Destination Viaduc: restoring a classic Volkswagen campervan (Part Two)

Posted by

Last week we traced the first steps of petrolhead Simon Thompson’s quest to restore his classic 1967 VW split screen. After four months of hard graft Simon achieved what had seemed impossible – to complete a full interior restoration in time for the van’s maiden voyage to the heart of France. In this second part we follow the couple as they head across the Channel.

Words and pictures by Simon Thompson

The journey begins

The hours of poring over maps and routes had finally come to an end, and my wife Louise, small bump and I set off from Guildford on Saturday 23rd of August at 9am. Accompanied by Doris (the satellite navigation device belonging to Louise’s parents) we headed for Dover in our trusty VW campervan, with only 92,681 miles on the clock. That mileage was at the forefront of our minds as we set off towards Dover, and thankfully we reached it with ease. It was a great relief, as frankly it would have been very embarrassing if we never made it across the channel!

While waiting in Dover for the ferry on a gorgeous sunny day, our Volkswagen created a lot of interest from passers by. All eager to peer inside the camper and ask questions as Louise and I relaxed in the back with food and drink and the fresh aroma of new leather. Amongst the interested spectators were four Americans who stopped to warmly appreciate the work put in. As we got chatting it turned out they were a US rock band called ‘Ruth’ on tour in Europe. Bonding with a vehicle which was once the choice of 60’s surf rockers, they gave us a signed copy of their latest album before we set sail towards Calais.

Champagne and camping

Once we reached Calais the next few days were mapped out to make maximum progress using toll roads. Rather than take a scenic route and risk the health of our untested camper, we decided to reach the Millau viaduct as quickly as possible. First stop was Reims, the home of champagne.

The gentle rolling hills proved the perfect nursery for our baby, featuring only one toll road which cost twenty euros. Our first problem on the journey appeared as it got dark. My wife realised that I had put the new headlights on upside down and the wrong way around. It was originally done to make them Euro compliant, yet they were fine under their original deployment – so off came the temporary tape!

The long and winding road

The next day was a Sunday and saw us head further south on some very windy roads. Our destination was Magny Cours, the historic Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit and on this day home to some motorcycle racing. A lovely run through winding roads saw our little van get plenty of ‘thumbs up’, smiles and tooting from passers by. The plucky camper managed to craw up some immense long hills, at times reaching peaks over 1100 meters. Yet the magnificent views were ours to enjoy.

The first night

The day came to an end in a little town called Sazeret, where we located a recommended camping site called ‘Le Petite Vallette’. There we settled, cooking our prize of super noodles on the stove for dinner, and the promise of sleeping inside the camper for the first time.

It wasn’t very comfortable – with my wife five months pregnant, I had to be gallant and settle for a third of the bed space. We settled down easily enough, and them something magical happened. The heavens opened overnight and the huge downpour made us feel well protected inside our sturdy VW campervan. After the rain storm we awoke to a lovely and fresh Monday morning, and we left as soon as I could get Louise out of bed…which was about 9:30am. And with nothing to pack away, and the country in front of us, we set off with hope for the final leg of our journey to the Viaduc.

Simon Thompson.

Enjoyed the second part of the story? If you’re a fan or owner of VW campervans you can join our Volkswagen Enthusiasts group here.

Devon packed with attractions

Posted by

Caravan enthusiasts have been encouraged to check out all that Devon has to offer.

According to holiday operator Parkdean, people often forget about the area’s fantastic attractions and tend to see it as a region famous for its beautiful vistas and beaches.

While Devon is a great place to enjoy a scenic bike ride or play in the surf, it also has a range of other things to do that should interest all the family.

Parkdean recommends visiting the Babbacombe Model Village, where even small children will feel like giants.

The more intrepid could head to Crealy Adventure park, which has just opened Vortex – “the biggest, newest and most terrifying ride in the south-west of England”.

Parkdean operates three sites in the area, with each offering accommodation, free entertainment and excellent facilities.

