willow5075
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Willow & the MOTH
Posts: 355
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Post by willow5075 on Aug 7, 2015 9:11:44 GMT 10
Glad to hear we're not the only ones! And final hilarity was the young girl at a fuel stop, I walked in to pay and there was a chap talking to the cashier, clearly about the van so Isaid , it' was made in 1946 to which the young girl exclaimed " oh that's so gangsta!" In an admiring tone of voice so Sunny has new nickname now Gangsta Girl!
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willow5075
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Willow & the MOTH
Posts: 355
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Post by willow5075 on Mar 15, 2016 8:57:29 GMT 10
Realised I've been a bit tardy withe the pics so here are a couple  Coober-Pedy Couldn't work out how to Sunny close enough - lots of restrictions  Uluru-Sunset This was a great free camp - EXCEPT it rained overnight and we nearly got bogged - early hours pack up in the dark before it got any worse  Bush-Camp Kata Juta  KJ01 Cannonball Run Memrorial  Site of the Cannonball Run Tragedy |
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willow5075
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Willow & the MOTH
Posts: 355
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Post by willow5075 on Apr 24, 2016 20:37:39 GMT 10
After the big trip to our red centre, we took Sunny to Canberra and then on to Sydney again for New Years Eve - this trip was not without some hiccups and Sunny twice had to have some work done on her undercarriage which basically .....broke. We noticed it broken in Canberra and limped into a caravan park which turned out to be a godsend. The maintenance guys in the park helped to weld some braces underneath to bolster the frame and this fix got us to Sydney but alas after a very pleasant stay there, we were making our way to Cowra and traveled on some lf the worst so called paved roads we've ever been on and as we entered the town of Temora she had been shaken so much that the first fix had failed. Thank goodness for a great little engineering shop where she now had some large pieces of steel welded to her with spot welds all alone that has made her very strong now.  Running repairs at Tenorma by Caroline Lloyd, on Flickr This enabled us to move on to Cowra, Echuca and Cuurlwa and complete our holiday |
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willow5075
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Willow & the MOTH
Posts: 355
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Post by willow5075 on Apr 24, 2016 21:00:52 GMT 10
Following the work we had to do on Sunny she needed some internal repairs done at the from end so she is getting some modifications. We have decided to remove the top bunk and convert the lower bunk into a small banquet (one seat either side) this will drop down to form a single bed if required, The MOTH has started work and we'll be re-using a lit of original material (wherever we can) and we have sourced nice piece of old 50's laminex for the table top. We are planning a 3 week trip around Tassie as the end of August so it needs to be ready for then. The hardest part has been drawing a line and saying no more trips until the work is done .... We also plan to have a new annexe made for when we are travelling so we can keep the original for events when the van is on show. It's suffering a bit from use and we want to keep travelling so something has to give. After our eventful Sydney trip we have also been one a number of short trips to the Clare Valley, free camping on the Murray near Purnong where we also revisited Teal Flat which is shown in the movie we have from Sunny's early days. Along with that we have had a couple of weekends at Palmer related to the Palmer Sculpture Biennial including a day on the gate! It was very hot weekend so we were very grateful or the reflective paint on the roof which helped to keep the heat down a little. There's a great free camp at the Palmer Cricket oval if you're passing that way  Breakfast in Palmer, SA by Caroline Lloyd, on Flickr |
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moth
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Post by moth on Apr 25, 2016 12:34:59 GMT 10
sunny,s renno,s are underway, recycling some of sunny,s timber and utilizing a 1950s cabinet with vintage red laminate , even has built in ware and tear,lol and oak framing.  Untitled by artform42, on Flickr |
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BlueBird
