Hello from a nervous newbie

Discussion in 'Introduce Yourselves' started by Andyswife, Mar 2, 2016.

  1. Hi
    My husband was a regular poster on this thread as we had (have) a Westy which has been lovingly restored. At the end of November 2014 Andy was diagnosed with incurable cancer and we had an amazing 13 months together including an epic trip to Glasto before he died on December 14th 2015. I promised I would keep the bus running and use it to continue to create memories with our 4 children, we're back to Glasto this year (6th time for me). Problem is, because Charlie the bus was Andy's pride and joy I never drove it, because I didn't want to be the one pranging or scratching it! It has power steering and is LHD so I need to bite the bullet and get used to driving it (I drive a VW Caddy max wheelchair adapted vehicle daily as my youngest is in a wheelchair so I'm not pampered by my drive!). I do have a couple of questions - I want to get sensors fitted for parking - any tips? And any advice on making gear changes smoother, finding reverse is a nightmare!?

    So hello from this nervous newbie, I am so out of my comfort zone taking on responsibility for the bus, my main previously was to look at colour charts and sort out the curtains!

    In case you want to know more about me, here's my blog www.wasthisintheplan.com - it gives an indicator of the somewhat complicated life I live!
    Steph
     
  2. So sorry to hear that steph, we are all friendly and helpful here . I think someone has fitted them , will go and read your blog ,take care .
     
    tommygoldy likes this.
  3. Dazza

    Dazza Eyebrow not high brow

    Sorry to hear your story but you're amongst friends here..

    If it's any consolation - I'm nervous every time I drive mine :):)
     
    Barneyrubble likes this.
  4. Wow, what a introduction. You'll find everyone will be more than willing to help.

    My wife is the only one who drives our bus, it's a lhd without power steering. She really is a gem at driving it, although she had arms like pop eye after driving it a long distance :)
     
    Willsta and Barneyrubble like this.
  5. Hello

    A guy the other day here fitted a reversing camera to his back light lens, who was that?

    Gears might just need practice

    Where in the country are you someone might recomend a mechanic to go through the gear bushes
     
  6. davidoft

    davidoft Sponsor

    Hello from Hayling near Portsmouth, I wouldn't worry about damaging it to much, I consider mine to be the children's as much as mine, I rather it got scratched using it than stayed perfect but never left the garage. Saying that when it came back from the respray my daughter picked up a piece of scrap metal from the garage floor and proceeded to polish the side of the van with it :eek:

    Wasn't on purpose so I just gently took it off her and we sat in and had a family picture

    [​IMG]

    She was only 1 I think
     
    Willsta, rob.e, nicktuft and 4 others like this.
  7. rickyrooo1

    rickyrooo1 Hanging round like a bad smell

    blimey, welcome, what was your hub's sign in name on here? as for the parking sensors you could tie kittens to the bumper - cheap but one use only. ;)
     
    Sasha, Willsta and philntfc like this.
  8. Welcome aboard:thumbsup:you're in the best place for camper help and advice. Power steering will make handling the bus much easier and as for LHD, I've not found it an issue once I'd driven ours a few times. These buses aren't as big as you'd think anyway, its probably no longer than your Caddy.
    The blog is superb by the way, inspirational and moving stuff.
     
  9. The gear change can bit can be just you not being used to it , take it very slowly dont rush ,just let it "clonk " in and reverse , it will go too try sitting in it where you have plenty of space behind you and just practice , sometimes a little scrape wont matter but it will help you to get to know it , with these old buses we just need to take everything a bit more slowly and give yourself a bit more thinking time . Once you get used to it you will love it ,it feels great . Its great your going to do this for andy and your children , you are very brave lady , good luck and we are all here to help .
     
    dan H likes this.
  10. i would say welcome back. you became a member when andy signed up. sorry about whats happened in your life for all of you and it cant be easy coming on here with whats happened but respect to you for it...

    right to answer your ??
    I fitted a radio up front with a screen and a reversing camera on the rear number plate, its brilliant, you can see everything.
    gears are a bit funny to sort. it can be bushes on the tube or just adjusting of the gear lever.
     
  11. CollyP

    CollyP Moderator

    Hi Steph, sorry for your loss. The Herberts on here will keep you advised on technical matters - I don't know nuffink. Just keep driving Charlie the bus and making more memories. :)
     
    vanorak and Woodylubber like this.
  12. Welcome from Gloucestershire. If you are passing through the cotswolds on the way to Glasto, feel free to stop off for a cuppa
     
  13. Poptop2

    Poptop2 Administrator

    Massive welcome from me. Wow,what a intro!
     
  14. bernjb56

    bernjb56 Supporter

    Don't be nervous with us lot - we are a friendly bunch. I reckon that you will master the gear change easily enough with practice. Don't force anything - just feel your way with it slowly. It becomes second nature after a while.
     
  15. Poptop2

    Poptop2 Administrator

    This^

    He knows nothing!


    ;)
     
    CollyP likes this.
  16. A warm welcome! No need to be nervous. We're a sympathetic bunch and help is always at hand
     
  17. Flakey

    Flakey Supporter

    Good evening from Cheshire, if you can find someone near you maybe they could have a quick drive of yours and tell you if your gears are normal. LHD is fine in a taller vehicle you'll soon get used to that. Glasto sounds good this year,never been yet.
     
    art b likes this.
  18. Merlin Cat

    Merlin Cat Moderator

    Hello and welcome :)

    LHD easy to drive, just remember to try and park so the kids don't get out into the road!
    People are very friendly in this forum and always willing to help.
    The gears are prob just a bit awkward. My partner hates driving mine as she does so rarely and then graunches the gears and I glare!! :)
     
  19. Welcome Steph, what part of the country are you in? There's bound to be someone near you that can help you out if needed.
     
  20. sANDYbAY

    sANDYbAY On benefits-won't sponsor!

    Hi Steph, I'm really sorry to hear the awful news about Andy, there's a swear filter on the late bay but that won't prevent me saying that sometimes life is so f******* unfair you just want to scream and kick things.
    I've started reading your blog, (there is quite a lot of it) and after jumping around reading posts at random I became hooked and began properly from Dec 2008. After the little bit of you and your life that I've read so far I don't believe you will have the slightest problem mastering an old van.
    You, and you, Andy and your kids have mastered and overcome so much in the past that frankly I'm surprised that worrying about driving the van has even made it onto your radar.
    As for problems reversing, I spent the first two years of van ownership wrenching, jolting swinging, heaving, back kicking and swearing when trying to force my van into reverse until I had an epiphany and realised that I had to push the gearknob down first and then go into reverse.
    I apologised to the van afterwards and bought it some hubcaps to make up for it.
    All the very best for the future for all of you, oh, and welcome to the late bay.
    Bob
     
    Merlin Cat, Razzyh, Lasty and 3 others like this.

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