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Newbie from South London

Boops

Boops

VIP Member
Messages
23
Location
London
Vehicle
T6.1 Ocean 150
Hello everyone. I’m from Sunny South London! I am now the excitedly happy owner of a Cherry Red Ocean. I chose Cherry Red as I figured it might be more of a hippy camper image and less of a “van man” type van but kids are making fun of me saying it looks like a Royal Mail van! What do they know?

It’s been quite a long journey from the dream to the reality. I’ve been staying in static caravans on campsites for 20 years now - mainly in France. Over the years, I’ve thought about buying everything from my own static to a towing caravan to a motorhome, but a few years ago I saw a VW California on a campsite and realised that was what I wanted.

Since this time last year I have been looking at all the options, and watching various youtube video and reading this forum as well. I appreciate all the good advice on this forum and the fact that you don’t get bombarded with ads or pop-ups. I reason that all the good advice on this forum on what to buy/not to buy, and the optional extras to go for has saved me so much time & money that I should put back in so gladly paid the membership fee. Thanks to all the contributors, I hope I can contribute more to the forum with my own experiences.

I bought from AutoEBid, who were very good and without hesitation would recommend using them to get the 11% discount. They regularly communicated by phone/email with updates every month regarding progress on my order. Reading through the various posts this has been missing from a lot of dealers. I must admit that I was a bit apprehensive about ordering with them as it felt a bit like ordering a pizza. You go online and use their tool to pick a base model and then add the optional extras. You are presented with a price and someone calls you up to answer any questions or if you want to progress. If you progress then you pay a deposit to a main dealer and then further down the line, the balance when the car is ready. And then a nice man came and delivered my car to my house for me. Although you do not get any handover as you would from a main dealer but there so much advice in this forum and the various youtube channels that I did not feel I missed out. Of course I’m making a joke about the pizza but they were 100% professional, I was just not used to buying a car like that.

Which brings me to the VW California Youtube channels. I have to call out the channels that I found very useful. The is a Youtube channel called “A Bus and Beyond”. The videos are informative and enjoyable to watch. Thanks guys for the effort that you have put it. I also enjoyed watching Chili’s Videos. The videos are not in English, but if you watch on a computer there is a function that allows for subtitles to be switched on. This option will not work on a tablet/mobile device. Also California Chris. His videos are just as good as any handover and I think better than the Camping Supplement that comes with the User Manual.

The car is just sat on the road outside my house so am looking forward to when the restrictions are lifted to go on day trips, overnight stays, weekend trips and much longer trips. I have four kids hence I’m used to booking everything way in advance so it is going to be a huge change in mindset to hit the road without having a prior booking. As I’ve never been to a campsite, what is the policy to just rocking up. Is booking essential? Is a two night minimum required over the weekend?

The other thing that I like to do is outdoor cooking. I like nothing better that having a cold beer whilst cooking some good food over a live fire. Over the years, I’ve accumulated portable BBQ’s, fire pits, a portable pizza oven so am looking forward to taking these on the road with me. I’m a sucker for buying these things. I hope to share some of my experiences of what works/ doesn’t work, tips, hacks etc. over the coming months.

Anyway, I think I’ve rambled on for a bit too long, but if you happen to come across an Indian guy with a Cherry Red California and a black Labrador dog, then that’s probably me. I’m kind of going out on a limb here, but I’m guessing there is not that many with that combination, so come and say hello!

Unknown-2.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Welcome, looks very nice
 
Hi there, I am South London based, could I have a
nosey at your 6.1? Do please PM
 
:welcome Welcome and thanks for the intro. I enjoyed reading it.
 
Hello everyone. I’m from Sunny South London! I am now the excitedly happy owner of a Cherry Red Ocean. I chose Cherry Red as I figured it might be more of a hippy camper image and less of a “van man” type van but kids are making fun of me saying it looks like a Royal Mail van! What do they know?

