For the most part, the Internet is full of... well, there's no other way to say it... Crap!

Yet, every now and then, you happen across a real gem of a concept. Something that really blows your mind. It's even better when you come across something that has real world application.

In this case, that something was the knowledge on how to make and use a wood gas stove. This simple device has the potential to revolutionize the way we think about making and using fire. The strange thing is that these things have apparently been in use for the better part of a century.

Many years ago I made the decision, not to father any children. It came damn close to being a decision of celibacy, but I'm a man not a rock.

I made this decision, many years before I got married.

To be honest, I can recall exactly when and where I made that decision. I can still see the play-ground around me, the "top" I used to play with, the music class-room I happened to be staring at, the noise of the "kids" around me, the horrid school uniform of Afrikaans Hoërskool Durban Noord.

It was a few months before my 13th birthday.

Once I start working, I have a tendency to push until I'm done. That's why you don't often see photos of my work while I'm halfway through any one thing. So when I stop myself in the middle of something, to take a photo, you know I was either amazed, ticked off, completely baffled or high on spray painting fumes.

In this particular case though, I was completely amazed!

Take a look at this:

Before I make any other comments, a word on the fiber-glass dash I'm improvising.

The two parts have been joined and as I don't have a picture yet, you'll have to take my word, that it fits beautifully.

My grandfather was a Gedore man, my father is a Gedore man, I was a Gedore man.
Today, I swear by Raco. Not the normal ones, it has to be the Super-Drive ones.

After a little demonstration at my favorite parts store, I simply had to have this set of tools.

This little toy has paid for itself many times over. The solitary hours in a garage can be tiresome, but with this little radio tuned to 567 Cape Talk Radio, I can work on my projects and listen to golden oldies, while keeping an ear to the ground with the regular news reports.

Yup, no updates for a long time, but I've been busy with things related to this project that are not worth mentioning here. Let's face it, I'm not going to show how I have put racks up in my garage, nor am I going to waste your time with pictures of me building a cabinet for my tools, so that Christn can move into a clean garage when she comes back.

This easter weekend however, I've managed to get back to the actual project.

You all remember this:

Between work, doing tax returns and other annoying interruptions, I have managed to progress. So here is the latest in what I've been up to.

Every type 3 Volkswagen owner knows that the one thing common to all these cars, is a cracked dashboard.
They always tend to crack ether at the dials or at the speaker holes. Either which way, they tend to crack in
a manner that makes it impossible to do a decent repair job on them... Yes! I have tried.

Based on this I decided to do a little experiment. I have a chopped up Fastback in my back yard. When I did

Yes I know, I've been more than just quiet for way to long. Unfortunately, I'm a subject to this thing they call reality. Here there are no magic wands and if you want something you have to damn well work for it.

I'm proud however, of what I've achieved over the last few months. Not only on Christn but also at work.
But this is about Christn so I won't bore you with the work details. One thing though, you will have to ignore the dates on the pictures below. They are completely wrong as the camera was not set correctly.

Yes, there has not been an update from me in quite some time.

No, I've not been sitting idle :D

First bit of news, is that my gearbox has gone there and back again. I had it overhauled at Bugger Transmissions. They have an incredible rap in the community when it comes to their gearboxes. I'm also lucky enough to know the owner personally. So there is no doubt in my mind as to the quality of this rebuild. Here are some pictures of the final product, awaiting installation.