Revamp update #1: The interior

As I said in the previous post, I had just used plain plywood for the cupboard doors. They are hinged in the middle so that they don't interfere with the lights or invade the bedroom space too mich when opened. Here's a picture of the "before" state.

 I'd got 4 matching picture frames that were just right for the cupboard doors. They were exactly the right height and just a couple of inches too wide so were easily cut down to fit.

 I covered the panels with some old Liberty wallpaper which gives it a quite luxurious feel. You can see one of the lampshades I've added - they were a charity shop buy. They are the "half shade" type that are only fronts, and are finished in a kind of cream damask fabric. They are upside down at the moment, so I need to modify the wire clips so that I can attach them more securely.

 Finally we added some curtains, rather than the roll-up blinds that were there before.

Teardrop revamp

We've lived with the teardrop for getting on for 5 years and taken it to a good few places. As with many projects, there are some things that never got properly finished and some other things that didn't work out the way we intended.

Hence the revamp. Spurred on by impossible deadlines as per usual, we're going to a couple of festivals in August, so that is the irresistable force driving the work.

Here are the main areas we're planning to attack:

1. Kitchen
The sink never worked for us, so we're going to remove it and instal an "external" sink. This also means a new hob and worktop. Having the cool box under the counter didn't work either, so we need to make more sensible use of that space.

We're also aiming for an over all Steampunk vibe. It was part of the original idea for the trailer, so we're going for it...

2. Sleeping Compartment
The main thing here is the cupboard doors which were left as plain plywood. So now's the time to finish them.

3. Front Box
We're changing this for a metal steamer trunk we've got in the shed. Also adding an external light and some Steampunk additions.

Well, that's the plan. Let's see how it goes...

At Notfest in the sunshine

Showing off the new awning for the back. Well its a tiny canopy really. Works fine as long as the rain stays on the far side of the yellow line :-)

But just look how happy and proud that builder looks ...

Here we have a shot of the car (tug) and trailer ready to roll. And Rhys bringing the washing up home again. (Rare shot that one).

Some SUL-worthy trailers

Here are the promised links. Some classy trailers (including our own of course) ... thanks to Sue Watts for posting the photos that I was too disorganised to take.

Yes, this one is us.  Here are some of our neighbours ...

from left to right is Wanda, T(b)ird and Grace with the glamorous fenders.

Then there was the Pod from Wales

Two little gems handmade by Bob (ali)  and Paul (blue and white)



Lots more pics in Sue's album of the event. All taken during a narrow window of opportunity between the rain, and the other lot of rain, and that bit of rain after that, and (you get the idea).



SUL - a derbyshire adventure

Just back from a great (albeit wet) weekend in the Peak District. It was the venue for the biggest gathering of teardrops in the UK ever. Proud to be part of it.

Because of the weather and other distractions I left the photographing of teardrops to other people (feeble excuse and I will do a proper round up shortly linking to the doubtless superior shots of better photographers). For now I'll share some of the photos that I did take.

First, a photo of two of the best know teardroppers (Jackdaw modelling his cockrell-proof invention - well if you saw Chris's legs after a good pecking you would see the merit of these) and also Two Showers with the famed Frank (the dog). Rosie's choice of headgear is giveaway about the weather conditions (cold).

The next two shots are of the bookshop where we spent some time. Within 4 miles of the campsite (at Cromford) its reputed to be one of the 10 best bookshops in the world. Great cafe behind a hidden bookcase door and a fantastic toilet on the top floor. This is what these photos show. First photo shows the Hurry Up sign - and the second the bath! Fab

Okay, these are not teardrop-related images, but definitely in the same quirky ball-park.

What the fashion conscious teardrop builder is wearing ...

Well strictly speaking not this weekend as the weather has been extremely hot. But it came in handy in early May. Patch purchased from Warbird's business (see TCGB forums messages about the evolution of this design and info on how to order).

The garment, in the tradition of teardrop purchasing patterns was bought on ebay (army surplus and much needed in a barn with no doors).

Sbeaky progress post ...

Things have been going pretty well for past week or so since we have A PLAN. This plan involves Steve having a whole gantt chart full of things to do. One is to finish off the outside of the trailer and we've been talking for a while about doing some form of camo (originally steampunk style) on those parts of it which are a different colour than the rest. This has come about because there was some strange variation in the sheets which we did not fully see until it was up and built.

So various plans were considered including Japanese style cherry blossom. But what we've gone for is a sort of fishscale tattoo motif, stenciled in blackboard paint. Here are some pics as describing it won't do. (Click pics to enlarge).

Here you can see the streaky bits when the wood was supplied with filler in a different colour. The stencil is part done and you can see where the use of washing liquid as lube on the cill over the door has dripped and stained the wood. At this stage you can still see this wood variation (not in a good way) pretty obviously. And here ...

... its a lot less obvious. And to avoid the overall flock wallpaper we are stopping here. Its a slightly different design on the other side. We like to think of this as a Yakusa (ie. Japanese mafia) cum Maori tribal tattoo - I think you *might* see what we have in mind.

Still work to be done, notably the replacing of what Rhys calls the 'eyebrow' above the door, the placement of the awning rail and the trim around the roof to finish that edge. Oh, and the wheel will get a paint job and the wood is going to get around 6 coats of clear Yacht varnish (at least).

The great thing about teardrop trailers that are home builds is that they have a distinctive look (no losing these in the car park or mistaking it for someone elses at a campsite). Looking forward to camping in it this summer.

Why is this a sneaky post? Because Steve did the hard work and I have stolen the edge and posted about it. Well I did have a lot of say in the design and we're both pleased with how its turning out. (Thanks Steve).

Chris