September Summer

We're enjoying a prolonged summer at the moment. This September is officially the driest since records began.  So it seems only right that we should make the most of it and take Buttercup for some last minute camping before it gets too cold. 

I should point out here that Buttercup though running like a dream still has a dodgy (ie not working!) heating system.  This is often the case with these old vans.  Because the engine is air cooled and at the rear of the vehicle by the time the air passes through the heating pipes to the front it is generally luke warm at best. And if like us, you suspect the pipes are riddled with holes the air is just plain cold.  Perfect for summer but not so perfect once the temperature starts returning to the normal for this time of year.  One of Dom's many jobs on his to do list is to try and fix this.  As I have yet to travel in a late bay VW that has fully functioning heating I'm not holding my breath!

Anyway, back to the blog...Last Saturday, the weather was gorgeous so we took the decision to pack up the van and head quite literally for the hills. We had to be back by Sunday afternoon but the sun was just too tempting. For once we actually had a plan of where we were heading. Well Dom knew.

I have to confess here and this will come as no surprise to readers who know me that my sense of direction is appalling! I can generally remember routes once I've travelled them a couple of times but show me a diversion sign and ask me to use my navigation skills and I'm useless.  Added to this is my car sickness which is made one hundred times worse if I even attempt to look at a map. Because of this, Dom and I have struck a deal now. I always drive on the way to our destination which means any map reading is done by him.  He drives on the way back and as he is like a homing pigeon we have a good chance of making it back.

Dom had found a lovely spot on the map so off we set for Llyn Brenig in North Wales.  This is a reservoir that was first filled in 1979 and is now the fourth largest lake in Wales. There is cycling, fishing, sailing and walking all with beautiful views.

               

What struck us both as we set off around the edge of the lake was the quiet. It was really still and peaceful and there were just a handful of other people there.  We'd spotted a beach on the other side of the lake and this is what we were aiming for. The closer we got to it the less people we saw until eventually there was just the two of us (oh and Lamby of course).

At the beach, there were some mini cliffs made from the rock that had been cut away to form the reservoir.  They made an ideal seat and allowed me to take some more photos of the surroundings.

                 

It was so quiet, we could actually hear this little stream running into the lake. That is until the quiet was rudely shattered by some people on motorbikes. I can see why the roads around here would appeal to bikers but we were enjoying peace and tranquillity. As they passed we heaved a sigh of relief and continued to enjoy the view.  Unfortunately, these bikes were determined to drive up and down the same stretch of road repeatedly for the next 20 minutes.  I know the country is there for us all to enjoy but I wanted them to disappear and leave the countryside for just the two of us. Selfish? Maybe but I'm sure anyone else who'd been there would have agreed!

That aside, we continued to enjoy the lake complete with our very own Ducks and Drakes competition which I won! I do believe the winning bounce count was 7.

There was just time for one more photo as the light changed before we headed back to the van.

We'd already passed our potential resting place for the night earlier in the day so all we had to do was pick up some frozen potato waffles (who says camping is glamorous) to accompany our dinner and we were set for the night. I should point out here that waffles are not something we eat on a regular basis, but they are easy to cook when all you have are a grill and hob.  

The evening was spent overlooking a valley and enjoying a glass of red. Even Lamby got in on the act.

         

And with views like this from your bedroom window what could be better?

Having a van is fantastic! I feel truly blessed and lucky that the sale of my old flat has allowed my dream to become a reality.  Our little weekends away might not be everyone's cup of tea. For some people an ideal weekend is a stay in a 5 star hotel with luxury on tap.  I can see the appeal of that too but there is something quite special about packing up and hitting the road. Sometimes you have a firm idea of where you are heading, sometimes you make it up as you go.  To sum up having the van and getting away for little trips is a simple life but undoubtedly a good one.

Surround Sound

After our most recent little trip in Buttercup, we've spent the last week or so tinkering and doing bits.  Well obviously, when I say me, I really mean Dom. I fully admit that the dream of owning a VW van again was mine and not his. I fully admit that part of the reason this dream is now a reality is because I knew I could rely on him to help with the maintenance.  But hey, he gets to enjoy lovely weekends away in her so he's not complaining.  Due to Dom's tinkering we now have three major improvements to the van and they shall be detailed below.

Air Filter

Our little van had been sorted by our mechanic but unbeknownst to him or us, the air filter was not functioning properly. We discovered this while we were away last time when we found it rolling loose in the engine bay. Despite repeatedly re-attaching it and it seeming firm the same thing happened once we'd travelled any distance.  This meant that our old friend the chugging had returned, a horrid smell of fuel filled the cab, she kept stalling at the lights and the power seemed pretty naff.  Look we know we're not going to get 70mph out of her but we were hoping for 50!

