Plans for this year...

Well I am so far behind on posting about christmas, New Year and December camps I have decided to give up and not bother

First week of March I plan for a quick weekend at Byfield so I can post some pics up then of any imminent disasters

I am stuck working at the NEC today, hence me updating here and not actually working.  Is pure torture as I am working at the Spring Fair, an exhibition covering 21 halls full of shabby chic blummin everything.  The torture being it is a trade exhibition so I can see what the shops pay for all these lovelies, but know I have to double the price if I want them :(

Tillie is under general anaesthetic having her sills and outriggers welded and buffed (MOT came round...) but hopefully she will be ready this weekend and I can get a 12 month pardon until the next lot of repairs.  Obviously there is no guarantee she is not going to fall to pieces during that time, but legally she is fit to go

May is my big 50th birthday (arghhhhhhh).  And the social camping event of my year is a trip to Nantcol Waterfalls with a few others.  It is being themed as a fairy and goblin/elf (sorry blokes) get together, so I still need to shed a few stone before then.  The basque is still looking more roly poly than dominmatrix.

Hopefully I will get as far as Exmoor, Cotswolds, Wales at some stage.  Getting very itchy feet now in the brick house, it must be time to escape

The dogs are fit and well and bouncing off the walls in preperation

I also have a few days planned for Easter in the tin tent, so looking forward to traipsing round Cornwall again.

The only new acquisitions this year (so far) is a driveaway awning for Tillie (for when the weather is really shit), but it's not very quirky, or pretty, or modifiable so not sure how much use it will get yet

Plans on the painted tent front is the Toerag is getting Gruffalo'd!   I'll no doubt bore you with every step of the paint process once I start, and yes, there is such a thing as a gruffalo....

and a picture of Tillies new (old) awning...

Observations about Tillie..a guide to VW T2's

I posted this on the VW forum but I think more unsuspecting people who have the thought of buying a VW Type 2 should have some idea what they are letting themselves in for....

Having got my first ever (first time I have even been in one) bus 2 weeks ago, would just like to make the following observations...

* I now have muscles in my arms I didn't know existed, from steering with a dustbin lid attached to a bungee strap (at least it feels like that)
* I am getting very adept at doing 3 point turns on mini islands
* Brakes are highly overrated in modern cars, I'm sure it will stop eventually
* I have to drive it like a bike, accelerate like bllx down the hill to try and get up the other side
* Global warming does not exist in the inside of my van. I can now see why drivers gloves were popular in the 60s. And scarfs and hats and sheepskin jackets.
* The engine is purposely at the back so I can't hear what is going on
* There was no rain in the 60's or my wipers are on a go slow
* The windscreen wash is purely for entertainment value. Whilst sitting in traffic I can play 'Will the water squirt reach the wiper blade?'
* My van is like the crystal Maze, I have a different key for every panel
* I need to diet. If I put any weight on, or my legs get any longer I will not fit in the driver seat
* Radio looks lovely and retro. Only problem is I have to sing to the bus, as it doesn't actually produce any noise
* The headlights work off one of the 3 buttons with identical pictures on. I am veering towards the middle button atm
* I always have my phone on fully charge and AA on speed dial now
* I am booking her into PA (Petrol Anonymous) as she appears to have a huge drinking habit
* Third gear is like the holy grail, I know it exists but I am still on a quest to find it
* My car tool kit consists of a phillips screwdriver, a bicycle pump, wd40 and a piece of sandpaper
* People hang out their cars and make strange signs at me. At first I thought it was abuse, but it appears I have joined some funny club like the Masons and need to learn the funny handshakes
* Is the best feeling in the world going past (the other direction obviously) another bus. I actually got bottled up when he flashed his headlights. If I ever learn where the full beam is I will reciprocate, rather than do mad waving signs

I am sure she has numerous other merits which I no doubt will find over the months

Love you Tills!