Below 265 SQ/FT Hewey's 1950s single garage & cottage

[hewey]

Thanks Geoff

On the weekend was the first Bowral Cars and Coffee since covid hit. I was expecting a big turnout, and hopefully some rare and exotic stuff given the demographics of the area. The mini specialist we go to in Narrellan organised a casual run, all via backroads, and we just couldnt say no. We left in full darkness, having an hour down to the mini mechanics, and then another hour from there to Bowral.

The line up of minis. We were the slowest in a stock 850, and we really struggled on some of the big hills. But such great fun fanging along the backroads with a swarm of minis.

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We got down there for a chilly and foggy morning, and HEAPS of cars. Easily a few hundred cars. Even looking at other guys pics, I still saw cars I missed on the day. And yes, some stunning cars.

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[Lyndon]

Hewey

Should have said you were going, and I would have joined you. The place you departed from is next door to the business that does all the polishing of my cars - Deja-Vu Car Detailing......

Looks like a great collection there.

Let me know when the next one's on.

Lyndon

 

[Geoff289]

Looks like a lot of fun Hewey.

Some very nice cars there - I like the Bolwell and the Compact Fairlane behind it, the GT40 and I think that's an Alvis in the second last pic, don't see many of those. I also noted a red '66 Mustang.

 

[hewey]

Thanks Lyndon. I did think of you, but this was our first time tagging along to the mini works run, so wasnt quite sure what to expect and how open they were to non minis. I think you'd be welcome in the Jag If you're interested in the next Bowral Cars and Coffee, you can keep an eye on updates on their facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Bowral-Cars-Coffee-399676280799668

Hey Geoff, yes it was super fun, and about 4.5 hours of driving so a decent cruise too. The second last pic is an Aston Martin DB4 - if it didnt have badges or those plates not sure I would have been able to identify beyond being stunning

Thought you might like some more Mustang pics

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[hewey]

Been a while since I did an update on what I've been up to. I took some time off over Easter and used the opportunity to do some work around the house.

First cab off the rank was planting some street trees. We chose Crepe Myrtle, and got some that have been trimmed/trained to a single trunk to be more tree like. Each was planted with some manure to help get them started, and we installed a watering pipe with each one, plus some high quality edging made from 2mm galvanised steel, and mulched them. They look great, but are just about to lose their leaves for winter.
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While I was at it, I also replaced the edging around our Maple, which we planted a couple of years back. We used to have that cheap plastic stuff, the new edging looks much better and will be a better barrier against the grass.
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I also painted the outside weatherboard walls on this extension part of the house. I didnt get a proper before photo, but this first shot gives a good indication of how the old creamy beige compared to the new crisp white.
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And it now finished. Just need to replace the downpipe which I removed. Unfortunately the windows are all in this tan colour which looks terrible, but not worth the cost to replace, so living with them for now.
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The other job I did was replace the window winder on our living room window - before we had to have two people to close the window - one to wind, and the other to push from the outside! Only took 3 years, but now we can close the window as a one person operation

 

[Theodulf]

Looks good mate. It looks as though you didn't have many tricky bits, from the photos, so hopefully a pretty cruisy task.

 

[Geoff289]

You've been busy Hewey. All looking good.

 

[hewey]

Thanks Geoff and Theodulf.

The side wall was in okay condition. The weatherboards were solid, but the paint along the ribs was bubbling in lots of places, and required a whole day of scraping and sanding just on that one wall. I didn't get the whole thing baby **** smooth, but unless you're right in front of it you cant tell, and being down the unused side of the house I can live with that.

In other news I came down with a cold this week. Got the all clear from the covid test, and starting to come out the other side now.

 

[Geoff289]

You've just reminded me why we had a particular focus on making our new house as maintenance free as possible. I hate painting, or more accurately the prep.

Thanks for the additional Mustang pics a couple of posts back. The GT350 - a replica I strongly suspect - is nice. Not so sure about the wheels on the '70 but some nice GT's in the background of that pic.