So on our return, Dom set to work.  Remembering an old tip from someone who repaired his bike once he came in search of coke can.  This is a bit like looking for a needle in a haystack in our house. We don't drink coke! In fact we don't drink fizzy drinks full stop!  However, a dig around in our tin/can recycle box found some old Pimms cans (they don't count as fizzy drinks!) and Dom headed for the engine bay with his tool kit.

I wish I could tell you exactly what he did but I can't. All I know is the Pimms can was used to create a lining between the air filter and the pipe (?) it needed to sit on top of. This lining made for a snug fit and hey presto the van now runs like a dream.  If there are any VW fanatics reading this who want a more technical explanation please get in touch via the comment box.  We now enjoy journeys without stalling, chugging or lack of power. We motor along smoothly and can even tackle up hills in fourth gear... The moral of this story - drink Pimms and upcycle!

Bespoke Divider

Under the rock and roll bed is a large storage area.  This is perfect for our wellies, walking boots, shoes etc. However, the Power Management system for van (the thing that powers the fridge, water pump etc) is also located here and as we all remember from our Science lessons water and electrics don't really go.

Dom has been like a man on a mission selecting a piece of wood he could adapt into a divider.  Not one to be troubled by a problem like two separate pieces of wood that were too small, he set about making joining brackets, sawing off a corner so it fits snugly against the shaping of the area and attaching said divider to the storage box.

And while he has been busy doing this I have been able to blog, write, sort things for my business, get the weekly shop and generally get on with whatever I needed to.

Key message here - if you are passionate about owning a van, make sure you or your partner is passionate about Van DIY!

The Stereo System

Music is very important to both of us.  I listen to music all the time.  My music taste is eclectic with everything from Abba to Led Zepp nestling in my collection.  As for Dom, he's a musician and although he doesn't actually listen to as much music as me (and certainly not with the same wide choice) he likes to listen to his music on quality speakers.  

Buttercup came with a stereo so we asked the Camper Shak to re-position our speakers in the front cab and Dom bought an amp to make sure the sound would be even throughout.  As Buttercup's original stereo didn't appear to work, we ditched it. Luckily my dad and brother chipped in and bought me a new stereo (with DAB!) for my birthday.  Now it just needed fitting.

And this is where the issues began.  The wiring system in Buttercup left a lot to be desired.  Between Mike from the Camper Shak and Mark the mechanic they must have removed about 10 metres of unnecessary and useless wiring from various parts of the van.  They both said there was lots more to be done to tidy it up. And this was Dom's next job.

Despite being pretty handy with electrical stuff, nothing had prepared him for the random wires, connectors and strange bulbs he found.  More wire was stripped out and eventually we were left with the bare essentials.  Armed with a soldering iron, two steady hands and some help in the form of my slightly terrified and shaking hands we set about hardwiring the stereo in. After what seemed like forever the stereo was switched on...and we had sound!

Hurrah! 

We were so delighted we took her out for a spin just so we could listen to some decent music on a decent sound system.

We know that this isn't the end of the jobs that await us (well Dom) but at least now he can listen to music as he works!

And on that happy note, I'm off to make sure that our supply of Air Filter linings is kept healthy! Cheers!

Birthday Weekend in Buttercup!

You may recall that our last trip was cut short due to coughs and splutterings and general loss of power.  On our return we took Buttercup to Mark at www.mscprestigegarage.com who went out of his way to make sure she was fit and well for our planned trip last weekend.  This wasn't just any trip though, this was the weekend of my big 4-0 birthday so we really wanted to be able to celebrate in style.

Thankfully, with fully working indicators and horn and a cough that had been soothed we were able to load up and head off.

Our destination for Saturday afternoon was in the North Lakes so we decided to get half way there on the Friday night and do the rest of it in the morning. Having spent my Uni days at Charlotte Mason in the Lake District with a second year at Lancaster Campus I had only really used the A6 to get as far as Lancaster.  Well let me tell you, this is a mighty pretty road to use.  If you are in a car and in a rush, the M6 makes more sense but if you have time to spend and a vehicle like Buttercup who won't be rushed I can definitely recommend it. With limited drama, we found somewhere to park, cooked dinner and enjoyed a glass of bubbles that we had kept cold in the fridge we now know how to work.

The next morning we decided to continue up to the North Lakes in a leisurely manner. The weather was kind and a quick look at the map showed us we could go via Haweswater before ending up at the Hesket Newmarket country show (more of that later). Haweswater is a beautiful, quiet lake that's not really on the tourist route.  There is one road in and out that leads down to a small car park. Downhill in a van like Buttercup is great, engage neutral and coast.  But we knew that climbing back up that road would be quite a demand so what else could we do but go for a walk to allow her time to recover?!  And this is what we saw...

