Have the solar mounted, Maxair fitted, wall panels sanded and undercoated first 80 grit then 120 then 240 grit in-between coats . The same with the hardwood ply panels. Start the top coat tomorrow and dry fitting to cut the holes for the wiring. Have also started fitting the insulation to the back of the timber panels. Much easier than connecting to the steel and if the panels ever require removing everything peals away with one section.

Today was fitting the solar panels, puttying the walls ready to paint, threading wiring through the walls and varnishing the hard wood panels. Had change of mind with the color arrangement. Instead of the black on timber look, may go for a hardwood varnished look on a beige wall concept. Had never realized there were so-many types of ply wood since visiting Tasmania.

Been a long day. Shoulder played up after feeding wire all day. Between the two of us almost half a bottle of whiskey gone. Been over doing it. Not all fun and games building a van. Between the back injuries, leg injuries, reduced lung capacity. I’m feeling it but after 12 years on an oxygen bottle and four years in a wheel chair, loving every minute of it though. Good catching up with a mate too. If I’m not doing something I feel disabled, at-least working I feel like I’m accomplishing something F*k the pain.

The job for the past two days are making stencils to replace the two rear door cover plates. Before making the door covers out of hard wood ply and painting.

The smaller covers will fit better, but will have to have other blocks made for the door mechanisms. Going to head off shortly and watch my mates wife sing in a band at the local pub (Blue Chili). Haven’t had a beer in a long while, looking forward to a schnitzel parmigiana before finishing off the roof racks and door panels cut outs.

The hot spiced cider around the burn barrels got the best of me, knock off time for work today. Spending the rest of the afternoon keeping my mate company in the workshop while he finishes off a Myrtle Burl knife handle sipping whiskey by the fire.

Today we got stuck into the van. My mate has almost caught up on his projects. He just has to finish a handle on a custom blade he’s been working on. Laminated with Damascus copper with a burl epoxy handle. Managed stage 3 insulation under the floor, laid the floor. Still have to trim the front door edge. Started the stage 3 insulation on the doors and have almost finished mounting the roof racks to hold the solar panels.

Started the second stage insulation today. 10mm foam with backing. Sticks much easier than the stuff that was sold years ago. Great products from Car Builders. Will probably have 24 sheets of sound deadener left and a full box of 10mm foam.

Not a bad effort for a guy with a f*ked knee, two fu*&d shoulders and a Fu&ed back. However Im back on the heavy meds at the end of the day.

Stage 1 insulation, the sound deadener. Been keeping myself busy plodding along with filling in the deadener while waiting on my mate to finish up on his projects. Have started cutting stage 2 insulation the foam to fit over the top.

The above is why I drove all the way to Tasmania to have a boat builder work on my van furniture. At the moment were thinking of using Celery Top timber for the bench-top due to stability and weight and using a live edge with a laminated sassafras top for the grain structure. The above is Huon Pine epoxy pour matt black epoxy finish part of an upcoming exhibition, where the ancient meets the modern. Huon Pine only grows in Tasmania and was traditionally used in boat building. (Lagarostrobos franklinii).