Daddy Daughter day at Volksworld

Last year it was hats, scarves and boots for the snow, this year it was short sleeves as the sun shone down on the Volksworld Show at Sandown Race course. We've done, family days, couple days and solo days at the show, this year it was the turn of a duo. Myself and Lily packed a lunch (with Kims help) and headed down the A3 to the show, the traffic was simply awful. We'd left in what I thought was plenty of time to get in including the queuing, but I hadn't banked on the last mile taking 90 minutes and the main carpark being shut. We followed the signs round the back to the campsite and parked there meaning a longer walk in but no queue for tickets. Once in we made a beeline for the club stand to dump our heavy lunch bag before exploring, first up the main hall.







With the crowds well up we ventured outside for some space and walked the SSVC lines.









With a rumbling tummy we decided to make our way back to the club stand for lunch via one of the big displays inside. A period paddock with race and rally Beetles lined up.





With stomachs full again and an ice cream needed we walked the long way round the club area to the van, a choc fudge with flake the messy order of the day.











Suitably cleaned up we ventured into the lower hall to see the buggies and Campers. Buggy of the day had to go to Burning Steamroller, a solid square that was all tyres and wing.











Heading up a level brought us to the other side of the period car paddocks and the showroom, this year celebrating the Bay window camper with a complimentary 1967 brochure at the end.









We did a quick bit of shopping for Lily, she picked a bright pink T25 cushion (despite the blue EB ones there!) Then it was outside once more for some sun and air.





We even headed out the front for a look at the Campers lined up there, the for sale and carparks eluded us, time and tiredness fast running out.







Our final visit to the stand was to get the bags and say goodbye, Lily was flagging and we needed to escape the traffic leaving. The beauty of being parked out the back is no queues to leave, within 10 minutes we were on the A3, she was fast asleep and we cruised home. The VW world seems rosy, visitor numbers we huge, show cars and clubs everywhere and the sun shining. What more do you need?



Steve.

Cordwallis VW Meet

With heavy rain and flooding starting the year. A VW meet in early March looked like a damp affair. But the weather has finally started to turn. Making a perfect day for the first Cordwallis VW Meet. The company is the local VW van and lorry specialist and supporter of local shows, they turned their yard into a huge carpark, by 10:30am it was full up with a selection of air and watercooled vans and cars. We cruised in from home, a mere 10 minutes away. With a small convoy from LTV.







Once the yard was full, it was safe for me and Lily to go exploring, she wandered lines of Campers, leading the way.







Mastering the basics of Camper evolution.







 Back at the Camper I nattered while Lily brummed. Paul though decided to lock his keys in the boot of his Rocco along with the club membership paperwork. Window smashing and an £80 taxi ride to gain access were no goes.





Fortunately, a nice RAC man arrived and using a top secret access method returned the keys within a few minutes. He was bribed with an ice cream to keep his mouth shut, but I'm guessing the tale is being shared with all the other patrols.



We dined on a huge burger and ice creams and sat back to watch the world go by. Lily retreated to the shade of Pabs poptop for a bit, leaving me to have another quick walk round.









The Cordwallis crew did a great job, it was a real scorcher of a day (for March anyway) and it was ice creams all round.



With another walk round done and Lily getting tired (and the fact it was nearly GP time on TV) we decided to head home. A brilliant day out. It might have been a concrete yard, but the team put all the right things in place. Good Dubs, good company and good weather.



Steve.

Crotch Coolers meet

We woke up this morning with nothing to do. A glance at the weather showed it was going to be ok most of the morning so we decided to chance a trip to Alton and one of the Crotch Cooler meets. Different from normal classic car meets, this one roams around venues adding a cruise and breakfast into the mix. We opted out of the cruise and headed straight for the departure lounge cafe on the outskirts of Alton. Squelching across the muddy field we parked with a line of Dubs.



Went in and joined the vast queue for food.  A sausage sarnie took almost an hour to arrive, but it was tasty and gave us a chance to natter.



Back outside the cruise had arrived and made a couple of lines, some interesting motors from big rigs through to an Allegro Police car.









It was cold and blowy so we kept moving to stay warm,





Lily went exploring in the truck. It was huge with no power steering and 13 gears.





As we came to leave, Alan had taken a shine to the truck and moved Alf alongside for a photo.



I did say the field was muddy.



With a shove from a group of chaps, we got him off the field leaving just a dirty skidmark behind. The meet wasn't big, but the varied locations they stop at means we've bookmarked them for the future.

Steve.