Van 2.0

Here's our new Transit van (2.0) After a now-established tradition of post-van-purchase trauma (rust - aaargh!) (dodgy car dealer - aaargh!) we have moved on..

The original plasterers ply lining (above) was hiding acres of rust and scenic views of the road below..

So after returning to the dealer and having the floor-pan cut out and replaced, we have:

• Swapped back doors with Van 1.0 for window and stereo speaker effects
• Treated the remaining rust and coated the floor in sealant

• Put down a layer of super heavy duty rubber (from an equine surgery recovery box - also used in tanks in Iraq to slow down bullets!) for noise and landmine protection


• Put down a layer of ply (lino to come)
  
  

• Insulated the sides with sheeps wool stuffed in thick plastic sacks
  

It looks a little contraband so hopefully we won't have to tear it out at a border - it will prove we are NZers I suppose. The sheeps wool is from a rare breed flock our friends Neil and Jill (Jamie's bosses) keep. Hopefully it won't get wet and start to smell.. Jill and Neil have been really generous by letting us use their paddock, tools (and wool ++) to do the van up.

• Painted up and added some ply for the walls
  
  
  

• and put in a chest from Van 1.0. Here's Katie showing off the comfort and warmth of the naturally insulated van in the Scottish summer (note down sleeping bag and jacket).
  

We have 6 weeks till we head to Europe, and have lots of jobs still to do (cupboards, leisure battery, skylight, stereo, extra seats for extra passengers) before we go.