Ian and helga go south !!

jtp890 said:
Re post ok to use Los Pinos if you stay a while.
Re wild camping, Gardia used to call most mornings, as long as we kept chairs and bbq on beach and kept area tidy they were happy. Seems they are happy with motorhomes to park up and sleep anywhere including promenades, but as soon as you put chairs out its classed as camping and a no go.Pulled onto car park adjacent Cordoba old town, several vans parked, upset attendant by putting chairs out and having a cuppa, suitably chastised he told us ok to sleep overnight but no chairs.
Keep up the posts
Jim
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Thanks Jim , all info gratefully accepted, Ian.
 
Evening all!! Well today by Spanish standards it was chilly, I had to wear a hat!! Ok,so I started the patio area, got the roof on and a couple of mosquito net panels up,, but it is a bit of a struggle because I'm using all the scrap materials that are lying about!! Old timber mostly, odd sizes etc but it is a challenge!! Below should be a pic of how I'm doing..... Oh and Jo has had her first indoor shower tonight, 12v pump and a bucket of hot water, works a treat so I'm well pleased it works for her!! ( saves her using the tree) !! image.jpegimage.jpegimage.jpeg
 
Looks fabulous Ian.

Good job.

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Here's some news and I could do with a bit of advice???? A woman came to see Jo today who has been here in Spain a good few months, she has bought a casita( I think that's what she called it) it has a collapsed roof and crumbling walls!! She said she has not ever stayed there but she has a Spanish builder doing all the work,,, she also has a job house sitting a few miles away and is staying there,, she has bought a caravan from an English couple that is apparently riddled with damp at both ends, she has stripped all the furniture out except the kitchen and bathroom in the centre and has a Spanish carpenter making all new seating for the van, benches beds etc,,,, now while she was with Jo I assume she asked Jo how much her work was costing her, I don't care if Jo did or didn't tell her but she came out to me where I was working and asked me if I could do a days work pulling both ends of caravan out, and fixing damp probs and then reboarding in pallet wood??? When I said why don't you ask the carpenter you have working in there to do it she replied you have tools and I don't????? Now most of you know I don't mind helping out but I can't shake the feeling she doesn't so much need the help, but wants it done cheaply?? And I have never worked on a caravan before but I can't see it only taking 1 day??? What do you think? Am I being too suspicious??? Ian.
 
MMM hard one perhaps somebody is trying to use you
 
ianthebuilder said:
Here's some news and I could do with a bit of advice???? A woman came to see Jo today who has been here in Spain a good few months, she has bought a casita( I think that's what she called it) it has a collapsed roof and crumbling walls!! She said she has not ever stayed there but she has a Spanish builder doing all the work,,, she also has a job house sitting a few miles away and is staying there,, she has bought a caravan from an English couple that is apparently riddled with damp at both ends, she has stripped all the furniture out except the kitchen and bathroom in the centre and has a Spanish carpenter making all new seating for the van, benches beds etc,,,, now while she was with Jo I assume she asked Jo how much her work was costing her, I don't care if Jo did or didn't tell her but she came out to me where I was working and asked me if I could do a days work pulling both ends of caravan out, and fixing damp probs and then reboarding in pallet wood??? When I said why don't you ask the carpenter you have working in there to do it she replied you have tools and I don't????? Now most of you know I don't mind helping out but I can't shake the feeling she doesn't so much need the help, but wants it done cheaply?? And I have never worked on a caravan before but I can't see it only taking 1 day??? What do you think? Am I being too suspicious??? Ian.
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Say you'll think about it but set off on your holidays ! You deserve it!
 
I've repaired one + I've done the overcab on the motorhome & it'll take you more than a day even if you had everything to hand.
Pallet wood ? A sheet of embossed hardboard would make it look better & not cost a lot.

P.s.
If it is a 'casita' then normally it is what is allowed to bebuilt to work the land when the irrigation water had to be done at night. Usually a bedroom/salon, something to use for cooking, a toilet & sink. Not legally allowed to be lived in permanetly.
What you normally see on "Place in the sun " when manda/Jasmine is saying "can easily be extended " :LOL: Round here casita means shed/outhouse etc.
 
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golly said:
I would just say you have no experience of working on caravans, and that you are heading further south. You deserve some "you" time.
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Agreed, or put in a ridiculous quote . That's what Ralph does , if he's not wanting the job. Then if he gets it , he fits it in. Eventually !
 
Hi Ian little or no chance of curing damp in a caravan in a day -A week or two if lucky =Strip out inner walls dry out and replace any wet/rotten timber framing insulation etc then refit everything and rewire/plumbing etc
terry
 
Absolutely agree. I smell a bargain hunter. Take your holiday.(y)

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Hi
best to stick with what you know best -building work. A days pay on a damp caravan could end up taking you a week.
You obviously have your doubts about the caravan job anyway-gut instincts and all that, matey:eek:

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The Dude said:
Apart from the fact that you deserve a break and to enjoy some R & R that you have worked so hard for, I would imagine that if you do take the work on you will have a seriously p*ssed off Spanish carpenter lurking. Don't do it!
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Puddleduck said:
Who may make trouble and problems for you in the future.

Just say "NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!"
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I was just returning to point out what @The Dude & @Puddleduck have posted.As well as possible problems from the Spanish builder she has working on her Casita.
 
Hi Ian
The difference between the two women is that Jo didn't know what you would charge ----she struck lucky-----------this one knows you are a soft touch and is, perhaps, taking advantage of it-------maybe she is not so lucky------BTW you didn't say what she looks like---is she free???;):reel:

You don't NEED to do it-------we know you would enjoy the challenge of saving a caravan-------but you deserve a rest---your new life is a HOLIDAY--------------this is your new life---forget about the pressures of the past-----------------that repair could turn out very tricky------but do what YOU WANT TO
Nigel & Pamala
 
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Ian, wouldn't touch it if i were you, she seemed to be happy enough for the local chap to do it before talking to Jo.
Get yourself off and enjoy some fun time for yourself, you could always change your mind if you have a csh flow problem ;)
 
Sounds like her Spanish Chippy would charge much more so She wants to get it cheaper. Let Existing Chippy do it or if you want the challenge; I'm sure your up for it, just help him out but let it be his job. I'm sure I would be cheesed off if I was doing a job and someone brought in someone else to finish it. Gut feelings are often the best so go with it.;)

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@ianthebuilder, Ian, I can't comment on taking on the work for the "other woman".............not having seen her yet ;) , but with regards to the caravan................... from what you tell us all above, I wouldn't touch it with a disinfected barge pole. :eek:
Honestly Ian, stay well clear, as it will be a time consuming, and a totally unsatisfying job. There will be only one winner with that one................and it won't be you. :(
You've got better things to do with your time.......................even if you don't know quite what they are yet. ;)
Don't commit if you want to enjoy your time in Spain/Portugal.

Good luck,

Jock. :)
 
working on old rotten caravans is a very fiddly and frustrating job. unless all the rot is removed, and you can only see a tiny amount from just looking, then restoring the structural integrity, it will collapse like a house of cards.

There is a very good reason damp repairs take experts weeks to do. not a good idea to get involved. cheaper in the long run that they buy a better caravan
 
Yes your all right of course,,, to be honest I could do with a bit of a holiday, I have been in Spain since 15th December and I haven't seen the sea, or had a drink yet!!! Im actually looking foreward to having a break ,,,, cheers all !!!!

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