First of all hello, long time no post! Sorry about that but we have had a full on 2nd Covid year. Until a couple of weeks ago we were still in a Clayton’s lockdown – the lockdown you are having when you aren’t having a lockdown. Even though restrictions lifted in Regional Victoria there were still a lot of rules and it felt like we were still in lockdown.
In August we farewelled our one and only Victorian home – Abbott Street. This was a bittersweet day – we were so excited to be moving forward with our plan but still a little sorry to leave our lovely home. As with us always, we had accumulated far too much stuff and sorting and cleaning our 6 bedroom home and sheds was a mission in itself. It wasn’t helped by the fact that due to restrictions we couldn’t have a garage sale so we had to bring everything with us. We purchased another container so loaded up both our containers literally to the roof! In fact the balancing act was so precise that some of it had to be roped up to ensure it didn’t topple on us when braving the odds of actually trying to find something in there. We are hopeful to hold said garage sale in the next week or so once restrictions are lifted fully.
One of the most exciting things about selling the house, besides reducing debt, is that we now live full time in our bus. Shhhhh don’t tell the Council lol. We have been living in De Busta for almost 3 months now and it’s awesome. Housework is a breeze! The only thing that would be better is if we could be travelling. We still haven’t finished the bus completely but figure it won’t hurt to have some jobs to do when on the road. One thing we are certain of is that this is for us and it feels right.
Our next project was to purchase and construct the roof/canopy across our containers. It all seemed so simple in theory…… in true Fred and Gayle fashion it didn’t go without incident but the end result is fab! It only took the Council 2 weeks to write to us stating we didn’t have building permit – another saga. Well after much research, chatting up, kissing butt and some friend favours we have all this lodged at Council now and are awaiting the ok not to have to pull it down.
On the work front, I resigned my day job finishing early October and Fred reduced his hours to working only 2 days a week for now. My days of leisure were very short lived as I now have a casual gig which is 4 days per week until the end of the year but it is working from the bus. Win win!
Our most exciting news is that we will be heading on the road in the January. In order to do this we have been planning some projects to help with our living costs. The biggest of all is making jewellery. Yes you heard correctly, Fred is now silversmithing with the intention for this to be his gig on the road. He has been making modifications to the trailer so it will now be a trailer/workshop. Life on the road – everything needs to be dual purpose! He has taken to it like a duck to water and has made me a bracelet and an anklet as well as other bracelets. He already has interest with orders for Christmas. Let us know if you are in the market for some smick silver jewellery and please tell your friends. Also if you have any old silver laying about that you would like to repurpose let us know as we are always sourcing material for him to work with.
With this I will be rejigging our page a little to include our new venture “Strzelecki Craftsman” so you will be sure to see some silver spam here and there!
Life is so demazing – bring on new adventures and full time bus life! Stay tuned……..
Might be a while since we hesrd from you but at least you’ve been busy. Earings Fred and I’ll supply the silver. Can a tea pot become esrings?