FINALLY!!! Was my thought when we arrived at O’Connors this August…….2yrs later than planned… to collect Barbarossa for our much looked forward to holiday!! What was planned initially as my 30th birthday present to myself….ended up taking place during my 32nd but way way better late than never. Our 6yr old daughter Grace had been presented with the O’Connors website and Barbarossa was her choice because of the twenty-something windows…..and my oh my.. did my girl pick well is all I can say. As we arrived in Okehampton..tired after a fabulous weekend in Dorset at Camp Bestival, it was not long before we were squealing with delight and excitement in the workshop……whilst daddy (H) had to pay attention to the more serious stuff of how the van actually works! Well Barbarossa ….for myself and Grace it was love at first sight…..we adored you. As we set off on our adventure, we soon understood the glint in Pete’s eye as we left and drove down THAT first road and more or less right over the middle of the roundabout at the bottom. I think he knows if you and the camper make it out of Okehampton in one piece, then everything is going to be okay! We had misguidedly all decided to cram in the front..and the first twenty minutes were filled with fraught tension and choice words as the ‘boys’ became accustomed to one another. It was the start of a beautiful friendship! I had to rest my legs across Grace’s to keep out of the way of the gear stick!!! The next day I was relegated to the back of the van for the rest of the holiday! By the time we hit the motorway everything and everyone calmed down. We loved the flashing (of lights!) and waving from all other campervan drivers and just the whole enjoyment of slowing the heck down! Arriving at Mother Iveys Bay (recommended on a blog on this site) Barbarossa commanded many a envious glance as we rumbled into the site. The awning was abandoned in favour of the teepee, allowing us to drive away at a moments notice….and so we did to get a fish and chip supper which we ate in Barbarossa that night. Bliss. And so to bed for our first night…Grace in the ‘boot’ which she cosied up with pillows and teddies galore. Her own little sanctuary for the week, she dived in here every night after tea! Oh and what a warm, dry, safe and cosy sleep we had every night…..even when the rain was belting down! The weather, to be fair, was consistent if nothing else! Rain every morning. And every night. But inbetween, wherever we visited so did the sunshine and we had the BEST holiday ever. Padstow, St Merryn, St Ives and Newquay all covered…….as was just about the rest of Cornwall when we got lost after H took a wrong turn on the way home one night (less said the better!)….however I believe I was at my happiest just ‘being’ in the van. Eating crispy bacon sandwiches as my daughter flew her kite…or scootered around the campsite. Just reading in the back with pillows and blankets for added comfort! Bumping around the back and not being able to hear anything, but seeing Grace and her daddy laughing with delight in the front of the van on our many trips out. Watching my little girl fall asleep in the boot for what I think was the best weeks sleep she has EVER had! Drinking tea and comparing tales with other sad campervan giver-backerers at O’Connors on our last day…..whilst Grace refused to get out for half an hour as she knew we had to give him back! I could go on, but you get the idea… Anyone reading this and toying with the idea of hiring a camper….Just Do It! A HUGE HUGE thankyou to all at O’Connors (especially Zoe) for outstanding service and helping make our holiday all that it was…….and Barbarossa my lovely, we’ll be seeing you soon xx
