Monday 14 May 2012

A des res on wheels !

Good evening

Thanks for all the comments on the last post - yep I'm still happy - even after a mammoth awning building session on Sunday morning. Quite simple 20 poles, one awning and 4 zip in panels. Just a matter of which of the 20 poles went with which - it took a long time and there might have been cross faces! Also the nonsense situation of the shortest person in the household (me) got given the tallest post to hold! Anyhow eventually we found the right combination and all parts are now labelled and diagram has been drawn and put into a very safe place!!

Here are a few before photos - I've not had time today for any cleaning so the afters won't happen for a little while though we've got a date in mind for our first trip away so it won't be long before it becomes more colourful and less neutral ;)

 The outside (again)

 Little sons bed - we could pull the bunk out and both boys sleep here but big son has no desire to sleep with his little brother just 18 inches above his head so he will be sleeping in the awning (and he's happy with that).

 2 sofas combine to form a big and comfy bed for MrVV & I.

 Catering area - 3 ring stove, grill, oven, sink and fridge (with plenty of wine chilling space).

 Bathroom come travel storage area - complete with shower, fold down sink and a not photographed chemical loo! I don't think we'll use this area much unless we stay on a site without facilities or maybe that 3am dash across a field might become a thing of the past ;)

Hoping tomorrow I might be able to get out there and empty all the cupboards (lots of crockery was included) - clean them out and put things back in places that suit me. I keep finding things I've bought over the past year or so and am now putting them in a heap to move into the caravan.

Whilst I won't be doing any permanent decorating for a while, I think plenty of removable stuff will be going in - I've got some great postcards to brighten up the walls & cupboards, plans for bunting & cushion covers and almost one blanket to go out there.

Yep the one I started last June is almost finished - just a few ends to sew in - here's a sneak preview;

I've started on another one for the 2nd sofa and little son has picked colours for one for his bed too - big son pulled one of those 'You've got to be joking' faces when I offered to do one him!!

After all the driving on Saturday and awning building yesterday morning, MrVV wanted a walk yesterday. The hobbits of course didn't come so just the 2 of us headed to Aldeburgh late afternoon. The weather was lovely - warm enough for ice-cream and a walk along the pebbly beach. Even warm enough for my Crocs to make an appearance. Even that wasn't simple - I could find the right foot but the left one was hidden in the back of cupboard - of course for a long while I only wore the right one! 


Right I think that's enough for tonight. I'll be back later in the week with pictures of the completed blanket, another flowery frock and hopefully some more colourful inside photos.

BTW good luck to anyone who's children are now into exam season - I know its Y6 SATS week and also the dreaded GCSE/AS/A levels have started too - big son has his first one next week - by half term he'll have finished his Science & English courses leaving him with 5 exams after the hols and then he'll be school free until September!!

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx


18 comments:

MelMel said...

aahhhh the old chemical loo......yikes!

Great little van that!
You will have so many happy hols in it!
I'll miss my mums!

Melxxx

Vix said...

Gilbert came with an awning, too. I swear we nearly came to blows trying to erect the blessed thing! Well done on persevering.
Nothing more exciting than getting your vintage bits and bobs together and having an even better reason for scouring the car boots and chazzas for more.
You're going to have so much fun. x

Jacquie said...

Oh how exciting Vicki !! I'd love a "vintage" van like this :0)
Jacquie x

Lucy said...

What fun! Hope you have lots of fun adventures. We fought with our awning yesterday, they get easier to put up in the end :o)

thriftwood said...

How exciting ... Would love a caravan to tittivate! Xx

missdipton said...

Hi, we bought our first caravan when my boys were still babies. The oldest is 20 now and we still have a caravan. A tip from my hubby on the awning get the middle post up first and youll be laughing. (I hope) Happy Days x

topchelseagirl said...

Your blanket will make a huge difference, it definitely needs de-beige-ing, but what fun you'll have doing it!

WinnibriggsHouse said...

Oh how exciting! Cant wait to see what you do to the inside. I love caravans, we used to hire one when our kids were small and they absolutely loved it. I dont think I need to tell you to do so...you already do! Good Luck. x

Lisa said...

Good luck with the decorating!
Good luck also to Big Son for all the exams he has coming up.
Lisa x

Josie-Mary said...

That looks the same as my parents caravan! You gotta have some crochet blankets to cheer it up. Looking forward to seeing the after photo's :) x

Hope Adela Pasztor said...

I would love to traverse the country in one of these gypsy-like vehicles! =)

http://pinkchampagnefashion.blogspot.com/

♥ emma bear forever ♥ said...

Very much looking forward to your 'pimp my caravan' posts! I can picture it now with cute little curtains and seat cushions, crochet blankets here there and everywhere. Sooooooo very jealous! xx

Shortbread and Ginger said...

How exciting to be thinking about decorating your own travelling home from home! Enjoy it!
Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

Miss Magpie said...

Project!!!! I'm looking forward to seeing the pictures when you have created your new home on wheels.

Alex M said...

I go crazy sewing cushion covers for our RV, but then you just have to remove and wash after the weekend. We also keep tension curtain rods in the shower/bathroom to hold towels on. That's also where we keep our laundry basket. A good bathhouse is a wonderful thing!

Your trailer is really cute!

Goldie said...

Looking forward to seeing the van "Vickied" ;)

Thrift Bee said...

Hi, Just found your blog through Faith hope and charity. T'was the crochet that caught my eye. You should be very proud. I'm granny squareing myself, just with scraps, all different thickness of yarn so its all a bit wobbly. Yours is so neat and lovely.

You have got to check out this blog. (Not mine) but i pinned from it the other day and when i read your post i thought you'd love it.
http://suzysvintageattic.blogspot.com not sure if it works as a link but you can copy and paste

Attic24 said...

So sweet to see you "Corniche" and feel your joy, we have very very similar 'van, ours is a "Challenger" from the 1980's and almost identical upholstery curtains, cupboards etc to yours.
I'm only really just beginning to get ours decked out as we've had to keep her for two years in storage facilities 10miles away...however will be moving her to 1mile away (walking distance) in the next few weeks and soooo excited to be let loose on prettifying her at last!
We don't use our loo much, we do use it for early morning wee's but we have a no-poo rule lol! But it is handy to have the option. Ahhhh I adore the caravanning life, can't wait to get out in ours in a few weeks time. Have fun with your baby!
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