Chassis is Coming Together

Welding has begun, the chassis is coming together!  Every little step taking time and patience.  These first steps have helped us understand the real time and effort this build is going to take - but it is exciting, even though there is so much to do!

The design has taken countless hours in coming together.  Every detail being VERY important to the millimetre.  Some of the finer details are still being sorted - which may not be wise since we have began building, but it's the way it is now.

We chose a Gaffa independent coil suspension from WA.  Since we took delivery of the suspension we have read a few blogs about similar suspension builds failing.  Thankfully we chose the Australian design and not the Chinese copy.  Taking a closer look at these copies, they don't have the same welds and extra reinforcement that the Gaffa brand do.  So we feel pretty confident ours will hold up.

Along with our suspension we ordered a Unitank water tank, also from WA - who kindly dropped off the tank to Martins Trailer Parts and it was all delivered on the same crate.  For those health conscience organic freaks such as myself (Christine) we did check to see if the tanks had BPA in the plastic - they assured us they were BPA free - which was quite important to me as it will be a large proportion of our entire water source for quite a while.

It didn't take much time at all for Stephen to decide his welding expertise should be kept to the tacking and we hired an experienced welder to weld the structure of our new home together.  Peter has been fantastic and has joined Stephen working close to midnight some evenings and on weekends.

A little frustrated this week as we've had a few hitches with the hitch plate and will organise take 3 early next week.  Just a few millimetres out with cutting the holes just doesn't work!  So, all being well next weekend the hitch will be attached, the hubs and brakes put together, wheels put on and the chassis should be rolling!! YAY!

Here a few photos of the progress so far ....

The very first weld/tack made by Stephen with Bill our friend and engineer looking on!

The frame begins ... is that a boat you're building?

Measure twice ... cut once.

Peter our welder working hard ... Thanks Peter!!

Suspension now on the chassis.
Our eight year old daughter was looking at it strangely for a while and then with relief in her voice said "oh it's upside down"  She was picturing that strange device on the inside floor of the trailer.

Grinding for a smooth finish

Following the design

Testing the Camp Shower

The camp shower has been tested!  No one wanted to brave the back yard, so it was set up in the bathroom for a few days ... hot water system, jerry can, gas bottle, pump, battery and battery charger!!

We went around in circles for a while trying to choose a hot water system.  One major factor was to choose how much money we wanted to invest into it and whether we thought some of the conveniences were worth the big bucks!

We decided upon an instant, portable hot water system.  That way we can use it with our trailer for washing up and also move it to the shower tent for a nice hot shower.  It heats up 30 degrees C above ambient.

Our trials in the bathroom have been a success.  It didn't get packed away until every person enjoyed the pleasure of the system.  Water sat in a jerry can, was pumped into the unit, which is attached to a gas bottle and instantly hot water comes out of the nozzle ... amazing - and you don't even have to ignite the gas and it even turns itself off when you release the nozzle!!

The brand as you can see in the photo we chose was Red Rock.  There were other similar, cheaper brands from the USA, but the three year warranty and dealing with people from our own country won us over.  You can find them on Ebay.  They have a set price or "make an offer".  I recommend making an offer - they do accept.

Becoming a Reality ....

Friday saw the big delivery arrive ... the suspension plus related parts for the build of our new home!  The awaited truck arrives out the front, I quickly text Stephen with the news, open the door and the delivery man says "where's your fork lift?".  I give a "you've got to be joking" look, he gives the same look back as we stare at the pallet on his truck holding 120kg of metal.

We discuss having to pick up our delivery from Toronto, if we have any neighbours who are strong and able, what the builders would say up the street if we went and asked for their assistance.  The driver was kind and thankfully strong and we undid the straps (which I will admit that I first fetched him a kitchen knife to cut them before realising they were metal straps which required pliers - big female moment!!)  Again, the driver was kind enough to make me feel better by saying his Misses would have done the same.