Glad your cold was just a cold. At the monthly meeting of the Mustang Owners Club last night the main topic of conversation at our table was who's had the jab yet.

That gal garden edging is pretty flash.

 

[cros13]

House is looking great and so is the garden!

That woulda been a fun run down to Bowral, Which way did you guys take to get there?

Maybe I can tag along in the Z on the 2025 run haha!

Rudi.

 

[hewey]

Geoff yeh I'm a sucker for vintage mags and not the modern stuff too And if we ever get down your way would be really interested in checking out your place.

Rudi thanks mate. We went the backroads from Narrellan to Bowral, so via Razorback, Picton, Tahmoor, Bargo, and then the old Hume Highway So much fun! Until we got to hills in our mini, but nothing some more horsepower wont fix

Also, not sure if you've seen the Old School Jap and Euro Cars and Coffee on Mulgoa Road? Open to any pre 2000s Japanese, Euro and British cars. On this Sunday!
https://www.facebook.com/events/970109193727849?acontext={"event_action_history":[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22your_upcoming_events_unit%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22bookmark%22%7D]%7D

 

[Geoff289]

Geoff yeh I'm a sucker for vintage mags and not the modern stuff too And if we ever get down your way would be really interested in checking out your place.

You'll be very welcome Hewey.

 

[ajohno]

Nice work on the house Hewey.

 

[hewey]

Thanks Geoff and Aaron

Got some time out in the garage on the weekend:
* Painted the inside of the personnel door (outside already done)
* Trimmed the top of the main door off where it was fowling with the wall cladding
* Oil and filter change on the mini
* Started to soak the rusty wheel nuts in vinegar to clean up the rust
* Painted, sanded and installed a Paddy Hopkirk accelerator pedal (larger pedal makes it easier for heal and toe shifting, plus it looks cool.

In other news on Saturday I dropped off the 1098 engine and gearbox to the mini mechanic in Narrellan, to start the rebuild process. Will be a fairly long process, he's super busy and all the businesses he'll farm out work to (like machining) are similarly stupid busy too. But at least it can start now.

 

[Geoff289]

Thanks Geoff and Aaron

Got some time out in the garage on the weekend:
* Painted the inside of the personnel door (outside already done)
* Trimmed the top of the main door off where it was fowling with the wall cladding
* Oil and filter change on the mini
* Started to soak the rusty wheel nuts in vinegar to clean up the rust
* Painted, sanded and installed a Paddy Hopkirk accelerator pedal (larger pedal makes it easier for heal and toe shifting, plus it looks cool.

In other news on Saturday I dropped off the 1098 engine and gearbox to the mini mechanic in Narrellan, to start the rebuild process. Will be a fairly long process, he's super busy and all the businesses he'll farm out work to (like machining) are similarly stupid busy too. But at least it can start now.

It'll go way faster with that new loud pedal.

 

[Bob Heine]

The second last pic is an Aston Martin DB4 - if it didnt have badges or those plates not sure I would have been able to identify beyond being stunning

Hewey, even when they were new, those DB4s were rare. When I lived in a small town in upstate New York (Wappingers Falls) in the late 1960s I passed a gas station on the way into town. It was an off-brand station so I rarely stopped. When I did, I saw a gorgeous car in one of the bays. I didn't recognize what I was looking at right away but he told me it was an Aston Martin DB4. The mechanic bought it for a couple of hundred bucks because the original owner had blown the engine (rod went through the block) and the cost of a new short block was more than the car was worth. The mechanic instead bought a low-mileage Pontiac Sprint overhead cam straight six and made all the mounts and adapters to bolt it up to the Aston Martin transmission. At the time I thought it was pretty cool. Now it seems like sacrilege to do something like that but back then who knew a decent one would be worth $500,000 in just 50 years?

 

[hewey]

It'll go way faster with that new loud pedal.

