Rhubarbs and our first year back dubbin !

Rhubarbs first year back on the road

Well we finally got her mot’ed in february this year , gawd it had been a trial - after eighteen month's of pure graft and certain all was well we took her in , the brakes were fine when i had driven her there but mot man said no – new shoes , drums a cylinder and a bill of £278 got her through but we missed the years first gig – dubfreeze – we got there on the Sunday but had to go in our car .

April and we met Rick n Lou at the green dragon Welshpool for our first camp out , yes it was cold and there was snow all around but the van went well and the company was great , a day later and we all headed off to Barmouth over snow covered steep hills that tested our vans , we got there safe and sound with no major issues - “ follow that log cabin dad “ was my lad Wills mantra for that trip – we did indeed follow the log cabin or as you know it – the poo bus .

Me n Will took her out on the odd weekend when the rain stopped and we even had a fabulously hot day with DUBIOUS and his family at Bewdley , that was a rarity this year it seems as if the sun gods don’t like shining on Rhubarb or at least they haven’t this year – maybe its been a sort of initiation test ?

The west midlands tlb crew undaunted by the Welsh weather set up another meet at Borth in june – the first night was a washout rain persisted down all night – DUBIOUS and his crew got so soaked they gave up the ghost and headed off back to Quarry bonk - me and moley headed back to meet the poomeister at Welshpool found a pub and set out our trip agenda for the next few days .

We headed back to the coast just below Aberystwth and the sun came out -bliss !

Then it was swamperjam – what a fecking disaster – mud mud glorious mud nothing quite like it for ruining yer van – but we made the most of a awful circumstance and even met some old internet friends in the flesh – cool times !

The second West Midlands Welsh trip was just as muddy – zed , baybirmingham and me met at my house and headed off to Rhayader where we were to team up with Rickysatnavroooooo1 again , only by the time we had got there : set up : had tea and met a nutter the poomeister and his mob were still trying to navigate their way half the way BACK to Rhayader - Still at least it gave John the misfit time to prepare his welcome speech –the same one he had practised on us for hours ( or at least it seemed like hours ) !

Eventually Rick- guided by the stars – found his way to us and settled in , the weekends driving was spectacular at times , we did Elan valley and Nant –y – Moch two of the country’s most scenic routes , the weather was ok and we finished off our five day jaunt in Bridgenorth a Shropshire gem .

Lou me n Wil have had some quiet weekends away in places like Tenbury Wells , the clee hills , Alverley and Bourton on the water , Rhubarb has run relatively trouble free most of the time , we have had a few niggles but nothing that has called for a relay home or major roadside repairs so i can’t complain .

All in all a good first year back , both for us and the van although now we have kids Lou and i have found our bay a little restricting room wise , years ago we chucked in a change of clothes and went , nowadays we pack everything including the sanatogen .

Next year we plan on doing a France trip so i have to address a few issues that went unattended this year , so Rhubarbs tucked away in the garage and i am inspecting stuff , i hope to use her through the winter but only when its dry .

Thanks to those who joined us on our first years journey’s and camps, there are quite a lot of you to thank so suffice to say – ta for the company you guys – soz about the rain .

A few pics --

swamperjam - woodys bar attached to Adams cafe



Tenbury



Will





Wales n SUN



Swamperjam line up me n moley



paddling 2012 style



me n the big man



Green dragon walk of shame



Bolly n Rhu


Next year guys

 

Thanks top lad --

me n you -


me n Para



me n Al


the bays of brum and Eddie



Bishops Castle with my oldest mate and his new wife Holly


Rhubarb takes a breather after her first big hill

 

i'm trying to use that sort of argument in persuading her to camp in the winter .

 

My fave pics that sum up the year for me -

Bishops castle back on stock wheels







Nany - y - moch in the rain



The poomeister relaxed doing his trainspotters face -- made me laugh



Aberystwyth camp site



Boly and Rhu somewhere in wales



What a nancy :



Newtown in the rain




picture by William of me -- what a nancy :

u

DUBIOUS provides the rays in Bewdley





Will at artists valley



Will at Bourton on the water





Camperjam

Lou - lou n Stacey



The birdman and the brums



Al n zed



Mork n iggle



the hill of death



That sums up the year for me

 

Bloody hell I'm awake in a photo

Great pics Malc - here's to a great 2013!!