

Yesterday we had sleet rain and 6deg outside, today sunny and 17deg. Our rain fall is down around 50% this year and last year was the same, even though it rained a lot it was mostly misty rain.
Today started to weld the new axle on the sidecar, but had to stop as my welding helmet failed and couldn't see the job, just the glow of the weld spark. Have taken the 18 inch wheel and cut 3/4 inch axle off, got a 250mm long square stub axle, 13x5 inch alloy ford wheel and lazy hub to lower the sidecar and welding the axle on top of the axle support instead of on the side. That will drop the sidecar 75mm and a further 28mm by moving the axle to the top of the 10mm wide support arm. To make it stronger cut 2 pieces of 25mm wide steel and was welding those together when the helmet died, which sent my welding all over the place because couldn't see the job. But the helmet is over 25 years old and a cheap ebay one, will get a Michigan pro helmet which just happens to be on special at total tools in Hobart on Thursday when go shopping.
During the rain yesterday, stripped the sidecar of all the aluminium strips, bogged up the holes and sanded it down. Got 2 samples of candy red paint for the body, sparkling purple for the flames and some gold for flame tips. Going to experiment with those in a couple of days to choose which red to use, as the reds are different, may ghost one red on the other or airbrush it on to form deeper red stripes. It'll end up with about 8 coats of clear coat to get that glass look hopefully,
But that won't happen for a short time as we are off to Aus for a short 2 weeks next week to do a couple of gigs and one for a muso friend celebrating his divorce, should be a wild time as his parties are always wonderful events, considering the majority who turn up are musos and there's heaps of jamming, which includes kids as well. We put stacks of instruments into one lounge room and the kids go for it, this time it will be grandkids as the kids have all grown up and in my case, it'll be great grand kids bashing away. The adults jamm in the studio, or if there's a lot, in the other lounge room.
For any interested, the new Tas ferries when they are put into service, will have cabins where you can have your dogs with you. They gave me a flyer with an application form because of the amount of times I catch the ferry with my dogs, which includes priority booking for the dog cabins. Not that it means much, as whoever books first will get those cabins, but it may help. However they are yet to say how much it will cost, which may put many off including me if it's expensive, now dogs cost $25, but I only pay for one and they stay in the car, as they hate the kennels.
Enjoy your ramblings on the road and here, certainly enjoy mine