Okay you got me there Geoff. I think these might help though? Arrived in the mail this week, twin 1 1/4 SUs for the new engine build.




Hey Bob, that's a neat story about the DB4. I'm fairly pragmatic about stories like that - would much rather see it on the road then scrapped for parts.

No garage update, but last weekend we got out to the historic race meet at Eastern Creek. Some very nice machinery on display!

 

[hewey]

And a few more (limited to 10 pics per post)

 

[Geoff289]

Okay you got me there Geoff. I think these might help though? Arrived in the mail this week, twin 1 1/4 SUs for the new engine build.




Hey Bob, that's a neat story about the DB4. I'm fairly pragmatic about stories like that - would much rather see it on the road then scrapped for parts.

No garage update, but last weekend we got out to the historic race meet at Eastern Creek. Some very nice machinery on display!


That's more like it. SU's are tricky to tune but great carbs when you get them right. Some nice cars there at the Creek.

 

[cros13]

looks like a great turnout!

Those SU's should help the mini! I didn't catch the post, what are you planning engine build wise?

Rudi.

 

[hewey]

Thanks Geoff and Rudi

Rudi the engine plan is a lightly worked 1098. I've got a 998 block, which will be fitted out with 1098 innards with a longer stroke. Mild cam as well as the usual extractors, exhaust, intake, twin carbs etc. The original engine is matching numbers, and my car is VERY original (original factory paint and trim), so the original engine which still runs well will be stashed under the bench for safe keeping so it can potentially be 'restored'. Have even sourced another 'magic wand' gearbox for the new engine so I dont need to cut out a shifter hole in the floor. I'm trying to keep to the theme of as much original 1960s aftermarket parts as possible, and preferably Aussie made. So basically how a young guy back in the 1960s would have hopped up a mini. So I've got a Maxrob timber steering wheel, Amos cast aluminium 10" wheels, early finned rocker cover, the twin SUs etc. Not being too **** though, will also do things like upgrading to electronic dizzy to make it more practical. Never going to win any races, but after a fun cruiser that my wife still loves to drive (not too much of a monster), and will handle hills and things better than the asthmatic 850 does! Engine build is being done by a mini specialist - way outside my skill level.

We're in lockdown at the moment, looking forward to getting to the other side of it. So only allowed to leave the house to exercise, work, buy food or medical stuff pretty much. I'm fortunate that I can work from home, but what that actually means is working in my loungeroom as the only room in the house with heating. Which is also where I stay after work when I 'log off', and its too dark and cold to do anything outside. So what means, is apart from a short walk with the dog, I'm basically spending 98% of my awake time in the same room Monday to Friday. Still, I feel for all those in hospitality and events who dont know when their next pay is coming. And happy to do this to make sure we look after our vulnerable community members, and not let things run rampant. But that also means that on weekends, I'm chomping at the bit to get outside and do something constructive.

On Saturday I attached some new seat brackets to the mini. Doesnt sound like a big deal, but had to carefully grind out the old brackets which were rivetted to the seat frame, being careful not to shower any sparks on the original vinyl. A bunch of moving blankets and some clamps made it all work. After half a days work I achieved an extra inch of leg room, which doesnt sound much but makes a heap of difference.

On Sunday I got and almost finished painted the exterior of the garage. Mid term plan is to remove the asbestos cladding, but given the surge in prices for building materials for replacement panelling, that can wait till later. So have been working through painting, a day here and a day there. At least its much tidier, and ties in with the colour scheme of the house too. Still need to paint the hinges black, but looking so much better.

