Sun, 4th October, 2015 Greens Point, Sofala

10 degrees in the van. A few clouds around this morning. Daylight saving started last night – I thought it was tonight but Leanne said the time had changed on TV (they have a satellite dish to watch TV). Changed all the clocks back and hour so smoko came early!!

Forgot to take a photo of the other invention Steve did with the dining seats. He put hinges on the base plate so he could lift them off the timber base so we can still get into the storage area underneath – what a smart cookie.

He pulled off the edging off the bits he removed and repaired the edging where he had cut the wall.

I decided I should photograph all the other additions he made to the van since we got it.

Made a Shoe drawer with self closer.

Put in 3 Bathroom cupboards and turned the shelf area by the toilet in the dirty clothes area.

Removed the microwave and put on doors to make another tall cupboard for our cereal and grog bottles!!

The tri-fold table and shelves.

Heater install which turned a useless pantry thing into shelves for my tins.

Shelves in the robes.

He made a rack and brace on the back to take the spare fuel and other bits and pieces.

He and Pete raised the chassis by putting in another beam, to give us more clearance.

He put the gas bottles in the boot at the front of the van and then designed and got a generator box made where the door hinges up to give weather protection if we are using the generator in bad weather.

He also took out the air conditioner and put in a 12 volt fan. Added two more water tanks – no wonder we are so overweight!!

But it has all made a very good living machine and we are still very happy with our van – even more so now with our comfortable chairs to recline in when we are inside. Our new outside chairs are recliners too so we are set for all weather conditions.

The boys got some dirt from a big hole in the bank below us to see if there was any gold in it.

Looking back up towards our van and all the others lining the bank.

Nothing so they tried along the river edge but none there either so Steve packed it all away.

A chap called in who we gave instructions to the other day for detecting. He hadn’t found any but had bought some leaf gold at Hill End.

We walked up the hill where Steve had found a memorial to four motorbike riders – not sure if these are the same as the ones Leanne found in the cemetery.

Lovely view back over the camps and along the river from here.

Last time we were here Steve climbed to the top of that hill looking for gold but only found gunshot pellets.

Steve just said ‘watch out for the cactus’ when Leanne got one of these nasties in her foot.

Got out the Sequence and the girls versed the boys – after 8 games the girls won 5 to 3. Fred and Diane called in after their day at Hill End. They said it was very busy and wished Sofala locals would get involved to promote Sofala as a gold mining area too.

Had a few drinks around the fireplace but it was still light – daylight saving!! Got the fire going then Leanne disappeared to watch the Rugby League, Cowboys versus Broncos. The other campers had their radios going so we could hear it any case.

Only a few stars peeking through the cloud layer so no satellites to watch tonight. Got a bit cold so headed inside. Kerry texted to say the Cowboys won and that it was a great game.