Well, my intention of a post a day is taking up a fair bit of time (see previous blog post) - the posting itself doesn't, but I now remember why i don't frequent forums much - you lose hours from your life :)
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For example - I've just spent about 2 hours reading this whole thread - http://www.ssvc.org.uk/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=39870 which was linked from the DSK forums as a motivation booster. Well all I can say is mad skills, this guy makes my bus resto look like a walk in the park, in fact I don't know why mine isn't finished already. :) If you're restoring or planning on restoring a splitty, this is an excellent resource, for both reference and inspiration.
Another amusing thing is that revisiting old forums, shows my age (and lack of progress on the Ghia). For example I joined VZI in 2003 and only had 6 posts. Joined The Samba at the same time, although got a few more posts there as that's where I used to hang out most of the time. So that's basically 6 years and NO progress on the Ghia - lol (I will say in my defence that for most of that time I was in Australia and my Ghia was in the UK though).
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This leads me on to the main reason that my bus isn't finished - there are a few jobs higher up the list. One of them being the Ghia. but now I've finished with building renovations (for the imminent birth of our first child) I now have some time to do other stuff (although this may be shorte lived - see previous comment RE first child).
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First up is an extension to the garage. i need more room - both for the cars and for storing stuff from the house during our planned extension build. So first job up is choosing and erecting a garage. The choosing stage is actually finished, I've got a load of quotes in and have chosen a supplier. I'm basically adding a 6metre x 9metre steel framed, steel cladded garage on to the back of my existing 6 x 6 brick garage and then knocking out the rear wall - this should give me room for 4 cars and still have enough space left for storage and a workshop area.
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First purchase for the new workshop is a lathe - this will allow me to make the remaining parts required for the suspension for the Ghia. Then, I can finally fit the engine. With the engine in I just need to hook everything up and I can get the damn thing on the road (it sounds so easy - lol).
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Then, and only then... I can start on the Bus.
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Need to wait until i pay myself before I can start with the garage. So first thing next month I will be placing an order for the garage and then submitting the plans to local council (they won't give you the pans until you paid a deposit
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In the mean time, I'm gonna prepare the site for the garage by levelling it out and moving the existing shed. I'll also be looking out for parts for the splitty.
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Do something every day seems to be the often repeated rule - so that's what I'm now gonna aim for - a post a day, and a step forward with the resto's every day.
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More next week...
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Mick.