We're taking the 'van away for Christmas. Six nights on a C&MH site then one on daughter's in law's drive as they're hosting a family get together.
Need it at home for a few days prep so went up to the storage yard yesterday to collect it. Turned out that from Monday 12/12 until early Jan they're open by appointment only. Appointment made for this morning.
Berlingo and garden weather station agree that at 09:30 it was -5. Got defrosted with surprisingly little effort except that aerosol de-icer was reluctant to leave the can which was cold enough to risk frostbite!. Remember why I usually have a trigger pack but temperatures here are rarely low enough to need more than tepid water to shift ice.
Got to the yard - first there since Monday's snow - and got into the 'van with no problem. Hitchlock too some jiggling with to free off as did the hitch itself. Major problem though was that the nose compartment door was frozen solidly shut. Motor mover control, drill fitting to retract steadies and the stand by manual crank for the steadies all in the nose.
Managed to cobble a device for the steadies with the car's wheelbrace and hitch up manually and solo - a while since I did that. The bayonet latch on the 13 pin electric connection was also frozen but eased with a bit of handling.
Got 'van home and managed to get it onto the drive - I'm actually beginning to get the hang of reversing the outfit. Reversed process to lower steadies.
Next problem was that the battery box where the mains hook up resides was also frozen solid. Mrs B's hairdryer sorted the lock and allowed the box to be prised open..
MAx/min thermometer in 'van says min temperature was -8, we've observed before that the storage yard is a frost pocket. Heating's been on for about 2 hours and internal temperature is up to 14. Will get it up to 18/19 and then set it on the thermostat.
Everything inside is completely cold soaked including the cans/bottles of food that live in there so we're OK for late arrivals etc. Olive oil is solid. Hopefully it'll all warm up and dry out by the weekend...
|
