Hello there. So you have come to have a look around our bus to see how on earth we live with four boys in a small space! Well, welcome.
Come on in. Please mind the gap! You okay on those stairs there? Good, good come sit, would you like a cuppa? Perhaps an espresso from our favourite ROK. No? Don't drink coffee? Never mind we have numerous herbal teas on board, which would you like?
So yes, as you can see, this is our lounge and our kitchen. Our newly improved bench seat and diesel heating system which we are loving. I'm sorry what's that? Is it always this tidy? Of course it is, are you kidding? We only have four kids living here not 10...(ha!) These blue bench seats are where the boys sit seatbelted for travels (much to their disagreeing selves). Under one seat we store all our boardgames, oh you like boardgames? Us too...you really outta check out this site to get your next favourite. A little venture Hamish set up long ago originally to showcase some web software but mostly just so he could get wholesale on the gazillion games he wanted!! Now his enthusiastic mates mostly run it as a bit of a co-op and we recommend it.
Under the seat here we have all our art gear - yes we enjoy a fair bit of creating round these parts! Then moving on through to the kitchen we have our pull out pantry drawers, 3 way fridge/freezer, gas hobbs and oven and our favourite coffee grinder - a score from a classy little second hand store in Omamara, Central Otago.
Through here you step into our second room. This is Hamish's office, yes I know 3 screens, what! And yes that is a drone....much fun, that and the Go-pro and we have got ourselves a very fun set up for capturing Aotearoa's beauty.
To our left we have the bathroom, flush tank toilet and full shower with great pressure. Then we have here the super king bed that we had in our house. Yup super king and super comfy. Under the bed we have a set of 3 drawers each for clothes. First time we've been wearing our clothes until they wear out before buying new ones!
Then if you follow me down here, mind the step, that's it, we step down into our third room - the boys bedroom. Yes, so we have the mezzaine up here for Mr 9yrs. Then there are two camping stretcher bunks for Mr 7yrs and Mr 5yrs and then over here is Mr 2yrs bed that folds up against the wall during the day to expand the play space. Here are their clothes drawers, 1 drawer each for all their clothes. And as you can see there is LEGO, lots of LEGO.
And now you can step out here, this back door, mind it' a fairly large step to the ground. Great that's it. There you go, you made it front to back. Any questions?? Thanks for dropping in.
Replies
Sounds like you have a great set up for you and the boys.
Did you build your bus yourselves or buy it set up that way?
If you built it, did you have the skills yourselves or did you get some help?
Lovely to have you on board! We bought the bus mostly converted from a chap who used to convert buses for a living. This was his own bus (previous to that it was a coach). He did some conversions to it for us before we got it. The back section where the boys sleep was a compartment where he stored his motorbike so we had that part insulated and lined. Then Hamish built the beds. We also had him install the blue seats and seatbelts. Hamish built the extra storage in the kitchen, his workspace, and did a heap of electrical installs of extra solar panels. He also did the heating system refit. He possesses many building, electrical etc skills from much DIY on our old house. Handy lad aye! We have utilised both friends and professionals for consulting/sign offs where needed. The current configuration works brillantly, esp. having 3 'rooms'. We spent a loooong time looking for the right bus for us & whilst it would have been fun to refit one (to get my own decor) it is a massive undertaking to do so & we were at the time renovating a house so that was enough on the go. Now my next mission is funky new curtains! Need to find a great curtain maker though! :-0
I just was showing off today's Facebook message to my husband and then I showed him your bus and then I got back in here and saw your coffee grinder. It's a Dutch one (like me)! Just wanted to let you know. Old fashioned but good stuff them old coffee grinders. Top!
Sort of p.s. One day when we grow up (i.e. when our boys finally leave home) we want to live in a bus too. Not just because we want to, but also because we won't be able to afford a house by then!
So, before then we'll be selling off our stuff, why drag it around when you can't take it all with you when you get really old and... well, you know :)
Anyway I always enjoy coming back here and reading up a bit, as that way I can dream a little, so Thanks for Sharing!