 

[Geoff289]

Thanks Geoff and Rudi

Rudi the engine plan is a lightly worked 1098. I've got a 998 block, which will be fitted out with 1098 innards with a longer stroke. Mild cam as well as the usual extractors, exhaust, intake, twin carbs etc. The original engine is matching numbers, and my car is VERY original (original factory paint and trim), so the original engine which still runs well will be stashed under the bench for safe keeping so it can potentially be 'restored'. Have even sourced another 'magic wand' gearbox for the new engine so I dont need to cut out a shifter hole in the floor. I'm trying to keep to the theme of as much original 1960s aftermarket parts as possible, and preferably Aussie made. So basically how a young guy back in the 1960s would have hopped up a mini. So I've got a Maxrob timber steering wheel, Amos cast aluminium 10" wheels, early finned rocker cover, the twin SUs etc. Not being too **** though, will also do things like upgrading to electronic dizzy to make it more practical. Never going to win any races, but after a fun cruiser that my wife still loves to drive (not too much of a monster), and will handle hills and things better than the asthmatic 850 does! Engine build is being done by a mini specialist - way outside my skill level.

We're in lockdown at the moment, looking forward to getting to the other side of it. So only allowed to leave the house to exercise, work, buy food or medical stuff pretty much. I'm fortunate that I can work from home, but what that actually means is working in my loungeroom as the only room in the house with heating. Which is also where I stay after work when I 'log off', and its too dark and cold to do anything outside. So what means, is apart from a short walk with the dog, I'm basically spending 98% of my awake time in the same room Monday to Friday. Still, I feel for all those in hospitality and events who dont know when their next pay is coming. And happy to do this to make sure we look after our vulnerable community members, and not let things run rampant. But that also means that on weekends, I'm chomping at the bit to get outside and do something constructive.

On Saturday I attached some new seat brackets to the mini. Doesnt sound like a big deal, but had to carefully grind out the old brackets which were rivetted to the seat frame, being careful not to shower any sparks on the original vinyl. A bunch of moving blankets and some clamps made it all work. After half a days work I achieved an extra inch of leg room, which doesnt sound much but makes a heap of difference.

On Sunday I got and almost finished painted the exterior of the garage. Mid term plan is to remove the asbestos cladding, but given the surge in prices for building materials for replacement panelling, that can wait till later. So have been working through painting, a day here and a day there. At least its much tidier, and ties in with the colour scheme of the house too. Still need to paint the hinges black, but looking so much better.

Lookin'good Hewey. Now your garage wil be faster too with red doors.

 

[Lyndon]

Hewey

Garage looks good, and sounds like a plan for the mini. Are you going to use that guy in Narellan (where you left from some months ago for the coffe and cars in Bowral)?

She should go heaps better with the mods you have mentioned.

Lyndon

 

[hewey]

Thanks Geoff

Lyndon yeh, will be using Wayne at Narellan. His name is always top of the list when it comes to recommendations for Sydney based mini workshops, and my experience has been consistent with that. He also supports a lot of the Sydney and national shows, so he gives back to the mini world too. Based on reading online of similar combos, we should just fall short of doubling the horsepower, and more importantly a bucketload more of useable torque too. Will also put in a higher dif ratio for better highway cruising too. Should be an all round better weekender.

It's been close to 18 months of working from home, the whole time I've been set up at a small dining table squished in to the loungeroom. Finally made the call to get an inbuilt desk installed. After looking at a bunch of options we opted for a Merbau benchtop slab from Bunnings, and had a local timber guy install it - I wanted nice tight gaps at the edges hence opting for a pro. I finished it off and painted the battens and oiled it up, has come up really nice. Have started going down the rabbit hole that is cord management videos on youtube...



And this is the daily that the timber worker uses. Really nice set up with the roller shelves and tool bins.

 

[Geoff289]

Nothstanding the brand, I would have a lot of faith in a tradie that rocked up in a cool truck like that.

 

[Lyndon]

+1 on what Geoff said. I wonder have far afield he travels (after the current building restrictions are lifted.....?).

And those mods to the Mini will be cool. When are you planning on kicking off?

Lyndon

 

[cros13]

I swear I've seen that at the local Bunnings, I snapped a photo to show another car tragic mate.

Lets see.....

yeah?

