We're juggling a lot of things at the moment. Though we aren't leaving til January, there's a lot of problems to solve and work to be done to bring about this grand adventure of ours.
Our plan, if you didn't already know, is to transform this:
Into one of these:
Image Source
No, we aren't repainting it, AND this is a different model, but we're making a pop top. The vintage Series 3 Land Rover above is a 1973 model with the original 2.25 litre engine, and whilst it is already a camper, it was made on the cheap and not ideal for the adventure we have in mind.
It involves Jamie getting some box aluminium and welding them into a kind of rectangle that fits EXACTLy on the roof. We use the existing roof, and that attaches via hinges to the front, as per the yellow Defender above. That's all happening in two weeks time.
I've been panicking a bit about our time frame, but I felt a bit better contacting someone this week who can do the canvas for us for around $1000 which is far better than us trying to sew it when we're also trying to build the camper in the back!
I pretty much know what we will build in the back - we've done enough of them over the years. Funnily enough, we were looking for inspiration and found this site - a list of the 25 most inspiring camper builds on Wanderlust. Funnily enough, guess who features? Us, @roving_tracks on Instagram. We're sitting alongside some pretty cool people we follow! Feels like recognition off all the effort we've put in.
Jamie's been busy replacing the clutch, putting on new leaf springs, fixing the brakes, and many other mechanical jobs that needed doing before we travel from the UK to Morocco, Iceland and hopefully even Albania and Georgia. Depending on money (please HIVE, moon!) we might even go to Mongolia and some of the 'stans.
I'm busy trying to find the right shipping company to send the car by sea from Australia to Southhampton. We'll import it and sell it after a year, rather than bring it back. That'll fund the flights and shipping costs, with maybe a little left over to buy another vintage Landie when we get back.
We can also put the boards in the back and camping equipment too, and bikes - anything that can stuff in the car counts. On the other end we'll have to get British plates for it.
I'm 52 this year and I've never been more ready for another adventure. Adventures are not just for the young, and you only live once. It's important to us. We won't have money or jobs when we get back, but hopefully we'll have some stories to tell.
Here's a list of all the things we need to do by November:
- Get the shipping organised and the Land Rover on a boat
- Build the pop top
- Rebuild the camper
- Pack everything we need
- Work at our jobs
And before we fly early January, we need to:
- Put the other cars in storage
- Put all our furniture in storage
- Find a tenant
- Fix the house - wiring, oven, bathrooms, paint front deck/front of house
- Complete garden - get rid of chickens, more mulching, making it as user friendly as possible
- Cancel all bills
- Get insurance
- Save enough to pay council tax and car regos in advance
- Save enough money to last us the year
And..... a million other little things. Sometimes it's overwhelming. Like, really overwhelming.
But I haven't thought about not going - it seems the most important thing I can be doing right now.
With Love,
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I'm not surprised by what you posted this time. I have been following you, and several times I have watched your posts about your Landie.
What surprised me about your post was all about your plans. You really understand what you are doing, and you plan everything very well. You seem to really understand and enjoy it.
But, regarding the sale of Landie, it will definitely be something that brings sadness, even if you plan to buy another Landie. Their memories are very expensive and valuable.
Good luck with all your amazing plans.Dear, @riverflows.
I'm so glad ye decided to ship it over. Its going to be such an awesome adventure and I can't wait to see that pop top in person, alongside you and J of course.
I can imagine J will be in his element making it happen.
That is a lot to do, but you can do it. Just think.of what awaits you. The open road xxxxx
Being featured on the list of the 25 most inspiring camper builds is a wonderful recognition of your hard work and dedication. It's clear that you have a wealth of experience in this field, and your journey will undoubtedly inspire others as well.
Holy moly, looks like a grand adventure waiting!
That looks awesome! Must feel good to have a little more space into your adventure home. I'm looking forward to read about all the wild adventures in the road.
Wow, what a dope idea! Jamie must be very handy indeed! That model looks so cool.. must have so many remarkable stories to tell. Fantastic! Safe travels my good friend.
🤯
I guess it makes sense but I didn't know you were parting with your beloved defender. It will be cool after completing an epic adventure. Your defender will have served you nobly. Mission accomplished.
Whoa! Nice one Riverflows. I perceive it's a wonderful adventure. I'm glad you make a good and concrete plan for it. The rate at which you will enjoy the adventure depends on how well you plan and keep everything prepared.
We all hope hive will skyrocket by next year, trust me it will be a great advantage.
Thanks for sharing, do well to update us on any other development.
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I wish you the best and safe travels. Thats quite a long list of to-do’s but I hope you complete them all in time.
You can do it! I have my pompoms out and am screaming from the sidelines - over the ocean. I'm excited for you!
Exciting times, all that travel so jealous. Converting the land drover to a top top is that so you can stand up in the back or just more sleeping room and air space?
!BEER
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BEER.This really sounds exciting. It's the kind of thing I'd love to see do, before I'm old. I'm 57 in January so I still have about 40 years before I'm old.
I understand you must be very busy but I have no doubt you'll get everything done and before you know it you'll be off on this great adventure 🙂 How exciting!
It seems like a good plan to sell the Land Rover after your travels, even though (I'm guessing) it'll bring up some emotions to part with it.
xx