Home Free: Housetrucking In New Zealand...

Home Free is a great book written by Fiona Cunningham with photos by Chris Boult all about housetrucking in New Zealand.
Published in 1994, it's another of those iconic books that are getting very hard to find but it's a treasure worth searching for.
Here's some photos that will bring back memories for many of you living here of seeing these housetrucks in and around New Zealand.
Most are still on the road.
Some belong to folk of the Gypsy Faire which travels the country.
These were the days my friends, when the whole world was our backyard...

Declining And Derelict...

The Flying Tortoise is back in the laidback Far North of the country for a while.
Where the sun is always shining and one's soul is refreshed with things so simple.
I came across this delightful derelect the other day on the road to Kaitaia.
There's a certain respect that exists for places like this up here that nobody, even the graffiti artists and potential arsonists seem to violate.
They let things live and die, with dignity...

Housetruck Images From Rolling Homes...

Well I did say I'd share some with you and I'm sure Jane Lidz, the author of the wonderful book on homemade houses on wheels, Rolling Homes wouldn't mind.
Rolling Homes was first published in 1979. It is certainly a classic and what a thrill it is to see vehicles like these actually still on the roads.
Perhaps these images and others will inspire you to do something similar...

Thursday Night And Friday Morning...

It doesn't get much better than this does it.
The moon rising last evening and this morning's sunrise over the Karikari Peninsula in New Zealand's Far North.
I can't think of a place I'd sooner be...

Rolling Homes. What A Find!

I wandered into The Piggery, a favourite bookshop full of delights in Whangarei, yesterday afternoon and there it was.
Looking at me. Giving me the eye.
Saying come on take me now. I'm yours!
I opened the cover, curious but not caring how much the price was.
I'd waited too long for this beauty.
Louise behind the counter, saw the look of ecstasy on my face and carefully slipped Jane Lidz's classic book of Homemade Houses on Wheels, Rolling Homes, into a brown paper bag and I floated out the door.
It was my lucky day.
I'd seen the price for it on Amazon a few days ago. I got back to TFT and checked. Amazon have one new copy for $US281.98 and a few second hand copies from $US45.00
I'd paid the princely sum of sixteen New Zealand dollars.
But I'm not a selfish man, I'll share it with you...

The Gypsy Saw Doctor...

I met up with Steve the Gypsy Saw Doctor as I do every few months, usually at the Whangarei Town Basin where many roadies often park up for a couple of nights.
Steve's been on the road, towing his caravan for sixteen years, roaming around the New Zealand's North Island, stopping off at his regular clients, sharpening their saws and other dangerous blunt instruments.
He's a happy and contented man, without debt and with reduced outgoings, living a life of his own choosing.
He sharpened and set a wonderful old saw I'd bought recently for cutting up firewood, but more on that later...

Homemade Houses...

One of my favourite blogs is Moon To Moon where there's always a marvellous eclectic collection of things Bohemian, especially laidback living spaces.
I thought it was time to introduce you to this lady's lovely site. You'll find it at http://frommoontomoon.blogspot.com
I have coffee there every day...