 

[hewey]

Thanks Geoff. His wife who is an artist drives a beautiful baywindow Kombi camper too. Lyndon he lives on the far side of Lithgow, so travels over an hour to get to our place. And clearly he's travelled even further down to the flat country as Rudi's pic demonstrates (yup, that's his truck).

Lyndon the engine has already been dropped off at the mini place in Camden. He's super flat out and is struggling to get time to get to it, so its not going to be a quick build.

Not a lot to report. Still in lockdown, and the Delta outbreak is slowly spreading out our way. I got my 1st Astra vax last week, the first 24hrs I was okay (bit achey, nothing too bad), and then I got a MAJOR case of the chills, full body chills - struggled to get warm under 3 layers of clothing and a doona. Only lasted about an hour, but just completely wiped me out, and spent Friday laid up on the couch recovering.

On the weekend I cracked open the Lego I got at Christmas to start the build.

 

[Geoff289]

A bit of lockdown solidarity from me Hewey. Just heard that our current one will go another week (at least). Things look pretty dire up your way and it might be a while longer for you guys. It's funny how the reaction to the jab varies. I had my second one last week and had no reaction at all to either, neither did my 89 year old Mum, but my partner had much like you describe.

I have a few house, garage or car projects either started or ready to but can't get out of lockdown long enough to organise materials or parts, so boredom is setting in. I'm alleviating this a bit by watching the new house being built next door to us from a grandstand seat on my trailer deck. So far they've excavated, built some retaining walls and put the drainage in.

I can't help being impressed with the guys handling the tippers that took the spoil away. I can back a trailer reasonably well but watching these guys poke probably 8 metre dog trailers in next door from a relatively narrow suburban street is fascinating. it gives rise to a question that Lyndon might know the answer to (hope you're knee is coming good) - it looks to me like the driver can lock the turntable of the dog trailer from the truck cab as they seemed to be skidding the front axle set on the trailer sideways, is that right?

Anyway, now I've hijacked your thread Hewey, hang in there everyone.

 

[Lyndon]

I can't help being impressed with the guys handling the tippers that took the spoil away. I can back a trailer reasonably well but watching these guys poke probably 8 metre dog trailers in next door from a relatively narrow suburban street is fascinating. it gives rise to a question that Lyndon might know the answer to (hope you're knee is coming good) - it looks to me like the driver can lock the turntable of the dog trailer from the truck cab as they seemed to be skidding the front axle set on the trailer sideways, is that right?

Anyway, now I've hijacked your thread Hewey, hang in there everyone.

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Snip
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Geoff

Knee is 2 steps forward and one step back at present - 5+ weeks since op. Physio says they all come good (able to fully straighten and bend completely) between 6 weeks and 3 months. Hoping for sooner rather than later....

And yes - the extended lock down is getting tiresome, but I haven't been able to drive for the last 6 weeks anyway! I have to start all the girls once a week and let them come up to temperature for about 30 minutes.....

As to truck and dog combos, mate, these don't have turntables. The dog trailer (3, 4, 5 or 6 axles - though more than 3 would generally require an access permit - not something a local mud carter would worry about) is connected to the rigid truck by drawbar. The draw bar length normally matches or is longer than the width of the truck (2.5m), but sometimes longer. By cocking the front axle of the dog in the opposite direction to the turn required the dog will normally jack knife down the side of the truck without too much hassle. Then both the truck and the dog can be emptied, as the path of the dog back to straight will avoid the pile out of the truck and out of the trailer. Watching good operators is a joy, and the bigger the combination the better the drivers! With our 26m and 36m A-Double combinations, only the best drivers can reverse them correctly, and it takes a lot of practice. If you want to see the fun ones, watch a 53.5m road train reversing to cattle grates in the outback.... I can't find a clip at present but will update when I do.

Generally when reversing a car trailer you turn the front wheels of the car in the opposite direction of the direction of travel required for the trailer. When you have 2 trailers, that reverses again back to turning the steering wheels of the truck in the same direction as the direction required for the trailer, then it reverses again when you have 3 trailers on - get it???? I can't do it, have just been in this industry too long!

