élégante salle à manger en Ruby

With his highness working to beautify our sweet Ruby, we are having to forego adventures far and wide. However, neither do we want Ruby to feel lonely, so often our meals are taken on board our litte dub. Ruby is a very cosy girl, you cannot but help relax when you sit in her passing the time of the day!

Ah, Saturday morning cornbread with a good strong cheddar and damson preserve (just as the Danish do it), and a mug of hot steaming tea -what a treat.

And above is my sneaky morning porridge time, after the boys have gone to school and work. Time for a read of a camper magazine - and what an eye opener. The VW scene is quite extraordinary, it enthuses so many people and really is a passionate affair with a language all of it's own. After all what does 'Bagged, tubbed, knock-off wires, bespoke suspension and a Scooby lump' mean?

Meal times can be much fun as we get to know and move around in Ruby. These little forays into camper-living are teaching us what works and what needs some more thought to make life easier in the limited space in a VW bus.

We love our sweet Ruby...

Of Cherries, Cherubs and Chilly Waters

This was our first proper trip out with Ruby, so, of course, we had to head for the beach. After dropping no. 1 son off at his grandparents, we set off towards West Beach, our closest beach, only 1/2 an hour away, and also a nice quiet beach with no frills or kiss-me-quick hats. 

Cherries on the beach

The habour

Ruby views the sea

Picnic on the beach, Jaffa Cakes - one of no. 2 son's favourites

No 2 son finally braves the waves, and finds it very chilly

Zaf and I go off for a lovely walk along the beach, looking for treasures, in particular nice pieces of driftwood. We end up paddling (Zaf jumping!) with no. 2 son in and out of the rock pools looking at hermit crabs, fish, anemones and shrimps. All the exploring activity tired our woofie out.

 

There is much vegetation on the upper part of the beach, and on the way home I spotted this sweet little sea campion in flower.

We all had a great time; Ruby was a cherub, expertly driven by Steve, tootling down there on a lovely Mid Summer's Day!

The Elderflower Fields Festival Find!

I have been a huge fan of the old VW campervans for as long as I can remember. And for nearly just as long, I have hinted to my other half that the addition of such a sweet beastie to our family would bring many an unexpected and joyous adventure. 

Now my other half isn't one of life's natural campers, and despite us being extensively equipped to camp under canvas, well..., the unpredictability of the British weather hasn't so far tempted him on many tenting journeys. To be fair, each time we have laboriously lugged the above said equipment from the loft and into the car and onto the field in some far flung county, the heavens have usually greeted us with an unusual amount of precipitation. 

But then, I am a bit of a wanderer; I have gipsy in my blood, and like to see new towns and discover natural beauty spots. But travelling with kids has become quite an expense. Hotels and holiday companies are all too ready to cash in on 'high' seasons, where parents of children of school ages are restricted in when to take their time away. And with 2 nearly-adults, it isn't getting cheaper.

Over the years, many a discussion between us has debated the pro's and con's of caravans and campervans, hotels and far away holidays, and, I admit, not always conducted in the most civil of manners. You see, my other half is not a fan of caravans. At all. In any way. And especially not whilst sharing the road with them.

Although we have been very fortunate to visit many European destinations as well as tropical paradises such as the Caribbean and the Maldives, and I wouldn't have missed them for all the tea in China, my heart has always skipped a beat when passing a 'dub' on a motorway, or parked seductively at a vintage fair.

A few weeks back, fed up of listening to my plea for a camper, I managed to drag him along to view one which although was old, was done out beautifully. However, Glenda just wasn't quite right. I can't remember the exact make, but it was one of those with a sleeping area above the driver's cab. She was too big and bulky, and a tad shaky on the road. 

Never did I realise that my girl was going to find me at the very same Festival I wasn't sure about going to, because I had recently broken my shoulder. When I spotted Ruby for sale, it was love at first sight. She is bold but sweet, strawberries and cream, and I sat and stared at her for some time, sussing her out. 

Justin, her owner, was selling her to expand his business, the Bug Bar, and had cared for her for 10 years. We spoke. He sent these photos of her to me...

.....and this is the story of our travels with

RUBY

Join us on our journey if you wish....