Sammy Finishes the Curtains!

January 18: 
With 6 weeks to go, Sammy finished sewing the last pairs curtains for Keith today. 
All (except for the purple ones) are backed with pale yellow retro-look fabric and most are tab design.
They are as follows (in no particular order):

2 pairs of paisley for the lounge.
1 pair of blue / white gingham with bobble trim for the kitchen.
1 pair of blue / white gingham for the bed chamber.
1 pair of orange / purple with orange bobble trim for the bed chamber.
1 pair of purple for the entrance to the cab.
1 pair of batik sarong for the windscreen. 
2 pairs of leopard print for the driver and passenger windows.



Next job for Sammy...
re-sealing the bath and kitchen sink!
                                                                                                               


 

Heat 'n' Sound Proofing

The Problem:  One of the few downsides of Keith, is that his engine juts into the cab.  This causes substantial heat and noise for primarily the driver, but also the passenger.  So, when driving along the open road, you would have to almost shout to each other, while the heat came up into your feet and legs. 
Not a pleasant concept for driving around in Australia's hot climate. 

The Answer:  After some researching, Danny purchased 3 products -

1. Thermal Reflective Heat Shield (self adhesive)
2. G Force Exhaust Wrap
3. Roll of Insulation Mat - Acoustic Dampening / Heat & Sound

He applied 1. to the internal firewalls in the engine bay. 

Then he used 2. to wrap the exhaust, which was quite a difficult process, calling on the not-so-expert assistance of Sammy.
And finally, Danny took out the cab foot well and fire wall carpet and plastered 3.  all over it and under the bonnet and cab as well.  The carpet pieces mananged, to Sammy's surprise, to fit back quite easily.

Danny took Keith for a test drive around Redcliffe, and the 3 products made a considerable difference to the heat and noise.  Yipee!

50 Days to Go...

January 8:  Michael (our neighbour) has been going flat out since he got back from his NZ holiday this week. 
Sammy and him had a meeting yesterday about the configeration of the drawers and cupboards.
Danny is away with his Dad & Nephew on a long awaited trip to Cascade & Dorrigo, Northern NSW.
10 draws are now in (we bought the frames and runners cheaply on ebay).  Next is the internal framework for the lower cupboards.  Go Michael!

So what's left to do on Keith?
Finish internal fit out
Finish making tab curtains (only have the cab left to do)
Line cab with silver heat / sound proofing (unfortunately means ripping up the carpet, but has to happen!)
Fit new petrol tank & sender (new old stock from UK)
Buy and fit solar panel kit
Connect water & filter
Connect Gas & get Certificate
Evaluation for insurance through CMCA (cheaper and more specific)
Diff check & final service


Oh, then there's all the stuff to do to the house before we rent it out in mid Feb...
"It won't happen overnight, but it will happen!"

1st Sleep Over in Keith!

Sunday 18: 
Sammy and Danny went off in Keith to her sister Leilani & Mat's "Mexican Fiesta" at North Ipswich.  They caught up with family and there was lots of great food, drinks, goodie bags and a wonderful real Mexican Mariachi Singer, Jose. (Soundtrack to Danny's film!)
They then drove to Sammy's brother David and Geraldeen's property at Mt Greville, outside Boonah.
But all did not go as planned...

Monday 19:
David and Geraldeen gave them a beaut camp oven (in which Danny cooked a lovely chicken & vege dinner), a hand rotating washing machine & an old mangle wringer + some kitchen drawer and cupboard fronts.

Poustie comes back with a Vengence!

Pousite spent 2 days with Keith and this is what he did:         Roof Cage fitted with the help of Danny and the Suzuki;  Fridge Vents in and checkerplate door well.        

Exterior Lights and Door Latch.

 Awning assembled and fitted.  To other side: Gas Bottle Door sealed properly &  Exterior Power Outlet in.

 Then Michael came along and he did a big couple of days:  the ply wall joining strips are still on order, so Sammy did a quick trip into Redcliffe for a vinyl offcut for the bed chamber.  Michael fitted it and Sammy recovered the mattress with a doona cover she was given by her Folks when she left home at 17yrs!

 Michael put the wool batts in the walls, ready for the ply sheeting and fitted the record cupboard into the back corner.

Danny has been doing some white undercoating of the bathroom and wardrobe, as well as more silicon on the outer joins to make sure it is definately, possatively water proof.
               
It's amazing the difference a couple of days can make in the world of Keith.  
DAY 78...

The Danny & Michael Show

It's been a big couple of weeks for Keith, with Michael and Danny putting in a big effort to get him plywooded inside.  Michael braced the walls in preparation and then put an elaborate series of wooden off cuts to hold it in place once fitted.

The guys had 4 hours of fun up on the roof re-fitting the 4 Seasons Hatch and Airconditioner with the correct sealant - Z Bond, by Bostik.  Danny found a great place:  Caboolture Caravan Repairs http://www.caravanrepair.com.au/ with lots of parts and v friendly service.

Danny got a new phone, Galaxy S by Samsung and made a little film about the ply  (see Facebook page).  He has also been working on a system for the grey water from the toilet, but there will be more of that in a later post...  He luckily found a Fuel Tank Kit from the UK which is new old stock still in it's box, so Keith's Fuel Gauge will work again!

Yesterday, Danny and Indigo Velvet picked up some alloy from Northgate and then back to the ply man in Clontarf for some more sheets. 

99 Days to Go!

Last night we celebrated 100 days until we are hoping to be heading off in Keith. 
We shared a wonderful curry meal from Marsala Pt  http://www.masalapoint.com.au/ with our neighbours The Palmers, ( Michael is currently helping us with the fit out ).
Here is what needs to be done in the next 99 days:

Finish Fit Out - walls, cuboards
Attach roof cage to roof
Hook up & Test - toilet, hot water, fridge, sink
Investigate Solar & buy, fit a big panel for the roof
Pack up house:  sort what to store (as little as possible), what will go in Keith & what to get rid of
Maintenance on house & Big Clean
Rent house & move into Keith (hang out with the family till we go)

Final checks for the trip
Finish work & say Adieu
Leave town!