Hello from a nervous newbie

Welcome aboard. Sorry for your loss, but keeping the bus going is a great thing to do I reckon! Finding the gears can be a bit of a pain at times, as for reverse, a lot of people forget that you need to apply light pressure downwards on the stick to push it across to the reverse location. That said don't apply pressure at every gear change or you may (like me) go from 1st to reverse which can be very embarrassing! The kids will grow up with ace memories from being out and about in the van - a true family experience and dad will always be with them..

 

Welcome Steph, I've been on the forum for just over a year now and admit to being a little daunted too. On reflection though there was no need to be, all the chaps are friendly and our moderators are on hand to keep people on the straight and narrow.

Technical advice and practical help is on hand for the van and I'm know non van related help is also available if needed.

Good luck and enjoy the van.

Regards

 

Welcome to the nut house Steph.

I used to worry about asking too many silly questions, then a good friend of mine once told me, "there's no such thing as a stupid question" so with that in mind feel free to bombard us with anything you want to know.

If you're interesting in learning a few basics and/or meeting some of us, pop along to techenders in April. It's a relaxed informal weekend camping with plenty of people about to offer support and encouragement/ cups of tea, beer etc.

You sound like you're ready to get out with the children and make some more happy memories

 

Hi Steph....can relate to being wary of using something that was really precious to a loved one, but remember, it's just a 'thing' (sacriledge, I know)
parking sensors kits are cheap as chips these days, and if you're not overly confident to fit them yourself, it wouldn't cost a great deal to have it done professionally....in fact, as @Beaver suggested, if you were considering a trip to Techenders, it's the type of job that some kind soul would do for tea and biscuits...(and maybe some cake)

 

Hello Steph & Welcome from The Colonial Contingent.

Both my Missus & Eldest Unmarried Daughter drive the camper, in fact the daughter did her driving license test in it ( & passed). All it takes is a bit of practice .

 

Bonjour and welcome...

Have a go what can go wrong....

 

Hi from Yorkshire! I'm sure you'll get the hang of the bus. Practice makes perfect!

Might have been me.
"you can see where the reversing camera is fitted, in the number plate light housing (Moonrakers originally had the spare wheel on the back so Devon moved the number plate to the right and fitted a new light). Amazingly enough, the original factory fitted unit still had a bulb in it!"

 

Hi Steph and a big welcome from Tufty.
I hope the van will continue to bring you more happy times for the future.
Plenty of us on here to help.
Nick

 

Hi from West Lancashire - my sincere condolences on your loss of Andy - he would be very proud of you - good luck in getting to know your van - it won't take long before you master it.

 

thanks everyone for your warm welcome! I'm in Wimbledon and the sun is shining here so thinking of taking Charlie for a spin for Mother's day if the nice weather lasts that long, you've all inspired me to just go for it

 

Dont forget an AA card

 

Hi Steph very very sorry to hear of your loss , and hope that time will lesson the pain .
If you are concerned about driving the bus , why not try and find some waist land or an old aerodrome where you can practise driving it under no pressure until you build confidence . Or do what my wife did, and go out in it in the less busy evenings .

 

Hi Steph , sounds like you`ve certainly been up against it - things can only get better
Don`t be worried about left hand drive , it`ll be second nature once you`ve driven the van a few times . As for the gear selection , they can be a wee bit awkward at first but don`t be put off - take your time and don`t rush gear changes .
Just get out there and drive it , every van drives differently so it`s just a matter of finding your way around the quirks of yours...
As mentioned before , Techenders is well worth putting on the calender , they`re a friendly bunch - it`s not your average VW gathering , far more laid back and if you need to know anything just ask ...

Good luck and welcome aboard

 

Mine's a left hooker. Took a bit of getting used to, but then I worked out that the front wheel was directly under my left leg when driving. Makes it far less scary keeping the correct distance from the kerb, especially when oncoming traffic. I now prefer LHD to rhd to be honest.
Chin up.

 

Welcome & please don't be nervous, I couldn't read much of your blog I'm sorry it has stirred up memories & feelings I have been hiding from! Your a real inspiration to Andy & your children & have a strength many don't have so get out there & take that camper for a spin round the block. You will be driving up and down the country in no time

 

Welcome the most important thing to do when driving a bay is to wave at everyone even if they don't want you too
Sorry about Andy my wife and I are just fifty and have lost a good few friends now
That's why we must all get out and about as mush as possible
Will look out for you and wave as we are only down the rd in Colchester

 

Hi Steph I am officially the worst reverser of a bay but after the kids put bumps into the bumpers I really don't worry about adding a few more from time to time. Adds to the memories. Mine is LHD but I really don't have any problems with that at all. I can see all I want to see when I'm driving. Going to have a read of your blog now. Hope to meet you at Techenders sometime.

 

Just been reading your blog - everyone should read it

 

Steph, don't worry about the wheel being on the wrong side, you will not be overtaking much anyway . I am sure after all you have been through the bus will be a breeze . Enjoy .