Camper Jam 2012 aka Mud Fest

If anyone would have told me 10 years ago I would be going to Camper Jam - I would have laughed, rolled my eyes & said I gave up camping when I left Guides....

Last Friday I put my new found long distance driving skills to good use, and drove myself and the Little Miss to a Hotel (*) near Weston Park, where Camper am 2012 was being held. Letting the boys set up camp in Brightside.

We are ladies who like to stay in style.... (Not quite ready to get under canvas)

I think the conversation went along the lines of... 'Yes Daddy the Hotel is very nice, I've put the bar of soap in my bag already - Hello Big Brother, its nice & warm here, how about you in the camper??? Wahhahhhhaahaaaa!'

Saturday saw us arrive to fields of Campers, horror stories of vans being towed on & off the pitches due to the wet ground, and claims of a good nights sleep & barbecued gammon for breakfast.... 

Wake up Brightside, surely it wasn't that bad???

Under skies that could not decide whether to shine or rain, we walked through the fields of fellow campers

To the display area. 

Matching Tear Drop Trailer anyone???

Little Miss - Oh yes please, I like the flowery bedding....

Grey Camper anyone?

Me - Oh, please please please - It matches the front door

G - Eyes Roll......

There was a red Split selling Olive's & Italian Lemonade

A stall with the loveliest name....

And all sorts of collectables to add to your Camper, some more interesting than others....

And then the heavens opened....

I felt sorry for the traders & the visitors.... The land was a washout, people couldn't get to the stalls safely & stock was getting damaged. It was as close to Glastonbury as I will ever get....

As soon as there was a break in the rain it was back to Brightside to dry off.  Lo and behold a miracle occurred (2 actually), the sun started to shine again, we opened the sun roof, and G washed up!

Sibling Love - Part One
Look cute whilst strangling Big Brother

Sibling Love - Part Two
Attempt to post Little Sister up through Sun Roof (I think she may have found some dirt...)

What happens when you bounce in a Camper

Sadly the rain & mud put paid to the Sunday Day visitors, after the event organisers were told by the Land owners that they would not allow any more people in, as the grass would need to recover for a big music festival in 4 weeks....

It was such a shame as so many people had gone to a lot of trouble, travelling hundreds of miles, looking forward to what is usually the biggest VW event in the country. I left on Saturday evening with Little Miss, but G said here was a really good feel to the evening events....

Yet despite the mud & rain (& dodgy toilets) it was a really event, if you have one near you, its worth taking the children, there is always a good family feel, everyone is welcoming, and lots to look at and do, stories told, info to be swapped.

The 11 year old's T shirt says it all - OCD Obsessive Camper Disorder - I tell you, it's contagious. Would you like me to tell you the story of why & how Mr Brightside became our bus? He is now very special to us (especially G).

Lx
(*) Hotel was free on G's travel points, a plus side to having a husband who is away a lot (oh, & a bed all to ones self...)

ps. Do you like the Puck Caravan?

This Time Last Month....

Christmas Day 2011 - Polzeath Beach Cornwall - Us & Brightside

Lx

:: It was good in Cornwall :: Part One

:: To discover new beaches - Godrevy on the West Coast, a National Trust beach ::

:: Parking on the cliff, with the shortest of walks down to wide open coves of golden sand & crystal clear blue waters for as far as the eye could see ::

:: It was good to see the smiles on my 10 year old as he scampered like a mountain goat on the rocks ::
:: Water, sand, rocks. All he needs ::

:: It was so good, that we went back again ::

:: This time we called in at Hell's Mouth Cafe for lunch, which was delicious, and very well priced ::

:: Following the advice of a lovely gentleman, who informed my small people that they would be able to see seals further up the beach (true indeed, much excitment too) we wandered up to Hell's Mouth Cove:: 

::Sadly for such a beautiful place, he also told me it is also known as a suicide spot - it was so very moving to look at the local church number, offering support in times of need, pinned on the fence ::

:: It was good to visit Port Issac. To wander down the steep streets of fishing cottages ::

:: To the working Harbour ::

:: Small one collected sea glass & pottery treasures ::

:: And I had a serious case of the wanties in this emporium of wonderful things ::

:: As the sun came out, we walked the path back to the car park, overlooking the sea & it was good ::

:: It was good to revisit Polzeath Beach::
:: Our family works well on the beach, we've developed a rythm that suits all :: I have my tent, to shelter me from the sun & in which I sit & read, watch, cuddle & nourish from ::

:: Small one builds sand castles ::

:: And here we stay - late into the evening. Tucking into hot Cornish Pasties as the tide makes it way in ::

:: Squeezing every drop out of a beautiful chilled day.

 :: And as the darkness takes hold, late at night, I strip off small people, dry them off & wrap them up warm - I do think G is big enough to sort himself out, so don't offer ::

:: Hot camper drinks ::

 :: Its also good to slow down and watch & listen to the smalls people, eaves drop on their conversation, take in their growing personalities - ponder on what their future holds, whilst sometimes still wishing I could have them little again ::

:: I asked G ? When did the 10 year stop shouting out the make of the tractor that passed us on the roads? Something that was so much a part of his early years, has stopped & I hadn't realised till now. Then I notice a 7 & 10 year old reading the cartoon strips in the Daily Mail - and laughing, as only children can, at the silliness of adult humour ::

:: Yes, its all been good ::

Lx

Can I also add a big thankyou for all your lovely messages on my last post - & also say 'Hello" to Jayne, thankyou so much for your comment!