It suggested that families come and check out Ruda Holiday Park in Croyde Bay, Challaborough Bay Holiday Park in south Devon or Torquay Holiday Park for a great vacation.

Park Holidays UK ideal for golf fans

Posted by

British caravan site operator Park Holidays UK has pointed out how its sites are perfect for those who love golf.

The company, which runs a total of 25 parks, noted that each of its facilities provides access to courses.

Mark Twain may have described the game as “a good walk spoiled”, but golf is one of the world’s favourite sporting pastimes, according to Park Holidays UK.

“For those that enjoy this most simple-looking (yet endlessly complex) of leisure activities, Park Holidays UK offers a fantastic and diverse range of golf courses close to our 25 holiday parks,” the firm said.

It offers a number of special deals for its customers and lets guests play anything from pitch ‘n’ putt to a full 18 holes.

Each of its parks has links with local golf courses and those staying at Dawlish Warren can currently take advantage of an offer that enables them to play five rounds at the Warren Golf Club over the space of a fortnight for just £100.

Meanwhile, the company recently noted how its parks were perfect bases for those wishing to enjoy time in the great outdoors.

Haven to teach rock stars of the future

Posted by

Caravan enthusiasts taking their families to a Haven Holidays site will soon be able to have their children schooled in the art of performance.

The company has joined forces with West End star Paul Nicholas, who is to set up a special initiative for kids.

The Paul Nicholas School Of Rock And Pop will allow youngsters to pick up a guitar, bass, drums and microphone and show off their musical talents.

It is a follow-up to the star’s School Of Acting And Performing Arts, which was set up to encourage youngsters to indulge their creative side.

He said the equipment will allow kids to try instruments when they might not otherwise have had the opportunity.

“Some of the equipment for a rock band is very expensive such as drum kits and electric guitars,” Mr Nicholas explained.

The singer added that some may even be inspired to continue with their music education after their holiday.

Meanwhile, Haven recently noted a rise in spring caravan holiday bookings.

Park Holidays UK launches linked-up bingo

Posted by

Caravanners heading to Park Holidays UK sites this summer could be in with a chance of winning a small fortune.

The caravan site operator has installed facilities that allow guests to play bingo against other campers staying in different parts of the country.

So far, the total prize fund paid out is £62,000, with regular games for over £1,000.

A total of 20 parks are involved in the linked-up games, which have a nightly prize fund of up to £10,000.

According to the company, bingo has become one of the most popular pastimes in the UK over the past decade.

“More people attended bingo sessions than football games last year in the UK,” Park Holidays UK revealed.

“Celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Damon Hill, and Chris Evans are allegedly all big fans.”

The company also recently teamed up with wherecanwego.com – a website which lets users know of forthcoming events in the area in which they are staying.

Caravan firm Elddis expands offering in south-east

Posted by

Caravan customers in Kent and Sussex will now have greater access to mobile homes from Elddis.

The manufacturer has announced an expansion of its partnership with Sussex Caravan Centre, which it has worked with for the past two decades.

As part of the move, a second dealership will be opened on the border of the two counties, located on the A264 between Tunbridge Wells and East Grinstead.

It will stock a wide range of new and used touring caravans and will save those in the surrounding area a 40-mile drive to the existing Sussex Caravan Centre.

Co-owner Martin O’Neill explained that he is proud to have reached a level where expansion makes sense.

“We are delighted to be offering the new Elddis touring caravan range and to have been awarded Premier Retailer status,” he revealed, adding that the firm will be working closely with Elddis to improve value and choice for its customers.

Meanwhile, the Elddis Owners Club’s junior and teenage representative Naomi Robinson has raised more than £700 for the British Heart Foundation.

Park Holidays UK improves New Beach site

Posted by

Park Holidays UK has invested in its New Beach site in response to customer feedback.

The caravan site operator has constructed new facilities at the park that include a shower and toilet block.

The improvements may please those staying in tents and caravans and have already won praise from customers on ukcampsite.co.uk.

