Tag: series 2a
Spotted: 1969 Kit Companion
Vintage Kit Companion travel trailer parked in Qualicum Beach. Simple luxury from a simpler era, made in USA in 1969, sold in 1970. Louvered glass windows, a bed, couch/table/bed, gas stove/oven, cooler box, sink and hand pumped water tap. A rolling restoration which will be enjoyed as it is slowly repaired and returned to its…
Time flies
Summer is about halfway over, the light is beginning to shift. Enjoy the still and calm moments as they come––moments like years pass by never to return again. Hug the ones who are near you, we never know what tomorrow may bring.
Article: Classic Land Rover magazine
Forged Through Fire Classic Land Rover Magazine, August 2024 Words by Jan Hyrman with Dave Friesen, photos by Dave Friesen I think most if not all of this magazine’s readers will agree that metal can be shaped to create things that are by essence utilitarian but are beautiful to look at. Some, in our eyes…
Forging rovers
Rover steel knives are being crafted in conjunction with the artist-in-residence program at the museum this year––a tool for adventure made from a vehicle for adventure! Series spring steel has not changed spec since the first in 1948 and replacements today are even made with the same composition. The works in progress below are made…
Waterfront crew
Always enjoyable to roll down to the waterfront and enjoy the sunset as the season allows. Loading up the rover with friends and neighbours from near and far to share a moment together. The beach is quiet and cool at this time of year but spring may be around the corner.
Belting it out
A rattling noise that occurs at higher rpms near the top of each gear and may at first seem to be a dying mainshaft bearing or oil throwing wheel gone bad may in fact have a much simpler fix. Opening the bonnet whilst attempting to duplicate the behaviour reveals that the screeching sound seems to…
Craig’s Auto Camp
The late morning sun streams through into a clearing in the forest. The sound of the sea is in the distance and the flowers are blooming. For more than four decades starting in the 1930s for $1 per night road-weary overlanders could stay at Craig’s Auto Camp on the sea near Parksville. Today the last…
Northern rover
A chance meeting along a dark shore, good reminders of times long past, and encouragement for the future. A rare sighting of spectacular aurora on Vancouver Island. Not only visible, but under perfectly clear skies, dancing directly overhead, filling the skies, and including pink and red colours that are rarely seen this far south. See…
Blacksmith style jumpers
A simply-made d.i.y. set of heavy-duty jumper cables assembled from welding ground cables and clamps. Sturdy construction, highly flexible and wear-resistant, plenty of copper and a very strong bite for good connections. The negative clamps are differentiated by a coat of traditional tree-source urushi lacquer, normally used for Japanese sword scabbards. The two cables are…
Three poles
A location once known as “four poles” now down to three. The last remnant of a bygone era––now a landmark and meeting point. Most things change, some for the better, some disappear altogether, and some things remain. Keep a proper perspective and cultivate good fruit that remains.
Museum forge
One of the current projects at the Parksville Museum forge involves hand crafting knives from series rover leaf springs. Series spring steel has not changed spec since the first in 1948 and replacements today are even made with the same composition. The projects shown below are made from original 1965 series 2a steel by heating…
At the museum
Poppy is currently earning her keep hauling blacksmithing tools to and from the Parksville Museum. Generally on Saturdays from spring to late summer the forge is open and running knifemaking demonstrations in conjunction with the artist-in-residence program as the weather permits, which means a couple hundred lbs of tools need to be carted to the…
Secret drive
A lovely private drive winding in and out of the shadows of the forest on a sunny afternoon. A path beckons to one side, where might it lead? We are grateful for the invitations and opportunities as they come. Choose wisely, make the most of what is available, and steward it well.
Downtown Qualicum Beach
A couple of edited snaps from a slightly rainy afternoon on the downtown streets outside a skateboard art gallery event opening. Qualicum Beach is home to one of Canada’s oldest and most infamous skateboard shops, Skull Skates, and the town is in the process of building a new skateboard park.
Spring blossoms
A stop to enjoy the view and make a new friend on an island spring afternoon. The blue sky and fresh blossoms herald the new season. The winter has passed, the summer will come–until then, one day at a time.