealed with excitement when we saw the bus this week. More specifically, the vinyl in the bathroom and toilet.
The vinyl was one of the hardest choices we've made. Most of the options looked like something you'd find in the toilets at a pysch unit. We agonised and talked this around in circles for ages. But, as usual, Shelly and Paul from The Bus Boy Co persevered until we found something we loved. The shower is not-quite-white vinyl with one wall and the floor done in a charcoal and silver pattern. The bathroom, which doesn't need to be a wet room, is the same colour as the main walls in the lounge, but with one wall and the floor also done in the patterned vinyl.
And we're delighted with the outcome. Even though it's jolly hard to take a decent photo of it.
Sorting, selling, storing
16 November 2010
These sort of scenes are fairly common around our place at the moment - not the washing on the line, but the stuff spread out everywhere.
We're sorting through everything we own, and it ends up in one of four piles - coming with us on the bus, going into storage, going somewhere else (being sold, given to the kids, donating to the hospice shop), or onto the trailer to go to the tip.
We live in a very small house (just 72sq.m), but have a garage like the Tardis - there's a mammoth amount of stuff in there.
The sorting process goes in fits and starts. Some stuff gets sorted very quickly, then you'll suddenly realise you've just spent an hour going through a box of photos and old school reports - it's the sentimental stuff that slows you down.
And deciding what to keep can be a real challenge. It's nice to hold on to memories, but when do they just become clutter? Craig's Mum's china for instance - in the end we can't keep it all, even though it meant so much to her. So, a few pieces with special meaning into the storage unit, a few more given away to friends, and the rest for sale on TradeMe. At least it's being bought by people who will enjoy it.
These sort of scenes are fairly common around our place at the moment - not the washing on the line, but the stuff spread out everywhere.
We're sorting through everything we own, and it ends up in one of four piles - coming with us on the bus, going into storage, going somewhere else (being sold, given to the kids, donating to the hospice shop), or onto the trailer to go to the tip.We live in a very small house (just 72sq.m), but have a garage like the Tardis - there's a mammoth amount of stuff in there.
The sorting process goes in fits and starts. Some stuff gets sorted very quickly, then you'll suddenly realise you've just spent an hour going through a box of photos and old school reports - it's the sentimental stuff that slows you down.
And deciding what to keep can be a real challenge. It's nice to hold on to memories, but when do they just become clutter? Craig's Mum's china for instance - in the end we can't keep it all, even though it meant so much to her. So, a few pieces with special meaning into the storage unit, a few more given away to friends, and the rest for sale on TradeMe. At least it's being bought by people who will enjoy it.
Te Kaianga (belated report)
13 November 2010
Te Kaianga is a magical bay in the Marlborough Sounds. Outward Bound has an outpost here - some land and buildings which were donated and have sea access only.
This is where Craig and I spent the first night of our Outward Bound course last year. We sailed a cutter straight from the Picton ferry terminal - still a bunch of strangers, thrown together in an incredible adventure. We arrived as the winter darkness was falling - luckily this was one of the dry days so the cold was easier to handle.
The cutter had to be anchored in just the right place so it wasn't out too deep but couldn't be stranded by the tide. We managed to do this after three attempts - I think the record is around 30. At this stage you only have oar power, so coming back round to try again is back breaking work.
The working bee weekend was spent on fix-up work to the watch house (the bunkhouse where the students sleep). Craig and his merry band of helpers stripped, insulated and reclad a wall, while another gang built a new front on the watch house and put in some pretty impressive windows.
I have absolutely no building skills, without even the ability to drive a nail, so painting and tidy-up work filled my hours.
It was a hard-working weekend, but there's lots of fun to be had as well. One couple comes as the cooks and we are incredibly well fed - cooked breakfasts, roast dinners, desserts and all sorts of other treats.
Outward Bound means a lot to us, and we love being able to 'give back' in the form of volunteer work. Hopefully we can continue to fit this in with our new lifestyle.
Glorious sunrise
Who thought it was a good idea to let Craig loose with a nail gun?
It's always best to give me tasks that don't require the use of tools. Here I am being a 'batt' girl.
The real builders hard at work putting the massive windows in the front.
Loading the Kurt Hahn at the end of the weekend.
Departing shot of the bay. Magic.
Te Kaianga is a magical bay in the Marlborough Sounds. Outward Bound has an outpost here - some land and buildings which were donated and have sea access only.
