Finally we are off to Camp Quirky..!! I have been flipping between being super excited about it and a little overwhelmed – this year, even though it’s only the 3rd ever Camp Quirky, has a lot to live up to it seems.
We arranged to meet up with Jo, Dave and Louie and Mevi at a pub nearby for some lunch but unfortunately Mevis van decided it was going to be a steam engine for the day instead so he was running a little late. We got to the pub and had a lovely lunch with Jo and Dave and headed over to Quirky.
We passed all sorts of vans at the side of the road as we drove there, beeping and waving as we went past.. our little factory van stood out a little from the rest. We found the sign and turned into the field where there was already a huge line of vans waiting to go in, John jumped out and grabbed some footage while Jo and I conspired over the radio about how much fun we could have if we were to find a Quirky high vis jacket and clipboard.. haha
As we were being pointed to where they wanted us to park, I asked the nice Quirky chap if we could leave gaps or save spaces on the row that would be behind us for when Mevi and the boonies, Isle Explore and Woolley Cod Wanderers arrived so they could park up and he was so nice and said as long as we left a fire gap then sure – yay..!
It wasn’t long till we’d all arrived with gazebos and canopies, tables and chairs, fire pits and stoves all set up and ready for.. the rain..!! Rain..! I did not order any rain but when does the weather ever listen to me..? So it was a soggy bunch of campers that first had a walk around Camp Quirky to get our bearings.
We decided while we were mooching that a trip to the loo was in order.. one and only time I used the composting loo and it was only the very first day.. We had decided to buy a spare cassette for the van loo which came in handy instead.. the composting toilets seemed to be really popular (they were the only loos on site that weren’t in vans though..) and I love the sustainability of them (although I thought you couldn’t compost if wee and poop were mixed together and this was just a posh toilet seat over a wheely bin set up..) still good and probably less smelly than some music festival toilets I’ve been to..! I loved the fact the whole site is powered by solar, loads of recycling bins and waste points and they even supplied bin bags for general and recycling waste..!!
There were so many vans of every shape and size and also tents and caravans too – you don’t need a “quirky” van to come at all..!
The main area was set out wonderfully, lots of food places and the tents with the workshops and how to’s all had names of popular vans – Iveco, Sprinter, Crafter and Bongo which was a cute twist. Loads of stalls with people selling their handmade wares too, there was a little bit of everything. We had to register Cooper and he picked up his festival collar band complete with an actual Doggy bag..! With food, treats and poo bags inside which were fab..!!
We set up for the night around the fire later on, we were all a bit disappointed with the weather but we managed to all snuggle under the canopies and keep warmish anyway.. lots of booze and great conversation with people stopping as they walked past to say hi and share some beers.. Greg popped over with his mum and Lou joined shortly after – it was a fab first day at Quirky.
A rough Saturday morning wake up for Mandy.! Haha.. thankfully the coffee power was shining brightly so many cups were had and a bit of breakfast before going for a look around the vans again. The little area we had set up was great for just grabbing a chair and chatting to whoever else was there, it was lovely and chilled with the birds chirping away – you would never think that there were so many (SO many..!) others there.
Jo and I decided to go try the cooking in a camper demonstration and to see if we could grab the make the most of your blog too.. the cooking demo was performed by a lovely lady but wasn’t anything groundbreaking (can’t think what I was expecting really) but the food looked and smelled amazing and she showed some gadgets at the end like folding coat hangers and collapsible Tupperware COLLAPSIBLE TUPPERWARE…!! At the mo I have my own dedicated cupboard for Tupperware at home so this was exciting news..! So far john has stopped me twice.. think I need a kitchen cull before I get some “better” ones.. haha
We missed the blog workshop so looked around the stalls instead and managed to grab some b-roll of John getting b-roll for Greg during his talk on insulating your van.. those boys and their toys – I’m impressed they didn’t heckle Greg..!
While we were looking around we found Dave..! Not Jo’s Dave but Dave the van who was stolen and thanks to the power of Quirky and social media, was found, a little untidy but intact, 4 days later..!! I don’t think I’ve ever been to a place where everyone was so nice – and I like to think the very best of everyone I meet too – but this was something else entirely..
I (and daughter Gem..) follow a lovely couple on Instagram who had posted that they were there with a picture out of the back of the van, so with a little stalking, looking for the same tree pattern I managed to find them and say hi..! I had a tour of the van and said hi to the dog too – such lovely people..!
Another boozy night by the fires ensued when the temperature dropped a little and much fun was had, we had a couple more people stop and say hi which was lovely too and I left all the boys talking and went inside at about midnight.. not so much of a lightweight really..
Sunday dawned a glorious sunny day and Jo and I decided we were going to try the Wellness session at 10 so headed over to the Iveco tent. The lady there was limbering everyone up using some Qi gong and the hour long session left us feeling all light and happy..
John, Dave and Mevi had offered to help Greg make sure he had as much footage as he could get from his final session on insulating vans so they grabbed all the kit and met us at Greg’s van where we did a dog swap. We all have a van mum now as we pinched Flora, Greg’s mum as our own, she is absolutely amazing and we all love her to bits..!! Jo and I headed back to the van with the puppers to chill in the sun for a bit (and use our own Loos..!) the fellers came back after like a scene from bad boys – haha
The day before we’d found a big ole field at the end of the one we were in so took the dogs up there for a run out which was lovely, we were stopped by a subscriber on the way who said she loved our videos and asked about the house sale (that just never gets old..! I get more excited every time it happens) she didn’t want to buy it (haha – I asked everyone..!) as she loved her little home on wheels far too much.
Most of the weekend was spent wandering around the vans saying hi or chilling by our own.. Sunday night we were joined by the Woolley Cod Wanderers (Jane and Graham) too and much laughter and beer was had. Gradually the last of the wood was thrown on the fire and I called it a night and left the others chatting.. pack up time would arrive soon enough in the morning.
Monday morning arrived with glorious sunshine which is great because no one likes putting wet stuff away do they..? By the time I’d made it outside Dave had packed up loads of things (will make sure we take him everywhere with us..! Haha) so after coffee, Jo and I headed off for one last Well-being session and floated back to the vans again where we picked up rubbish and packed everything away for the drive home.. we said our goodbyes to those we’d met (we’d been saying goodbye since Sunday afternoon to some of the loveliest people..!) decided one more visit to the pub was in order (you didn’t think we’d miss a planning room trip did you..?) so headed there to fill up for the drive.
I tell you what though.. I’ve NEVER seen such a tidy site, I suppose it goes with the “leave no trace” ethos of those with vans so it’s something everyone is used to. The fields were green and unspoilt apart from tread marks on the grass.
This was the first time we’d eaten every meal from the van for the entire weekend – usually we take loads and fetch it all back..! Bit of a game changer this time though – I pre cooked a lot of food before we left – this was a hint I nicked from Neil in Burro Ambulante – so we had cooked chicken, bacon and sausages which made meal times sooooo much easier – everything went in a wrap in a ridgemonkey..!
What a weekend though..! From waking up to climbing in bed it was fun and interesting and informative and unique and chilled and friendly and of course, Quirky..!
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