“I am pleased to say that there are new brick built toilet and shower blocks which make such a difference as the old portacabin-style ones let the place down,” the reviewer said.

They suggested that any customers who have been put off returning to New Beach should reconsider as the new facilities make a big difference.

Park Holidays UK added that it is committed to improving its facilities and that the work at New Beach is an example of this dedication.

Meanwhile, Park Holidays UK director Tony Clish recently questioned Gordon Brown’s decision to make Duncan Bannatyne a seaside tsar in the final days before the election, calling it a PR stunt.

Parkdean star on Britain’s Got Talent

Posted by

Holidaymakers who have stayed at one of Parkdean’s caravan sites may recognise one of the contestants on Britain’s Got Talent.

Paul Burling has emerged as one of the favourites after wowing viewers and judges in the early rounds of the competition.

But Parkdean revealed that it has known that he was talented for more than a decade as the impressionist has worked as an entertainer at many of its parks.

Piers Morgan went as far as to say that Mr Burling was the best impressionist he had ever seen after he mimicked the likes of Harry Hill and a number of cartoon characters.

After beginning as a Parkdean Trouper at Mullion Holiday Park and Sandford Holiday Park, the impressionist went on to star as a circuit act and regularly performs at Parkdean sites.

He was even on stage at St Minver Holiday Park on Saturday (May 15th) when the latest edition of the talent show went on air.

“Everyone at Parkdean would like to wish Paul the best of luck in the next stage of the show,” the holiday operator said.

“We hope that all our customers get behind him and he gets the break he well and truly deserves.”

Meanwhile, Parkdean recently drew its customers’ attention to the plethora of stunning beaches in Devon.

BBC presenter Christine Bleakley reverses a caravan on The One Show

Posted by

It’s not often that caravan stories make prime time television, so you can imagine our delight at Caravan Times when the BBC One flagship programme The One Show decided to make caravans their feature yesterday. Most notable of all was the closing segment where popular presenter Christine Bleakley was featured in a contest against her co-anchor Matt Allwright to see who could successfully reverse a caravan.

The magazine programme began the item with former Countdown presenter Carol Vorderman as their very own roving reporter to investigate the caravan phenomenon. With the recession thousands more caravan campers are set to take to the road this summer, and the One Show was on hand to dispense some useful advice for first-timers.

Vorderman quoted a disquieting statistic: last year there were 160 caravan accidents, an average of one every two days. With this in mind she spoke to Tim Booth of the National Caravan Council to garner some caravan safety tips.

He offered five facts about caravanning to get you started. Firstly, almost anyone with a driving licence can get started with the hobby. Secondly, he warned drivers of the risk of bald tyres on their caravans and the importance of checking them. Thirdly, heavy items should be loaded correctly, placed low down and close to the axle. Fourth was the importance of extension mirrors, required by law. And lastly, Booth told viewers to simply enjoy caravanning!

The main feature of Vorderman’s study however was the unwelcome but common occurance of “trailer sway”. Otherwise known as “snaking”, the BBC prepared a caravan loaded incorrectly in order to demonstrate the dangers. Stunt driver Alistair Moffat was on hand and deliberately drove the caravan and trailer comibination to 40 mph and “just the point before jacknifing”. Moffat warned against the common practice of increasing speed to combat the force of this sway, and suggested that keeping the caravan straight and easing off the gas was the best method.

The climax of the shower however was Christine Bleakley versus Matt Allwright in the caravan reversing challenge. It took place in the car park of Television Centre in White City and Allwright had difficulty locating reverse gear before parking successfully within a inch of knocking over the cones. Bleakley also struggled initially, at one point exclaiming “I don’t know what way I’m going now!” as she adjusted to the mechanics of reversing a trailer. However she too finished triumphantly to end the show on a high note.

