Dose of Vintage

A few months back we went to one of the many Crotch Cooler meets that are held across the South. It was at the Departure Lounge in Alton. Advertised there was a vintage and retro fair with a classic car meet attached and all on Kims birthday. So after breakfast and present unwrapping, and with Kim and Lily dressed for the day we headed over in the Camper. We decided against pre-booking as they wanted everyone parked up before 9am and no moving until later afternoon, so I was a bit surprised to be waved into the show at 11am.



Parked with some hotrods and Americana we headed up the hill. The cars were interspersed with the stalls so there was something to see all round.











Lily was in her element pushing her retro buggy around (for a bit, until she got tired and everyone including Granny had a go pushing)









This old Bedford camper was period perfect. So many cool touches.















We stopped for ice creams from a dinky caravan before a tired Lily meant an early lunch.





We listened the bands for a bit before a final wander round and the trip home.









They could have done with a few more stalls perhaps and the cars staying around longer, but for a free show we really can't grumble.

Steve.

Packed Dubs at the Park

A hurried battery change for the Beetle saw both our air-cooled Dubs running and heading down the A329M towards Easthampstead Park. rolling up the drive we joined a short queue before parking outside the house for the busiest and hottest DATP for a while.



With a quick snack on board we started walking round. The LTV display area was out front and packed with familiar cars.









As we moved onto the croquet lawn, Kim headed for a coffee, Lily and I headed for the first of many bouncy castle goes. In the shade of the trees I admired the work of Auto Impressions and pondered some Camper body and paint work soon.







On the lower field it was all cars. Beetle rubbed arches with Golfs or various marks as well as Passats and Polos.

















As Lily skipped in the long grass I explored the traders and nabbed a pair of slightly worn Brazilian indicator Chrome tops, plastic with Chrome effect they probably won't last well, but they are a million times better than the rusted ones in place.











Back at the van we grabbed some food and a drink and the Radio Flyer for Lily to tow around. We bumped into the Dewis-Jones clan lazing on the lawn listening to the bands before aiming for more bouncy castle, ice creams and the side field.



















Meeting up with Pab, Lily had a playmate for a bit and went exploring before we said our goodbyes and convoyed home.









The show has grown massively from the small South Hill Park event from 2004. Numbers were up, the weather was good and the crowds happy. It was very telling though of the change in ownership. Fewer Beetles and more Campers. More water cooled. Younger owners and fewer of the old "owned it since new" group. But things must evolve.

Steve.