5Yr plan - am I crazy?

[Shaun]

Hi Dianne,
Suggest you look for a carpenter or better still a cabinetmaker/carpenter. they should have the skills & tools to finish it without fuss. The problem will be finding someone that wants to do it, hey, what about taking it along to your local Mens shed?, enough knowledge & enthusiasm there to take on a little project like that im sure!!
cheers

[woodsy]

Throw the mattress on the floor, load up some food & go. Meet people. Do ALL STUFF or do stuff all.
''Gitcha motor running'. Head on down the highway. Lookin' for adventure.........''.

[Dolphin]

Hi Dianne,
From my experience we are never ready when we set off. Just do the important things.
I like Shaun's idea but that might take time.
I'd go for Woodsy's suggestion and just go. Get the most out of the system. You'll have a great time.

Just go!

Greg

[di_namic42]

Yes, I'd like to leave now. I think I would be happier once everything is installed. Having all my comforts are important to me at the moment, and i need the fridge running for various medications.

The hardest part of the fitout is done - the bed, 2 bulkheads, hanging space and shelf, and a lot of the think work. Now for shelves and a desk , bolting in the toilet and the fridge etc, all of which will consume time. Its all fairly simply done, but is looking effective. I will take some pics tomorrow of the the basics so far. I hope by friday night it will be really coming together.

I have a yachtie mate I met on find a crew who has been following my blog and offered to come and help. He reckons he is a bit of a handy man and at 70 he has learned a few things!. I have sailed with him on his cloud 9 cat and he seems a gentle pleasant man. Once I have the shelves in, I can site the switch panel, voltage meter, led lighting etc. I have the battery hold downs and the 12v tv and the antenna are on their way. Despite the challenges, i will love my van when it is finished, I think. ( just wish it was a top hat i was putting all this effort into)

They guys who are installing the annex and awning at the end of march can finish off what i haven't completed, and have an auto electrician on call.They seem very professional!
RV world at Brendale. They seem very service oriented and very helpful and efficient.

So next window of opportunity is about 6th march, and this will also be after the radio operators course and the diesel engine course. So I will try again then.

I hope I haven't inconvenienced anyone or spoilt any plans. Thanks for your patience everyone.

[di_namic42]

Ok , It is really happening this time! I didn't want to say anthing til I was ready.
Last CT scan was "stable". The tumours have stopped shrinking, but haven't grown, and hopefully will stay like this for a while before the medication stops working! I did hope they would shrink for a while longer, so this is a bit of a shock, earlier than anticipated.
Tomorrow is 6 months from diagnosis. How does life go past so quickly?? So out and about while I can!

Van fitout is months over schedule, and over budget - just like a boat eh?

Leaving brisbane with my aunt 16 Feb will be down around Hawksbury the 21/22/23 march for the weekend before proceeding to blue mountains and the 2 week cruise leaving sydney on the 30th march.

Lets try to arrange a sail or a lunch and revisit arrangements we were making in Feb.? we arrive back from the south pacific on the 14 April.

See van pic at http://diannesbucketlist.files.wordpres ... annexe.jpg. More to come!

My blog is http://diannesbucketlist.wordpress.com/blog/

[Phillip]

Now fellow Top Haters, Di is giving an update from my place, so over to Di.

hi y'all!
My aunt and I are here staying with Phillip and Nan til Friday morning when we will move to somewhere between here and the Hawksbury area!
No plans set in concrete yet and just wondering if anyone has some great ideas for a get together on the weekend?

Ahoy!!!
Post ideas ASAP!!!!

Regards Dianne

[woodsy]

Hi Di.
Hope you kept my number. Ring when you are arriving in Pittwater. Bedroom ready. Top Hat ready....kinda.
Cheers.
Larry & Lesley.

[Shaun]

Hi Di, Aunt & Phil,
Phil are you taking the girls down to the boats tomorrow?, Ive got a busy day, but might be able to sneak down for a cuppa
cheers
Shaun

[Phillip]

Shaun,
Have to be at the Museum at 10am to receive a large grant from the pub and will then be going on out to Seaka.
Should be there after 10.30am.

[di_namic42]

I managed to meet Phil(Seaka) and Shaun. Thanks Phil for your great hospitality for two nights, and thank for lunch Shaun. Phil has Seaka in pieces, and I have no idea how so much can come off one small boat.

With a wild rush of blood to the head,  I have hired a houseboat on the Hawkesbury river for a few days.  My poor aunt is blindly trusting that I know what I am doing.  Hey,  it's not an adventure unless there is a little bit if terror in there somewhere!!!!  With very little local knowledge in the briefing,  I am trusting that my coastal day skipper theory and prac,  and my diesel engine  and radio courses will all meld into something approaching ability.  Just as well I have my tablet with my Navionics  navigation software on it.  And it is on my phone as well.So far there is a difference on these charts in that they have a little number that  tells the  number of public moorings in each bay,  something that is not found in QLD.
See http://www.relaxationboathire.com.au/cr ... decker-30/ for what I hired. Pity it is a weekend and about to have lots of boats around.
So I am at berowa waters, and will head off at lunchtime up the creek.... So if anyone is in the area or local knowledge and has some good Do's or great mooring spots please call me on 0418 152 388 while my phone battery lasts and after 7.30am