Construction

GANNET2 has sprung a small coolant leak. The mechanic in Brasilia tightened up the hose clamps after he noticed it but now the coolant level drops below minimum when the engine is cold. It’s not severe and I have plenty with me to fill it up but I’d like to get it sorted and Adrián is the conscientious guy to do it. However he is waiting for delivery of a couple of heavy duty ramps to lift the front end. Supposedly arriving yesterday, they may arrive Monday. The usual foggy deadlines. Meanwhile construction is underway at the workshop.

Adrián took a hand with the jackhammer to tear up the old cement floor in what will become a communal bathhouse at one end for campers and a second apartment to rent up travelers at the other end of the construction.

He is nothing if not ambitious  with plans to build a storage shed for RVs as Uruguay allows you to park a foreign registered vehicle up to a year so European travelers like to leave their campers here during the Austral winter and spend summer with their families in the European summer. And Adrián is well placed to serve them as he’s 45 minutes from the ferry to Buenos Aires where flights are significantly cheaper than in Uruguay.

We had a massive rain storm Thursday night with wind slashing rain across the windows but Friday dawned sunny and warmer and turned into a beautiful day. Rusty got a clean bill of health Thursday at his last vet visit and she advised walking him as much as possible and he likes walking around town. Indeed after the vet visit he took off on his leash walking with lots of energy, a little weak in the hind legs it’s true but ready to explore the town of Colonia Valdense. 

Thursday before the storm it was obvious rain was coming with threatening dark clouds in all sides but Friday was lovely and sunny and bright and inviting. 

Great I thought, I’ll take Rusty into town for a walk. It’s only five minutes away and I could buy a couple of things while there and justify the drive. 

Rusty was having none of it. I put his collar on and he knew it was time for a ride aboard GANNET2 and he dug his heels in. He stiff by the front door of the cottage  announcing his revision at the idea of a ride. I folded like a cheap suit. 

I got my book, my camp chair and found a patch of sunshine and read about the first American to explore Afghanistan in the 1820s. It’s actually a pretty good story and Rusty agreed to sit next to me so all was well with the world. I tried to walk but failure was my portion.

And yet he enjoys wandering the town. 

On the subject of van electricity the system seems to work. We only have the fridge on all the time as Layne stores some food in it but the solar panels are mostly shaded during the day so they don’t produce much. My occasional short drives don’t add much either but the system seems to promise easy living when we get off grid again. 

One thing I have noticed is the departure of the second alternator has been wonderful. The main serpentine belt no longer squeaks on start up and all the noises produced by the second alternator are gone and the worry has gone with it. And the DC-DC charging system puts CB out fifty steady silent amps half of the old system but preferable in every way. I’m very happy. 

Now I have to get Rusty used up the idea of life back aboard the van. I fear he won’t be excited to leave the cottage. 

Dinner time gets his attention. 

Source of heat, I am constantly walking wood into the house and it feels very 19th century. 

The brat, at home: