Slow Build in Oz

[MickinOz]

My teardrop has had a bit of a refurbishment. When I built it, I figured I knew best and painted it with oil-based enamel paint.
As mentioned here on the forum, oil-based paint doesn't flex enough for this application. It cracks. Over time, I started getting checking in the roof plywood. Not too bad - I could just give it a quick sand and reapply more paint. But, I didn't consider this a long-term option.
So I removed most of the exterior hardware such as the racks with the solar panel and awning, the mounting brackets, the vent covers, hatch latches etc, and sanded the whole thing.
Then I applied an acrylic membrane called Liquid Flash. It is water based, microfibre reinforced, UV rated for exterior applications and used for sealing seams in roofs, and sealing timber decks.
It can also be used as an under-tile membrane in bathrooms.
Horrible stuff to apply, recommended final thickness 1.5 mm. Struggled to achieve it. In the end I was rolling it on, which worked but left the surface very rough.
Then it was time for a mostly decorative, but also functional in that it will help with the water exclusion, topcoat. Water based exterior house paint. 15-year guarantee on a house. Should be fine on an always garaged teardrop.
After the first topcoat, I hand sanded the entire surface, which greatly moderated the roughness from the stippled (?) membrane. Then two more coats. The roof is white, as even on a moderate day the orange was measurably hotter than the unpainted surface.
The colour is called Nullarbor Sunset. I've crossed the Nullarbor, and I don't remember the sunsets being so ORANGE!!!, but I like it anyway.
Nearly ready for teh winter camping season.

 

[MickinOz]

It's 1:23 am. I'm laying in bed listening to rain on the roof. Reminds me of a song. John Sebastion, anyone?
Anyway, I guess in the morning I'll know if the waterproofing membrane works.

 

[MickinOz]

Well, I got home from my little camping trip about 1pm today. So the camper had all night in the rain, and half a day for water to soak in and wood to swell.
So far, I can find no swelled timber, split paint, or cracking veneers. I will go over the whole thing very carefully tomorrow, but so far it's looking very positive on the water exclusion front.

 

[MickinOz]

An extra bonus you don't hear much about when you decide to eat a calorie reduced diet and give up drinking is that you have more money for other things.
Like this portable lpg/propane pizza oven for special camping trips.
It's one of the cheapest available here but I am very impressed with what I just took out of the box. I even approve of the dough recipe that is included in the package.
I've wanted a propane powered option for the longest time. I love my woodfired brick oven, but it's a waste to fire it for just one pizza, and portable it is not.
Can't wait to try this thing. Just gotta be careful I don't rediscover any of the 55 pounds I have lost so far.

 

[KCStudly]

Congratulations on your sobriety and the new pizza oven.

I too enjoy the economy of sober.

FYI, I use the basic features of the "I am sober" app to remember my sobriety anniversary date (4 yrs this month), and find it to be reinforcing.

 

[MickinOz]

Thank you.
I haven't given up entirely. I once went 3 years 11 months and two weeks without a drink, but this time I managed 4 months with zero alcohol.
It's about the calorie cost of a beer or glass of wine.
I'm about 6 feet and half an inch tall. (I used to be taller, but I got old.)
I peaked at 293 pounds.
I had some extremely painful procedures that should have been a breeze but were complicated by my size, I decided something had to give.
5 surgeries in 2 years makes you take a look at your life.

I set myself a target of 1800 calories per day.
I spent 4 months with a scale, a calculator and a calories reference book alongside my dinner plate.
I then relaxed a bit, just estimating, but have stuck to the 1800 calories rule. And even zero alcohol beer has 85 calories or so per stubbie, so out the window it went.
7 months from starting, I now weigh 235 pounds.
My knees no longer hurt.
If I squat to work on the teardrop, I can get up again.
The doctor sent me for a full panel of blood and urine tests. Everything in range except B12.
Eat more red meat she said. No problems darling, ya don't have to tell me twice.
The best bit: my homemade 12-inch pepperoni pizzas come in at 1200-1400 calories.
Meaning if I have my usual 400 calorie breakfast, I can have a 12-inch pizza for dinner.
Woohoo!
I may have to check out that app though.

 

[MickinOz]

Well, I tried her out last night. First out was a margherita.
The missus likes hers with quite a few more toppings.
I was worried this thing wouldn't get hot enough.
Turns out, one must be vigilant to avoid burning them.

 

[MickinOz]

Today I finalised the installation of a spare wheel winch setup under the galley.
It sure would have been a lot easier to put the spare on the drawbar where everyone else does, but it got kinda heavy when I took out the lead acid battery and replaced it with a lithium one.
That did away with more than 20kg behind the axle.
I've just put about 18kg back, so hopefully I won't strain myself when next I hook up the ute.

 

[MickinOz]

Wanted a night away. We've had some good rains the last couple months, so I took the trailer down to my favourite spot on the Rocky River.
Sure enough, it was nice and green with a reasonable flow of water. I had the little campground to myself. Someone has installed a picnic table and seating, so it's pretty nice now. The table is dedicated to someone who passed away in 2021, so I'm thinking it was placed by the family, not the council.
I put it to use. I took my new portable gas oven with me and I've finally realised my ambition to make a pizza while out camping.

 

[MickinOz]

When you live in a heavy industry town, but this is on your doorstep.