Monday 26 September 2011

122 - A Quick Up Date

Thought about time I kept you in the loop about what's happening with the Retro Roamers.

As I have stated in the past, when locked into a "long tour duty" not much to write about, unless you want to hear about the day to days running of a cabin and caravan park. Pretty boring really.

Travel blogs are all about travel, so that's why I am slack.....cause we ain't travelling.

However there is light at the end of the tunnel. Contracts for the sale of the park are signed.....which doesn't mean much, however it is a start. So we could be out of here depending on what skeletons are found in the cupboards, end of October, or maybe November......however at the latest, we will, regardless of sale be "outahere" by Xmas.

Once again no pikkies, however the "reno" on the RetroLiner is coming to an end, well sort of. This has been bigger than the TV series "The Block". Geeeeeeezus how many times have I thrown my hands in the air, with this small amout of "reno" let alone rebuild a house.

Any way the L shape lounge has been removed, the wheel arch boxed in, the two new Estate high back chairs are in, the fixed table has been "unfixed" and cut down to 650 mm round. All the lighting has been up graded to LED's, with extra lighting under the cupboards over the kitchen. The CD  has now been fitted.

Okay, what problems did we encounter with the removal of the lounge....plenty.....but with a bit of imagination.....looks pretty good....and the chairs all so comfortable. So most of you will probably say, how does one secure a couple of free standing chairs and table while traveling. That was a challenge, however to keep the chairs from running all over the shop, they are fixed to the wheel arch, by a strap. The table simply just sits beside the bed.

Now the beauty of this free standing table and chairs is once we stop we can position the table and the chairs where ever we wish within the cabin, so we aren't restricted to a fixed seating and table arrangement. Also by having the table cut to 650mm round suits me and the bride, and this table now is utilised as the outside table as well.

All one does is just remove the actual table top from its spindle and carry it out side. Then take the rest of the table outside, drop the top back on, and bingo the table then becomes perfect for an outside jobbie, plus the outside chairs are just perfect.


So the conclusion is we have one table for inside and outside. Saves carting a million tables. We anticipate eating most times outside anyway. The only time we will eat inside is when the weather doesn't permit us to be outside.

Yes people have said, but what about dinner guests with a small table and seating for two. Well if anybody wants to have dinner with us it is usually a BBQ, and if so, outside is the go. Bring your own chairs and eat off ya lap. Most times it is usually happy hour drinkies, and all bring their own chairs anyway.

The only negativity is the floor. Removing fixed things has left a trail of staple holes and an array of nicks and bumps. As soon as I have finished walking in and out of the van with my boots, and remove a million tools and crapp, I will attack the floor, and do what I can to tidy it up. New flooring is out of the question at the moment, however I can see a nice rug or something disguising the worst of the offenders.

However we have redesigned the Retro Liner with the comfort of me and the bride, not for visitors. We can now sit in extremely comfortable chairs, that recline may I add, and watch the idiot box in comfort, without me, especially sitting in the previous lounge arrangement, that can be likened to the "electric chair."  No wonder I sat out side most of the time.

After I get out of the inside, the externals will start......then the bride will move inside and get it back to her standard...and boy is that high.  All the curtains are down, washed and put away. So inside still looks pretty raw at the moment.

Early October the external door where the air con compressor was, the new checker plate door will be fitted. That will allow me to house and fit the hot water system and associated 12 volt power. This week I will be getting onto the removal of the old silicon on the areas which are prone to leaking. Also a danger area with old pop tops is the screws holding the scissor arms. That I am sure is the source of major leaking, however the mobile repairer when he fits the door has some sort of gizmo that allows him to lift the scissor movements and replace the rusted screws.

The LED lights, the jury is still out here....so stay tooooooned. Also still looking at the stripe up both sides, not thinking about that one to much....maybe next week.

If the inside looks reasonable soooon, I will take photies of the table, chairs and CD..

So until next time

Cheers & beers

5 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi guys,
Wow lots happening! Good luck with the sale going through quickly.
The reno's sound great count wait for photo's
Dave & Shell

The Retro Roamers said...

Hi Dave & Shell

Thanks for dropping by. Yep progress has been slow, due to all sorts of reasons, but was informed last night, that settlement of the property, if it all goes well, maybe sooner than later. I guess I will have to put a rocket under my "tosh", and get a move on!

Cheers & beers

Paul & Wendy

Red Nomad OZ said...

Hey - at least there's light at the end of the tunnel! Just so long as it's not another train ... wish I could say I thought of that myself!!

Have a great weekend!!

Anonymous said...

Looks like yer gunna be on the road again real soon. We are taking a short break and heading up to Townsville next week. Still not ready to get back on the road full time but by the sounds of your blog we may hit the road about the same time as you.
We may even catch up with you on the Sunny coast.
Cheers,

The Retro Roamers said...

Hey there Red Nomad Oz & Frankie G.

The rush is on now. Finished the internals yesterday Saturday 1st October. Now the clean up. The externals start in in ernest like now! Seems our time frame maybe even shorter.

Yeah Frank, possibly catch up on the sunny coast. Keep in touch.