Posts that Didn't Happen: October 2024

At the time of writing (actually May 2025), the blog has rather fallen behind - so time for some catch up posts . . .

Back in time to October 2024 - life was pretty busy, what with the van conversion, and (for me) some archive consultancy work, although there was time to get out and about too.

At the beginning of the month, the planned meet up with the 'Archive Girls' went ahead on schedule.  

This was pretty much a re-run of last year's trip, staying at the same property, eating out at the same pub, and with another visit to Hay - time to relax, watch Strictly and have a good natter!

Then there was a trip to Cardiff (mostly in the rain) - some work, some 'van' shopping in Ikea, and an 'interesting' journey home through flooded roads - I was glad not to be driving!

Inbetween there was yet another Folly reorganisation swapping the desk with the sofa, so I'll be a bit closer to the heat from the wood burner as the days get colder.

Finally, towards the end of the month, we also had a trip to visit family - lovely to see everyone, and get a few bits and pieces sorted while we were there.

While all this was going on 'Project Van' was also continuing - albeit slowly, and with many frustrations - electrics, reversing cameras, window regulators, etc.  

Not least of these, was the realisation that the 'plan' for the bed layout wasn't going to work - there just wasn't enough room to overlay two single beds (as shown), so it was back to the drawing board.

The thinking now is to go for a sliding transverse bed (hence the trip to Ikea for more Skorva bed beams - a van conversion staple item!).

Some other tasks were completed, including the rather scary cutting of a hole in the side of the van for the electric hook-up:

So much more to do though . . .

Project Van: Solar Struggles

We'd always planned to add a couple of solar panels to the roof - to provide us with power for a leisure battery - particularly important for us, as this is intended to be an 'electric' only van, (i.e. without an onboard gas supply for cooking, or diesel heating).  

We duly ordered two 200W panels - then just had to work out how to fix them securely in place!

After reviewing the options - and watching a lot of Youtube videos of how other people had done it - we settled on a diy unistrut 'roof rack' as our preferred solution.  

While this proved relatively straightforward - working out how to attach the  solar panels was a bit more of a struggle.  We got there in the end (kudos to Martin who did all the hard work) but it was a fiddly and annoying precision job - as tightening one fixing point, often put another out of alignment, and so on . . .

Then there were holes to be drilled for the wiring - and a 'gland' box to be fixed to the roof to feed the cables through and prevent any water ingress.

  

 

Et Voila - the finished article - ready to be wired up to the electrical system - a job for another day!

The Order of the Slipper

Time to head across country from Wales for a few days - to dog sit and visit with family - while my sister and her husband travelled to Wales for a short break to climb Eryri (the mountain formerly known as Snowdon).

Waved them off and enjoyed a couple of days of sunshine, dog walks, and helping out with shopping, household tasks, etc.

Was honoured to find one day that my slipper had made it to companion status on the sofa!

Still, lovely to be home again - back to our own bed and a beautiful sunset on the prom.

Project Van: Window Woes

I suppose we couldn't expect everything to run smoothly - and this week both our 'new' windows in the rear 'barn' doors presented us with issues.

First off, we noticed a crack in the 'inside' of one of the double glazed windows - basically a manufacturing fault which had emerged since installation, and after the minimal driving around we've done thus far.

Then a couple or so days later we noticed that the other window had developed a leak.

So it was back to the 'workshop' again for a few days - while we happened to be on our travels visiting family.*

* The leak was soon fixed - the crack is still awaiting satisfactory resolution with the manufacturer, who keeps sending the wrong sized replacement window!

Town Tales

 It's been an eventful weekend in town . . .

Rali Ceredigion was back on the streets, with some interesting 'advertising' from the rally sponsors on Castle Point.

There was also a beer festival, which took over some roads - and the sun actually shone, so that people could sit outside.

Unfortunately, we were too busy with van and other stuff, to stop for a beer!

Did see the conclusion to the rally, as prizes were awarded and the cars paraded past.

Until next year . . .

Project Van: 'Back to Us'

So the van is back with us - complete with the obligatory (if you watch any van build videos) Maxxfan at the front, and a skylight at the rear.

We also have four (opening) windows - including two larger ones, one in the sliding door, and the other opposite, beside the new double seat (as pictured). 

Then there are two smaller windows in the rear 'barn' doors - seen here from the outside.

So far, so good - but it's back to us now to actually finish the job!

Is it Dead Yet?

Recently bought a bottle garden terrarium from Lidl which was set up (as scheduled in the instructions) today.

With its cork lid now in place, it is supposed to develop its own 'ecosystem' without the need to feed or water - Martin is not convinced and keeps asking whether it is dead yet . . .

I guess we will see - I'll try to remember to issue an update in due course!