Pastelweiss

We picked the van up today, with some apprehension.

After finding that the van had never actually been Neptune Blue, or even the colour which purported to be such, we’d thought that going back to original might be a step too far.

After all, on the face of it, we were talking about a white van.

But we love it; pastel white, still used today, was the right decision.

Garden

When I had a proper job, even though I worked long hours, I used to enjoy an hour or two just sitting in the garden on a summer evening.

So it was lovely to get away tonight before closing time. Yes, we do live in a town, but we also have the cutest little garden.

An additional bonus too; time to enjoy a nutritious meal.

Getting there-ish

After a ridiculous amount of time, the first kitchen unit is almost complete – I just need to add the worktop.

Slow drying paint means that won’t happen this week (I’m back at the pub tomorrow).

At this rate, I should finish the kitchen by the end of 2023.

A kitchen update

I’d so underestimated the amount of time I’d need to build a new kitchen from scratch.

Of course, I’ve only been working on it one day a week, some weeks not at all. But it’s still a very slow process.

I’ve only just finished building the first unit.

To be fair, I started with the most complicated unit. It’s huge too, impossible to lift. So the remaining units must be both easier and less time consuming. Surely?

I just need to sand this one down first. Then paint it and fit the worktop. And remove the existing unit.

Glastonbury

I was briefly excited at the prospect of attending this year’s Glastonbury Extravaganza. It seemed the ideal way to get a tiny bit of the festival experience in a (second) year without the festival itself.

But dogs aren’t allowed.

My disappointment dissipated quickly when I read that camping will be possible on the site this summer.

And then returned when I learned that Campervans won’t be allowed. Well, not allowed for camping. My hopes were once more built up with the possibility of renting a pre-erected tent, leaving the van in the car park.

But, yes, you guessed it. Dogs aren’t allowed. Pah.

Brass Plaque

I had a random conversation with an old guy a couple of days ago. This began in a lift at Washington bus station.

The dog was looking particularly cute, so attracted his attention. This led to dog related dialogue.

Which continued after we left the lift. He told me that his father lost a much loved dog around 100 years ago. With Council permission, he mounted a plaque on a tree to commemorate the dog’s life.

The tree’s somewhere in Kent; the plaque’s still there.

I like things like that.

R1R1 2

With a couple of hours free, I tested a change of colour.

I think it works. Well, it should do really; since the van began life that way.

Years ago, I used to spray bike frames. So this can’t be much different?

R1R1

So we finally found the van’s M-plate.

It seems that the lower half of the van wasn’t originally painted in Neptune Blue.

R1R1 means that it was originally painted in pastel white, both top and bottom.

We’re now considering options.