So, we interrupt our internet-trawling for a van of our own (!) to write this review of our week spent with Rosie. A long journey down to Okehampton through heavy traffic and progressively heavier rain meant that the lovely warm welcome from the O’Connors team was especially appreciated!
With two teenagers and a nine-year old in tow the pressure was on to make the holiday a success. Things looked a little dicey when the Teenagers realised our van was very, very bright, still being clad in her “Visit England” regalia. Tense moments.
Fortunately the discovery that the interior layout of the van meant that they could legitimately lie almost horizontal whilst on the road was cause for celebration. As was the ability to close the rear curtains so they could not be seen in the Very Bright Van. Fortunately Husband is a confident driver of many different vehicles and was able to master the gears and handbrake with relative ease.
I became expert at clutching my seat belt whilst descending steep hills and enquiring carefully if He had remembered the need to brake well before we actually needed to brake. (He may have a different interpretation of these ‘conversations’ but there you go…..)
After a wrong turn on Day One resulting in the need for a hand-brake start on a near- vertical hill (beware the 2nd car-park at Crackington Haven!), I was actually obliged to retract all criticisms of Husband’s driving over the last X years.
But that moment did mean we fully bonded with Rosie and the whole classic VW camper van experience. Indeed, Rosie kept us safe, dry, and very happy over the week. And the Teenagers even admitted that the Very Bright Van was not such an embarrassment after all.
Husband and Youngest celebrated their joint birthday at Porth Beach (great site, beautiful beaches, top cafe) – Purdey obliged by a) harbouring us from the torrential rain b) providing enough space for 5 people to sleep after Teenager 1 found conditions in the awning a little challenging c) starting without complaint whilst other vehicles at the site were not so obliging – yes, water did eventually come in around the steering column but this did not cause any problems.
We stayed at Hartford Bridge before returning the van, and would recommend it as a lovely place to end your stay. You can walk into Tavistock quite easily. When we should be packing up the house ready for our move, we are instead pouring over VW camper vans for sale. Maybe, just maybe…
By Anna Goodsall