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Monica and Shaun
Posts: 209
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Post by BlueBird on Apr 26, 2016 23:48:05 GMT 10
Hi Willow and the Moth, I've just discovered your thread tonight and have to say that I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it and seeing your great photos and videos. So sorry that you've probably received so many notifications from me today LOL  It looks like you're really enjoying your van and having some amazing experiences and holidays in it, which is fantastic to see. I look forwards to seeing more from you both and hopefully catching up one day on the road. Monica |
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willow5075
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Willow & the MOTH
Posts: 355
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Post by willow5075 on Jan 9, 2017 21:21:51 GMT 10
Well it's been a while since we posted here - the work above has been well and truly completed and looks a treat as well as making the van just that bit more useable and comfy for travelling.  New table by Caroline Lloyd, on Flickr Sunny has been having lots more adventures since this last post. Xmas 2015/16 - Trip to Canberra then Sydney We also travelled through Cowra and Bathurst Here she is in pole position  Pole-Position by Caroline Lloyd, on Flickr Sunny has been overseas to Tassie - here she is in front of the big koala near Dadswell - you'll notice she is sporting some stripes now, we felt she needed just a little bit of "bling"  Untitled by Caroline Lloyd, on Flickr Getting on the ferry  Untitled by Caroline Lloyd, on Flickr In the town of Zeehan  Sundowner at Zeehan by Caroline Lloyd, on Flickr And our Xmas 2016/17 trip was to Victoria Start of the trip at the Bordertown Recreational Lake  Sundowner-at-Sunset by Caroline Lloyd, on Flickr |
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Post by cardygeorge on Jan 10, 2017 19:50:17 GMT 10
That dining area looks ah-maze-zing!!  You guys have done a great job! |
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willow5075
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Willow & the MOTH
Posts: 355
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Post by willow5075 on Feb 24, 2017 21:06:09 GMT 10
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willow5075
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Willow & the MOTH
Posts: 355
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Post by willow5075 on Feb 25, 2017 9:22:49 GMT 10
Introducing "Billie" Holiday Maker A Ramsay holiday maker - originally custom built for Jack and Freda Taylor in the very early 1960's, then purchased by the Walker family, who had it for about 12 years and now us - so we are third owners again - I think 3 must be our lucky number. Billie is 18ft, duel axle and includes a bathroom! She needs quite a lot of TLC but has very good "bones". Also with the van, original notes on requirements and the working plans which clearly went through several iterations before the final design. Billie also has a removal table with two legs for using in the van and 2 extra legs to use outside the van as a normal table along with folding upholstered chairs.  Billie on the Truck by Caroline Lloyd, on Flickr  Untitled by Caroline Lloyd, on Flickr  Untitled by Caroline Lloyd, on Flickr  Untitled by Caroline Lloyd, on Flickr |
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willow5075
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Willow & the MOTH
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Post by willow5075 on Feb 25, 2017 9:24:13 GMT 10
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willow5075
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Willow & the MOTH
Posts: 355
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Post by willow5075 on Feb 25, 2017 9:35:32 GMT 10
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willow5075
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Willow & the MOTH
Posts: 355
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Post by willow5075 on Feb 25, 2017 9:40:39 GMT 10
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willow5075
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Willow & the MOTH
Posts: 355
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Post by willow5075 on Feb 25, 2017 11:14:04 GMT 10
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Post by Mustang on Feb 25, 2017 17:54:00 GMT 10
Think you are needing an extended car port??
