Fawkes remodelling ..... almost there

We installed the kitchen cabinet in Fawkes. We got the cabinet for $10 from a guy who was replacing his kitchen. We replaced some rotten particle boards. A 12mm plywood was used as a backing for the cabinet, which also pulled down to become a table. Put a vinyl on the top of the cabinet to serve as a counter-top...

I don't think we will be able to stain the bed-frames before Grace arrives in NZ. However, this would more than enough to make our road-trip memorable!

Fawkes update

Update on work with Fawkes.... Work that have been done :

- Put in side panels for the seats/ bed frame
- Make laminated flooring to become the cover the frames... will nail them in next week when the glue dries
- Got foam, and Hannah has started making the covers for it
- Install curtain cables
- Got a used kitchen for really cheap ...$10.... going to take it apart and construct the kitchen/ storage using the frame.

Mission Fawkes

In anticipation for Grace's arrival to NZ, we had planned to bring her around in Fawkes, and do some authentic "freedom camping". So far, this is what we had done :
- painted (one coat) Fawkes, and changed his color from white to red... going to do a few more coats soon.
- cleaned up and repainted the interior with fresh white paint
- replace the vinyl sheets on the side panels
- new floor using 12mm plywood
- make a double seater which would turn into a bed

More to come in coming weeks....

Van gutted out and ready for work!

12mm plywood floor and double seater that covert to bed frame

New vinyl cover for side panels

Mid-semester

Wow!... It's already mid semester! It is Easter this weekend, and from the look of the weather forecast, Hannah and I will probably be staying indoors.

This past week has been busy, busy and busy!... First, we spend one day diving the wreck, Canterbury at the Northland Dive. It is located at the Bay of Islands in the North Island of New Zealand. The place we stayed in is call the Cowshed, and it is about 4 hours drive from Auckland. Unfortunately, my drysuit leaked and I was so cold I had to call off the second dive. However, Hannah managed to get two great dives on the Canterbury.

After the dive, we drove Fawkes (the van!) back to Waiheke Island. After careful consideration, we decided to terminate the monthly car park in Auckland city. It is cheaper to use the car ferry after the monthly car parking fees raise to $250/ month, while the return car ferry trip is $90 for Waiheke residents! So we plan to continue working on the upgrading of Fawkes, starting with finishing the painting, and doing up the interior.

I am getting ready to go to Singapore end of next week. I am going to visit my parents since it is on the way to Taiwan, and the school is paying for it! :P I am really looking forward to visit Taiwan to scout out potential locations for my PhD field work, visiting the lab and learning some metagenomic lab techniques.

Teaching has been hectic! Luckily Hannah is helping me with the sorting of the assignments after they are marked. Cannot imagine how much time is being put in just trying to find some student who forgot to write his/her bench number!

** all photos copyright of Northland Dive

F & F

F - Fawkes
After two long days, Fawkes finally got her first coat of paint. We did not have any budget for professional painters nor rental of spray paint. Therefore, after some research on the internet, we opted using paint rollers! There have been success stories of people using rollers to paint their cars as well... all it needs is patience and lots of arm power for sanding and painting. We have intended for the final color to be bright red but at the present moment, the color is a bit orange due to the white base. Hopefully, after another few more coats of paint and the red will show through.

Fawkes before

Fawkes after 1st coat of paint

F - FBI certificate
After nearly six months, Hannah finally received her police certificate in the mail today! Congratulations, there were no arrests. :)

Hannah with her FBI certificate

By the way, today is our sixth day being vegetarian and it is looking good! The Singapore belly is reducing at a satisfying speed.