Visiting!

The Ducato has been away since 7 September 2016. Most days I have driven past (only a wee way out of my usual route) to see if there has been any progress. During the day it’s parked outside the panel beater’s yard with other vehicles that are waiting.

Waiting . . . . . . It seems close to the railway line, I hadn’t noticed.

While I was waiting, I had a few ideas. Instead of the black strip down the side (which, I thought was lower down until I looked at the photo) I could have a decal of some sort, to add a little colour.

How about this one . . . . . .

or a bird, I like birds . . . . .

even a black and white bird, even!

I had also bought a new door for the outside toilet door (where you remove and empty the toilet cassette). It was cracked and tatty.

Emptying the toilet 🙂

A new one 🙂

Here . . . . . . . . . .

The ‘hole’ towards the top is the fridge vent.

So when I went past today it was inside, they had begun. As it is the 22 September, I’m not getting it back as previously thought on the 23rd, but I’m OK with that. I wasn’t going anywhere this weekend.

I think it has the funniest little bonnet; for a largish motor, the engine space is minimal. Maybe it’s because it is diesel. I know nothing about things mechanical 😉

Looking at all the primed areas, there was more damage than I thought. I think it is a good thing that I have purchased a reversing camera. I hasten to add (for those who don’t know or remember) that I wasn’t responsible for any the damage 🙂

Somewhere along the top there is a ting dent I was responsible for. As it isn’t visible it can remain.

I’m paying for some of the repair and repaint, including this area of rust at the top of the window. In New Zealand we require a yearly “warrant of fitness” inspection and it is quite rigorous. I got a warrant this time but next year I wouldn’t. This is an expensive repair as the entire window has to be removed. 😦

I quite like this decal. This vehicle is a newer one than mine and has longer windows. Mine is quite boxy (like an ambulance lol) so maybe I will look more racy?

I’m looking forward to it’s return. I have missed my Ducato not being here, missed not taking off on a whim. When It does come back it will be time to think about setting it up for my 4 weeks in the South Island, that’s only 6 weeks away. I will be mobile!