Didn’t take long to save up enough for an inexpensive older van, version number one of the nomad mobile is a 1986 Ford E150 that came from the factory with a fibreglass roof for extra headroom along with a propane refridgerator and heater. The original fridge and heater have been taken out and using portable models instead, but the break-down table and fold out sleeping arrangements are intact and functional. It’s real nice to be able to stretch out at night when not house sitting, the Mazda Motel can get cramped after a few days.
The drive train is in pretty good shape for being over 20 years old: an oversize transmission attached to a “straight six”, one of the real work horse engines Ford produced. Good tires on the back, fronts will need replacing before winter and the starter motor has seen better days but still manages to crank it over with some TLC and a prayer. There is some rust of course, it’s a Canadian vehicle driven on winter roads so inevitable but not so bad that things are falling apart and this is just van version one so if I get a couple years out of it will be happy.
This evening I’m parked almost at the top of a hill near the edge of an ecological reserve on Bowen Island, the sun has made it’s path across the sky and the scenery is much nicer than at Cates Hill where I was house sitting earlier in the day. Was to be about a two week gig, but their vacation has been cut short with a death in the family and the house will be filled with relatives tonight. The same house sit may continue and at any rate they are paying for the entire time anyways wether there or not, which is really nice of them.
