Sunday 16 May 2010

Odd jobs

Part of the reasoning behind the shakedown trip to Bodmin was to make sure everything works as intended, giving me chance to sort out any problems before our main weeks holiday at the end of the month.
One issue is the current position of the TV Aerial plug, which is currently placed over the main work surface, which is not ideal, as it requires a long extension lead to put the TV in a more suitable position.
It was decided that an additional Aerial socket should be installed at the front of the van, this involved splitting the signal with a 2 way splitter in the gas locker, which will enable the original socket to stay usable.

The second socket was put on the window sill at the front of the van.

Its hidden nicely when the cushions are in place, The TV sits perfectly on the pull out shelf, and no more extension lead to trip up and pull out!

Friday 7 May 2010

Bodmin or bust!

At 3.30pm we picked up the caravan from the storage yard to attempt our first trip, or shake down, in the caravan.
Having had to fight our way through the mums in their 4x4's who were picking their kids up from the school on the road that approached the yard, we made a conscious decision that we would never arrive at the yard at this time in the week again!
Hari Kari over, we headed up the A30 towards Bodmin, where Sally-Ann snapped this picture of us approaching the first big roundabout we had the tackle.

It took a little time to get used to the extended wing mirrors on the car, but by the time we pulled up on the site, and Jo got out to book us in, I had pretty much mastered them.

Yes it does look like Jo helped in setting the van up, but in reality, she popped over the Sally-Ann and Mikes RV, which was parked up on the next pitch, for a cup of tea, whilst she left me to get on with it!
In other words, this picture was staged!.... well not really, as she did take the legs up when we left the site, but hey ho!


Once we were settled, and the TV was set up (most important job, according to Jo!), Jo set about making our supper.
She was going to do it all at home and re-heat it once we had arrived, but as we are away for a week very soon, she decided that a full test of the 'kitchen' facilities was needed.
Lasagne (made by Jo) and salad, with garlic and parsley flat bread, and yummy profiterole puddings with squirty cream (provided by Sally-Ann and Mike) All in all a great success.
Once everything was away and we were relaxing with a glass of something nice, we were treated to a wonderful sunset from the window.

Role on tomorrow, so far so good!

Monday 3 May 2010

TV Aerial Update

While Jo was at work this morning, and as I don't work on Bank Holidays, I decided to see if I could get the replacement aerial for the TV, after yesterdays disaster.
I had success at the local caravan accessories dealership, and fitted it to the jockey wheel on the front of the van to test it out...
I found the signal using my new aerial meter signal finder, and ......
BINGO! Success!
not bad considering this is the TV from our bedroom, which will be accompanying us on our various trips away in the varacan.

Wheelie Smart!

A bank holiday weekend, and an ideal time to clean up and respray the scruffy original wheel trims that had suffered kerbing damage at the hands of the previous owners.
Using paint that I had left over from previous jobs , I set to work, repairing the damaged areas and after a quick sand over, I gave the trims a coat of grey primer.

As I was using paint I already had in the garage, I had a choice of silver, silver or silver!
After adding the silver coat, I sprayed on some clear lacquer to give the trims a shine and to protect them.

The newly refurbished trims were refitted to the caravan on my latest trip to the storage yard, and I think they look wheelie smart, don't you?


Sunday 2 May 2010

Time for some luxury tasks

My wife will not manage next weekend, on our shake down trip, without her TV. How would she know what happens in The Mentalist and Over the Rainbow!
And so, as all good husbands do, I am trying to make her happy by fixing the aerial cable and wires ready for the trip.
I am using an old aerial we had at our static caravan, and have no idea if it is a digital one or not, but I'll soon find out...

having cleaned out the spiders web from the internal workings, and wired up the cable....


I bought a TV signal finder this afternoon, as everyone told me this was a must with all of the moving around the country you tend to do - it supposedly saves time in finding a TV picture.

The moment of truth ...... and it's not a digital aerial - Boo! Now I need to buy a new aerial -

Nothing is ever simple is it!