                               

As you can see, it's gorgeous! It's so unspoilt, quiet and off the beaten track. The running water actually sounds loud!  There used to be a village in this valley but it was flooded some time ago.  On a beautiful summer day it seemed idyllic but I would imagine it's pretty unforgiving in the winter.  The thought of living down here centuries ago, with only footpaths over the mountains to Shap when you wanted to bury your dead really shows how resourceful, brave and hardy humans can be.

From here we continued on our journey.  The road out of Haweswater wasn't as bad as we feared and Buttercup tackled the gradient and bends very well. Driving her is so different from a modern car.  Every bend has to be anticipated in advance, your feet dance permanently between brake and accelator.  The dilemma of keeping up power versus taking bends at a safe and sedate pace is ongoing.  It's certainly not dull!  And so we climbed up and continued on our way to the rendezvous with relatives at Hesket Newmarket. We just had time for a spot of lunch before we headed to the show ground itself.

I grew up in a seaside town that borders agricultural life but nothing had prepared me for the show we were about to enjoy.  It was packed with every kind of cow imaginable, sheep of every colour and terrier racing! Yes, you read that correctly!  Terrier racing! Basically different types of terrier dogs are lined up by their owners and then have to chase a foxes brush (as it is the country I can only assume it is a real one) while the said brush is wound in using a contraption that is basically a bike!  This is serious stuff.  Owners were keen to take part and much preparation was going on at the start line.  Dogs being dogs, there were several false starts and some dogs who really didn't want to do anything but run around the audience, sniff and leave their mark, but eventually the first race got under way.  The compere was hilarious and really should have a show of his own. I couldn't possibly capture his brilliance but possibly some of the funniest things uttered were

"Peddle harder Michael, they're catching you!"

"Oh now I've stood in something soft. These are new boots too with new grip.  I'll be lucky to get that out by the end of the month"

"My money's on that grey b&%$#r, he'll win see if I'm wrong!"

Genius! 

I've attended a few summer fayres in my time but this is the first time I've seen a real marrow contest, best entry by an OAP, and best egg category. I felt as if we were extras on Midsummer Murders or Miss Marple. Thankfully everyone remained alive this time.

Having spent a very enjoyable few hours, it was time to head off once more. We had yet another rendezvous to keep on Sunday in Saltaire so we had some miles to cover.
Driving over from the Lakes to Yorkshire is really spectacular.  The countryside is beautiful and when the weather is sunny (as it was for us) I defy anyone to find a more beautiful place than the UK.

I won't say exactly where we stayed on Saturday night as somethings should be kept quiet but let's just say that it was somewhere between Hawes and Hebden Bridge.  This really was how we'd imagined camping in the van to be. A quiet place with a beautiful view. My birthday was on Sunday and I can't think of a better way to wake up than with a view like this from your window...

                               


 In true camper style we even headed to the river for face splash!

And this sums up why having a van is so special. I love the freedom we have. Although we had a rough agenda this weekend how we got to each place, where we stopped for food and where we slept was very much down to us. There's nothing wrong with plans but a van gives you the freedom to just try things.  If you take a wrong turn does it really matter?  In this country there's only so far you can go anyway. 

A lot of people have asked if I have regretted buying an old vehicle that has already cost a fair amount to do up and will almost certainly cost me more as the years go on.  My answer has been the same for them all - NOT AT ALL!

And when you look at the pictures above, who can blame me.

The First Trip!

So our lovely van was finally ready! We picked her up last Thursday and began the big pack!

Finally after packing everything essential for a few days away we got on the road at lunchtime Friday.  This blog charts that first adventure.  I have to warn you now that it did not go quite according to plan...

Cut Short

It seems strange to start a blog with the end of the story but it will help to put the time scale into context.  Originally, the plan was to be away until Tuesday.  We'd stocked the fridge, filled the cupboards and brought all the clothing necessary for a normal bank holiday weekend in Britain.  That's right everything from bikinis and swimming shorts to waterproof trousers and jumpers.  

So much for the original plan.  By Saturday night we were back in Liverpool as Buttercup was chugging, spluttering and generally making it perfectly clear that she was NOT happy!  

The journey home was interesting to say the least.  Due to non-working indicators (she's having them mended as we speak), Dom and I had to utilise the human indicator function every time we needed to move. You may recall that the weather was not really conducive to opening a window and sticking your arm out.

Buttercup was vocal in her dislike of the hills of Derbyshire and refused point blank to go any faster than 20 miles an hour up hill with the accelerator firmly to the floor.  At one point the poor motorists of Derbyshire found themselves stuck behind not only us but a tractor as well!

The real highlight of the homeward journey was in Ashbourne where Buttercup decided to stall at the lights on a hill.  If you've ever driven a VW camper you'll know that the handbrake is in a weird place.  Basically, it sticks out of the lower part of the dash and when fully on is directly in the way of the gear stick and first gear.  Which is unfortunate as the gear most needed when the handbrake is on is of course first gear!  With much grappling, balancing of clutch, and spaghetti arms it is possible to move off quite smoothly but not when you stall and then discover the accelerator pedal has hit the deck! Picture the scene, a stream of traffic behind me, the accelerator pedal stuck to the floor, the handbrake and gear stick doing a dance and the prospect of not being able to get her going again.  I may have uttered a word or two that can't be repeated...

Luckily, Buttercup did restart despite Mr Impatient in the Audi TT behind us (Yes we broke down and got in your way but believe me it wasn't planned!) beeping and we got home in one piece.

But this isn't the whole story, this is just the setting of the scene. You see we were away for aprox 36 hours but as you are about to find out, it was packed with some weird and wonderful moments.  Enjoy!

Arbor Low

Having set off on our journey with Buttercup we were looking forward to trying out all the gadgets.  The first stumbling block was the fridge.  Dom had loaded the fridge with a small bottle of bubbles to toast Buttercup with the night before but for some reason, the leisure battery had taken exception to this.  Mmmm, we'll have to work out what we did wrong as with a fully charged leisure battery, the fridge should work for 36 hours without charging. Result - luke warm bubbles and a battery to charge up!

We didn't have any clear idea of where to drive to.  We literally got in the van, crossed the Runcorn Bridge and headed vaguely in the direction of the Peaks.  This is the true joy of a van.  You don't need a set route or destination.  Everything you need is with you apart from the toilet but more of that later.

As you may have sussed out by now, I am a bit of a hippy at heart.  Of no particular religious persuasion, I tend to describe myself as a Pagan (without the sacrifice bits!), Spiritual Hippy with Buddhist tendencies.  Make of that what you will but basically my maxim is treat each other well and look after the planet.  Imagine my glee when Arbor Low stone circle appeared on the map.  Even better it's English Heritage of which we are members.

This stone circle is quite literally in the middle of nowhere and you have to cross a farmer's land to get to it.  It's amazing to think that thousands of years ago, neolithic man used it as a centre for their ceremonies and life events.  Now there are just sheep and the occasional tourist to be awe struck by the surroundings. Either way, it seemed fitting that our first trip in the Hippy bus should include a visit to one of the most important stone circles in England.

Jamaica Inn

Moving on from Arbor Low we decided we should find somewhere to stop for the night.  Having checked out a few places we found a nice wide lay by across the road from a pub.  Perfect!  The last toilet break of the evening would be sorted and we could even enjoy a little drink in the process.

We quickly realised that the lay by was on a bit of slope to one side which meant that the pop top had a bit of a drunken lilt to it.  We also realised fairly quickly that we had chosen the only road in this quiet part of the country that was the equivalent of the M1.  Not only cars but trucks and tractors thundered past.  As I was standing up to get something, one truck drove past with such force that the pop top shook, wobbled then fell smartly down on my head! That's the second time that pop top has caused me damage...

We were starting to resign ourselves to a noisy night. But first we had to cook.  Dom, like many men, loves gadgets.  Tools, equipment, camping stuff all bring about a glow in his eye.  I can't stand cooking at the best of times so when Dom wanted to be the first to try the new cooker, I didn't stop him! With the aid of our newly fitted, swing out cooker (which has not been swung out yet due to wind, rain or both) we enjoyed a feast of Spaghetti carbonara washed down with a lovely glass or two of red. The sun was setting as we finished this feast, the van was relatively warm and we were feeling very satisfied.

 

          

About 9.15 we decided to head over to the pub and enjoy a drink before using their facilities.  As we walked up the side of the pub, I glanced in and saw several people enjoying a cosy drink. By the time we got to the door of the pub it was no later than 9.20.  9.20 and yet there was the unmistakable sound of a turning key.  We tried the door and it was locked!  The next instant, the door was unlocked and the landlord announced in less than friendly terms "We're closing!"

"Oh blimey are you?" I asked in a sort of surprised way but was considerably more surprised by his response of 

"What did you say?" which was uttered with a distinctly threatening undertone.

"Er I just wondered if you were open, I don't suppose I could just use your toilet could I?"  I knew this was a long shot but he did actually agree.

Leaving Dom to the mercies of the scary landlord I quickly slipped inside. Upon returning, I was very glad to see that my boyfriend was still alive and in one piece.  I don't think I've ever been so glad to leave a place in my life.

Something very dodgy going on there.  Don't know what and don't want to know either but it felt as if we were paying a visit to Jamaica Inn! (Great book by Daphne du Maurier)

It was precisely 9.35 by the time we got back to the van so the only thing to do was have another glass of red before turning in for the night.

Life in the Lay By

I can't pretend it was the best night's sleep I've ever had! The trucks seemed to hurtle past all night.  The tilt meant I spent most of the night squashed against the side of the storage. And then the rain started.  Not just light rain, but real, proper bouncing rain that even managed to drown out the sound of the traffic at times.  It was almost a relief to welcome daylight and decide to get up.

Having drawn back the curtains and enjoyed a bit of breakfast, it was time to think about moving on.  Buttercup isn't a fan of cold starting.  It's best to let her run for a few minutes before driving her so I started her up and hit the accelerator.

The cows in the next field obviously thought this was another cow calling them as they all started to head towards the fence.  First one, then two and then a whole row of them all looking at us as we looked at them. A couple of them even mooed in reply!  Just as we thought the whole field of cows was going to join us a welcome diversion in the form of a rabbit sent them running to the other side and we drove off before they could miss us.

Splutter, Cough, Cough

And not long after this, we felt Buttercup start to complain. We made it to Sudbury Hall and had a lovely morning there but by the time we had limped to Carsington Waters it was obvious that Buttercup's bad mood was not going to shift anytime soon.  Reluctantly, we headed for home.  And now she's back in the garage having her indicators sorted and hopefully her cough.  Fingers crossed we'll be back on the road in her this weekend...

Buttercup Goes to the Ball...She

She's Ready!

The day has finally arrived!  Buttercup's face lift is finished and we went to collect her at 4pm.

This has been my dream for 10 years.  The sale of my flat in London has made this purchase possible and I'm made up.  The thought of all the miles of open road, adventures and new places waiting is heartwarming and exciting.

When we arrived at the Camper Shak, we could see the front end of Buttercup, almost like a child who waits at the window for their parents to return. Externally, she hasn't changed so the big reveal of inside beckoned.

Wow!  What a transformation. Cast your mind back to last week's blog with dingy cupboards and tatty upholstery.  The big reveal was everything we could have wished for. And for once, I'm going to let the pictures do the talking rather than my pen.  Today's blog is very short as we are heading off on our first adventure soon.  There will be more shots to follow, this is just a flavour so until the next installment, here she is! Enjoy!

Demolition Day!

Today we are off to visit Buttercup at the Camper Shak where she is undergoing her make over.  Because of this, it seems an appropriate time to describe the couple of days leading up to the day we handed her over to Mike and Diane.  Here goes...

Demolition Day Arrives

Having spent weeks choosing cupboards, cookers, fridges, flooring, upholstery and curtains we had one major job left before we took her in - we had to strip her out!  All the old cupboards, curtains, carpets and other fittings we no longer wanted had to be removed. Although the Camper Shak would have done this for us, we decided we'd like to have a go at it ourselves.

Surprisingly, this summer has actually been pretty good by British standards. There have even been days when it has been deemed 'too hot'!  The week leading up to Demolition Day was full of days like this.  It was scorching!  The pressure and heat had been building and the threat of storms was definitely in the air.
Having woken up that Friday morning I was writing in my office which was bathed in gentle morning sunlight.  Anyone who writes will tell you that it can be pretty absorbing. I don't know how long I'd sat there but I suddenly became aware that the sunlight had been replaced by thick, black clouds and the rain was bouncing off the ground. Not only that, Thor had decided it was play time and for the next hour a storm raged above our house.  At times it sounded as though Thor was indeed, banging his hammer directly on our roof.  Brilliant! This was our one day to clear the van and we were going to be soaked, hit by lightning or both!
By the time we set off to collect Buttercup from the garage, Thor had become bored and Apollo was doing his best to get back on the scene.  This clash of interests meant it was muggy, close, sticky and downright uncomfortable.  Despite this, we got Buttercup back to Southport and onto my dad's drive way.

 

Hammers at the ready...

Funnily enough, neither Dom or I have stripped a VW camper of its fixtures and fittings before so we had no idea what to expect.  Arming ourselves with the work man standard of tea, hammer and screwdrivers we made a start.

First out were the old curtains and carpet. I was surprised just how easy the carpet was to remove. Thankfully no nasty glue was holding it in place and once the seatbelts under the rock and roll bed had been untangled it just came out in one easy piece.  Can't say I'm sorry to say goodbye to either...

                                      

      

The next job was to get the old units out.  Dom was tackling these and again was surprised just how easily they came out!  It was a bit alarming just how flimsy they were.  It seems a miracle that the cupboards hadn't just rattled themselves loose over the years.  The one thing of real quality though is the original cooker, a little Flavel number.  It's in great condition and Mike is going to incorporate it into our new swing out cooker unit.  So despite the heat and mugginess, Dom managed to remove the units pretty quickly.

                  

 

By now we were extremely hot, sticky and more importantly starving.  But one more job beckoned before lunch could be devoured.  The pop top (which is original) was in need of a really, really, really good clean.  Years of muck, dust and who knows what else had clung to every bit of the canvas.  Only one thing would be strong enough to tackle this...Cillit Bang!  Let me give you a piece of advice.  Should you ever find yourself needing to clean the canvas on a pop top, don't do it on the muggiest day of the year.  Spraying and cleaning in those conditions was like having an indoor shower that just didn't get you clean!  Grim was most definitely the word!

Once that was done and lunch had given us a much needed energy boost the last remaining job was to remove the old speakers.  I have had nothing to do with the sound system as this is Dom's area of expertise.  He would rather listen to nothing than listen to music through rubbish speakers.  Having inspected the old speakers they passed the stringent test but still needed to be removed as they will be relocated in the foot well of the driver cab.  The screws had obviously been in place for some time but eventually and with a bit of help from some, shall we say, encouraging words they came out!

So there she was, in all her empty glory.  The inside looked both bare and incredibly large with nothing but the bed left in it.  Which was just as well as we had a LOT of rubbish to take to the tip!

We had expected a nightmare job stripping Buttercup but it was actually far easier than we imagined.  And if you've got your own van that needs a revamp I would definitely recommend you do this bit yourself.

The next stage of the re-vamp we were more than happy to leave to the experts at The Camper Shak.  And on Monday 7th July, I dropped her off with Mike and Diane.  She will be totally unrecognisable when we collect her and I for one can't wait!

Next time - Beautiful Buttercup!

A Not so Domestic Goddess!

As mentioned a few blogs ago, Buttercup is undergoing a re-vamp at the Camper Shak. Following our initial meeting with Diane and Mike we had to go away and really think about what we might like.
We did a little decorating in our flat back at Easter and although we're really pleased with it the process of choosing colours, materials, curtains, carpets, paint etc etc left Dom and I a bit underwhelmed.  I'm the first to admit I'm no domestic goddess.  If the sun is shining and the house needs cleaning I will always opt to go out for the day and put the cleaning off for another day.  For me cleaning is a necessary evil and my very best and productive cleaning is done either as a work avoidance tactic (report writing season) or in the panic stricken half hour before guests are expected. And yet we had taken on a project that required not only cleaning and decorating but designing too! Funnily enough, both Dom and I have discovered a previously unsuspected enthusiasm for it!

Choosing Units

There is so much choice when you start thinking about re-designing a van.  There are so many creative ideas out there and if you trawl the net you will find it full of vans that are all different.  I have yet to see two VW campers that are the same.  While this is great for individuality, too much choice can be a bit daunting at times. The one thing we were absolutely decided on was the swing out cooker.  This will be positioned behind the passenger seat and can be used in the van when it rains (which let's be realistic is quite likely in Britain) or swung out to cook outdoors.  That was the easy bit.

We studied photos galore of other vans and selected units we were happy with only to change our minds the next day. And then change them again! Finally we decided upon the configuration we were happy with including a smart new fridge from Just Kampers.  This will be a real luxury as my old van in Oz had the original fridge which though very authentic could have been sued under the trade descriptions act as it really didn't keep anything cool never mind cold!  Not great in the heat of the outback! 

I think the key is to make the decision you are happy with and then not think about it again or you'll find yourself constantly wanting to change and update it.  So with the units picked, we had to focus on other fittings such as curtains and flooring.

Curtains

Dom was happy to leave this to me! 

Like me, Buttercup is a child of the 70's and I wanted the curtains and flooring to reflect this in some way. I really fancied bold patterns and found something I really liked on 

Pinterest - the only thing this is genuine 70's fabric and not readily available.

My back up plan was gingham.

One warm Saturday afternoon, my friend Julie who is making my curtains (please see some of her other crafts at www.facebook.com/YoungatHeartCrafts ) set off to the local fabric place Abakhan's in Liverpool. This is the Willie Wonker Chocolate factory for crafts and sewing and you can literally lose hours in here.

Julie and I were actually quite disciplined and remained on task.  There were lots of prints with the required 70's feel but unfortunately most of them were in cerise pink which is the one colour guaranteed to clash hideously with a bus that is the colour of a mango!

Having narrowed it down to a few choices, I finally went with the back up plan - and ok so they are daisies and not buttercups but I think it will look great!

Flooring

Most of the vans that have been done up seem to have chosen one of two things - 

• checked floor tiles or checked lino on a roll
• wood effect

I was quite determined I didn't want either.  I wanted Buttercup to stand out a bit.  I wanted her to look different.  However that was as far as my spec went.  I had no other guidelines which made looking for ideas quite a vast job.  How do you narrow your internet search when you don't really know what you want? Having typed jazzy flooring, 1970's vinyl flooring and patterned flooring, I gave it one last shot with Funky vinyl flooring. And having spent what seemed like days trying to source flooring for the van (which let me tell you was far longer than we spent choosing carpet for our newly decorated sitting room), I finally found what I was looking for.

It was bold, different and would definitely stand out.  Thanks to www.zazous.co.uk I have found what I hope will make a statement!

It might not be everyone's cup of tea but I personally, think it's fab and I can't wait to see it.

Roll on August Bank holiday when we get Buttercup back and head off.  But remember, don't forget to take your shoes off before stepping on my new floor...

Next time...Demolition Dom!

Is She A Good'n?

So last time we met, we had narrowly escaped blowing ourselves up due to some seriously dodgy electrics.

As we drove home, I couldn't help but worry if Buttercup would turn out to be a bit of a liability. Looking back at my buying process I can see I really bought with my heart rather than my head. 

I'm the first person to admit that my mechanical know how is woeful.  Although to be fair, I stand a much better chance of being able to solve a problem on a old car than on a new computer operated one.  Back in the days of my youth when I drove a collection of motley vehicles that were bought mostly from auction for less than £400, I could change a tyre, change spark plugs and even have a go at doing an oil change.  But I've slept a lot since then and my cars have got newer...When I bought Buttercup, I had my limited knowledge of vintage cars (I used to own a Karmann Ghia, had regular access to a 1983 Mercedes 280SL and drove around Oz in a 1973 kombi) and other than having a feeling she was a good van, I didn't really have any hard evidence to go on.  GULP!

So having left her in the capable hands of MSC Prestige Garage  www.mscprestigegarage.com all I could do was wait for the verdict.  Mark at Prestige had agreed to give her a good look over and give us an honest opinion of her and the condition she was in.

A week later, the phone went and MSC flashed up on the screen.  Here we go, I thought, he's going to tell me, in the kindest way, I've bought a dud!  But thankfully, when I actually plucked up the courage and answered, the news was good!

According to Mark, she is a 'good, solid van'.  He'd gone over her with a fine tooth comb and besides a few little issues, nothing major is outstanding.  In his words "enjoy the season in her then book her in over winter to get the little bits sorted".  I can't tell you the relief.

More good news was to follow.  As mentioned in the second blog, keeping these vehicles undercover for the winter months is essential and the search for that holiest of grails, a garage in a city, had begun in earnest.  

Having advertised on gumtree and phoned every available rental garage, caravan park and private garage going we were starting to run out of ideas.  Everything was either already taken (which is obviously why the number of camper vans parked on the roads of Liverpool is minimal), too small height wise, too expensive or too far away.  Eventually, my wonderful other half found somewhere.  The only thing was we needed to have the van with us in order to check the height restriction.

Let me tell you that co-ordinating a visit to a possible garage when the firm's staff are based in Manchester, we are in Liverpool and the van is in Southport or Formby is like a military exercise.  After one aborted attempt when Buttercup's battery ran out, we finally found ourselves on the way to test the garage at a time that was convenient for all.  Phew!

Anyone who has driven a van or indeed, any vehicle that is taller than your average car will tell you that sloped access to garages, car parks and drive ways are the bane of their lives.  These slopes can make entry impossible and are far more effective than a barrier! Having measured the entry on a visit without Buttercup, we knew there wouldn't be much room to play with. Leaving me to negotiate the slope (well she is mine so I should take the responsibility if I plough her into the car park), Dom stood frantically waving hands, showing thumbs and generally being encouraging.  And I won't deny, my heart was in my mouth as we edged our way down the slope and under the lowest point of the ceiling.  But....we were clear!  She fits!

I felt like Cinderella with the glass slipper!

So now, not only do we have a lovely old van, but we have somewhere to keep her dry in the winter.  Hurray!  If only it was as easy to keep us dry in winter, life would be peachy!

Next time - A nearly domesticated goddess!

First Night in the Van...

So now we come to the first night we spent in Buttercup.

We had imagined ourselves in an idyllic pastoral setting, with birds tweeting merrily and the sunset glinting off the chrome.   A nice level place, preferably near water where we could enjoy a glass of red and sigh with contentment. Well plans are made to be changed...

The gist of the plan was as follows.  Drive to Formby, collect Buttercup, return to Liverpool, pack the van and set off.
This, however is what really happened.
Drive to Formby - check
Start Buttercup - Houston we have a problem!

Unfortunately one of us had left the radio on and because it hadn't worked, we'd forgotten to turn it off.  Result, two VERY flat batteries and a van that refused to budge an inch. We hooked her up to jump leads but she was having none of it. It soon became very clear that we would have to leave both the batteries on charge overnight and hope against hope that the problem would be fixed.

Camping trip cancelled, we returned to Liverpool a bit on the grumpy side.  The reason we'd decided to try her overnight was due to an appointment we had the following Monday.  This would be the day we would introduce Buttercup to the Camper Shak www.thecampershak.co.uk who are doing her face lift.  We really wanted to try the bed, the layout etc before discussing possible changes with Mike and Diane (more of them later). We decided the next best thing was to stay in her on Sunday night before heading straight to the Camper Shak the next morning.

Luckily, Buttercup started and we took her for a pootle around the local area just to make sure she was running ok. And so the first night of camping in her arrived.  Not the quiet countryside we had imagined but the driveway of a respectable bungalow in Formby.  But hey, at least the toilets were practically ensuite!

