Dan the Man

I previously wrote that we were going to pay Halfords to install our new stereo. This was mostly because if we cut any of the wiring on the stereo it renders any warrently null and void, and because installation was cheap at half price (£20).

£20! what kiwi man would let some-one else to install his stereo! How hard can it be?

Daniel found a required part for 99p off ebay (£14.99 at Halfords).

And by torchlight (it is still dark here when we get home from work) he has got it working.

He puts the rubbish out and mows lawns too.

Testing Take 2

Testing, Testing, 123

If this works, I've updated our blog by sending an email.

Much more convenient and cheaper if I can figure out how to update our blog via GPRS instead of 3G.

Now I just have to find a prepaid GPRS card with Europe wide roaming…




2 Legs

Planning our route is an evolutionary process. We had wanted to see the midnight sun on the longest day in June. but two things have scuppered these original plans for travelling straight from Western Europe to Scandinavia:

1)Breakdown insurance.
Cover in Europe for trips >90 days from RAC costs £600! We looked at every single other option (I think), but we've ended up questioning whether breakdown insurance is a necessity; we concluded, not. Afterall, we are not in a hurry to be anywhere, anytime and just how much can a towtruck charge? Worst case scenario; we dump Pat, continue on foot and cut short our trip.

The question of breakdown cover did however, lead to a reevaluation of our itinerary. Daniel then started campaigning for the inclusion of Ireland and Scotland. These had previously been 'probably should, but not sure when, destinations'. A real turning point though has been the discovery of...

2) The Schengen Agreement
This prohibits us from spending more than a total of 90 days in a 6 month period in the Schengen Area. Countries which are signed up to the Schengen Agreement are: Austria , Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden!

So, a return to the UK midway through our planned 7 month trip is now compulsory. It will be nice to see family, friends, speak 'english' and recharge. It will also be an opportunity to explore the English riviera as the great London north/south divide has thus far prevented us from venturing much past Wimbledon.

Just in case...

you think Daniel does all the hard work....

Beg Borrow Steal

It's 9am on Saturday morning, Daniel has cooked breakfast and figured out how Pat's chemical loo works. He still has to show this to me - but I'm not out of bed yet. For those that are more interested than me http://www.bradtech.ltd.uk/Porta_Potti_toilets.asp

Before my day, with all its chores, begins, I'll give you an update, and a to do list.

Last weekend we discovered that Pat was leaking - this was rather alarming because it has been raining alot. The sealant around the roof vent is old and no longer sealing. We have begged a towel, weighed down by a chair, to plug the gap for a while, borrowed a sealant gun from Daniel's work collegue and stolen some sealant from the landlord's stock in the basement. Fixing this is on the to do list













The inside of Pat is surprisely light due to a 1m wide skylight running right down the middle of the roof. However, this will not be conducive to a good night's sleep in the land of the midnight sun. So with traditional kiwi ingenuity, we have fitted curtain rails to either side of the sky light and 2nd on the to do list, is shopping for curtain material, which somehow matches the crazy circle decor.

The recovering of the squabs is just about finished but more sewing is on the to do list. Thanks goes to our lovely flatmate Charley who has kindly lent us her sewing machine and cotton and needles and measuring tape and opinions.

It is now 10am and I must get up!

The silly season is over; the crazy times begin.

According to my calendar, of the 12 weekends between now and when we have to leave, we have only 2 free weekends; crazy!

So, today we have been very busy. We have begun recovering the squabs in the van. I've chosen a 70's style fabric. Daniel is rather sceptical , but I'll let you be the judge. I have photos this time! I took these using our toy, the specs of which were detailed in another post.

We also bought a new stereo from Halfords. Details below; for the geeks. This was half price and with no delivery charges, beat any ebay alternatives. It plays MP3s from CDs, USB, SD and Aux. It also is a radio and has a remote. This magnificient asset, should be a huge selling point come October.
Unfortunately we will have to pay Haldfords to install it, fortunately, they currently have a half price installation deal.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_238019_langId_-1_CarSelectorCatalogId__varient__categoryId_58751_crumb_33967-52752_parentcategoryrn_52752#

My industrious fiancé

Daniel thinks he's not a shed kinda guy, but the dedication he has shown Pat this past week, indicates differently.

We (Daniel) now know how to change a tyre, how to operate the 3 way fridge, that Pat's electrics all work fine and various other non interesting stuff.
We (Marea) also know that it is cosier and cleaner inside and that fridge manuals are found online at http://www.fishbrain.biz/acatalog/rm4211-manual.pdf. Yet another example of the wonders of the internet:-)

Now if I can also find how the chemical portaloo works online - Do you think Daniel will do the 'dirty' work again?