how she's lookin... Wanda, that is...

Ok, so a month ago Wanda looked like this. I can't believe the difference already.

It was a terrible fit out and not worth salvaging, so we ripped out the lot. 

We've boosted the local tip economy and passed on other things that were moderately worth while.

I'm not feeling particularly eloquent at the moment (I blame the months of very little sleep), so here's a list of what's been happening and what is to come.

:: cut off her unsightly bull bar, no more braces for you Wanda

:: cleaned 10 years of dirt, grime and what-have-you off the roof

:: cleaned out all the stuff that the previous owners had left behind (Some really questionable stuff too! I don't really want to talk about it thanks. Pretty sure I'm scarred.)

:: disappeared all cabinets, walls, beds, shower and banquette

:: ripped up, scraped off, fought to the almost death with the vinyl tiles... gone! see you later vinyl tiles!

:: battled the horrible glue beneath the tiles, that almost ripped your foot off if you happened to walk upon it with thongs on, that then clung onto that thong until you pried it off with sheer strength (this is no exaggeration! there were cursives)

:: scraped the layers of black paint that resided on most of the windows. I won't ever get those hours back, but boy it sure looks a lot nicer now

:: ripped down the weird contact-y sort of stuff that was stuck to the ceiling on the right hand side

:: still trying to figure out a way to remove the ticky tacky can't be removed glue that held up the weird contact-y sort of stuff... we're working on it

:: cut a huge hole in the rear of the bus to increase boot space

:: welded in a steel frame to create boot ceiling and queen size bed base

:: draw up final drawings for bunks, kitchen cabinets, banquette and cupboard

:: decided on all paint colours for the interior and exterior, think pale cream, light mint green and teal

:: completed many mad calcs for paint, vinyl flooring, plywood, fabric and foam

That's all I can think of right now. Our next steps are to clad the steel frame, prep the interior and exterior for painting, paint absolutely everywhere until she shines like a diamond, then we'll lay down the vinyl floor.

I'm so excited! If I wasn't so very tired, I'd be doing a jig. 

So that's that then. In a few weeks I'll hopefully have a pretty painted Wanda.

I hope all is well in the land of you.

Do you have a crazy big project you're working on too?

Are you getting enough sleep?

I hope so!

Happy Tuesday!

Empty! String across back marking out bed.

In my finest, contemplating bunk construction. Huckle contemplating 101 uses for a G clamp.

Explaining how our bed will be built and no, we won't be sleeping in that god awful hole!

Frame is in!

Admiring his handywork. It's all square too.

The sink shall go here.

Huckle entering the bus on one of his thrice daily inspections.

Wanda's before shots...

We picked up Wanda on Saturday. It was such an exciting day, I had butterflies in my stomach.
With our experience in buying vintage vehicles (let's just say it's a number between 10 and 20), I should have known it was not going to be without a couple of hiccups along the way. 
Sam knew we had to bleed the brakes before we could drive her anywhere (she had no brakes whatsoever!), which means that while he's underneath the vehicle I'm pumping the brake pedal... over and over and over again. I have helped to do this on almost every vehicle we've owned and this is the first time where I thought my leg was going to drop off! They were absolute jelly afterwards. An hour doing this in the heat of the afternoon, with Arlo man on my lap and Huckle getting into everything; I was ready to crack it. 
Next, the dear old dot we bought it off swore that it went well at 100km... yes, well... perhaps let's say she only gets up to 80km. Not quite 100, but it will do. This is most definitely going to be the slow way round Australia.
After a trip home in tandem with a few hairy scary moments, it was time to get the old girl up the drive. She had to fit through a standard gate going backwards twenty-odd metres up a slight incline. With Arlo on my hip and Huckle locked up on the verandah, I did my best to direct Samuel up the drive. Nerve wracking stuff! While the bus was blocking off the street, every farmer and his dog and all the milk trucks of south gippsland decided to drive past. I can now add traffic director to my resume.
So now she's in the driveway and the fun part can begin.
Here's what she looked like a couple of days ago. Scary stuff huh.
Already we've pull out most of the cabinets and emptied out all of the junk. I've measured and measured and measured some more. Plans and drawings are coming together and I'm having a blast choosing colours and fabrics.
I'll have to write about our retro colour scheme soon. It all revolves around this stove! Yes, that is our stove! Can you tell how excited I am? 
I'm going to try and post her progress once a week to see her transformation. 
Now I'm off to write some more lists before lights out.
Hope all is well where you are.

2013... the year of adventure...

I'm not really one for resolutions. 

As the new year ticked over into 2013, I was itching for a goal. I desperately wanted to be challenged (not that life with a two year old and baby isn't challenging at all!). I felt a bit stale, like I haven't pushed myself out of my comfort zone in a while. 

So, we did what any wise *cough, hack, splutter* people would do... and bought ourselves a bus...

We are the proud new owners of a 1969 Comair bus. We're in a bit of a buzz. 

So here's the plan... 

We're selling most of our beloved vintage car collection and heaps more stuff that we just don't need.

Our little bus will be given a fresh coat of paint and a delightful fit out and then we'll be putting our belongings into storage and heading off around Australia.

We hope to be on the road by June... JUNE people!!! 

We have four months to do all of the above. That's not too crazy is it?

I can't wait to share our adventures along the way. From doing the old girl up to galavanting around the country side. 

If anyone has any pretty spots that you think we should visit, I'd love to get your tips.

I think I need to start a new pinterest board...

Do you have a goal or challenge for the year ahead?

Or do you prefer the take it as it comes approach?

Either way, I hope your year is ace. 

Toodle pips.

* this is my excuse for not posting so much lately... so much to do