So after some unloading and sliding a 100kg frame off his truck onto the grass we now have the beginnings of the new camper trailer to compliment the only part we already had - the hitch.  So now the suspension, brakes, hubs, bearings, hitch, water tank are in our drive.  Metal that has been purchased has now been bent and we are almost ready to begin assembly.

I will do a blog at a later date when I can sit Stephen down and actually write about specifications etc for those that are interested in the finer details ...

Talking of finer details ... I went to the 30% off everything sale at Spotlight last week and picked up a beautiful doona cover for our camp doona and some for the kids doonas which we will use on our trip too ... I'll put up photos later.

The Garage Sale ... Clearing Out

The other weekend we had our second garage sale ever.  I think with our trip in mind and the fact we plan to empty our house in about 6 months time this garage sale was far more successful than our first.  I spent about three weeks prior emptying book shelves, display cabinet, office drawers, kitchen cupboards - therefore we had plenty to sell!  The kids got involved including our eldest with her good friend who made an entire table of their toys and donated items with 100% of their profits going to Samaritan's Purse.  They raised over $100 and will donate for a water filter and make a few boxes for the Christmas gift donations.

Our place is looking a little emptier which gives me delight, some books have already gone to Mum and Dad's to be stored and the battle is on to not refill the space!  Focus is required to keep going with the clear out, not accumulate stuff and prioritise on what we actually need to keep.

It is not that surprising that so much of the things in our homes are not needed, many don't even hold sentimental value - it just somehow gets in, takes space and maybe one day we'll use it.  Sometimes we don't even realise it is there, until we start going through the drawers and cupboards.  One example to the horror of  my neighbour helping me sort one day was my college bag - stored under my bed still full of what ever it was I took to college on my last day!!  That has sat there untouched for 10 years!!!

The garage is another story - those that know us well know what I'm talking about.  Let's just say it is full of "useful" items to the point of "enter at your own risk" and even after our clear out ... well - it is still a danger zone.  Maybe if we have another garage sale before we go there will be some very interesting tools, car parts and gadgets.

Step Two for the "Big Trip"

It is the eve of step two towards our "big trip".  Our "big trip" is the long talked over, mulled over, yearned for trip around Australia.  We plan to build a trailer, sell up and travel and work around Australia for 12 months, most likely beginning early to mid next year.

Our first major step towards this becoming a reality was to finish hiring camper trailers and sell them all.  A couple of weeks ago some changes occurred at the mechanical workshop where Stephen works at in Hornsby prompting the decision to finish hiring our camper trailers now.  This will enable Stephen to go full time at the workshop with his mechanics and gives him nights and weekends building our new trailer rather than cleaning and maintaining our hire fleet.  We have sold one trailer with four more to go - but they aren't for sale immediately.  One is still out on hire and the others will be getting a little bit of work done to them.

Tomorrow we purchase a few thousand dollars worth of material which is our second big step ... the purchase of the suspension and water tanks for our trailer.  Stephen and an engineer friend, who we are very grateful for have spent almost six months drawing designs, bouncing them back and forth almost every night.  This design came about almost 12 months ago while we were away on our outback trip.  Our friend Stuart and Stephen began thinking about all the good parts on their trailers and then all the things they would like to change - the drawings began!!  Who said only girls get together to draw.

It is very exciting for us to watch our plans unfold and see our dreams become reality.  There are many many more steps to be taken and we'll try to blog a few along the way to keep you all updated.

Dunn's Swamp - Wollemi National Park

The beginning of April saw us taking a trip for five nights.  It was the first time we've gone away in the school holidays camping and were bracing ourselves for the crowds.

We arrived at Dunn's Swamp, about 25km out of Rylstone on the Friday afternoon and didn't have too many choices of campsites.  We where pleased we arrived on the Friday thinking it would fill up fast.  A few more arrived on the Saturday and then by Sunday afternoon there was only a handful of us left.  To our surprise Dunn's Swamp isn't nearly as busy as we thought.  Although we have heard if you plan to go there on a long weekend plan to be there EARLY or you may miss out.  There are no bookings and limited places for trailers and caravans.

