Oh happy days - we are so close to finishing the camper we started back in June. Well, the idea started in June, shortly after we got our 2001 Defender 130 Td5 on the road. Then it was procuring the bespoke, custom 130 tub, pulling the entire thing apart and reconstructing it without the back doors into a unique 130 panelvan, which I still don't think exists anywhere in the world.

So the photo below is really significant because it uses the last piece of plywood in the stack. That means there's an awful lot of plywood in the build. Still, we worked out the weight of plywood and in comparision to say, a slide on camper, we're still coming in a LOT lighter. The table is built from a bit of furniture I was going to upcycle but it had woodworm, so we pulled it apart. The top was fine though, and a beautiful hardwood which you just can't buy at Bunnings. To complete the job, Jamie put a Landrover badge on it. The leather strap is a favourite old belt of mine.

What we will do with holes, well, that's for another post! We are halfway through it as I write (we stopped for coffee) so I'll share it soon!

The plan is to do most of the cooking outside, although we have built enough benchroom to put it inside if it's really super windy and wet. This tailgate table makes for a quick space to use the jetboil to make a quick coffee on the road if camp isn't set up completely.

Next, the copper string fairy lights. It's a bit of a running joke, the fairy lights, and I do insist we have them as they make it so pretty. I know a friend who lined all their roof with these but that's a bit much so we just did the interior of the cupboard. It does illuminate there. If we decide we can afford a pop top that top cupboard will have to come out, which is why we didn't bother with draw fronts. I've found some black curtain wire which will snap into place for when we drive in case that lip isn't enough to stop things going flying.

By this time, you've spotted the mushrooms, haven't you? Yep, they are behind the bookshelf and on the left up top. It's actually peel and stick wallpaper - a sample I ordered a long time ago and I just love it.

I think it provides a nice break against all that pine, don't you? And I wanted a bit of whimsy in there - it's all fine and dandy to have things functional, but it's nice to have beautiful as well, don't you think?

IN this next photo you can see the doors. We have a mate who could have cut them out of one sheet but we could'nt be bothered and we thought this looks good enough.

After we cut out the back door ply and did the table, we realised we couldn't really open the lower door from the inside with teh door shut, so we cut another strip of leather and folded it over to make a handle. I think it looks great as it matches the supportive strap on the back door.

I'm not entirely happy with the seat covers - those mattresses 'jigsaw' together to form the bed, with some planks between. If you read my post from Monday, you'll know I had a right hissy fit over them, so I have a friend who's going to try to do a better job. I included the photo without the kitchen cupboard doors so you can see how we fit the cafetiere, the jet boil etc as well as spices and so on.

WE also fitted the kitchen sink. I don't actually like proper sinks in a camper as it's just more things that can go wrong with water and plumbing, and it's easy enough to rinse your face here or pull the plastic tub outside onto a table to wash the dishes. People get far too fancy and complicated with this stuff when really it should be easy and fun, not just bringing another bloody house with you. There's creature comforts and there's pathetic creature comforts if you know what I mean. Keep it minimal - more simple, less fuss.

And of course, more mushrooms in the cupboard - it kinda suprises me everytime I open it hahha! That's over the fuel filler cap. Here sits my pea bucket and other laundry sundries, and the fire hydrant as well. Yes, I said pee bucket. Ask me questions in the comment. I'm not that shy.

Here's the view with the cupboards fitted. For the first time in any camper build, we have gas struts to hold them open - how fancy! THe little mushrooms are there for the 'oops' hole we drilled, and I matched it on the opposing side. It's just a fun little suprise. I mean, by the looks of this post the mushrooms are everywhere but to be honest you wouldn't know for looking.

With the ax, the colours, and the mushrooms, it's beginning to feel like some kind of naturalist/botanist van. I quite like how that theme evolved without us planning it.

There's a few other details I want to share but this post is getting a little long! Plus, as an addendum to Monday's post this week, I managed so sew the back curtain and who knows, I might even able to manage the side one... fingres crossed!

With Love,

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