CaravanAnd4WD.com

Hi to all members... this sounds like its just what the Dr ordered! I've been looking for a group to join....I might not be able to get away too much but, I will endeavor to post all about my traveling...even though it won't be too extensive...I will be limited distance...WA based...

As the name "Shed-lady" would indicate...I love woodworking...saw a mention about the site on there...great free press...from UBEAUT.....anyway my van is 17'Cormal Pot top, & I have just taken out the three way fridge & installed an electric one....don't worry I'm having the original one repaired...by friend then if I wish to 4WD off-roading I will re-install it!

Now...you will all have to be very nice & supportive to me...as I now have to travel alone....NO NOT by choice....lost my darling man to CANCER....in August 06...still devastated...we had just started to plan our Aussie trip...so that has disappeared...now I just try to keep content with around Southwest WA....
As you could imagine everything in my world turned upside down.... I have had to learn to do it all alone....pretty competent...& always been a doer... as Ed...used to say..." no point having a caravan or a boat unless you use them....!!! How true...so yes....I have to do it all....dollars arn't flash...I still have to work part time...as I introduced my late hubby to caravaning I am a devote lover of " lets go somewhere....tomorrow or this weekend...life around me is never dull..."

So would love to just tune in...read and see where everyone goes or what's on the posts....will see if I can load a picture of my van.....and the new fridge that I installed....oh...what a task that was...
Had to make the fridge drop 2cm to fit it in with-out cutting out the bench....so inverted the base plate on the fridge...this lifted the compressor 2.5 cm...then had to get another 1cm to clear the door hinge on top or fridge...so cut the adjustable legs back 1.5 cm...fitted like a glove...went to the caravan repair place brought a small piece of matching wood trimmed the gap...as she was thinner than the last one....look bloody professional if you ask me......have to tell you got really upset when I was trying to take it out....couldn't undo the bolts holding it to the floor....cried for about 1/2 hour....tears always come when I realize all the things that I can't do with-out Ed.....then I laughed...and remember....."what the hell do you have a grinder for, girl!....." ... So, yes stopped the bawling and got the job done...but still miss not having my partner with me.....miss the traveling and fun of camping....looking for club to travel with.....hard...as most of them are couples and don't like take to singles.....hoping this way I can get to know some campers....as I travel around the west....ok...enough for now .....
I enjoy posting & will be looking forward to meeting others on this site.
Sincerely....KEKEMO...

Nice work on the fridge installation Kekemo,Nice van too,Welcome to the forum.

Kekemo nice van welcome to the forum sorry to hear about your other half truely,Very sad keep ya chin up all the very best Cheers Steve

Gday,kekemo,look's like a nice truck in the back ground there,we going to see any pic's??

Hi everyone....thanks for the replies...sorry that I haven't been in....slight hiccup....but back on track now.....

Gosh...hate to disappoint you no...the truck in the back ground....is my son's....but...I drive it heaps...he's a fly-in fly-out boy....with too many toys...said...MUM...you have it..... mmm that translates to keep it at you place its safer...& that way you can do the running around for me.....

In a few years I will upgrade to another Toyota...their the only vehicle I ever want to own....
Mines getting on now...but never a miss with her....will post some pictures...and give you an update of what I'm doing....

Tried to join a caravan club/group over here tried 4 groups...or which 3 I'm not welcome....YOU GUESSED IT....because I am single....not because I wanted to learn about ....solar panels....generators....electric brakes...etc....NO because "Hubby's gone"....wanted to tell them all still have him...he could come with me.....I don't mind bringing his "ashes" anywhere....just because he's gone doesn't mean I don't still love him.....anyway...think a group like that is too insecure....so ......hey presto...trying to start another group here in Western Australia....designed to help partners that have lost their loved one....& show them they can still continue with using their caravan....help....& encourage! I've started a web page....ok...I am a novice at this....but called it Caravaning-Unhitched.....LOL...liked the play on words there....a few ladies interested & were starting to work some things out....it's not designed to be up & rolling for a few months at least...but we'll get it off the ground I am sure.


Now to some pictures.....I arrived home from my down south trip...decided I need more room in the van.....didn't like the idea or selling....few reasons...sentimental....no others have the table & chairs set up I like....financially it seems silly....so....my alternative was to take the large queen-sized bed out....& re do smaller double (island bed)....well I have posted the pictures .....
Not to bad for a "Shelia".... LOL....guess what I've asked my kids to get me for Mothers Day..... A welder!


You can see from pictures, I re-bolted the base back....after taking 26cm...out....Oh... so much better, before mattress was a queen sized orthopedic... touched the little cupboard at the end...up tight against the window & no room to walk down the side.

I really love it now!

Added a colour TV & DVD, sterio inside....now adding two large Geelong cheeker-plate tool boxes to rear of van, another tool box I'm altering for generator to go on A frame....of course I will take photos..... enjoying getting my van ready....Oh....insurance on content's........$22 extra a year/extra...covers me $3000 so that was great too.

Looking forward to next chat night....Cheers to everyone....KEKEMO......alias Kerry
Love to hear from you about the improvements....Oh...yes... web addresses you might like to look at...

http://groups.msn.com/woodworkcountrycottage
http://groups.msn.com/caravaning-unhitched





First picture is of my rig last Sunday...went out for the day
Second picture....cutting base in half.... before re-bolting
Third picture .... starting to look a classy little caravan....( notice the Venetians I put them into...)
Fourth picture....gluing the slats on.... you can see the re-join....it can also be extended out to queen sized if I want to...but its a standard caravan double now.

Gday Kerry You doing a fine job on the van looks great keep up the good work.Unfortunately some clubs and club members can be petty,stuck up and just darn right insensitive when it comes to newcomers trying to join and share experiences,companionship and to just get out there and enjoy this beutiful country of ours. It really annoys me when people are like that(would like to have said something else about them but I have to keep it clean) Keep up all that good work your doing and good on ya for having a go welding is certainly not one of my best skills Cheers Steve