I have been trying to find the words to write this post for sometime, but every time I sit down to start writing I get a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye, my heart breaks a little more and I walk away from the screen. So I am determined to see this through. Over the last few weeks we have been doing viewings in order to sell Pinky and after a few bad candidates we had a couple come and view her last Saturday evening. Sarah and Catherine drove down from High Wyckham to see her and on Sunday made us an offer which was accepted. So next Sunday Pinky will be leaving me, Katie and Dylan and starting her next lot of adventures with her new owners. I feel sick thinking about her moving on; yes she is just a van but over the last 4 years Katie and I have had a million highs and lows and have loved every minute of owning her. When we first got her my plan was always to give her a respray and have a blue van, but the engine blew up - our money ran out and she stayed pink. Over time I loved driving this bright pink 40 year old van, she has got a really unique personality and will be missed more than my words can articulate. Over the last week I have been thinking a lot about this and my thoughts have led me down a rather geeky analysis: I see these vans a bit like Dr Who - in the sense that we are their companions and over time they regenerate and keep on running. I know that Sarah & Catherine are going to look after her and give her a bit of a spruce up and do the things I have not been able to in order to get her looking at her best. Life is all about change and I know for the next few weeks there will be a MASSIVE hole in my life - I won't be seeing that bright pink van every time I open the garage door or get that unique feeling when driving along in her. As for me - I am not leaving TLB - or the scene. The week I got Pinky was the week that TLB V1 started so The Late Bay is something that has given me so much advise and enabled me to meet some amazing people. Instead I am joining the ever increasing 'staff without a van club'. We will still be attending shows and going to TLB meets and camping. Maybe in a tent for a year before we get a different vehicle. For the next few months its all about knuckling down - paying off debts and getting our heads above water again. Personally - I would still love to get another Late Bay in the future - maybe a panel van or restoration that I can tackle many years from now. Anyway / no more doom and gloom … Today was Dylans 1st birthday so we decided to take Pinky out for one last time and take some photos so he can look back and see the amazing van we were lucky enough to own for 4 years. This is a selection of the photos we took ... I love this last photo and it's probably the one that makes me sad more than any other one. Over the last few months Dylan has always riden up front with me in the cab. I utterly love turning to my side and seeing my little boy sat there, smiling and enjoying watching the world go bye as people wave at us ... My little co-pilot. Goodbye Pinky & thank you for some amazing adventures, drunken nights away, hours by the side of the road waiting for the AA, expensive repair bills, happy memories and allowing us to be a brief part of your life on the road .... x
Really sorry to hear that - hopefully you've got lots of happy memories and photos from your time with Pinky. I hope you manage to sort things out and are soon able to buy another van. We recently had a 'should we sell Hattie' conversation - I was in tears just at the thought of it, and I'm sure a lot of other people will be able to identify with what you're going through. And happy birthday to Dylan.
Sad times on one hand but a new chapter on the other. Once you have got yourselves straight I am sure something will happen and you will own a money pit again Sounds like Pinky is going to a good home.
i bowt my van from someone like you, it bowt a lump ta my throat reading that, they stood and cried there eyes out as i left with it too , great memories to keep thou dan , and golly dylan has grown, good luck with what ever next you do, and you was fixing her tears today too bye pinky
Don't worry buddy in a few years when you're all sorted (which is perhaps the most important thing to do with a young family) you will be in a position to buy another van. More importantly at that point it will be when you're kids will actually properly remember going out in the van and those holidays. Even if you don't at least you did it and had one, so many people cant say that. Also if you stay in the scheme and camp out with the buses it wont be so bad. I don't like pink things unless they're attached to a women but in this case I actually like your van I spent 4 years building a kit car only to finish it just as my flat roof fell in the kitchen in my new house. I had to sell it as my kids were the age yours is now, it hurt but it was the right thing to do and I was just pleased I did it and had one. Sharing your pain....Much Love...Rob
Life moves on and the van will never remember you or how you mistreated her! Heartfelt emotion there Dan I feel for you all.
Great write up.Pulled at my heart strings.You may have sold Pinky but you can never take the memories away they will be with you all forever.Love the pic of Dylan the co-pilot.Look forward to camping with you guys in the future.
Your best shot of the heap, now its someone else's problem. I don't mean that just trying to make you feel better
Lovely post Dan and I can't believe Pinky is going!!! She is such a character and at least the girls will look after her and tart her up like you wanted. Will be sad not seeing you guys in her but tents are brilliant these days and if it rains too much I'm sure one of us lot will let you sit in our vans for 10 mins Here's to Pinky 2! Maybe you can test out your tent at Grill n Chill
bye bye pinky pye .....it is hard letting them go I know, must be because you live in it in a sort of way. you had miles of smiles and great memories and you even get to keep TLB.
Farewell Pinky Great photos Dan, doesn't Dylan look like such a grown up little boy? One day another van will turn up & you'll be able to enjoy it all over again.
