This week has been much different to last, with it raining most of the week, I picked up a crappy virus and Fred has worked night shifts. When thinking about the blog and considering what I’d chat about this week, I was thinking there wasn’t much to say but in hindsight we have achieved quite a bit really considering our week.
The big, noticeable thing is our roof rack. Now this has been a work in progress for sometime but only because Fred started it very early in the piece when he had some time to kill while waiting on the box panels. At that time he fabricated the basic rack and I slapped a coat of paint on it. It then sat out in the weather for the next few weeks while we were slowly constructing our new home. We are now waiting on our internal fit out so it was timely to finish off this project.
Sometimes it’s good to start something and go back to it because it gives you a new insight on things and allows you to tweak and improve. This was the case with the rack, with additions so it is now aerodynamical or so we hope to allow the wind to push up over the box, has places to attach the aerials, dessert flag and spot lights and Fred is currently building a ladder to attach so that we can access it from behind the passenger door.
Once he fabricated and welded all the new bits on, it was my turn to paint again. 2 quick coats and ready for the job of getting it up on top of the cab. We are lucky to have the “oldie but goodie” lifter here and not for the first time, it was a game changer. It was easy enough for the two of us to move it around but getting it up about 3 metres was way above my pay grade. This is where the lifter comes to the fore and with very little effort we had it up on top, matching the pre-drilled holes to secure it. It’s all about perspective and what seemed a huge beast of a rack on the ground looks quite humble and at home up on top of the cab. Another job well done Freddy.
Another achievement for the week was hooking up the solar panels to confirm our electrical system would work. I am never any help in these types of jobs, as it requires brains and know how and I’m just faux braun, well I attempt to help carry stuff, slap on paint and offer not always good ideas. Initially it all looked good, even in the rain our panels were dialling in the amps but then when powered up to the batteries for storage, a bit fat nothing! What the and major bummer, this is a bit concerning but Fred just methodically worked through everything, did a bit of googling, switched 2 things around and boom – it all works like a charm. Phew, that was a big relief!
Lastly for the week, we continued on with our bed construction. Fred has already built the frame and it was time to make the base for the mattress. As the frame is steel, we wanted to have a timber base to place the mattress on but were conscious that it needs to breathe. We cut a bit of ply board to size and then I got my Bob the Builder on and armed with the hole saw and router, turned that bit of board into Swiss cheese. If this rain ever decides to let up, I will paint it ready to attach to the frame. I could paint it in the shed but I’m far too messy for that, the shed floor would end up looking like a kindergarten on paints day.
Until next week, stay tuned………….