The Skogstad blog!

Wanted mods to my Nissan Patrol 4WD!

2007-01-12T16:07:00.000+10:30

I've got a 2003 Nissan Patrol 3.0l turbo-diesel (Automatic) which I really would like to make ready for some serious tripping. Not sure if I ever will get there, but here are some mods that I would not mind throwing in there in case I ever get the $$$'s to do so:

Roller Drawers w/floor extension = BOUGHT!.
http://www.4wdinteriors.com/roller_drawers.html
http://www.4wdinteriors.com/floor_extension.htm (Seats in config)

ShippShare Car Top Tent = BOUGHT! ($3250).
I got the ShippShape Homestead used. Barely used.
http://www.shippshape.com.au/packages.htm

ARB Bull Bare = BOUGHT!.

StrongArm, dual-tyre carrier = ~$2500.

ARB Dual-battery system = BOUGHT!.

Nissan Original Snorkel = BOUGHT (~$500 fitted).

UHF system for the car = BOUGHT!

UHF antenna for the car (mounted on bull bar) = BOUGHT!

HF radio for the car = ~$2500/TBD.
http://www.barrettcommunications.com.au/900-pages/950-transceiver.html
http://www.codan.com.au/

Trek table for rear door = $200.
http://www.trektable.com.au/

TJM Fishing Rod Holder = $TBD.
http://www.tjm.com.au/Default.aspx?tabid=64

TJM Ox Air Compressor = $TBD.
http://www.tjm.com.au/Default.aspx?tabid=63
(Mount under bonnet)

ARB Water Tank = $TBD

ARB Long Range Fuel Tank = $TBD
http://www.arb.com.au/long_ranger_fuel_tanks.php

ARB Awning = $TBD
http://www.arb.com.au/awning.php

Hi-Jack lift = $TBD.
http://www.arb.com.au/jacks.php

ARB Tyreplier Tyre Repair Kit = $TBD.
http://www.arb.com.au/tyre_accessories.php

NavNet computer and GPS system = $3500.
http://www.navnet.org.au/
Accessories for the car computer system:

Wireless compact keyboard w/trackball (mouse emulation)
Wireless antenna

Sprint mount for wireless antenna

USB wireless adapter w/antenna plug

Nesa Vision NFM-8 - Wired FM Modulator

Cable to connect USB wireless w/antenna
Nesa Vision NFM-8 - Wired FM Modulator
Video cable to connect VDO unit in the back to screen in front

Christmas DVD 2006

2007-01-09T21:24:00.000+10:30

We just finished the Christmas 2006 DVD from down under the other day. It was my first try at using Apples iMovie and iDVD, and to be honest I did never expect it to be that easy. Just a testament to the fact that Apple sure puts useability in the drivers seat and is another reason I will continue to be an avid MAC phreak from now on.

I'm also going to convert the dvd into a Quicktime stream, and upload to our website www.skogstad.com. Got to check how easy it is, and if it is something I want to do the next time around.

One thing's for sure; it's not the last time I'll be doing this, and from now on I'll most definately be taking video clips alot more than I used to!

Cheers and all the best!

/Jorgen Skogstad

jskogsta's bookmarks on del.icio.us

2007-01-09T21:10:00.000+10:30

I've started to use the del.icio.us service from Yahoo. Looks really cool, and solves the problem of sharing bookmarks between several computers. Since I am using Firefox across all my computers, this solves a headache that I've had for quite some time. At least that I am hoping for .. so why not give it a go?! You can find my page on their site here: jskogsta's bookmarks on del.icio.us .. so enjoy! /Jorgen

4WD interiors is a site with lots of cool interior stuff for your rig!

2007-01-08T09:28:00.000+10:30

If you have a 4WD rig, and you want some good interior additions, this company produces some really good and interesting stuff. When I have some spare cash I am planning to extend our Nissan Patrol with some mods from them. The roller drawer system is interesting, as is the extended floor. Actually enables a proper sleeping area if need be too! :) /Jorgen

Car roof top tents are cool!

2007-01-08T09:00:00.000+10:30

Have a look at this car roof top tent.. it's pretty cool, but carries a hefty price tag. The one that sleeps like 5 people is just impressive. I want one! /Jorgen

Require a laptop stand for your car??

2006-12-19T19:18:00.000+10:30

Then this might be of interest: http://www.autolaptoplinkinc.com/ ... I've been thinking of testing out using my new mini ultraportable Sony Vaio 11.1" laptop in the car, but require a laptop stand. Rather than building one, this one seems like a good choice and quite frankly it's not very expensive! /Jorgen

Freighter Travel with Freighter World Cruises, Inc.

2006-12-10T08:02:00.001+10:30

Wow! This would have been a cool thing to do; travel the world on a freighter ship. Costs a lot less, and you get to see some places that you most probably would never get to. How about doing a 120 day around-the-world voyage? Will set you back 12-14.000 USD, but not that bad comparing cruise ships. So if you're restricted to a budget, it might be a good idea. Would probably have to stack up on dvd's, games, a few laptops, plenty of books .. but should be interesting!? Have a look here; Freighter Travel with Freighter World Cruises, Inc.

Thea by the River at Southbank!

