Day 2. Outside is still bitterly cold with a fair wind whistling between the garage and the house...the two buildings focus the blast of cold air directly onto the side of the caravan that I will be working on today. Brrr. however, it's not going to rain today so I can crack on with the work.

I have struggled to find a way to disconnect the panel from the inside front of the caravan and failed so I decided to take a look at the outside to see if I can work out how it is fixed. I think that if I remove all the trim from the sides and front (which I will have to do anyway at some point) then I will be able to peek under the aluminium and see if I can reach the screwheads. Thats when I notice this...

Close-up

Pinholes all along the metal above the window! Is this never going to end? By now you must be wondering if I took my guide dog with me to buy this van. I must be the ultimate first-time-buyer/sucker. I have too much faith in human nature, and even now I refuse to believe that the last owner knew the extent of the rot. Still, I have the buggering thing home now, so best make the most of it.

Most of this day was taken stripping off the trims and cleaning all the old mastic up. By the time I had done all this it was getting on for tea-time and the sun was streaking towards the rooftops and horizon beyond. Nothing left to do but tape up the seams so that water doesn't get in....did I hear a snigger? Yes I know the inside is already damp...but I am drying it out :)

Duct tape is such versatile stuff. Don't start a job without at least one full roll of it to hand. Best get two, you would be amazed how handy this stuff is.

To be honest, by this point I am wondering if I can get this van back on the road at all! Every time I look at it another fault appears. As I write this all I can see ahead is a pile of work and tasks that I have never undertaken before. It is a daunting thought to be sure.