Unpleasant Surprise

So……… just what was waiting for us inside the house when we returned home from our three week safari?  Something rather nasty and smelly, I can tell you.  Sometime during our absence. the fridge stopped working.  Here we were, tired and hot, busy unpacking the caravan and all set to transfer the contents of the caravan fridge to the one in the kitchen.  But oh, the smell.  Nothing for it but to get a plastic bin and chuck everything out, and then set to with hot soapy water and give it a good clean.  Frozen berries, home cooked meals in containers, and some salmon filets, they all got chucked out, together with whatever had been left behind in the fridge, mainly sauces, pickles, cheese and butter.  How did that happen, we wondered?  Surely we hadn't touched the wrong switch when we turned the hot water off when departing?

With the fridge cleaned, and the contents moved in from the caravan, all seemed to be well.  Until later in the evening when we turned the light switches on.  Off went all the lights, and off went the fridge again, Robin deduced that the fridge was faulty and tripped the switch once the lights came on.  Out came the food again, and put into a chilly bag on the bench.

First thing Monday morning we went down to see about purchasing a new fridge.  Not easy in these Covid times as a lot of the stock seems to be tied up on the wharves on on the high seas.  We made our choice and the staff member then had the job of phoning around to find a fridge for us from one of the other stores in the chain.  As we hadn’t heard back,  Robin returned to the shop the following morning for an update.  No fridge was available in any of the other stores, but the manager agreed to sell us one “off the floor”, but the earliest delivery date was a week away.  One step forward…..

So out came the chilly bag on the kitchen bench, and a big bag of ice.  Ice doesn’t last long, so that didn’t really work well at all.  There was nothing for it, Robin moved the caravan around from it’s parking place and into the car park outside, plugged it into power, and we now have a working fridge. 

Just a short walk to the caravan fridge outside

Before each meal we loaded up the chilly bag with frozen pads and whatever food  was required, and then did the return trip to replace the items back in the caravan fridge.  At least it wasn’t too far to walk.  Our delivery was scheduled for today, but would it arrive, we wondered?  The phone call came through to advise us of the approximate time, and sure enough, the truck arrived as promised.

Inside the truck were two nice young men to deliver our new fridge, and take away the dead one, which was all achieved very quickly and pleasantly.  I didn’t realise that we had to let the gas in the new fridge settle for a while  before switching it on.  And I have to admit that I couldn’t get the words from the Dire Straits song out of my head as the men were tooing and froing.  Wonder if they ever wanted to be rock stars?

“We gotta install microwave ovens
Custom kitchen deliveries
We gotta move these refrigerators
We gotta move these colour TV's”

New fridge at last

We had worked out that our previous fridge was about 12 years old.  And the new one has a sign saying “10 Year Warranty” so appliances are not really built to last these days, are they.  Just one more thing – the door is hinged on the other side – wonder how many days it will take us to remember that?

Engineer in the house

Finally, our heat pump was getting some attention, after six weeks or so with it not working.  Now that New Zealand has dropped down to Alert Level 3, some businesses can now operate as long as they adhere to the strict rules now in place.  In these Covid 19 days, having a tradesman in the house takes some planning.   While Jonathan of Levin Heat Pumps was working, for social distancing reasons, we were asked not to be in the same room as him.  I decided to distance myself in the caravan, taking Gemma with me, together with my library book and knitting.  With the kettle on the gas hob, a cup of coffee or two, I was quite happy.  It was a lovely day, the sunshine was streaming in the windows, and Gemma soon settled down for a snooze.

 

At home in the caravan parking area

We had decided to get a new replacement heat pump, rather than repair our existing unit.  Jonathan was busy outside at the back of the house replacing the outside unit, while Robin stayed inside.  These units have gas inside (I didn’t know that) which had to be sucked out and safely contained.

Removing the gas

The new unit was installed, and as the unit is complete with new refrigerant gas, when the system is sealed the  gas is released, and that part of the job was completed.

New Outside Unit being installed

After a socially distant lunch break (Jonathan solitary outside on the patio and us inside) the second phase was done, installing the interior unit.  Robin took himself off to the caravan, and I kept myself busy in the sewing room, giving Jonathan plenty of space to work.    Finally the job was complete after a satisfactory test run, and we were good to go again – ready and waiting for the next cold spell. 

New heat pump installed

Proving that advertising pays, with the marked van parked outside, two neighbours came knocking on the door wanting some work done on their heat pumps.  With two extra jobs to be logged, the company will be pleased with that.

Lack of Communication

That’s what the serviceman told us, when he came to check out our heat pump and find out why it had stopped working.  Seems that the heat pump in the sitting room could not communicate with the outside unit.  So that was why it wasn't working – no speakies between them!  Nothing to do with the clean that Robin had recently done to the filters.  Further investigation confirmed that the fan motor had failed and that has shorted out the main circuit board.     And of course, the warranty had run out last year.  Sounds expensive, doesn't it?

Checking out what was wrong

Expensive or not, the heat pump will have to be repaired, with winter just a couple of months away.  We are awaiting prices for the parts and installation, so will take it from there.

