“Wow” is all we can say about the progress on the bus in the last month. It is now looking more like a house in a bus, than a bus. We are getting closer to travelling Australia.
It’s really very exciting now. And somewhat frightening because it means we only have about 6 weeks to go before the house is supposed to be packed down and we’ve moved into the bus. So let’s have a look at what’s been happening in the last month to get us closer to the big trip. If you haven’t been following our progress thus far, check out our other posts for Jul, Aug-Sept and Oct.
Progress on Bus Conversion
Every Monday Israel leaves home around 7am to drive to Newcastle to check in on the progress of the bus conversion. It’s a huge chunk out of the week given this is the busiest time of year for our photography business – Israel Smith Photographers. However, we both feel it is an investment in his time that is well spent. Each week he chats to the guys converting the bus and they iron out any questions that need to be resolved which allows them to get on with just building for the rest of the week.
Each week, for the last 4 weeks there has been real progress. Have a look at what’s been happening.
Monday 3rd November
This was a very exciting week. We had been away for 3 weeks overseas and were starting to get a bit worried because we hadn’t heard from the builder for the whole time we were away. We were wondering if progress had been made, so we were so excited when we saw this!
Monday 10th November
This week the framework for our kitchen was built. It’s not installed – but I am getting a NEW kitchen people! This is huge! You should see what I call a kitchen today, and then you would understand my excitement.
On the RHS will be a series of drawers with a big bench top. This will serve as:
- a kitchen preparation area for me
- a photography space for my lunch box and recipe photos
- a production desk for our photography business so we can trim and assemble photos, and
- a space to dry any artworks / crafts the kids do.
The bigger cupboard on the right will be our pantry.
On the LHS will be our sink, stove top, oven and drawers for utensils, with our fridge at the back against the wall.
Monday 17th November
More excitement this week as our roof starts getting installed. It really starts to change the way the inside looks. And all the wiring for our lights gets installed. The piping for the hot and cold water has also been started.
We are going to be towing a trailer with a small 4WD behind the bus so that we can travel to places where the bus may not be able to go (eg. on beaches, up to the top of the Cape York Peninsula, etc). It will also give us the flexibility to take a car into town rather than having to try to navigate car parks and tight spaces with the bus. So our builders had a great idea of installing a new side door so we can access the storage area under the bus without having to climb over the trailer. Awesome idea eh?
Monday 24th November
Last week our roof sheeting was fully installed and the bus looks so much brighter inside. And we also have walls that separate the back end of the bus from the living areas. Behind the walls you see below are the kids bunks on the right side, the bathroom on the left side, and at the very back, Israel & my room. Israel took Rilien up for a visit to the bus which was fortunate because we needed to determine where the light switches would go. So Israel got Rilien to show how high up the wall he could reach, and that’s where the light switches will go. Now we know he will be able to turn the lights on by himself.
So that’s where the conversion is up to. The estimated completion date for the build, including painting the bus plain white is 12th December – that’s less than 2 weeks away!!!
Then once we get the bus back to Sydney, we have to have it sign-written so it becomes a mobile billboard for The Root Cause’s mission to Transform Children’s Health, One Lunch Box At A Time. Israel is going to measure-up to have blinds installed and of course we have to “move house” into it! At this stage, we are planning on leaving somewhere around the 2nd or 3rd week of January. We will do a bit of travelling in NSW for a few weeks just to get used to living in the bus and make sure it’s all working as it should before we head off on the big adventure and mission.
Decluttering
With 3 weeks holiday in October, not a lot of decluttering has happened. Suffice to say, this is freaking me out a little. I did go nuts this weekend and sold quite a lot of stuff on a local Facebook classifieds. But suffice to say, there is still a lot to go through.
It’s going to be a crazy next few weeks.
The Root Cause Sponsorship
I am absolutely honoured to introduce you to our first National Sponsor who is supporting us in our mission.
Worldwide Printing Solutions will be provide us with our printing and design needs as we travel Australia. In addition to this, when you choose to work with Worldwide Printing Solutions for all your design, print, websites and promotional products requirements, you will be helping them to continue to support The Root Cause and our journey in changing kids’ eating habits.
Here’s how you can help us:
Mention The Root Cause when you contact a Worldwide Printing Solutions Centre for your printing needs and a percentage of every dollar you spend will go towards helping The Root Cause’s important mission to Transform Children’s Health, One Lunch Box At A Time.
So please help me welcome Worldwide Printing Solutions as part of The Root Cause Community and family. And please reward their greatness by using their services. You’ll be recognising them, but helping kids health too.
Distance Education
Ok. It’s done. Indrani’s application for Distance Education is complete. It’s been delivered and accepted. And next week we have an interview at the school to learn more about how her schooling will work, to hopefully meet her teacher, and have software installed that will allow us to communicate with the school and receive her school work.
And with this came the hardest thing I’ve had to do so far. To hand in notice to South Coogee Public School saying she is not coming back. Gulp! It saddens me to think of her saying goodbye to her friends this year and knowing she will not be going back to school with them next year. But thank goodness for technology. Knowing she will be able to skype them gives me some comfort.
Other items
Well I am still no closer to getting my heavy vehicle (bus) licence. That’s my challenge for this week. To sit my test to get my L’s, so I can then apply for my lessons. So now it’s out there – I’ve told you that’s what I have to do, so now I have to do it – right?
Ordering blinds for the bus is another thing.
Christmas shopping is another thing.
Finishing writing my e-course whilst all this is happening is another thing.
And I am sure there are more other things, but suffice to say my lists are getting longer, not shorter.
Well, that’s it for this months wrap-up. By the time I write my next newsletter, we should have possession of the bus.
Thank you for being along for the ride. We are very grateful to have you following our mission and journey.