Hatch-ing a plan ...

While we did use the under-bed area to store some lesser used items last year, it was a bit awkward to lift the bed when we wanted access.  

We belong to a Cub Camper modification group and saw that a few people had fitted an access hatch door to the driver's side of the camper - which gave easier access to the main space beneath the bed.

The hatch door unit was an eBay buy, using a discount voucher.  It arrived promptly and Nick started fitting it.

He used cardboard templates to ensure correct placement - and then cut away the necessary hole using a grinder.

We've been doing a few modifications lately - improving function, without spending too much.  

Aside from the hatch door purchase, all other materials were already here - left over from various other projects.  

The hinges were used as corner supports because they were in the garage, salvaged from the D9 camper's flipover bench prototype.

Once the hatch door was installed, Nick worked on building a plywood partition - to prevent items in the area moving into the pantry / kitchen drawer slide space, or damaging the water pump.

Small brackets hold the partition in place. The whole unit can be removed, if necessary. The last segment of partition can also fold back to allow access to the pump, if needed.

We're so chuffed with Nick's great work! It's awesome!

Custom drawer ...

Lots of modifications were made to the Spacevan last year, preparing for our big trip.  The drawer units worked so well - and we were really pleased with them.

During that process, Nick shortened the former bunk bed base.  At that stage, we decided to keep the diesel heater (installed by a previous owner).

The diesel heater is so very noisy, that we prefer not to use it!  Funny story, our neighbours at Port Augusta used their diesel heater overnight and we could hardly hear it - unlike ours that sounds like a jet plane taking off!

Nick removed the heater, which freed up storage space under Bandit's bed.  

We considered installing a drawer unit there (only a little higher, so Mr Dog would still have his bed) but finding a pre-made option to fit around the wheel arch was tricky.

We'd gone back to Bunnings for a sheet of plywood, to make a drawer - and I saw some metal tool boxes. One of those was just the right size to become a drawer in the space!

The coffin handle is from Nick's Simplicity era!

Spring cleaning ...

We treated the outside of the canvas with Milton solution prior to last year's big trip and were happy with those results.  Earlier this year, it became obvious that more action was required and I purchased specific canvas mould cleaner.

It was hard to line up Nick's rostered time off with a block of good weather - necessary when using the product. 

As he's now off, we decided to make use of predicted sunny days.  We bought some supplies from Bunnings, including a platform ladder, sprayer and gloves.

We used the cleaner on both sides of the canvas and did two full coats on most areas.  The results are imperfect but vastly improved on our starting point.

The canvas then needed a full 24 hoursto dry before we applied the waterproofing agent.  Nick used a roller for most of that step.  I helped with a paintbrush.

There was some residue on the plastic windows and I googled for a way of cleaning those.  

Isopropyl alcohol was recommended and Bunnings sold a larger bottle.

I was impressed with the isopropyl alcohol results!  The three windows are so much better - and we can see through them again!

Bunnings also sold adhesive mesh patches and I've used a couple of those to repair some small holes in the window mesh, plus strengthen a few spots where it seemed holes would likely develop. 

Queen Mary Falls ...

I was the driver for our scenic route down to Queen Mary Falls, cos Nick had done three night shifts and was quite worn.  We'd chosen a spa cabin in a small caravan park, just across from the falls.

It was a good choice.  The cabin had a bush setting, accessed by a separate driveway, away from the sites.

Nick napped in the afternoon and I sat quietly, watching the birds and little roos.

Our nightly possum visitor was a high-light of our stay!

There was an early-ish gentle bushwalk to view Queen Mary Falls, on our first morning - followed by local mooching and a pub lunch.  

Afternoon/evening rain didn't dampen our spirits. We dined wonderfully well. Even worked out enough reception for a Spotify soundtrack. There was a round of Scrabble afterwards. 

Such heavy rain made for excellent waterfalls! 

I'd prepped Asian Noodle salad prior to departure and split the dry shredded cabbage and sliced shallots into two containers. 

