Posts that Didn't Happen: March 2025

And on to the merry month of March . . .  starting with a solo visit to family across country for a few days, helping out with various things, while Martin continued to work on Project Van.

He made some useful progress in my absence, starting on the 'bookshelf' design (between one of the overhead cabinets, and one 'side' of the bed, sitting above the electric control cupboard) - and continuing work on electric things I don't understand.

Construction of a storage 'step', raising the floor level between the front and rear seating, is also underway.

On my return (complete with cold, which Martin duly caught quite badly) I continued with 'carpeting stuff, including the over-bed areas - this time in a nice deep wine colour.

I also devised part of the solution for our sliding bed element - this is formed of four Ikea bed struts, which sit on wooden beams at either side of the van (as shown on the right).

By attaching the bed slats to the struts with velcro, the two 'halves' of the bed can now be slid together, with the slats interlocking, making more room at the back or front of the bed as required.  

The whole structure can also be easily removed if even more space is required for transporting large items.

Alongside 'decor' (carpeting and cork tiling), more serious considerations such as security were tackled - with the fitting of locks to the exterior of the sliding and barn doors.

Towards the end of the month we finally purchased some vinyl flooring for the van, and marked that up for fitting in due course.

It does feel like there is some momentum to it all now, but there's still a long way to go . . .

In other news, we enjoyed some lovely sunny Spring days, and made a little more room in the garage by selling a greenhouse we bought way back in 2009 and which had been sitting in its boxes ever since!  Also started learning / playing a bit of chess - although Martin is taking it a bit more seriously than I am.
 

We ended the month with another visit across country to meet up with some extended family, and celebrate Mother's Day and what is now a 62nd Wedding Anniversary (where are the years going?).