Cancelled Due To Rain

Finally we have the truck and fifth wheel all ready to go with the shed built and current COF's. We planned to go to Mapua for a night, leaving Saturday morning. Graeme had organised a dinner party on Saturday night to celebrate the installation of his 'Little Cracker' fireplace in his rig. Bernie had been chopping bits of manuka during the week to give him. But guess what? We woke to rain with the forecast predicting heavier rain for Sunday. We decided what was the point in going away for a night in the rain. We'd have to wait another week.
I went for a drive instead to take some photos. 

Sunset at Monaco

The days are starting to draw out again and spring has definitely arrived. Although, no matter what season it is it's always a treat to watch the sunset.

Lots Of Support

Yesterday after the rig failed it's COF I wrote a post about it on a Facebook group we belong to called 'Motorhome Friends'. We received lots of comments advising us to take it for a long drive to warm the brakes up.
This morning Bernie took it for a half hour drive and took it back to be checked. It flew through the COF this time and passed with flying colours. Yay!
Although we had been told we needed to warm the brakes up prior to a test, we weren't aware that it meant driving for that amount of time. Bernie had taken it for a 10 minute warm up before the initial inspection - obviously that wasn't long enough. So that's another lesson learnt.

COF Time

We've heard many stories about the difficulties in getting COFs. When we were looking to buy a 5th wheeler or bus to begin a lifestyle of living on the road, we discussed the pros and cons of COFs and WOFs. We learnt WOFs were cheaper and easier to get than COFs, however the other side of the coin for us was - we needed a unit that we could live in full time, Bernie wanted lots of storage, plus we wanted head room so Bern wouldn't feel claustrophobic. 
Although our rig is brand new, we haven't had to take it for a COF yet. Nick, our agent in Tauranga who imports Heartland 5th wheelers, arranged the COF for our rig prior to Bernie picking it up. In the past we heard some 5th wheelers had failed COFs due to their brakes,(which were electric). Our rig has hydraulic brakes so we believed we'd be problem free.
So today when Bernie took the rig for a COF, we were confident it would pass. It had lots of positives ... new hydraulic brakes, it's a brand new rig, it hadn't been used much since the last COF......
BUT...
It was failed - due to it's brakes!

First Job for 2017

Next year I have a casual position working as a lab technician for a Marlborough Vineyard during their vintage season. The season starts Feb/March and finishes around May. 
Years ago I worked for the 'Apple and Pear Board' in their lab with their 'Just Juice' and 'Fresh Up' products. One of the quality control aspects of the job included actually tasting the juice every half hour. Mmmm, will working for a winery mean I get to taste the wine every half hour??? I guess, one can only dream.

So, it looks like we'll have February and March tiki touring before we make our way to Blenheim. While I'm working, Bernie wants to spend time replacing the rig's exterior screws and re-sealing them to make everything extra water tight. 

C.O.F Time

It's time to take the rig and truck for a COF. It'll be the first time we've taken the rig. It should pass easily as it's brand new and has hardly done any kms. However getting a COF has a reputation of being tricky and it's mainly to do with the brakes. We've heard that electric brakes cause hassles but fortunately for us our fifth wheel has hydraulic brakes which should mean we will have no problems. Also, we were lucky to have Paul show Bernie how to check the brakes before hand and keep them greased etc.

Greasing the bearing.

Now for my next goal...

This afternoon I spent a couple of hours at 'Isle Park'. I had my camera, so I was in 'my happy place" and I was clicking away. There were camellias, rhododendrons, magnolias, daffodils, poppies, azaleas and hints of buds on a variety of trees ready to burst into life. 
In a couple of weeks the park will be at it's prime. But today, I was thankful that I got to capture a photo that got on TV One Weather, which means I've reached my goal of having 10 photos on T.V.
Now, onto my next goal...

This is my #10 pic