Hewey

Looking forward to updates about the Mini!

Lyndon

 

[Lyndon]

Geoff

Timely of you to post that when you did, I haven't been on here for a while.....

Also, I need to qualify my last statement.... I am a highly experienced box/boat/caravan trailer operator and reverser.....

I have reversed several tri axle single 19m trailer combinations, and a few bogie and single axle sets as well. Just that it was along time ago, and not ever necessary again in my career. Long single axle combinations are way harder than tri axle jobbies too.....

Now got to go ice my knee.....

Lyndon

 

[Geoff289]

Geoff

Timely of you to post that when you did, I haven't been on here for a while.....

Also, I need to qualify my last statement.... I am a highly experienced box/boat/caravan trailer operator and reverser.....

I have reversed several tri axle single 19m trailer combinations, and a few bogie and single axle sets as well. Just that it was along time ago, and not ever necessary again in my career. Long single axle combinations are way harder than tri axle jobbies too.....

Now got to go ice my knee.....

Lyndon

Yep, follow all that. Maybe I had some terminology wrong. While not the best picture, this is the combo they were using from the dig company's FB page. It does seem to have a turntable/fifth wheel on the front axle of the trailer and it really looked like they were locking it up in the straight ahead position, removing one point of articulation, and then reversing the rig conventionally like you would a pig trailer and because the turntable was locked up the front axle wheels were just skidding sideways. Sorry again for the hijack Hewey but we're all bored.

 

[hewey]

Sorry again for the hijack Hewey but we're all bored.

No worries Geoff and Lyndon. If my thread can provide even a little distraction that is the clusterf*** of our daily lives at the moment, I'm more than happy for it to be hijacked. Even though our lockdown is currently scheduled to wind up at the end of the month, I'm fully expecting it to linger well in to October. So keeping sane is high on the priority list.

We've got a testing station set up down the road from us, it fluctuates and is chockas sometimes with the line past our place and quiet others. On Monday we literally had cars idling outside our house all day, often blocking the driveway too. Kinda hard to switch off and forget the outside world when its buzzing constantly in your house. Headphones and music while working help!

The other thing we're trying to do is something a little bit special each weekend, to at least give a little more distinction to when you're not working, when you're working Monday to Friday in your loungeroom. So something as simple as doing a no phones movie night, heating up some popcorn etc. When its not quite as cold at night we'll pull out the old fireplace and have a firenight with a cheese platter for dinner in the backyard and crank up some music. Definitely looking forward to the warmer weather and longer days though.

 

[Bob Heine]

My dear friends Down Under, Florida has 21.6 million residents compared to Australia's 25.36 million so somewhat comparable. Your country has foolishly chosen lock downs while Florida has chosen FREEDOM. Australia's approach has resulted in 37,372 people catching COVID-19 while Florida's approach has resulted in 39,934 deaths from COVID-19. No lock downs needed here -- no masks either. You Aussies need to step up your game if you want to win(?) this war! To be fair, Liane and I have both been vaccinated and continue to live in our own personal lock down, just like we have for the past 18 months. We did attend a July 5th party with the majority of the family just to be patriotic and ignore the guy in the black hoodie with his stupid scythe.

Six members of my immediate family of 15 have been infected with the virus, four adults and two children. The adults caught it in spite of being fully vaccinated and the big birthday party probably infected both parents and their two- and one-year-old children (we didn't attend because I was fresh out of the hospital).

Thanks to Geoff and Lyndon (and not because I am bored to tears) I went Googling for road train reversing videos.

Aussie Drivers

Canadian Driver

US Driver

 

[mmsheb]

I believe it would be easier to back these Road Trains in Australia since they drive on the left side of the road.
Just kidding!!

 

[hewey]

Hey Bob good to hear you're keeping well. Those are pretty sobering numbers! I think we Australian's often lose sight of how bad things would get if we just let things rip.

