I would say the bus is 3/4th finished.

It is visually looking good but has the potential to be much, much more.

Unfortunatly I have pushed my finacies, energy and time to its limit and will need to replenish the funds before returning to finish the project.  At this point I am leaving the bus for the winter, allowing the water tank to fill, plants to grow and timber to grey.

The bus still needs to be decked out with pricey appliances such as a 12v roof fan (installed), small fire place or combustion stove (installed), gas or three way fridge, 12 volt water pump, caravan gas hot water system.  I still need to employ the services of a plumber to connect the water tank to the kitchen and bathroom.

Slowly I will be able to purchase things like the bathroom tap wear, outdoor stools, paving stones and a gate!

Even more slowly I will be able to add a wall mounted pot rack and kitchen accessories.  Missoni towels.  A lovely throw for the bed.  A more extensive stack of books.  An indian fire pit from Kyo and do wonders with the garden.

I was initially fighting the end of the bus reno’s trying to push more and more towards this mythical ‘finale’.  But I have now come to be comfortable with the progress made and feel a break will allow me to return with fresh ideas and approaches.  My friends have been an enormous support and the mission to create a holiday home has not lost its motivation.  It will continue to transform at a more civilised rate!

Keep checking out the blog as renovation progress continues and new ventures begin in Darwin.

Enjoy my i-phone tour.

Double Decker Days i-phone tour

Labour Day long weekend I took the kids back to the bus for a holiday. No bus reno’s, just a small amount of planting shrubs and lots of swimming!

Quick scrabble!

Kids cooking dinner.

Girls around the camp fire.

Bush walk down to the river!

Walking along Old Great Ocean Road.

Girls brushing their teeth at the river.

Early morning swim.

12 Apostles excursion.

12 Apostles excursion.

Cody feeding the pigs!

The donkey says hello!

Teaching Victoria how to drive.

This week I felt content working on the bus solo.

My plans to move to Darwin are very close now and the prospect of slowing down is keeping me motivated- if this makes any sense!

This week I installed the corrugated tin awning and adjusted the frame accordingly.  Patched the vents with pieces of tin to protect against rain.  Dug out a circle for the fire pit and filled with sand. Connected a pop and pipe to the gutter so the water tank will collect water.  Completed finishing touches in the Interior including adjusting the destination sign and installing carpet in the drivers seat area. Painted the exterior tin patches, awning frame and finally finished the back wheels.

Installing the awning and beginning a ring of fire!

Awning from side view with deck.

Dad's handy work on the solar panel wiring- connecting the batteries, regulator and inverter.

Covering vents with tin.

Convincing Tim to do an early morning sand run with the trailer!

An attempt to capture the surrounding bush.

Adjusting the destination sign.

Mosman Warf?

This weekend I caught a lift down the coast with friend Rennie.

We had some good catch up times on the drive down and started work on Saturday by jacking up the bus and placing red gum sleepers as footings. Saturday afternoon Dad, Mary, Zac and Vic arrived with the solar panels and a car packed ready to camp out.  Rennie is an electrician who has done many solar fit outs and came past the bus to check out the progress and give Dad a few solar specific tips before heading back to Melbourne that same evening.

Sunday morning the sun came out!

Mary, Zac, Vic and I hung out at the river and planted the garden whilst dad worked on the electricity.  Dad was happy to potter away and it was good to finally have some ‘holiday’ time.

Rennie under the bus whilst I pass him the red gum sleepers.

Rennie and Dad installing the regulator and inverter I purchased from Jaycar

Zac cutting some fire wood ready for the evening.

The girls prepare for gardening.

Breakfast

Mary and Victoria playing quick scrabble.

Green thumb, Mary teaching me about planting!

I actually cannot recall the entire weeks progress anymore, but it went something along the lines of…….

Buying a minimal amount of small plants on a budget with the vision of them growing full size and looking like a scattered native garden with softer country hues.   Australian natives with white green foliage, South African pinkish straw grasses, sculptural succulents and sprawling ground covers.

I dug a circle marking out the sand area for the fire pit.  I installed four posts for the water tank, had it delivered and partly installed.  I put up the roof of corrugated tin and laser light on the pergola.  I fixed angle and silicon in the door gaps and painted a second coat of clear on the floor.  I worked on site Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.

A small beginning....

but something big will come!

Spray painting the door lock.

Blocking out the door jam whilst fixing angle.

Marking out the fire pit circle.

Screwing down the pergola roof.

Finally remembering the capture the bus in the morning light!

Another coat on the floor.