2006-07-02T10:19:00.000+09:30

This is somewhat old, but still thought this picture of Thea by the river at Southbank was good. There was a Chinese festival on and she had her face painted. Looks pretty cool, right! If my mind's not escaping me, this was back in February or something. In any case, it was a pretty good day! /Jorgen

17th of May celebrated at the Swedish Church in Melbourne

2006-07-02T09:32:00.000+09:30

This years 17th of May we celebrated at the Swedish Church in Melbourne (Australia). As you can see from the collage the kids had a blast. Lots of Scandinavians.. well to be honest, there are not many around here.. so "lots" is relative, right! Alot of 'friends of Norway' were there too. All in all a very good day. I guess the only drag was the fact that we could not walk the streets of Toorak. The crazy thing here in Australia is that you need insurance to be allowed to to public marches like this. Can amount to quite a bit, hence the parade could not be done in public, but had to be done in the courtyard. Not the same, but still ..

.. and the last thing, we actually celebrated the 17th of May on Sunday the 21st.

/Jorgen

Australia has unleashed (!) a new ad campaign!

2006-03-14T12:25:00.000+10:30

Australia has just announced it's "Where the bloody hell are you?" campaign. It is well worth a look as it has some awsome pictures. I guarantee that you will want to go after looking at it! Have a look here ... Enjoy!

Thea likes water! Here at the National Gallery of Victoria ..

2006-03-11T23:56:00.000+10:30

Thea's always liked water. Seems like she's drawn to it. Anyways; here she is beside the fountaions outside the National Gallery of Victoria. We went there today and the best thing about it was that is was FREE! (Though the showcase gallery was charged - $36). Always a challenge going with small children to such places, but was not a "huge" problem. We ended up leaving early though .. for a walk in the adjacent park. In any case; NGV is value for money, that's for sure! Free! Wow! Enjoy!

We visited Melbourne's shrine of remembrance today ..

2006-03-11T23:51:00.000+10:30

We visited Melbourne's shrine of remembrance today. Wow! It sure makes an impression. It is really an astute symbol of remembrance. One of the better (best?) sites that I have seen .. I've heard the one in Canberra is suposedly the best, which I am looking forward to once we get there sometime. If you like war history and also if you are interested in ANZAC stuff; pay it a visit. Most definately worth it ..

2006-01-02T10:33:00.000+10:30

Nicolai eating chocolate during a roadtrip on the Mornington Peninsula (Victoria/Australia)!

I've published two papers that may be of interest (??)!

2006-01-01T10:04:00.000+10:30

For those of you that have any interest, I have published two papers which you can find here:

You can find some info about these two papers here too ..

If you find it interesting ... and want to send me some comments, notes, suggestions .. whatever; please do! Email me at either one of my email addresses: work - or - home.

Have a good one!

/Jorgen Skogstad

Happy new year ..

2006-01-01T09:49:00.000+10:30

Well, new year has passed; at least in some parts of the world. It's 21 minutes past the hour in Norway [look here] .. and like 10,5 hours past here in Melbourne [look here]. For those of us that are used to freezing our asses off and firing off rockets in the cold and icy north, doing new years in blistering heat is a whole different experience. The maximum temperature was recorded at 5:14pm at 42.9 [look here]! Holy smokez! Compare that to the -7 that they have back home - with - snow [look here]! Hmm.. even a few bushfires were going around [look here] .. oh well. Strange living in a wierd country [look here].

Here's some pictures from around the world:

Oh well .. have a good one .. and let's hope the new year will be good! /Jorgen

A huntsman spider in Thea's bedroom last night!

2005-12-31T21:31:00.000+10:30

This spider was in Thea's bedroom yesterday! I got it on my hand while I was closing the curtains .. freaked out, but no real worry as these are "harmless". They can bite, but they are not toxic and hence pose no real threat. They are called 'huntsmen spiders' and are 'good guys' and supposedly kills other (deadly) spiders. I guess you should be sort of happy that they are around then .. really! Good that Thea did not spot it. Now THAT would have been a crisis! Have a good one! /Jorgen

Nicolai tasting a cappucino at Victorias Market in Melbourne ..

2005-12-31T21:03:00.000+10:30

He sort of liked it, but still doesn't look like it was something that he will do all the time I guess. This was taken at Victorias Markets in Melbourne just before christmas. Oh well .. it was kind of neat.. though too hot for our liking being Norwegians and all. Guess we just have to cope. Don't have a chance since we're living here now ... oh well! Stay tuned! /Jorgen

Our house outside of Melbourne in Australia!

2005-12-31T20:59:00.000+10:30

Yes; here is our house just outside of Melbourne in Australia. We moved into it late September .. and are having a blast. Even has a swimming pool which is something entirely new for cold Norwegians. Oh well .. stay tuned for more stuff later! Cheers, Jorgen

Melbourne zoo today ..

2005-09-03T21:49:00.000+09:30

We went to the Melbourne ZOO today. Quite good; especially for the kids. Had all the standard animals and all. Nothing too special, but ok. Must admit that we've seen better zoo's around! In any case; got us the Victorian ZOO pass which entitles us to visit all the three major zoo's in the area. Could be quite good fun .. and I guess would be part of the standard touristy thing to do.

Got the standard Melbourne weather; sun in one minute and rain the other! We survived to live the tale!

This posting is just a test for blogspot since I've not used it "before" except registering for it. So, we'll see; maybe we could start using it?! ;)

Well, another time!

Btw; if you are interested we've posted some pictures. Have a look here: http://www.skogstad.com/pictures/Australia-03-09-2005-Melb-Zoo-and-home/

2005-01-16T22:00:00.000+10:30

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