Whoops. Klaus And Susan's Go Anywhere Tiny House On Wheels Very Nearly Wasn't Going To Take Them Around The World. Or Anywhere...

It wasn't a good look but Klaus and Susan's Go Anywhere Uni-Mog had to be renamed The Go Almost Anywhere Tiny House On Wheels just a couple of days ago.
Before we leave this beautiful place let's go for a drive on the beach said Klaus. No, we'd better not said Susan. But if you absolutely have to, then do it darling she said, not wanting to be a party pooper. Or to throw cold water on the idea.
Unfortunately, the high tide was visiting and the wet and loose stoney beach was not the best place to be in a heavy vehicle with highly inflated tyres. This beach is no respecter of reputation.
And Klaus was about to learn that their much acclaimed Go Anywhere Vehicle was really a Go Almost Anywhere Vehicle.
Or maybe even a Go Nowhere Vehicle.
The Sunday drive along the beach could have been costly and their around the world voyage might easily have floundered on the shores of the Napier coast.
It seemed every man and his dog came to watch the drama and fortunately Kim, the man for all seasons arrived and soon had a local winery owner and his heavy machinery organised.
The crowd was treated to seeing the art of getting a Back Hoe Excavator off and on the back of a truck and the Uni-Mog returned to higher ground.
And Susan and Klaus were treated to an unexpected beginning of their journey on the road less travelled.
But they'll learn to expect the unexpected...

Klaus And Susan's Go Anywhere Tiny House On Wheels Is Taking Them Around The World...

I met up with Susan and Klaus recently at Haumoana, freedom camping in the Hawkes Bay. They're a month into their first year and a half voyage around the world in their specially built Uni-Mog.
Klaus is a locksmith by trade but he's much more than that. He's built their tiny home on wheels which is a masterpiece of engineering and creative innovation.
Hydraulic rams lift the roof allowing ample access to the massive bed with its base surrounded by flush storage compartments. There's storage everywhere here and some very clever ideas have been thought of to use every available inch of space. Susan, a doctors assistant in real life and Klaus have worked very well together to come up with a very unique home on wheels.
The 1984 Mercedes once destined for active duty in Kosovo but ending up never seeing a war zone has only done about 15,000 kilometres.
It carries 300 litres of fresh water, 300 litres of diesel, its black tank holds 180 litres. Having run out of time at home in Germany, they're adding the solar components here in New Zealand which will augment the large capacity alternator and the 3 kva generator.
There's two 180 amphour AGM batteries.
A massive rear storage locker contains all their toys, outdoor furniture and portable bbq.
Keep a look out for these two intrepid travellers.
They're lovely people...