Weekend on the coast

The weather recently has been awesome, sure we've had some rain. But for weeks now the sun has been blazing down, which means we can finally do what we always wanted to do when we bought the Camper, spur of the moment nights under tintop. Beachbuggin is a show thats always on our calendar, some cool cars with the seaside next door. Our friends, Steve & Izzy wanted to come and also fancied a night away, so at 10am on a sunny saturday morning, our convoy of two left Basingstoke bound for the coast. Hayling Island was our destination, its only 20 minutes from Southsea. Rolling onto the stones at lunchtime we looked at the sea and pondered where to camp.



We could have stopped right here and bedded down, if the toilets had stayed open longer than 5pm, we probably would have. Instead we headed up the beach to Fishery Creek, a place we stayed at a few years ago. The sign out front stating "FULL" wasn't a good omen, but a chat to the owners revealed that full meant there were two pitches left, on opposite sides of the site, but we were in. Its really a caravan site, so gravel pitches and carparks, but we weren't planning to hang around the Camper for long. With the gazebo pegged out we wandered back to the sea via the Creek path, a quick lunch later and we were hopping on the beach train.







Strolling to the pebbles we nabbed an ice cream and sat down to watch the world go by. Lily was content to shovel stones into her bucket and then hurl them into the sea.





The rest of us just chilled out.



With the wind picking up it was perfect kite flying weather as well.





After a bit more wandering round and a natter to a random RetroRides friend I bumped into, we headed back through the funfair and on the train home. Back on camp we gathered at our pitch for the evening. Some of our neighbours were clearly heading the same way as us.





With teatime approaching we opted for the local chippy, the men foraged for chips while the ladies relaxed.





With tea finished and a few cold ones inside us, Lily clambered into the camper and dozed off, we nattered until late and watched the ISS cruise overhead. Packing light, I snuggled into my sleeping bag and into Kims flowery tent, safely under the gazebo.

Sunday dawned overcast, we rattled off a selection of porky baps for breakfast.



Before packing away, as the Camper door slammed shut, the heavens opened, it was like a monsoon, the roads were awash and driving was scary. But we soon arrived on Southsea Common for the show.



We set off in coats, drizzle coming down, by the time we had got 100yds away from the van the sun came out and dried it all up.





Lily got up close to Herbie.



Before we walked back to the vans to dump the coats and slap on the suncream, then it was off to the yearly hovercraft viewing.







With my hat saved by a small boy who was passing when the hovercraft blew it away, we went back to the show, Lily dozed and I walked round.









There were plenty of Beach Buggys on display.





With an ice cream in our bellies it was time to head home, the traffic can be awful getting out of the town.



This year wasn't too bad and with in a few minutes we were charging along the M27/M3 towards home, a stop off at Winchester for a drink and we settled in for the final leg. As we passed the A303 junction a fellow Camper was joining, hanging back a bit we ended up convoying back almost to home with them.



I let them passed so I could snap the unusual conversion the Splitscreen van had, a dome/bubble top. I'm sure I've seen it in a book or something, but I can't find it anywhere. It was a sight to behold and perfect end to a nice weekend away.



Fingers crossed the weather holds and we can get some more trips done. The rest of the photos can be found here.

Steve.

Scorcher at Beach Buggin

Last years trip to Beach Buggin was eventful, the fanbelt pulley shattered on route and we arrived on the back of a breakdown truck. Following several long and hard weeks at work and knowing I have the RR Gathering to go to next weekend I decided that Passat power was easier. It also helped that we were taking a friend of Kims and meeting up with more friends at Winchester, the Camper doesn't keep up with a 911 too well! We rolled onto the common at Southsea as the last of the rain went and parked up, our mob set off, our mission, to find a Beetle for Spud!







The sun suddenly broke through and was too shine for the rest of the day, some prepared well....I am a lobster now!





Moving on we passed several clubs stands and moved into the American car area at the far end.









It was soon lunch time and we retired to the cars for a snack, catching up with some old friends. We don't seem to be able to go 10 yards without bumping into another old pal.





Spud found a potential car, but it turned out to be a pup, over £2k for lots of trouble. Gren cast his eagle eye over things.





It was soon ice cream time. And this funky 70s Beford was ideal.





There were plenty of Buggies about.







As is the way with a trip to Southsea, we headed for the beach to watch the hovercraft come in and to skim stones. Some people even dipped a toe in the chilly waters!







With the rest of our group gone we had one last wander round before a second trip to the beach followed by fish & chips overlooking the sea. Wandering back to the common we were one of the last to leave. A blast up the A3 saw us home in time for Lilys bedtime.



It was a lovely day out, saw lots of good friends and returned home slightly pink and tired. The rest of the photos are here

Steve.