Click here to watch the episode of The One Show (originally broadcast Wednesday 12th May 2010)

Classic caravans on show this weekend

Posted by

This weekend vintage caravan enthusiasts are in for a treat after a unique collection of classic vehicles goes on display this weekend. The entire Carlight Collection of handbuilt caravans will be available to view at Tattershall between May 15-16th. The Carlight firm was founded in the 1930s and the firm will display one caravan from each decade of its history until the present day.

The Sleaford Standard has reported that further treats are in store for fans of vintage vehicles, as alongside each caravan will be a classic car from its period in history. Examples include a 1950s Jensen 541, a 1960s E-Type Jaguar, a 1970s AC 3000 ME, a 1980s Bentley Turbo, and Maseratis from the 1990s and 2000s.

Robert Hodgson is the director of Sleaford-based J Hodgson and Sons Ltd, organisers of the show. He is most importantly a grandson of the founder of the Carlight firm. The family are not only owners of the business but in addition hold the copyright, patents and trademarks, together with moulds for most of the classic Carlight models. He spoke to the Standard about the surge in interest. “The vogue for vintage caravans looks set to grow, with increasing numbers of people returning to caravanning as a flexible holiday pastime.”

“Pairing classic cars with vintage and historic caravans adds another dimension to the pastime, and a whole range of club and touring possibilities. The restoration of older caravans continues to attract enthusiasts. Now they will be able to see these classic caravans with equally impressive classic cars together in one unique display.”

The oldest caravan on show is a 1930s Carlight Light Four model, which was purchased in 1935 by a doctor and kept in family ownership until 1989. Handed down from father to son, it was used regularly until it was purchased for the Carlight Collection. While the company no longer produces caravans, the company is said to be working on designs for a new model. It is rumoured to be a follow up to the last model designed by Robert Hodgson, the Carlight Commander IV.

Those curious can see all the vehicles above on display at Vantage Caravans Ltd, 57 Sleaford Road, Tattershall, Lincolnshire, LN4 4JG from 9am-5pm (Saturday) and 10am-4pm (Sunday).

VIDEO: Bailey Caravans explains Alu-Tech construction (Part Two)

Posted by

In the first edition of our two-part look at the new range of Bailey Caravans, we speak to Simon Howard about the technology behind the Pegasus and Olympus. It was in the autumn of 2009 that the Pegasus made its debut, with Bailey fans curious about the pioneering technology underneath the skin called Alu-Tech.

Developed by Bailey in Bristol after an intensive research and development period, it incorporates a system whereby the individual body shell components contribute to the overall strength (rather than traditionally relying on the floor and chassis). Furthermore the other main benefit is to reduce the opportunity for water to enter the structure.

In this edition Caravan Times hears from Bailey marketing director Simon Howard about the rigorous testing each caravan undergoes, and we get a sneak preview into the future of Bailey itself.

If you’re a Bailey owner or a fan of their caravans, you can now join our Bailey Caravans Group by clicking here.

You can also click here to share your thoughts and experiences of Bailey’s new Alu-Tech construction.

Another caravan used as polling station

Posted by

Brits up and down the country turned out in their millions to vote in last week’s (May 6th) general election.

However, while most headed to schools and community centres commandeered for the event, residents in a Scottish glen used a more mobile form of polling station.

According to the Press & Journal, those living in and around Coulags, near Lochcarron, cast their votes inside a caravan.

The polling station has been run by elderly couple George and Jessie Mackay for more than two decades and welcomed voters for the important event last Thursday.

The couple, aged 78 and 80 respectively, dealt with the 60 people on the electoral roll and manned the caravan for 17 hours.

Lady Barbara Welding from Achnashellach Lodge told the newspaper that she thought it was “just the most marvellous setting [in which to] cast your vote”.

The UK is currently facing the prospect of a hung parliament after election results showed no party was capable of forming a majority. This week has seen talks progress between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats to form a coalition capable of running the country. However yesterday’s resignation statement from Prime Minister Gordon Brown has opened up the prospect of involved talks between the Lib Dems and Labour. You can keep up to date with developments at politics.co.uk

No Comments

filed under: News

Tags: