As ever with these lovely old vans there is always a bit of work that needs doing before the season can begin. Our to do list is always being added to but the last look included -
- the heating (we have none which is one of the reasons we've not pootled very far during winter)
- the carbs
- the side door to be re-hung
- shocks
- general prep for MOT
We took her back to MSC Prestige Motors in Burscough who gave us some good news - the shocks were fine and only bushes were required. Fantastic and big tick against that point on the list.
But as we all know, the world operates on yin and yang as we found out when we took her to 81a Volkswagen j81avdubs.co.uk to ask about the heating and a few other things. When we drove up the owner John had his head buried under about another 6 vans and we had to park around the corner a good 70 yards away. Despite this, his first words to us were "The exhaust sounds as if it's blowing". Those of the words of a man who has listened to many a VW camper van engine!
We booked her in for the following Tuesday as I needed her for her storytelling début at the Liverpool Food and Drink festival that weekend. Which brings me on to that very event.
When I first bought Buttercup it was purely for a hobby. A lovely old vehicle to pootle around the British Isles and if we got brave maybe even Europe. It wasn't long before I saw her potential as a prop/aid to my storytelling facebook.com/littlelambtales. And so last weekend we spent two glorious days at the Food and Drink Festival in Sefton Park.
We arrived on Sunday morning and the park was shrouded in mist and grey cloud. This didn't look promising. Added to this the rain had come down heavily a couple of days before just in time for all the Porta-loos to arrive. Needless to say the site was very muddy and boggy in places. Even some of the up to date 4x4's were struggling with the mud in places. Gulp! Mud and old vehicles do not a happy marriage make.
Luckily, The Children's Zone was located in a relatively dry section of the site and I inched my way on in one piece. Having parked up I eyed up my pitch for the next two days. The ground was definitely not dry and inviting to sit on. Luckily, I had brought some picnic mats for just this dilemma. Sadly these didn't survive the day so on Sunday we had some lovely straw to sit on. The sun came out from behind the clouds and for two days, the festival buzzed with happy faces, delicious food and drink and entertainment galore.
Over the next two days, I told countless stories about food and eating. However, I spoke to just as many people about Buttercup. Children, parents, grandparents, previous owners, new owners, people who were considering being owners. They all came over to look at her, ask questions and peek inside. And I can't say I blame them, she's very pretty!
Buttercup's first festival was a success. But leaving the site did make me laugh. It is quite funny when other people have no understanding of what it's like to drive a vintage vehicle. People ask you to back her up a bit so they can get through without realising that finding reverse may just take a bit longer than their shiny new car. Buttercup's gearbox is great but she can get a bit grumpy if she's put in reverse before she's ready. "It's alright love, don't worry about moving her now!" was the response of one stall owner. I only took about 30 seconds to find reverse honestly! And again, everyone driving new vans, pick ups, trucks etc has the benefit of power steering. Waiting for me to grapple with the wheel when they are used to full lock in 5 seconds was a new experience for some of them. That said, we soon cleared the site and were on our way home. She did me proud and our adventures continue. Next stop a wedding in Bedfordshire.
When I first bought Buttercup it was purely for a hobby. A lovely old vehicle to pootle around the British Isles and if we got brave maybe even Europe. It wasn't long before I saw her potential as a prop/aid to my storytelling facebook.com/littlelambtales. And so last weekend we spent two glorious days at the Food and Drink Festival in Sefton Park.
We arrived on Sunday morning and the park was shrouded in mist and grey cloud. This didn't look promising. Added to this the rain had come down heavily a couple of days before just in time for all the Porta-loos to arrive. Needless to say the site was very muddy and boggy in places. Even some of the up to date 4x4's were struggling with the mud in places. Gulp! Mud and old vehicles do not a happy marriage make.
Luckily, The Children's Zone was located in a relatively dry section of the site and I inched my way on in one piece. Having parked up I eyed up my pitch for the next two days. The ground was definitely not dry and inviting to sit on. Luckily, I had brought some picnic mats for just this dilemma. Sadly these didn't survive the day so on Sunday we had some lovely straw to sit on. The sun came out from behind the clouds and for two days, the festival buzzed with happy faces, delicious food and drink and entertainment galore.
Over the next two days, I told countless stories about food and eating. However, I spoke to just as many people about Buttercup. Children, parents, grandparents, previous owners, new owners, people who were considering being owners. They all came over to look at her, ask questions and peek inside. And I can't say I blame them, she's very pretty!
Buttercup's first festival was a success. But leaving the site did make me laugh. It is quite funny when other people have no understanding of what it's like to drive a vintage vehicle. People ask you to back her up a bit so they can get through without realising that finding reverse may just take a bit longer than their shiny new car. Buttercup's gearbox is great but she can get a bit grumpy if she's put in reverse before she's ready. "It's alright love, don't worry about moving her now!" was the response of one stall owner. I only took about 30 seconds to find reverse honestly! And again, everyone driving new vans, pick ups, trucks etc has the benefit of power steering. Waiting for me to grapple with the wheel when they are used to full lock in 5 seconds was a new experience for some of them. That said, we soon cleared the site and were on our way home. She did me proud and our adventures continue. Next stop a wedding in Bedfordshire.
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