Stage One of our Caravan Reno

Well we finally both had a day off together yesterday (being a WA public holiday - labour day I think??).  So despite it being bloody hot (35 degrees) we got stuck in and stripped out all the crap from the caravan.  Mal being the cheeky bugger that he is, dumped all the rubbish round at work....

It was good though to be able to finally have a look at what we have, what we don't, and what needs fixing.

So the good news:

- the windows and insect screens are all okay - at first I didn't think the windows were opening or locking properly and most of the insect screens weren't fitted properly so were hanging off...but they are all okay

- the little fridge/with freezer compartment, is both 240v and gas.....we just need to check out the gas system and make sure its all okay - the actual gas bottle that came with the van is as old as the hills so that is for the dump!

- we only found two areas with water damage up the front of the van, which given all the heavy rain we had last week isn't wet or soggy so obviously old damage (that had been cleverly disguised).  We have a very cunning plan in mind for hiding that ourselves.....

- the cushion swabs are all in good nick so I can easily recover those with some nice new fabric

- there is plenty of cupboard space so with some clever storage ideas (thanks Ikea & Bunnings) we should be able to easily fit all our stuff in the van

- we had a quick look at the annexe that came with it and despite not loving the colour scheme, it seems in pretty good nick.

the to do list:

- we pulled out the existing built in double bed and have decided to buy an ordinary base and mattress to put in the van so that we can pull it out from the wall to make it - should be a hell of a lot lighter than the bloody heavy configuration that was already in there

- I have begun bogging up all the holes from various hooks and screws and damage ready for the undercoat, I am painting over all the brown laminate including the roof

- we are going to cut out a new benchtop and get a local joiner to laminate it for us - we are going to cut out a bigger cut out on the top (thats the only way we can access the cupboard space below) so that we can fit all appliances in there - it will be quite a nifty way of accessing them

- I have found some neat chrome pull out storage baskets to use for our pull out pantry which will go in the hole under the cooker

not to mention blinds, carpet &vinyl tiles, etc etc....my laptop has just about blown a fuse today with all my internet shopping...but boy have I found some neat stuff!!  And can't wait till we hit Perth in a couple of weeks, I have a huge list of shopping to do.....

anyway, now that I have bored you all...here are some photos of our progress....