This is where Craig and I spent the first night of our Outward Bound course last year. We sailed a cutter straight from the Picton ferry terminal - still a bunch of strangers, thrown together in an incredible adventure. We arrived as the winter darkness was falling - luckily this was one of the dry days so the cold was easier to handle.
The cutter had to be anchored in just the right place so it wasn't out too deep but couldn't be stranded by the tide. We managed to do this after three attempts - I think the record is around 30. At this stage you only have oar power, so coming back round to try again is back breaking work.
The working bee weekend was spent on fix-up work to the watch house (the bunkhouse where the students sleep). Craig and his merry band of helpers stripped, insulated and reclad a wall, while another gang built a new front on the watch house and put in some pretty impressive windows.
I have absolutely no building skills, without even the ability to drive a nail, so painting and tidy-up work filled my hours.
It was a hard-working weekend, but there's lots of fun to be had as well. One couple comes as the cooks and we are incredibly well fed - cooked breakfasts, roast dinners, desserts and all sorts of other treats.
Outward Bound means a lot to us, and we love being able to 'give back' in the form of volunteer work. Hopefully we can continue to fit this in with our new lifestyle.
Glorious sunrise
Who thought it was a good idea to let Craig loose with a nail gun?
It's always best to give me tasks that don't require the use of tools. Here I am being a 'batt' girl.
The real builders hard at work putting the massive windows in the front.
Loading the Kurt Hahn at the end of the weekend.
Departing shot of the bay. Magic.Update to end October 2010
Lots of work that has been going on in the workshop is now turning into 'real' stuff as it is installed in the bus.
The kitchen cabinets are taking shape and the base work for the overhead cupboards can be seen too. There are also bedside cabinets.
The photo of the bathroom shows more of the shape and size now. You can see the toilet peeking round the corner. The window cut in the angled wall will have frosted acrylic in it - no need to have everything on full show!
And we even have an oven now.
Collection date is looking like late November or even the first week in December. This is later than we would have liked but about what we expected given various changes and delays. We'd far rather pick it up a bit later than have anything rushed. The BBC are doing a beautiful job of our build and we wouldn't want that compromised.
It does mean we won't have time to get the exterior painted before Christmas (and before we go to our summer job). We'll just have to cope with it still looking like a grotty school bus on the outside (with a big grey patch where the new door is) for a while longer.
The kitchen cabinets are taking shape and the base work for the overhead cupboards can be seen too. There are also bedside cabinets.
The photo of the bathroom shows more of the shape and size now. You can see the toilet peeking round the corner. The window cut in the angled wall will have frosted acrylic in it - no need to have everything on full show!
And we even have an oven now.
Collection date is looking like late November or even the first week in December. This is later than we would have liked but about what we expected given various changes and delays. We'd far rather pick it up a bit later than have anything rushed. The BBC are doing a beautiful job of our build and we wouldn't want that compromised.
It does mean we won't have time to get the exterior painted before Christmas (and before we go to our summer job). We'll just have to cope with it still looking like a grotty school bus on the outside (with a big grey patch where the new door is) for a while longer.
We have work!
3 November 2010
From Boxing Day till Waitangi Day we will be part of the summer staff at Treasure Island Holiday Park in Pataua South (on the east coast, north of Whangarei).
I will be doing cleaning work and Craig will be the night watchman. There is also some building work he can do.
We're really glad to have this work. We'll be employed during the busy season, which means we shouldn't need to work in February and March, when the weather is more settled and most other people are back at work and school.
Also, it settles some of the nerves about finding work. The work is out there, we just have to chase it a bit and be happy to turn our hand to anything.
The summer staff also includes a baker, a takeaway cook and people to work in the office, so we should have quite a community going - we even have our own camping area.
From Boxing Day till Waitangi Day we will be part of the summer staff at Treasure Island Holiday Park in Pataua South (on the east coast, north of Whangarei).
I will be doing cleaning work and Craig will be the night watchman. There is also some building work he can do.
We're really glad to have this work. We'll be employed during the busy season, which means we shouldn't need to work in February and March, when the weather is more settled and most other people are back at work and school.
Also, it settles some of the nerves about finding work. The work is out there, we just have to chase it a bit and be happy to turn our hand to anything.
The summer staff also includes a baker, a takeaway cook and people to work in the office, so we should have quite a community going - we even have our own camping area.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)