The trailer spaces were excellent with their only, and not to be dismissed downfall being they are not on the water with no water views.  They were spacious, relatively level with separate, individual campfire spaces. Wood is supplied but not everyday.  Canoes are available for hire every weekend and school holiday time.

Own private campfire area

Camp fees are an honesty system with National Parks.  Cost was $3 per adult and $2 per child.  Pit toilets are scattered around the whole place and in all my camping experience they are the cleanest, least smelly pit toilets I have ever used!!!  That in itself made the camp fees well worth while.  The whole places was immaculately clean and well maintained.

Useful Links:
http://www.rylstone.com/pdf/DunnsSwamp.pdf
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/NationalParks/parkCamping.aspx?id=N0051

Matthew enjoying many a hot chocolate

Misty Morning

Kookaburra's watched every move we made

Landscape Photography Workshop

Here are a few of my favourite shots from the latest landscape photography workshop with photographer, Glenn Mckimmin.  It was a great day with an added bonus of no rain! (The previous landscape workshop was quite wet!)  Although we had no grand, spectacular sunrises or sunsets it was still a beautiful experience as that special early and late light always gives.

Sunrise - Wamberal

Somersby Falls

Sundown - Spoon Bay

Photography Workshops - Portraits

Last Saturday afternoon was our portrait photography workshop with Glenn McKimmin. What a blast it was for me and from all reports for many others! I'm loving my job organising these workshops - it is such a privilege to be involve. I get to meet amazing people who all share a passion for photography and of course learn something new along the way. It was not until I attended a few workshops that I realised just how much information Glenn offers.

After our portrait workshop in November I took to my kids to arrange a "Christmas Photo" for the grandparents. I'd learnt about lighting, apertures, lenses etc but the overall experience was stressful and sent a few of our family members to tears. What had I forgotten? It all made sense on the day ... I thought I could do this! I was clearly reminded after the workshop last Saturday all that I'd forgotten. Glenn talks at length about the importance of connecting with your models, staying calm, enjoying what you do - the model will reflect your mood, not rushing, special techniques to relax children..... Well, I dare say I wish it was nearly Christmas again to organise a re-shoot! I think I'll tackle it a whole lot different!

Next Saturday is our Landscape workshop. I'm very excited for this one. I find nature much easier to work with. I love the peace of the early mornings (even though I'm far from a morning person), the ever changing light of the sun rising or setting and the breathtaking results that drawer people to a peaceful, beautiful place. I'm hoping I will have photos to share next week!

Front Line Management

The holidays are nearing to an end. Our busy time has passed - with all the trailers currently out on hire with only a couple more hires to go for January.

Although the month is busy we get longer stretches of having all the trailers out and a little more time to give to other aspects of our business.

Last year Stephen & I began some training. We have started a cert IV in Front Line Management with Eagle Wing Education and Training. I began the course a little reluctant of the extra time it would require of me and perhaps wondering its relevance for a small two man business such as ours. My plan was for just Stephen to attend the course (to get him more organised :-)) and I can't recall how I got signed up too.

We are now half way in, a couple of assignments to complete and ..... I'm loving it! I've put some of my spare time these holidays to reading up on the notes and beginning some assignments. The beauty of the course is that it is in fact VERY relevant for our business and the assignments are projects to benefit OUR business.

So what am I doing? Making a Value Stream Map with attention to where our "wastes" occur, finding the root cause of problems rather than doing the "quick fix", doing 5 S on our work areas - Sort, Shine, Standardise, Stabilise and Sustain.... and more.

What's this got to do with camping, the outdoors and family time? Heaps!!! I believe the more time I put into our business now - eliminating "wastes" and standardising procedures etc it will quite quickly run more productively, be less stressful and give me more spare time. What can I do with this spare time - SPEND TIME WITH MY FAMILY and work towards our goal of travelling around Australia.

You can find more info on Eagle Wing and it's course here: http://www.ewet.biz/