This weekend, I’ve been helping Tim to Rivet the final skin on the wing. I’ve been in and out of the garage helping out with the odd job here and there, but this was a proper big chunky job that required me having a lesson in riveting. And let me tell you, it was….riveting!! Haha, just a little RV widow’s joke there.

Anyhow, it took us about three and a half hours in a joint effort to get it all done and apart from getting my hands covered in yellow goo (JC5 joint sealant so I’m told), it wasn’t half bad. It’s not exactly shoe shopping but it’s not the dentist either so I’m ok with it.

In all seriousness, Tim has been totally committed to getting out there in the garage, no matter how cold or how bad a day he’s had and the momentum has been going day after day, I really do admire his commitment to this project, I couldn’t do it. It’s taking shape and I can’t believe that we’ll be flying off to Spain one day in something that I’ve just been bashing together in the garage!

I did think this was a gigantic task and pretty scary to undertake, especially in view of the fact that Tim did tell me that as a kid he was rubbish at air fix models and basically this is a very big complicated air fix model in my eyes. However, that’s the thing about having a passion for something, you just have to do it. So, girlfriends, wives and partners, get ready with a listening ear (and believe me, some days he may as well be talking to you in Urdu!), endless cups of coffee, sympathy and get used to no more buying shirts for birthday presents – compressors and tools become the order of the day. I am beginning to understand – it’s killing my nails and they’re full of goo but it’s worth the look on his face when I come out to really lend a hand where it’s needed.

You’ll hear more from me soon……I’m sure.