The Water

Running Hot & Cold

I had a quick water test today, to see if it was running to the sink tap and shower head.  I filled up one of the water containers, and submerged the pump into it.

I got the gas connected to the boiler to see if the hot water worked, but trying to run a tap and check and adjust the boiler controls at the same time is impossible with just myself so will have to try another day when someone can help.

But the quick test that I did do, the cold water was running fine to both shower/sink and the hot water was coming through, although not quite hot enough on the quick test I did... it will need adjusting.

Looks like shower pressure is fine though!

Still to check all the connections to make sure nothing is leaking too, and get the gas checked by someone competent.

Oh and finish the drainage, hence me not going into the plug holes!


*EDIT*

Managed to get the boiler set correctly, gives out some great power and nice hot water for a shower.. chuffed with that purchase!


Link to Photo Album

The Puncture

Blew a valve

So I came back from holiday on Thursday night, and when I went to use the van on Friday night, I noticed I had a flat front passenger tyre.

This was the 2nd one in a month, with one of the drivers rear tyres needing replaced earlier on this month at a cost of £80, so could do without that again so soon after the last one.

The back one was easy enough to get looked at, as it's a twin wheel base, I could still drive down to the garage the last time to get a new tyre.

But this time, with it being on the front, I needed to get the spare from underneath the chassis.. this was a total pain in the arse.

Firstly, I couldn't get the spare down, it's one of the ones where you have to stick a big extended socket into a hole then winch it down.. it seemed to be ceased. After much attempts, I gave the spare a kick and it came un-ceased.. great so I could get it on now.

I swapped the wheels over, then went to blow up the tyre at the garage to see if I could spot the puncture, as it turns out the valve was faulty, so a cheap and simple repair this time.

But now I can't get the spare wound back up below the chassis, so going to have to crawl under the van when it's dry to check that out... so for now the bracket that holds it in place, is just wrapped around the frame so it's not dragging along the road!!

The Bedding

Snug as a bug

Just a quick post, I bought the bedding the other week, double quilt, 4 x pillows and bed sheet. This is a nice red & black reversible set, should go well with the rest of the interior.

Also picked up a couple of under bed storage bags, which fit everything nice and also fit under the seats for storing.

Also managed to find some thermal blinds on Gumtree for £20, that have hardly been used and fit nicely on the front/side windows.

As well as finishing the actual build of the van, it's surprising how much little things I need to buy to make it a home from home.

Off on holiday this week for a couple weeks, so won't be any updates.. hopefully when I get back there will be plenty over the month of April.

The Curtains

Open & Shut Case

I mentioned before that Gillians mum had kindly upholstered the foam cushions, and was also doing the curtains.

They are now finished, so put them up in the van today so could check they were all ok. Just a couple of hems to be fixed, then will take them down and wash/iron and store them while still working on the van.

So first some pics of them open.

And a few with them shut, will hang better once ironed.

Also got one made just to cover up the front of the wardrobe.

The more observant viewers of this blog will notice a couple of cushions there too, 1 big and 1 small. Still got another set to come, they are just getting covers made for them too.

Link to Photo Album

The Cupboard

Overheads going up

As I mentioned in my last post, I made a start on the overhead storage cupboard which I am building. It's not finished yet, but wanted to update the blog with my progress, so here it is.

I started by looking online at various methods of doing this, and using pics I found to replicate it. It's a simple frame, but obviously needs to be secure and solid enough to support what I am going to use the storage for. This will be mainly for food, plates etc so nothing to heavy.

Luckily I had the air-con duct metal to attach to for the roof, and the ply on the side so had a good solid start.

With the 3 sides attached securely, it was just a case of adding in the sides first of all.

Then I just used another couple of bits of wood (after some slight changing of previous bits) to make the end panel frames.

Then it was just a case of putting in the front bottom strut, and I decided to put in an additional middle supports so I could make this into 2 separate storage cupboards.

And that is where I am up to just now, I've been to B&Q and bought a couple of hardboard off-cuts to use for the shelf, and will just use ply to panel the sides/back of the inside.

Will also ply the outside of the sides, and probably just put some more Veltrim on to finish it off. Not decided on what to do for the front yet, probably put a pine slat surround on it (as got some left over from the bed) and hinge a couple of hardboard doors on... it's work in progress anyway!

Link to Photo Album

The Progress 5

5 Month Review

And yet another month has passed with not much been done. Mainly due to the poor weather/light up here, me working a fair bit and saving for a holiday.

So it will be another quiet month with not much getting done am afraid, so that means April will be a busy one as I try to get it all finished for the first weekend in May!

What has been done is that the van passed it's MOT with no issues at all.

The upholstery of the foam cushions has been finished by Gillians mum, I've put up some wire for the curtains (which are nearly finished too).

I made a panel to cover the skylight at night time and put some edging trim round the shower doorway.

I will be ordering more trim to go round the rest, and a few other bits.

Also made a start to the overhead storage unit above the kitchen today, this will hopefully be finished soon and will upload the details of that when I can.

Again thanks for reading folks, nearly 6000 views on the blog... :-)