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Thursday 18th february 2010
Exciting week!
The book was released on Monday, and the press launch is at the NEC Birmingham next Tuesday the 23rd February.
Please try to come along, and if you do, include visit to our stand. It will be looking pretty spectacular in our own “Cool Caravanning” style.
There will be plenty of things to buy at the show that you will no doubt need a big cheque for! But for credit crunch conscious – looking for a bit of style, we will have some gorgeous caravanning cards for £2.00 and postcards for sale from £1.00... mighty cool they are too.
So look at the high ticket luxury items... dream a bit and enjoy, and then come and see us!
Chris and I will both be there on the Tuesday to sign your copy of the book and at the weekend too, and we will be more than happy to talk all things caravans, styling, restoration etc.
We will also be running a free competition... to win a signed copy of the book plus £50 worth of books from our publishers Anova books. All you have to do is write in 50 words or less your happy childhood memories from your caravan holidays... Entry forms are available on the stand and we have a miniature caravan model as a “collection” point.
I will be giving a short talk at the opening of the show about the book and Cool Caravanning in general... not entirely sure what I’ll be saying yet but it will have to include something of the huge interest and enthusiasm this project has received and how incredibly grateful Chris and I to you all about that.
It is a fabulous feeling to realise that your passions and interests are shared by a great number of other people and please do take the time to stop by and say hello in person.
Sunday 7th february 2010
Not long now
We are so excited about the Boat & Caravan show at the NEC from Feb. 23rd-27th.
Please do come and see us and say hello to us on stand 4146 you can’t miss us, in more ways than one! we are right opposite the Caravan Club main stand.
We were struck during the process of getting the book together the number of you who had happy memories of childhood caravanning holidays.
It would be great if you could stop by and share those memories... I’m currently thinking about the best way to capture these recollections and record them.
It could be a message board, a scrapbook that we can have out on the stand that you could write in, a web-page... we're still thinking about it but it would be great to get your views one way or another.
Monday 25th January 2010
Book launch!
Both Chris and I are busy preparing for the book launch at the Caravan and Boat show at the NEC in Birmingham its the last week of February and suddenly this is just 4 week away.
With help from our friends at the Caravan Club we have our own stand. It has been a busy time sifting through images from the book to see what ones will work best to feature on the stand. It's much harder than I thought, as to be honest, they are all fab, but I think we going to be happy with the result.
Looking at the website http://www.boatandcaravan.co.uk/
I see that there are still opportunities to win tickets to the show.
The last week has been busy working with the publishers to design how our stand will look, we have decided on a large photograph of the book cover at the back of the stand with "items of interest" on shelves on both sides. It will look retro & hopefully capture some of the video of "cool caravanning"
If you are visiting the show please come and find us, we would love you to come & say Hello & to swap stories about your caravans - maybe bring a picture for the next book!
I have been told I have to do a short presentation about the book at the start of the exhibition, this is not something that I do naturally, I have started putting my ideas on paper and everyone tells me to recite the words at every opportunity, I now find that I now muttering about how pleased I am to be here & I'm hoping you will enjoy the book as I walk the dog on Clapham common every morning, so if you see a slightly nutty woman talking to herself... it might be me! - Jane
Tuesday 12th January 2010
Looking forward to the summer.......?
Now that for some of us the grip of winter seems to be loosening for a while, it's the perfect time to start looking for that spring caravan project so you can make the most of what we hope will be a long and warm summer.
Many people at this time of year are looking to shift unwanted things around their homes and for those with neglected old caravans taking up space on their driveway, it's the ideal time to move it on.
For most, looking for these caravans so deserving of a make over starts on internet auction sites such as ebay or online classifieds. Often the sellers may not use terms such as cool; retro; vintage; classic; to describe their caravan so it is important to use search words like old and small along with makes of caravans for example 'Sprite'.
Gone are the days, unfortunately, where you purchase these caravans at rock bottom prices because people are becoming wise to their value, but it is still possible to get a great project to work on at a fraction of the cost of a new caravan - and what's more you can make your mark on it and customise it to your hearts content.
Also keep a look out for caravans on farms, a quick word with the farmer might result in a sale. We have even come across individuals who have been bold enough to knock on people's doors and enquire about a sorry looking caravan in their garden - again an offer of cash and a no hassle sale might prove worthwhile.
It goes without saying that the cool caravan of your dreams might take a while to find and even when you do find a suitable candidate for a make over it's going to need some imagination to see through the years of careless styling, but it's amazing what can be achieved.
The following is nothing more than a shameless plug for our new book 'My Cool Caravan' but it's not every day you have something published. So if your looking for inspiration to see just what can be achieved there's no better place to start than our book which is due for release on February 15th advanced orders are being taken on Amazon. - Chris
Happy hunting
Tuesday 27th October 2009
A once in a lifetime opportunity
Recently I had a very interesting conversation with Samuel Harkness of www.vintageairstreams.co.uk I hope life myself you will find it interest too. Below, in his words, is the story behind the purchase of a lifetime.
"It started off as a pretty normal Saturday night in mid winter, kids off to bed, wine breathing yet a glass had already gone.
We had nearly completed our first year living outside of a major city for over twenty years and were still on the hunt for that life changing moment that could help reignite my trading insincts that started many years back while working for my families caravan business in Ireland.