The next morning we arrived at the The Camper Shak with Buttercup where we met Mike and Diane Marsland.  What a lovely couple!  As a customer you really feel as if you matter. Cups of tea are the first thing on the agenda before settling down to discuss our requirements.  Nothing is too much trouble.  We are given lots of advice and Diane makes a list of all the things we have to source for the van and even emails the product codes over as well.  We are shown around the workshop, see units of all kinds, meet their apprentice and are generally made to feel very welcome.

The attention to detail is fantastic.  It is obvious that Mike and Diane are passionate about Camper Vans.  But as well as passion they have knowledge, experience and above all empathy with their customers. They realise that to us these vehicles are not just a van, they are, in fact, part of the family.  Two hours easily slip by and we leave there safe in the knowledge that Buttercup will be in safe hands.  

From here, we head straight to www.mscprestigegarage.com .  When we bought Buttercup we knew she had something weird going on with the electrics.  The engine had to be started with a rocker switch in the engine bay and when you switched the ignition off it kept going until you turned off the switch again.  Very odd! So on Mike's recommendation "we take all our vans there, you couldn't do better" we booked her in with Mark.

Again, the customer care was brilliant and the passion for vintage cars was apparent. Mark was keen to have a look at her straight away.  So my partner (who did electrical engineering at Uni) and he had a chat. Dom had already told me that the wiring was really not right and needed to be sorted.  As he was explaining this to Mark, he lifted up the bed to show him the leisure battery. This is the bed where we had slept very comfortably, last night.  We certainly weren't expecting what happened next.

Mark stepped back and said "mmm there's a live wire in there. It's arcing against the metal there. Oh and it's right by your fuel tank.  Do you know what, we'll get that out right now!"

I'll just point out again, that the fuel tank he's talking about full of highly flammable petrol and next to the live wire was right underneath us last night!  
And we thought life in a vintage camper meant life in the slow lane...

Thankfully, Mark sorted the wire within seconds. As we drove off in our modern Polo having left Buttercup there to get the rest of her electrics done we reflected on our first night in the van.  

Ok so it wasn't in a beautiful location,  we didn't see the sunset, we didn't hear the birds cheeping.  But hey, we didn't blow up either and that is more important.  And on that almost literal bombshell I'll leave you to check any loose wires you may have hanging around!

Next time...Did we buy a goodun?

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Tempted to get your own Buttercup?

The first blog described my fascination with VW camper van's and how I came to own Buttercup.  Words can't really describe how made up and excited I am about this adventure. This is a genuine dream come true and one that I would urge anyone to try.  That said, owning a 40 year old van has many plus points but before you rush out and embroil yourself in the vintage car and vehicle world there are a few things to be considered.

STORAGE - these vehicles are old and they like the sun.  They do not like being left out in the rain.  I am lucky enough to live in Liverpool. Great city. Fabulous city. Innovative and creative city.  NOT a year long dry city!  And being so close to the Mersey and the coast, the rain is not just wet but salty too.  This is yet another thing that vintage vehicles hate! The solution is a garage.  Easier said than done.  Frankly, finding a garage in this city has been like finding hen's teeth.  So she has been living at parent garages which are dry but also 25 miles away! Very convenient for a spur of the moment camping trip...

TIME - You have to make time for these vehicles.  Don't buy one just to look pretty on your driveway because all that will happen is the rust will set in and the vehicle will get harder and harder to start.  Perhaps more importantly with the time issue, don't expect to just get in the van and go.  Sometimes, the van may just say no!  So with that in mind ALWAYS allow extra time to get anywhere. But let's be honest, if you've bought one of these lovely old vehicles you've already accepted that life in the slow lane can be just as much fun as life in the fast lane.

MONEY - a bit like horses, it's not the initial outlay (although that can be staggering depending on the age and spec of the vehicle, remember the £48,000 camper on George Clark's amazing spaces the other week?) that can cripple you, it's the upkeep including Road tax, MOT, storage, petrol and insurance.  Well what's so different from any other car I hear you say?  Nothing apart from the fact you have to have a contingency fund for repairs.  At any time things may go wrong.  Old vehicles need new bits. That is just a fact.

A TRUSY MECHANIC - these vehicles can't be hooked up to a computer for diagnostics. They need someone with a real skill and passion for vintage vehicles.  Like finding a trusted hairdresser, it can be traumatic searching for a mechanic who is honest, knowledgeable and affordable.  We have struck gold... www.mscprestigegarage.com 

And so if this little list hasn't put you off and a camper is your dream - go for it!  It certainly didn't put us off and we certainly haven't regretted it. Instead we are looking forward to the great Camper Van adventure which started with a little trip to Formby beach...cup of tea and icecream.  We couldn't have been a more British cliche if we tried!

Next blog...Near Death Experience!