The dressing was packed seperately in a small jar. I used half quantities of pine nuts and noodles each night - which worked well. 

I don't generally use our home microwave for cooking.  Mobile reception was quite limited at the cabin. 

If I sat the phone in the right place, I was able to check how to microwave corn in its husk. 

I'd planned to BBQ the meats but given wet weather, it was easier to use the electric pan inside. I cooked zucchini at the same time. 

None of my cheffing was particularly tricky but we both really appreciated my efforts. And yes, my anniversary frippery helped!

We took bubbles and a favourite red wine with us - along with a Stanthorpe dessert wine, purchased the previous year, on Valentines Day!

Farewelling Elmer the Gold ...

Our "8 Weeks of Awesome" trip was done in our 2015 Spacevan, towed by our Mahindra Scorpio.  One of the main reasons we were able to travel as far and as long as we did, was because of substantially reduced fuel consumption.  

The Scorpio's fuel economy was amazing, particularly when compared to Elmer's thirsty habits! We spent $1953.20 on diesel to travel 11,651 kilometres, mostly towing the Spacevan.  Just 17c a kilometre.

In contrast, our 2020 "Big Loop" trip of 5000ish kilometres was made in Elmer, staying in budget accommodation along the way.  Petrol cost for that trip - without towing - was $1,954.40 (or 39c per kilometre).

Fuel consumption and cost increased when Elmer was towing.  I've calculated petrol cost on his last trip out to Carnavon Gorge, when towing the 2006 Spacevan, as 55c per kilometre.  That's a hefty portion of our holiday budget.

Elmer the Gold was officially retired in November, when we returned home. It seemed fitting that after all his inland travel with us, his new owner planned a beachy retirement for the Fudd Truck - carrying tourists on Fraser Island! How good is that?! 

We've kept his regalia and it may be that it gets displayed in the garden, with my collection of road train signs!

Sun safety ...

I've had a few skin cancer excisions and as much as I wasn't keen to have the latest on the day prior to my birthday - that was the best timing, to allow for post-op follow-ups etc, so we could depart as planned.

I've always burned easily. Sun safety when very young was a thick, white  zinc "butterfly"across my nose and cheeks. 

There weren't sunshirts, only ordinary t-shirts over swimmers. I hated the sun cos I'd regularly be so very burned. Sunscreen wasn't a thing till I was a bit older (and asked for some when I became aware of its existence). 

As an adult, I don't like how sunscreen leeches into my eyes - and generally prefer to cover up. 

Around 10 years ago I started wearing men's long-sleeved 100% cotton shirts (from the opshop) for extra coverage when in hotter areas. I used to wear them over a singlet top, until I discovered it was cooler to forego the under layer and button the shirt.

On past trips I've worn them as-is but I tailored some for better fit - thanks YouTube - before leaving home. 

My shortened shirts worked well - and I found a few extra in various opshops along the way. 

I saw lots of sunburned people while we away, particularly at Uluru and then Magnetic Island.  I only had light sunburn a couple of times.  

I had two reddish bands on my legs after our Uluru base walk - the only bits of me not covered!

Laundry bags ...

I intended to make these laundry bags for our first spacevan but life interrupted.  All are made with remnants of outdoor furnishing fabric.  

They worked well for our 8-week trip.  The two with handles were pretty easy to carry to the laundry and worked to hold the wet clothes also.

The larger bag wasn't part of my original plan but it used the leftover fabric - and might work for bigger items, like bedding.

I made a hanging peg bag, to save bending at the line - though don't have pics of it in use. 

I use stainless steel pegs at home but bought HEGS pegs for the Spacevan - cos they have extra hooks, for increased holding capacity. 

They grip strongly and I've been quite happy with them. The fact they hold extra items is great, given line space is often at a premium in van parks.

The peg bag, spare pegs, washing powder, soaking powder and a couple of laundry soaps are stored in a former lawn bowls bag.  

(You can see the lawndry bag in the bottom collage, to the left of Bandit).