My husband and I went on a day trip to pick up our new campervan last week. I say new but I really mean old because she was born in 1970, just like me. We could have driven to collect her in our car but the husband wanted us to stick together so we had the buzz of both returning home in Gloria (yes, we've already named her).
So we embarked on our expedition by train and it was quite exciting leaving our semi rural home to go into London and splay out in a different direction. Unused to being places on time, we jumped on board with a minute to spare, holding a piping hot toasted panini. I'm not sure what the etiquette is for covid free mealtimes on trains, so quickly nibbled away, facemask free, then shoved it back on again for the rest of the journey. I found wearing a face covering quite useful as it stopped me pursing my lips if my husband said something annoying - I'm sure he was relieved that he couldn't see my reactions.
To begin with it felt like sensory overload as a couple sitting behind me were noisily watching a Bollywood film. I had to keep re-reading my chapter of the wonderful book Hamnet I am enjoying immensly. My husband's eyes and attention were glued to his phone, so he was in the zone. A lady voice came over the tannoy informing us which stations were approaching and that the buffet cart would be too. Trains screeched as they tumbled past one another and ours rumbled on towards its destination. There must have been about a hundred people on one of them, all looking at their phones like zombies and just one other middle aged woman and a teenage boy staring out at the scenery. I overheard other passengers chatting but they are not loud enough for me to decipher exactly what they were saying, not that I'm nosy or anything. The couple behind me moved seats and then it became more relaxing, sitting back on a near empty carriage, watching the world go by. I've always loved seeing the trees and fields drift by in a blur, looking out of the window - gazing into people's gardens and daydreaming away.
After several hours, we departed onto the platform where the seller of our VW had come to collect us in his car. We took a quick inhale of fresh air before putting our masks back on and climbing in. Back at his house, we stood in the driveway and marvelled at Gloria. I had only ever seen her online and we paid our deposit for her on eBay. Now we are allowed to travel further than 'local' it was finally time to collect our new baby. She is beautiful - a caramel body with a white roof that can be popped up to reveal hammock style sleeping beds and a pull out double bed below. The interior has a wood cupboard with green leather looking seats and an orange formica table. The driver and passenger seats are ochre velvety - well worn but comfortable and match my husband's favourite hat.
We took the couple out for a celebratory lunch in a pub garden nearby after doing the deal and signing the forms. It was freezing cold but the landlord put on a heater and we all ordered the Thai curry, which was delicious and warmed our cockles. The couple had owned the van for 35 years and had travelled to many places but Ireland was their favourite. As my husband is half Irish and has never been, it is high on our list to go to. We waved goodbye and headed home to show off the new member of our family to our daughters.
It is such a fun vehicle to travel in - we cranked up the music and smiled the miles away. You can see such a clear view with the wide windscreen and sitting up quite high, you get to see even more of the scenery slowly passing by. This is the campervan's charm - it's all about the journey as it takes longer to get anywhere - you are on holiday as soon as you set off. When I met my husband, he was out celebrating buying a VW camper with his best mate. Unfortunately, it never left the driveway as the engine was pretty rubbish. We have had a couple of campers over the years but never an authentic old school VW. We always said we'd get one but it's taken 30 years and here we are at last, grinning like Cheshire cats, driving it back to our driveway - let's hope it leaves sometimes to go on adventures.
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