I booked Kissinger as a surprise for my husband Dan’s 40th birthday and the super ’67 split truly went down a storm. As previous VW van owners (many moons ago before mortgages and children) renting Kissinger was like a nostalgic road trip back to our carefree 20s, except this time with our nine year old son in tow!
We headed to beautiful Bigbury-on-Sea in South Devon and the fabulous farm campsite at Mount Folly. Facilities are basic but spotlessly clean and who needs all mod-cons when you have everything you could possibly want in a well-stocked O’Connors camper? They literally throw in the kitchen sink and for a coffee snob like me I confess to welling up at the sight of the cafetiere in the ‘kitchen’!
The view across to Burgh Island and its 1930s Art Deco dream of a hotel was also an emotional vista for us: the site of our engagement no less. We’re also celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary this year so this was a double whammy weekend for us. Back to the nine year old…he wasn’t part of our original weekend plans but seeing his little face light up with excitement as we drove up outside our house we just knew he had to join in. VWs do have that strange affect on people.
So a stormy Friday night made way for Indian summer sunshine on Saturday and Sunday and we were spoilt with spectacular sunsets, superb sunrises and clear starry skies. There really is nothing like peeping through the van curtains at dawn to see perfect rolling surf as the sun comes up. After an alfresco brew (is there a better kind?) and a full-on fry up (bacon never tasted better) we spent our final day on the beach. In Dan’s words, “Turning 40 isn’t so bad afterall…” It was then with heavy hearts that we packed up to drive trusty Kissinger back across Dartmoor to his Okehampton home.
It’s safe to say that our wonderful weekend away has reawakened our love for all things VW and a strong desire to own another van, one day…But for now we’ll settle for another O’Connors Adventure as soon as we can. You’ve been truly superb from start to finish O’Connors and have no doubt helped to inspire the next generation of VW lovers too! Until next time…
By Lucy Young
