Thursday, September 3, 2020

Caravan Improvements #3

 

I added a gas fuse between the gas bottle and the caravan appliances. It can also be used to detect gas leaks.

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Caravan Improvements #2

 

Simple but effective - a level glued to the frame. But I did make a mistake - when the frame is level the bench inside the caravan is not quite level so I must compensate.

Tuesday, September 1, 2020

Caravan Improvements #1

 I have made several improvements to my caravan.

The original jockey wheel was solid rubber - the rubber split under load the first time I used it. Maybe the rubber was perished.
The replacement jockey wheel is steel with a rubber rim - it can withstand a larger load. The crank motion in the vertical plane is easier to operate than the original in the horizontal plane. The wheel diameter is larger so it is easier to push around. It can also lift higher than the original.


Joan Boynton - Who are you?

 


I love this illustration by Joan Boynton. I bought it second hand. At different times the moon, the clouds and the water reflections have caught my attention.

I know nothing about the artist.




Monday, August 31, 2020

Sci Fi Art

 


When I was a teenager the most exciting science fiction book covers were painted by Chris Foss.
I purchased a book of his illustrations and cut it up to make wall of exciting science fiction illustrations. I had to steel myself to cut up such a great book.




Sunday, August 30, 2020

If it works...



When on holiday, the caravan mixer tap became stiff and was difficult to turn on and off. Armed with my plumbing tools I prepared to disassemble the tap and investigate the cause. I turned off the water pump. I turned on the tap to release the pressure and turned it off again - it was easy to operate. I checked again with the water pump on -it was working fine.

I put my tools away. There is an engineering rule I learned as as a student - If it works don't fix it.

Saturday, August 29, 2020

Sunda to Sahul

 

The cover of the board game.

The clever interlocking pieces.

Australian designed, Australian made and no longer available.

I found the game in a Vinnies second-hand shop. The shape of the pieces allows them to interlock - very clever.

Board games are physical. Handling and clicking the pieces into place is a delight.



Gas Lighting

Gas lighting was nominated as word of the year yesterday by Mirrium-Webster. When I look it up, the source of the term is nomin...