Plumbers in the House

With a small leak from the shower running down the skirting board, we had to get the plumbers in.  Not so easy as you might think, our chosen plumber was one man down on extended sick leave, so was understandably rather busy.  And it didn’t help that we kept going away for various short trips.  After several phone calls, the stars aligned, and we chose a week which suited both parties.

To see just how much damage the leak had caused, the shower liner walls had to be removed from the plaster board lining.  The plaster board was also removed, to check for water damage inside the wall cavity.  Surprisingly, everything was clean and dry.  What they did discover was that the silicone sealer at the bottom of the shower did not extend all the way along, hence the water was running out of the shower and along the skirting board.  The old plaster board was removed and replaced.

The new plaster board was put in place, and the plumbers went away while the plaster dried.  The next day came the task of sanding it down and fixing the shower skin to the new wall with copious amounts of adhesive, then that was left to adhere.

 

On day three the shower  return and door were fitted, together with a rather posh new shower caddy.  Our old plastic one had cracked and that type was no longer manufactured  so we purchased a chrome and glass one, which the workmen kindly fitted for us.

All back in place

This whole operation took three days, and we were were fortunate that we could use the shower in the caravan while ours was out of action. We were going caravanning in the weekend so that gave the shower box a couple of extra days for the adhesive to set.   Luckily the leak had not caused any damage to the internal wall, so we were very pleased about that. 

Hawera and Marton

After a lovely restful few days in New Plymouth it was time to get moving again.  There was no sign of Mt Egmont when we left,  the mountain was completely covered in low cloud, as often happens.  Travelling down  SH3 we made the obligatory stop at Eltham.

What is the attraction at this small town?  It’s Fonterra’s Cheese Factory Shop, well worth a stop as you never know what you will find on special.  I was after some Parmesan cheese, some for me and some for my daughter, and also came away with a big bag of Blue Vein offcuts.  You can tell we are cheese lovers.

Goodies from the cheese shop

Our stop for the night was at the NZMCA Park at Hawera.  Work was being done on a new subdivision over the fence so we are not sure how this will impact on the camp.

Workmen over the fence

The weather was fine but cool, too nippy to sit outside in the fresh air, unfortunately.

Hawera NZMCA Park

Just a glimpse of the Hawera side of Mt Egmont

We can’t stop at Hawera without a side trip to Mania – Bread Capitol, to visit Yarrows Factory Shop.

This must be the right place.  A few goodies got carried to the van, nice fresh bread, and dare I admit it, a couple of cream filled chocolate eclairs for lunch.  According to the sign outside the door, we’re not in much danger of being kidnapped, so that is good to know!

Sign outside Yarrow’s shop

Stopping overnight at Marton, always a favourite with us.  The double gate has been replaced with a large single wire gate, we noticed, and the gardens are looking lovely, with shrubs and trees in blossom.  The camp was fairly empty when we arrived at lunchtime, but vans and campers generally roll in during the afternoon, so we will soon have more neighbours.  The weather is warming up nicely,and we finally got to enjoy some time relaxing outside.

At Marton

Sunny Days at Himatangi

We were parked a little too close to the trees which rubbed against our van all Thursday night.  Robin made short work of the offending branches, a pair of long handled loppers soon removed them, and saved our van from any more scratches.

With seven vans on site at Himatangi Beach Holiday Park by Friday afternoon we were all present and accounted for.  The skies were blue, the weather was warm, so it seemed we were in for a lovely weekend.  It’s mid winter too in our part of paradise, so we can certainly count our blessings.  There was fruit galore to share with our club members to take home, grapefruit from Barry and Dianne, and oranges donated from Robin’s brother Gary.

The entertainment of the day was watching several men up the power pole just outside the camp grounds.  In answer to my enquiry, they told me they were replacing the “arms”.  Rather them than me way up high in the air like that.

Workmen up the pole

Morning tea on Saturday was followed by a committee meeting to finalise our rally schedule for the following year.  There will be plenty of interesting rallies to look forward to, we will be camping again at some favourite places, and others will be held at new to us venues.  

Saturday afternoon was wonderful, hot and sunny.  Some of our members walked down to the nearby beach to enjoy the fresh salty air, while the rest of us enjoyed sitting and chatting together, making the most of the warm winter sunshine.  Robin had arranged to borrow Bill’s electric bike for a short test ride to see what he thought of this sort of bike.  After an explanation of all the various gears and levers, he was off and away for a ride around the block. 

Bill giving Robin tuition on the electric bike

While all this was happening Gemma was enjoying her first foray outside, safely tethered with her harness and lead.  After exploring around the grass for a while, and being petted by club members, she jumped up on top of the electric step for a little snooze.  Considering this is her very first time away in the caravan, we are so pleased that she is not too disturbed by this change in routine.

Just enough room for a snooze

We walked down for a meal at the Himatangi Beach Cosmopolitan Club on Saturday evening, just a short five minute walk away.  There was no excuse for anyone going hungry, the meals were huge and some of us had trouble finishing them.  After such big meals, we only noticed one dessert ordered to share between two, and even that proved too big to get through!