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Post by cardygeorge on Feb 26, 2017 10:08:17 GMT 10
Wow! That's quite an upgrade! Sunny's not a small van, unless she's parked next to a Holidaymaker!  |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 27, 2017 22:01:16 GMT 10
Wow, Willow5075, What an interesting van you've just acquired. That Ramsay is very different to any of the others we've seen or heard about, and is obviously later than any other as well. I've noted your comment that it was custom built. Fantastic that you have so much info about it's history already. We'll look forward to reading the posts about its restoration as you progress, Don Ricardo |
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willow5075
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Willow & the MOTH
Posts: 355
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Post by willow5075 on Feb 28, 2017 19:45:20 GMT 10
Wow, Willow5075, What an interesting van you've just acquired. That Ramsay is very different to any of the others we've seen or heard about, and is obviously later than any other as well. I've noted your comment that it was custom built. Fantastic that you have so much info about it's history already. We'll look forward to reading the posts about its restoration as you progress, Don Ricardo I Yes, it's quite different to the one in the history section, clearly much later. If he stopped in 1962, could well be one of the last he made. Reno will take some time, the MOTH has house reno's to do first! No rest for the wicked 😀😀😀😀😀 |
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moth
New Member
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Post by moth on Mar 13, 2017 16:11:10 GMT 10
Hi Don Ricardo, re the date of the holidaymaker ,the gas cylinders are stamped 1960,but I have also come across an electrical compliance certificate dated 1962 ,as this would not have been Required annually,I suspect it dates the van on its completion,that being a stong possibly and given that it seem's Ramsay vans stop being manufactured in 1962 it would place it as one of his last , ps really looking forward to bringing her back to life ,her being "Billie"holidaymaker,cheers the Moth
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willow5075
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Willow & the MOTH
Posts: 355
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Post by willow5075 on Apr 20, 2018 14:55:03 GMT 10
Over a year since we posted any adventures! So here are a few of our trips over the last twelve months. Meninige Meetup Oct 2017 - with her new annexe  Meningie Vintage and Classic Van Meetup 2017 by Caroline Lloyd, on Flickr With Xmas lights in Cowell  Untitled by Caroline Lloyd, on Flickr Among the throng at Birdwood Motor Museum - Australia Day long weekend  Untitled by Caroline Lloyd, on Flickr We have set ourselves a target to have "Billie" ready for the October Meningie Meetup - she wont be finished but we'll try for "usable" |
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willow5075
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Willow & the MOTH
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Post by willow5075 on Apr 20, 2018 15:23:21 GMT 10
Oh and we are about to embark on a trip across the Nullabor in a weeks time - should get some good pics on the way!
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willow5075
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Willow & the MOTH
Posts: 355
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Post by willow5075 on Nov 6, 2018 12:36:57 GMT 10
In May of this year we took Sunny over to WA – she went really well and we had a great time, travelling mostly in the SW corner through Esperence, Albany, Mandurah then up through Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie on the way home. KIMBA  What a Galah! by Caroline Lloyd, on Flickr  Untitled by Caroline Lloyd, on Flickr IRON KNOB  the "Marion"
Iron Knob by Caroline Lloyd, on Flickr BORDER VILLAGE  by Caroline Lloyd, on Flickr Free camping on the Great Australia Bight  Front seat view by Caroline Lloyd, on Flickr  Untitled by Caroline Lloyd, on Flickr NULLABOR  Sundowner with Whale by Caroline Lloyd, on Flickr  Nullarbor by Caroline Lloyd, on Flickr NORSEMAN  Untitled by Caroline Lloyd, on Flickr YORK  Untitled by Caroline Lloyd, on Flickr  Untitled by Caroline Lloyd, on Flickr COOLGARDIE  Coolgardie, WA by Caroline Lloyd, on Flickr |
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willow5075
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Willow & the MOTH
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Post by willow5075 on Nov 6, 2018 12:41:19 GMT 10
And an update on Billie - she is waiting patiently while the MOTH finishes a piece of sculpture and some house reno's so we missed our deadline for this year's Meningie meet-up but we'll try for the next one. The delay has given us time to think the changes through and from an almost complete gut job we have come back to a much less radical change. We think it will preserve a lot more of her current style while still giving us the comfort we are looking for. So far, the MOTH has stripped out the upper bunk and the old cushions from the front couchy/bed so we've made a (small) start! |
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willow5075
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Willow & the MOTH
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Post by willow5075 on Nov 21, 2022 11:16:50 GMT 10
Wow 4 years since I put an update here. A lots happened ..Covid restrictions messed up lots of plans for us like many others, then there was a nasty broken leg(moth) and finally a broken wrist (also MOTH) but life goes on. Still working on Billie, she has been started and when the MOTH can get his log in sorted he might even add some pics! We’ve just returned from the SA Meningie vintage van meet, fun as always but the weather wasn’t very kind so it was bit more low key than previous years.
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Post by Don Ricardo on Nov 24, 2022 15:37:18 GMT 10
G'day Willow5075, It's great to hear from you again, although I'm sorry to read about the trouble the MOTH has been getting himself into! Sounds like you need to get some big packs of cotton wool to wrap him up with!  I'm glad to hear you've been pressing on with Billia. It will be great to hear about your progress and see some photos. Don Ricardo |
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