Yeh I'm not going to be reversing a roadtrain any time soon!! I'm happy enough just to get a trailer in to my driveway sometimes. My issue is I only use a trailer once every 3 years, so I'm not doing it enough to keep it fresh.

In other news we're starting to look at bringing our deck up to speed. Currently our outdoor table is a dumping ground for things like paint and other building materials for halfdone projects, and the whole area just needs some paint and a tidy up. With never ending lockdown here to stay, and warmer weather on its way, it makes sense to start looking at what we're going to do out there. The general idea is to turf the ugly railings and replace them with wire railings, to help open up the view and bring more light in. The vertical slats on there have been 'recycled' and have nail holes in them, so the whole thing just looks like its been done on the cheap. A key thing I want to integrate is a small bar section, so we can sit out there and look over the yard and have a drink or eat something. But I'm fussy want it to be integrated and built in, not look like something that's just been tacked on. This is the concept that I've come up with, and the second photo shows the section it will apply to. It will probably still need some additional support brackets off the posts, but happy with how it looks.

 

[Geoff289]

I won't put quotes in to avoid clogging up Hewey's thread, which is rapidly becoming the GJ meeting place. Yes, the figures Bob provides are sobering all right. I think the last thing we want is GJ to turn into a place for political positioning but its certainly interesting the different approaches taken to dealing with this @#$ing bug in different parts of the world. Glad you're being careful Bob.

I won't be reversing any roadtrains either but you mention reversing a little box trailer Hewey. I have found the geometry of this means the shorter the towed vehicle is or more correctly, the shorter the distance from the towball to the axle of the towed vehicle, the trickier it is because very small steering movements have a bigger effect on what happens and it's easy to go past the point of no return. I used to be able to thread my 23 foot caravan (travel trailer) pretty much anywhere it would fit and ditto with my mate's 30 foot race trailer in crowded raceway pits, but my little 7 foot box trailer is a whole other challenge.

Your bar idea looks great but I reckon you should run it the whole width of the deck so there's plenty of elbow room for Bob, Lyndon and I when we come and visit AC (After Covid).

 

[Ralf99]

Yep, as Geoff says, the smaller trailer with short drawbar is my nemesis. I have a caged 5*3.5' trailer that I regularly use behind an older short wheelbase Jeep Wrangler, and find it a humbling experience when backing up doing a tip run - uneven ground and stubby car and trailer combine to make the trailer seem like it has a mind of its own that is in furious disagreement with mine.
Same Jeep with my extended drawbar 7*5 motorbike trailer and it will back near inch perfect over ruts, logs etc.

I've backed a few semis with reasonable success over the years, but if I ever have the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a road train its only going forwards.

The deck and bar will make it a treat to be outside surveying your domain in a couple of months time.

 

[hewey]

Geoff, yeh we've been going back and forth on whether we want to run the bar section full width or not. Pros and cons to both options, so we haven't made up our minds yet.

If you or Bob ever make it to Sydney for a visit, I'm sure Lyndon and I can help coordinate a garage crawl and rope in some of our other locals too.

Ralf I agree, any roadtrain I get behind the wheel off, well I aint reversing that sucker!

 

[hewey]

Had a good productive weekend which was nice. The back brick wall was pressure washed ready for painting next weekend (weather depending). Also got in and finished painting the insides of the garage doors, plus mowed the lawns. A few walks, plus took the Mini to Coles for its first run in a couple of months to help blow out the cobwebs, which was over far too quick. By the time lockdown is over, she'll be too hot to take it for a run. Also had a Saturday arvo catch up with some mates over zoom, which was a welcome distraction as well. So felt I packaged a bit in.

I figured I better get a decent shot for Geoff showing the view from the deck. The Jacaranda is turning golden as it gets ready to lose its leaves. I'm also looking forward to replacing the shed with something that's less of an eyesore one day.



And a before shot of the back wall. The brick will get the same mineral paint that the rest of the brick has received. Should brighten it up and give it some more life.