...I got the shaft...

My misfortune continues,,,cheap knockoff parts have resulted in the installation and subsequent gross premature failure of not one but two brand new drive shafts...

The first one broke asunder in a busy intersection, CAA to the rescue...had another one installed but the telltale vibration going up through my spine told me something was amiss...I managed to navigate the 45 minute drive back to the shop, but only after a CV boot let go and spewed grease everywhere...now we wait for the plan to not use the cheap knockoff shaft but rather one rebuilt with quality joints...

...brings up an interesting dilemma for owners of older vehicles. The temptation to buy cheap parts is indeed there, but likely unwise in the end....here's to hoping for the best...

Cheap Cookware

We've all seen that hideous blue enamel cookware that's been around camping circles for seemingly the last millennium. I'm sure it's crap and even more sure that the coffee mugs will burn your lips off. Nevertheless, it does have a little bit of nostalgic charm, and when I saw a set marked down to less than $20, I decided to add it to my supplies. I figure it might come in handy as something to leave in some future camp, cabin etc. The coffee peculator alone usually sells for more than I paid for the entire caboodle....

Anyway, hoping to try it out sometime...let me know if you already have...

Wheels of Life...

...to round out the 1.5" lift, I installed my 27x8.5R14 tires on some recently acquired 14" original VW alloy wheels. The wheels are 1/2" wider than the stock steelies, and look a little sharper...

They need some polishing, cleaning, and scratch repair, as you can see from these 2 photos...

 One of the center caps is new, and the other has been spray painted with Krylon paint. Can you tell which is which ?

Nevertheless, the look is a little better than the old stock steel wheels...

These are still the old 14" stock size...see photo below for the 16" aftermarket "8-spoke" alloy wheels that I also have...

Those 16" ones are presently on my "other" van...

Anyway, I'm starting to think intervention might be necessary as at last count, I seem to have about 25 Vanagon Rims !!

Of course, if things get tough, the steel wheels, while ugly, are still an option. Add some cheap Princess Auto Hub-Caps and you have another look...

Not the best, but they semi-survived an arduous Trans-Labrador Highway trip last summer...

...let's leave the lug-nut discussion for another time...

Happy Spring 2016

...days are getting longer, time to come out of hibernation. A good way to celebrate Spring is to get new "Springs". 4 new coils springs for my camper van, should help with the aging sag and provide a little lift too...

Here's one of the front ones...

...and of course, the rear...

For the front, ball joint spacers had to be added to facilitate proper alignment...

Anyway, I'm looking forward to "Spring", and then "Summer"  :)

Winter Retreat 2016

...thankful for the 3rd consecutive February opportunity to attend the Bayside Camp Men's Retreat. For me, this event is perfectly timed. 6 weeks after Christmas as the winter ho-hum is threatening to settle it. There are wonderful accommodations (Cabins) but I chose to go the solitary VW Camper route...

The first night it gone down to -11c and the van was rocking from the howling north wind...very cold but my -40 Sleeping Bag was more than up to the challenge. During the out of sleeping bag experiences, my Big Buddy Heater conquered the chill with ease...

I won't sleep with it lit, but it certainly has its place. An excellent heater but a bit propane-hungry.
The second night was 8 degrees warmer and I managed to park a little more out of the wind. Wood fires always help too...

Overall, it's a nice camp...looking forward to next year...

Skating 2016

Growing up, my Primary School was located across the street from the local ice-rink. This rink was a regulation sized "Stadium", a town fixture for seemingly forever. At least one afternoon a week, we all paraded over to the rink to go skating. I remember my Mother often miraculously appeared to help tighten my skates, likely handed down from an older sibling. Well I never made the NHL, skating became second nature to me, and remains a refreshing thrill to this day. Of course there were also plenty of outdoor pond skating opportunities as well...fast forward to Halifax and the 2011 Canada Games wherein a "temporary" outdoor skating oval was commissioned on the Halifax Commons. After the games, the powers that be wisely chose to make the "Oval" a permanent service. As usual, it took me several years to actually "get on board", but better late than never...

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quick video below of once around...

Belated Happy New Year 2016

It's often the same old song with me; I never take time to write, even though I kind of enjoy it. Once again I've blinked and the entire Christmas Season is over. Again this year we stayed put and it was nice. The normal crowd of friends showed up for dinner and again Debbie delivered. Here's the beginning of the spread...

Time to get the feedbag on...

Of course in our abode there's not enough room at the table so some spilled into adjacent rooms and into the basement...

Once that all settled, it was time to break out the dessert and coffee...

This time they moved a little slower and with less motivation...fed up you see  :)

Not exactly a white Christmas with 12c and sun, but the old Camper soaked it up...

Indeed God blessed us... everyone. There was even dessert and coffee for breakfast the next day...

A few days later on Dec 30th, we finally got the obligatory winter blast, wherein I got to break out my Christmas present...

All is well, and the new year is upon us all...here's to 2016 !!