Saturday evening at Himatangi Beach Cossie Club

There was a little competition over the weekend – to guess how many sweets in the jar.  The guesses fluctuated between 95 and 353.  The jar was packed with tiny sweets like M&Ms, jelly beans, jubes, chocolate minnows (fish) and some much larger wrapped Crunchie Bars in the middle.  The answer was 88, and Dave won with the closest guess of 95.

And the winner is…….Dave

As we were enjoying our final morning tea on Sunday in the sunshine, camp hosts Reuben and Alice called by to present us with a plate of freshly baked cup cakes.  That was so nice, and we really appreciated this nice touch.  This young couple work very hard keeping their camp looking “just so” and were recently awarded the “AA Traveller Spirit of Hospitality Award 2018”.

Part Two Completed

Part two of our building/drainage work is now complete.  With the gutter and channel in place, Bruce and Robin then laid a small concrete pad for our emergency water supply tank. Mixed the old fashioned way, by hand, in the wheelbarrow.

Mixing concrete the old way

Bruce then took some measurements, and some pieces of timber, then took himself back to his home workshop to construct a stand to place the water tank on.  It needed to be high enough to get a bucket under the tap when we want to get some water out.  The empty tank was placed on top of the stand to see if any adjustments needed to be made.

Trying the stand out for size

Still not finished as far as Bruce was concerned - he took it home again and stained it with some of his left over decking stain.  Doesn’t it look great.  It is really sturdy, full of bolts and recessed joinery.

Then the tank fittings and fixtures had to be put in place.  The rainfall off our Archgola will run down the drainpipe and across into the black pipe to fill the water tank.  And once the tank is full, there is a valve which diverts the rain water back into the drainpipe, which then runs off into our storm-water system - very cleverly designed, isn’t it.  And now after some rain fall, it didn’t take too long at all for our 200 litre emergency water supply tank to fill up to the top.

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A Little Drainage Work

We have been lucky to have our friendly neighbour Bruce help out on some drainage over the last few weeks. Bruce likes to keep busy, he tells us, and he has been supervising and lending his expertise to do the various stages of this job.  Bags of Ready Mix  concrete were involved, and these had to be kept safely under cover in the shed, until needed.

There were two small jobs which needed doing, one was to lay a concrete pad for the emergency water tank we recently purchased.  The rainfall off our Archgola will run through the drainpipe to fill the water tank.  But first we needed a drainage system to take any excess water away.  A length of gutter and channel was to be inserted along the edge of the concrete patio to do this job.  Out came the spades,and the boys got to work digging the small trench.

Then they had to work out how to join the this into our new existing drain.  First there was some concrete which needed cutting, and luckily Bruce had his very own concrete cutting blade.  With a hiss and a roar, and plenty of concrete dust, it soon made short work of this task.

Work stopped for a few days as Robin had to go and purchase some fittings to take drainage from the new gutter into the drain.  I thought that might be a big problem, but obviously male minds work better than mine, the bit and pieces were soon all joined up and that part of  the job was completed. 

Stage two of the job had to wait for the ground to dry out after some rather heavy rain, which was to lay a small concrete pad under our water tank.    Out came the concrete and it was mixed the old way, by hand.  Bruce commented that it was great to have an apprentice on the job to help with the heavy jobs.

With the concrete pad laid, Bruce then concreted around the drain, working with the tiniest trowel I had seen.  One he made himself, he told us. 

Once the concreting was complete, the barrow and tools washed and clean, they both sat down for a well earned rest.  Thanks so much Bruce, we really appreciate your help.

The next job, Bruce tells us, is to make a wooden frame for the hold the water tank, then plumb it in to the downpipe.  Knowing Bruce, he will be here again soon, whistling merrily as he arrives with all his tools, ready and eager to get on with the job.  He likes to keep busy, he tells us, and we certainly appreciate his help.

Getting the Blokes in

We had a couple of tradesmen come calling the other day, and watched with interest as they arrived and got straight on with the job.  We had ordered an Archgola to be erected over our patio area to give us some much needed shade over the summer months.  These products are custom  made for each property, cut to size in the factory, and the metal components are powder coated to match the house joinery. The fittings are attached with brackets to a heavy board put in place under the soffits, and then the other mountings added.

The two men worked well together, each up and down the ladders numerous times, screwing the pieces together, and then spray-painting over the top of the metal screw heads so that everything blended together.  Then the roofing sheets were added – we had chosen tinted sheets to reduce the glare from the sun.

Nearly done

To complete the job, out came the “Mag Vac”.  This simple device picked up all the tiny slivers of metal which had dropped to the ground.  We were amazed at the quantity collected. 

 

The mag vac collecting metal shavings

With the job done, the men helped us move our tables back into place.  The job didn’t take too long at all, they workmen arrived at 8.00am, and left at mid day, with a stop for morning tea.

  

All done.

The Archgola just peeps over the front fence, but isn’t too intrusive, we feel.  And we will get a lot more use in the patio area with all that extra shade in the summer – a sun umbrella in the patio table just doesn’t offer enough shade.  One of our neighbours came down to check it out, and asked the boss man to come and measure up and give him a quote too, so he is very interested as well.

Front of the property