Time is moving on now and its spent getting the other jobs done on the van
We have the bike rack to be fitted on the rear, a proper cover made for Max, the blown window glass in the bedroom replaced and outstanding issues put right back down at Empire RV
Two trips are made to Armitages Trailers up in Knottingley near Ferrybridge
The job needed sizing up initially with the steelwork being sent off for galvanising
Both trips involved staying the night outside the works and second time around we opted to be tucked down the side away from the noise of nearby premises starting work at 4.00am!
The completed job, or so I thought!
Back at Dethick we nervously power Max up the approach ramp and he drops nicely in to the grab arrangement I wanted that incorporated parts of the system used in the trailer
Trouble is the blue 'stop' end although fitted right at the end of the rail doesn't allow the bike to centralise at the back of the RV meaning it overhangs one side and I can't retract the approach ramp...
The problem is solved in a few days when I fit their original hoop stop allowing the bike to move further on to the rail
The finished article which I'm quite happy with
(photo angles here don't show that Max sits 3 inches inbound of the sides)
The 'Growler' alarm loop supplied by Vanbitz sees the light of day and the system is complete apart from the cover to be made from Bags4Everything in Ossett
The trip north is duly made in a day and all manner of measurements are made by Paul the owner
We've gone for a PVC cover with click fastening straps and will have it posted out to us down at Empire when its done
Baz comes to visit and stay on the site next door
We have a great couple of days with a walk down in to Matlock and the now obligatory visit to Spoons...
Evenings of chat, Nina's fayre and that view from the van
The sheep as ever rule the roost and they've taken a real liking to the bike cover intent on trying to consume it along with the grass
A jaunt to Bingham one friday sees us out again with Chums Pat & Jane for our now regular trip around the town sampling some fine beers
Taken early doors when we could all focus properly
Next job is getting the glass replaced in the bedroom window frame
Two trips here to Byron Glass in Mansfield and some serious stress thrown in
The top pane has standing water in it and they assure me that they can remove the glass, split the panes, clean, reassemble and off you go...
Not to be I'm afraid
On the first trip and after a stupid amount of time getting the frame out the RV they discover they can't get the glass out the frame without smashing it....great
No worries apparently as they can fit a new tinted double glazed replacement next week so the frame is duly reinstalled and off we go
We turn up the following Monday and the stress continues
The window comes out again and the replacement is ready but the fitter discovers they've got the glass size wrong
Mine has two single panes of unequal size creating a small overlap which is hard to see but there's no way they can fit the replacement and we can't come back again as we are off on our travels soon
They also try in earnest to release the existing unit with a result this time
So whist I'm in the factory stripping off the excess mastic (a real time consuming chore) they strip both glass panels and make a unit to fit
Just before final install
The end result is better than the original but only just TBH as the clouding and staining of the original pane shows through still, but no water
Its also not as dark so we spend an afternoon fitting two sheets of tinted auto film to the inside pane back at base
One good idea sadly gone astray.....
To cheer us up we take the chance to say farewell to Chums Mick & Deb so go round and basically drink their booze
A Fish & Chips tea is followed by some spirit tasting and an impromptu blind brandy tasting competition
Starters...
The main event
A, B, C or D....its easy isn't it surely?
Mick breaks out his stash of rums and mentions his favourite is this baby
We go out and buy some next day and it soon becomes mine too!
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