Then bang, I noticed an auction for Wally Byams #1 caravan. One little problem was the auction had already started. I phoned the auction house in America and expressed my intent, I did not take no for an answer and proceeded with scanning and faxing off a bank statement. 15mins later I was taking part in a live auction that there was only ever going to be one winner. I wanted that trailer and I could feel that this was what I'd been waiting for, it was like 'the quickening' from the highlander. The connection was so strong, my caravanning roots, my love of all things old, my years spent in America camping, my Amercian daughters and my years selling aluminium to amongst others, Airstream Inc.
Our bottle of wine had disappeared during the build up to the auction and we ended up cracking open a bottle 85 Dom Pérignon that had been gathering dust.
We have never looked back, we took a bit of stick from the Americans for buying her but I like to think that one day we will return her to the States. In the meantime we aim to use her for what Wally had her built for, to promote Airstreams in Europe. Wally spent the summer of '55 with his wife in her scouting the '56 Europe trip, some say they fell in love all over again that year."
Tuesday 6th October 2009
My Cool Caravan is on Facebook!
With our aim of creating a community of like mind 'Cool' caravan owners, we have choosen to embrace the Facebook trend and have started our own group 'My Cool Caravan'
We are a little over a week in and we already have 125 members - not a bad start but we know there are a lot more of you out there.
So far we have members from America, Canada, Europe and UK so we will be able to canvas a good cross section of oppinions, tips and stories.
If your interested in joining please click on the Facebook link on our home page and request to join the group - don't be scared we are a very accepting bunch and we don't judge you on the size of your caravan - all sizes and styles welcome.
In the coming weeks we will be introducing some interesting conversation starters on Facebook and we would value your feedback.
Whilst you doing this please consider sending us some photographs to feature on the website, and let us know if there is something you would like us to feature on the site.
Tuesday 26th May 2009
Enfield Pageant of Motoring 2009
It's been a few years since my last visit to this show and I am happy to say it's as good as ever. Despite the increased costs of life that we are all suffering from at the moment there was a good turn out of exhibitors and visitors - the day was also boosted by the glorious weather.
The pageant is organised by Whitewebbs Museum of Transport and attracts owners of vintage transport such as cars, caravans, dormobiles, buses and military vehicles from bygone years.
Needless to say I made a beeline for the exhibitors with their array of retro and vintage caravans.
By no means did this pageant have the biggest display of retro caravans when compared to other shows, but the caravans that did attend were a good cross section of models with owners who are fastidious with detail and were only too happy to explain in detail the work and history behind their caravans.
Past Times UK was in attendance and on display was a 1954 Cardinal American (Canned Ham) trailer which has been restored and customised by Steven and Lisa.
Jennie and Dave (Past Times club organisers) brought along their 1954 Airstream Wanderer which was one of the first Airstreams ever to be imported into the UK.
Their Airstream is in beautiful, untouched original condition. It's good to see an Airstream that's got that 'weathered' look rather than a polished gleaming example - this may come across hypocritical to some especially as I have just embarked on the long and tedious process or polishing my Airstream!
Also on display was a 1977 Biod caravan which some of you may be aware of has a unique egg shaped appearance.
Unfortunately I was unable to take a look inside as the owners had gone off for a wander around the show - I will have to wait for another opportunity to see what retro style wonders are inside.
Peter and Viv from the Historic Caravan Club brought along their 1954 Winchester Pipit caravan. Chris Sander and family who are members of the same group had on display their 1958 Cheltenham Waterbuck caravan and the last known Berkeley caravan in existence.
Other retro caravans were at the show but not necessarily on display as they were the sleeping quarters for classic car owners - Jim Miles fits this scenario as he brought along his late 60's Fisher Holivan with it unique metal quilted side panels.
The highlight of the show for me was the Swedish 1962 SMV caravan. Words cannot do justice to this masterpiece of futuristic design from our Scandinavian friend... all I can say is Google SMV and prepare to want one!
All in all it's a great day out and additional transport related exhibits mean there is something for everyone. - Chris
Monday 24th May 2009
89th Annual Caravan Club rally
As caravan owners are aware this weekend was the 89th Annual Caravan Club gathering of members; those in the know call it the “National”. This one is set in the grounds of Prestwold Hall, Leicestershire. It is the premier rallying event.
It is huge, and very well organised. There are several entrances & a team of volunteers direct you to your plot and once you are set up it’s a short walk to the central area where there are a range of events on offer for the Bank Holiday weekend.
3000 caravans were there, with an expected attendance of up to 10000 caravaners and their dogs.
My interest, as always, is in the unusual, I managed to find a number of “retro” and unusual caravans. I was shown a modern Gobur van by its owners, these are a simple, quite cool looking modern folding style caravans.
In the central area of the event were two spectacular 1972s Carlight caravans, restored by Carlight in Sleaford. One that Ioved was a 1972 Cosmopolitan, with an exterior restored by
Carlight and the interior lovingly restored by its owner. Both restoration projects have the vans restored to their former glory they are fabulous examples of what can be achieved. Visitors to the National were invited in to see the crafts-built quality. It was a treat to be shown around these, by their owners.
I also found a contingent from the Period Caravan Club (PCC), with a 1936 Eccles, & 1972 Castleton, along with a gorgeous airstream. Sitting amongst the modern vehicles the Eccles stood out as a country cottage, with it’s cotton awning and leaded light windows it was a gem.
The event combines a wonderful showcase for caravans & a sociable & friendly family event.
I couldn’t stay, but I left wanting to see more. As I write my blog, the weather folks tell me we are facing the hottest day of the years so far. Perfect for the National... - Jane