Quick trip to Bracknell

We had a small window of free time today. Kim was off helping set up Lily's pre-school Easter fete, so me and the small one headed up the A329 to Bracknell to see the Dubbers for an hour. The car park was already filling up as we arrived and headed to the cafe.





After a cuppa and walk around, we were back by the Dubs, Lily running up and down the hill, me chatting.









With the fete starting we headed off to spend our pennies on the stalls and leave the Dubbers to the carpark.

Steve.

Christmas Bracknell

Its been a while! 18 months actually! LTV has been through some hard times recently, we moved on from it in the middle of last year as things started to get messy. We kept in contact with a few people and hoped that one day it would all calm down a bit. Things still aren't perfect, but with a few changes the road to recovery for a 40 odd year old VW club could be on the horizon. At the recent AGM we were recognised for the work we did over almost a decade as members and then team members and gifted a life membership to the club. As such, we decided to give the festive meet a go. After a trip to Woodley for the Winter Extravaganza we pointed a dirty Passat to Bracknell and armed with naff jumpers caught up with old friends over a mincepie and sausage roll.







Santa made an appearance for the little ones and handed out presents. Lily wasn't too sure, but came away happy. The turnout wasn't massive, but those that came enjoyed themselves.





We ended our afternoon with a trip down the slide before a drive home to warmth.



Steve.

Tiny Bracknell meet

Not really much to report this month. April was the last time we had a free first Sunday of the month and we weren't supposed to have this one free either, but diabolical weather conditions on friday meant we abandoned plans to camp this weekend, leaving sunday free to pop over to Bracknell. Sadly not many others made the trip and we had a handful of Beetles and Campers tucked in a corner. We nattered for a bit but then the rain returned so with a pint and some chocolate covered strawberries from the food fair in hand we went home. Maybe summer will return next month and bring some more VWs with it!





Steve.

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The Bracknell toddler and baby meet and some VWs!

The weather building up to this weekend has been amazing. Blue skies and mid 20°c all week. Then on Saturday it went grey and it looked like the Bracknell meet may be a wash out. Luckily the weathermen were all proved wrong and it was a fantastic day. Bombing along the A329M on route I caught and passed a familiar Split. Malcs and family were coming too and with Kim and Lily in the Beetle that meant at least three air-cooled Dubs.



After parking up we headed inside for a drink and some food and a cuddle with little Charlie.



Before heading back out. The line of air-cooleds was quite long and a crowd had gathered to natter.



The kids ran around wearing themselves out and the parents too!







The JTBs dropped on route home from DubAid2









One by one people drifted off home as we carried on playing.



Eventually it was time to head off. There may not have been a huge number but there were a few new members and great company. It was nice to get the Beetle and the Camper out to play for once, I can't remember the last time that happened.



Steve.

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Another month, another snowy meet

For the second month running the South Hill Park VW meet was blighted by snow. Not the blanket of sledge worthy white stuff we had last time, but an annoying rainy version. Still it didn't dampen everyones spirits and there was a small turnout. Air and water cooled were left in the carpark and we headed indoors to the cafe for some warmth.











Inside Lily worked off her chocolate buttons by running around the empty gallery and shouting in the echoy halls.



Fingers crossed its at least dry for the next one and we can finally get both air-cooleds out for the day.

Steve.


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Wintery Bracknell meet

On saturday afternoon everything was looking fine, the sky was blue and the sun was out, within a few hours the predicted snow fall had arrived and the Bracknell meet looked to be a whiteout. Sunday morning dawned and various text and FB messages came through as people dropped out. We had a date at Nelsons Dinner near Newbury for breakfast with some friends so we ventured out in the Passat and soon realised that the snow wasn't that bad, the roads were clear. Upon leaving Lily dozed off in the back so we decided to chance it and head over to South Hill Park, on arrival it didn't look promising, nobody was there. As we parked we noticed the grins from the Range Rover, Tim and Paul had made it and new member Phil was there in his Golf. Not a write off at all.







We stood around and nattered, Phil wanted advice on electrics and bodywork for his '68 Bay Camper, the right people were there! In the background the screams of the massive crowd sledging in the park.



Being a forward thinking and not wanting to have to carry Lily in the event of blocked roads or other snow related problems, stout boots and a sledge along with hats and scarves and gloves were packed. All perfect for a trip down the hill next to the meet. Tim risked life and limb as well, sadly the sledge is a kiddies one and not really built for those of us with fuller frames.





I then had several runs, each more chaotic and crash filled than the last!







Thin plastic and a kerb to drop off can be a painful combination.







Taking it easy for a bit we continued the technical chat with Phil.



The it was time for a last run, struggling to the summit the intrepid sledger took his life in his own hands and ready for the off. Away down the icey run, over the kerb and.....straight into the metal fencing round the building work. Ouch!



I retired from the sledging world immediately.



Then we made tracks for home.



There wasn't a huge turn out like the last few meetings, but I don't blame everyone else. It was cold and slippery but those that made it enjoyed themselves.

Steve.

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Autumnal Dubs

The future is bright, the future is Volkswagen coloured! For many months the Bracknell meets of the London & Thames Valley VW Club have been pretty poor, bad weather, clashes with weekend shows and general apathy have meant the turnout has been small and in some cases non existent. The club is currently under going a bit of a revamp following the recent AGM where a new team stepped in to try and breath some life into it. Along with a new Chairman, several former team members have returned to help push the club forwards and together with a few existing ones and some brand new people it is hoped that the past can be left where it should be, far behind us. The first local meet at South Hill Park following the AGM was today and wow, what a turn out.



We rolled in to be faced with loads of Campers and Beetles already parked and they just kept coming in. As is usual at any gathering of old Dubs, somebody had to have a decklid up and be tinkering. Alan was tweaking the carb on his £400 1303 with the help of the other club members.



Campers seemed to be the order of the day, with several Spilts and Bays turning up.





But there were a few others there to break up the van line ups.





LTV is open to anything with a VW badge on, air or water, old or new.







With a nip in the air, beer was off the menu and coffees on as we struggled to keep warm, a month before we had been in t-shirts on the seafront at Brighton, now thermals were needed!





With the light fading and feet getting cold we packed up and headed home, Lily taking the wheel for the last part of the trip (the bit with the engine off on the drive at home!)



In the end I counted over 20 vehicles and maybe 50 people, a fantastic turnout and good sign for the future. The rest of the photos can be found here.

Steve.

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