Incredibly this is the first thing I’ve written for the site since September – no idea where those 6 months have gone! Time apparently flies when you pack up the smokes! Back in September I was really looking forward to getting my hands on a copy of Circle the Wagen. At some stage in October the copy I’d ordered from Amazon turned up, and to be blunt I wish I hadn’t bothered. I desperately wanted to love the movie, but it just irritated me I’m afraid. The premise of the film was awesome; after all, who wouldn’t want to go on a road trip across the States in an old VW? Sadly, it failed to deliver on pretty much all counts. Our protagonist, Dave, bailed on the journey after less than a third of the way, leaving the bus at a motel whilst he buggered off around the world apparently teaching English and no doubt “finding himself”.

Four years later, along with his flat-cap-wearing, pipe-smoking hipster mate (who contributes precisely bugger all to the film), he decides to finish the journey. And finish it he does. Woo hoo. Once back in California, Dave gives us his clearest demonstration yet that he couldn’t give a crap about owning a bus, as he promptly dumps it at his mate’s place. I even gave the film a second watch, just in case I’d misjudged it the first time around. I hadn’t, and I doubt very much that I’ll bother with it again. Sorry fellas – great idea, awful execution.

Anyway, that’s my little rant over. After 4 months in storage, Clarence has made it through the MOT with minimal work. Just some air in his washer jet bottle and a bit of tighten up of the old handbrake – unreal! So after a service, it was time to give him a run down to the Waterloo Inn at Biggin to catch up with Darryl and Nick and eat some pie. Yep, we went camping in February! Not sure I’ll be doing that again – even with a little oil filled radiator in the bus, it was still awfully chilly in there. And by the time the snow arrived on Sunday lunchtime, I’d had enough! But despite the chill, the food beer and company were all of the highest order, and of course we managed to squeeze a visit to the cheese shop at Hartington!

So Clarence is back at Beetle People having a few of the goodies I’d ordered for him at Christmas fitted. On the shopping list was a full set of window and door seals, a set of jail bars, and after 3 years of ownership I’ve eventually bought him a script batch for his rump! It’s not all good news however – John sent me some pictures the other day of the rust around the bottom of the windscreen, which has necessitated the purchase of a repair panel to put that right. The guys at Custom & Commercial came through though, and got the panel to John the following day and by the looks of the photos he’s sent acrosss he seems to be making pretty good progress.

And after attending the first Spring Dub a couple of years ago, at the weekend I headed back up to what they now call the Yorkshire Event Centre in the bug. There was definitely a stronger turnout from the watercooled boys, and I’m sure that there were more aircooled cars there a couple of years ago. I’m not sure I understand why there were a couple of BMWs on show, and whilst there were a few things that caught my eye the vast majority wasn’t really my cup of tea and that doesn’t really inspire me to visit again in the future.

One show that I am very much looking forward to heading back to is the Volksworld Show at the end of March. After a year off last year, it’ll be good to be back at Sandown Park with Brad, Rossy and Nels. Hopefully we get the sunshine of 3 years ago rather than the snow of 2 years ago!

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“Would you like to enter your car into the show?”

Not quite what I expected to hear when I wound down the window on the bug on arriving at Escrick Park near York on Sunday. Had I even dreamt it was, I would have at least washed the car before heading up there for this year’s VW Field of Dreams! Maybe that makes me a bad owner, especially seeing as it was Betty’s 43rd birthday….

I’d had a potter around last year’s VW Field of Dreams up at York Racecourse, and was really interested to see how the new venue would fit the show (or should that be the other way round?), which is now in its second year. Two of the key things for me about the show are that a) it’s in the north, and b) it’s aircooled only. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against watercooled stuff, I just prefer the aircooled variety!

Overall, the show seemed really well organised, with a good selection of traders and relaxed atmosphere. I wish I’d bought my day ticket in advance, as I’m not sure that (for its current size) £10 for the day represents the best value out there. But that’s my own fault for being a disorganised sod! Maybe camping for the weekend might be the way to go in future? Especially as there seemed to be a pretty packed entertainment schedule from what I could tell, including a screening of Circle the Wagen which, having seen the trailer, I’m now desperate to see!

I’m hopeful that the show n shine will grow as the show becomes more popular and, gauging by the numbers on view, buses are still enjoying a greater popularity than bugs. And next year (already pencilled in for 11th – 13th September), the bug will definitely be clean before I head on over! Someone else may need to drive the bus over in that case…..

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