It’s been quite a long journey from the dream to the reality. I’ve been staying in static caravans on campsites for 20 years now - mainly in France. Over the years, I’ve thought about buying everything from my own static to a towing caravan to a motorhome, but a few years ago I saw a VW California on a campsite and realised that was what I wanted.

Since this time last year I have been looking at all the options, and watching various youtube video and reading this forum as well. I appreciate all the good advice on this forum and the fact that you don’t get bombarded with ads or pop-ups. I reason that all the good advice on this forum on what to buy/not to buy, and the optional extras to go for has saved me so much time & money that I should put back in so gladly paid the membership fee. Thanks to all the contributors, I hope I can contribute more to the forum with my own experiences.

I bought from AutoEBid, who were very good and without hesitation would recommend using them to get the 11% discount. They regularly communicated by phone/email with updates every month regarding progress on my order. Reading through the various posts this has been missing from a lot of dealers. I must admit that I was a bit apprehensive about ordering with them as it felt a bit like ordering a pizza. You go online and use their tool to pick a base model and then add the optional extras. You are presented with a price and someone calls you up to answer any questions or if you want to progress. If you progress then you pay a deposit to a main dealer and then further down the line, the balance when the car is ready. And then a nice man came and delivered my car to my house for me. Although you do not get any handover as you would from a main dealer but there so much advice in this forum and the various youtube channels that I did not feel I missed out. Of course I’m making a joke about the pizza but they were 100% professional, I was just not used to buying a car like that.

Which brings me to the VW California Youtube channels. I have to call out the channels that I found very useful. The is a Youtube channel called “A Bus and Beyond”. The videos are informative and enjoyable to watch. Thanks guys for the effort that you have put it. I also enjoyed watching Chili’s Videos. The videos are not in English, but if you watch on a computer there is a function that allows for subtitles to be switched on. This option will not work on a tablet/mobile device. Also California Chris. His videos are just as good as any handover and I think better than the Camping Supplement that comes with the User Manual.

The car is just sat on the road outside my house so am looking forward to when the restrictions are lifted to go on day trips, overnight stays, weekend trips and much longer trips. I have four kids hence I’m used to booking everything way in advance so it is going to be a huge change in mindset to hit the road without having a prior booking. As I’ve never been to a campsite, what is the policy to just rocking up. Is booking essential? Is a two night minimum required over the weekend?

The other thing that I like to do is outdoor cooking. I like nothing better that having a cold beer whilst cooking some good food over a live fire. Over the years, I’ve accumulated portable BBQ’s, fire pits, a portable pizza oven so am looking forward to taking these on the road with me. I’m a sucker for buying these things. I hope to share some of my experiences of what works/ doesn’t work, tips, hacks etc. over the coming months.

Anyway, I think I’ve rambled on for a bit too long, but if you happen to come across an Indian guy with a Cherry Red California and a black Labrador dog, then that’s probably me. I’m kind of going out on a limb here, but I’m guessing there is not that many with that combination, so come and say hello!

View attachment 74605
Welcome! Love the colour, but its not Post Office red.
I'm looking forward to hearing about your cooking on the fire. I'm just pondering what cooking equipment to buy atm
 
hi welcome.
im south london, 40miles south london but your always welcome to drop in for a chat about vans n stuff.
 
Another South Londoner here - at the Bromley/Lewisham/Greenwich borough tripoint (but just in Greenwich by a smidgen).

Welcome to the Forum.
 
Hello everyone. I’m from Sunny South London! I am now the excitedly happy owner of a Cherry Red Ocean. I chose Cherry Red as I figured it might be more of a hippy camper image and less of a “van man” type van but kids are making fun of me saying it looks like a Royal Mail van! What do they know?

It’s been quite a long journey from the dream to the reality. I’ve been staying in static caravans on campsites for 20 years now - mainly in France. Over the years, I’ve thought about buying everything from my own static to a towing caravan to a motorhome, but a few years ago I saw a VW California on a campsite and realised that was what I wanted.

Since this time last year I have been looking at all the options, and watching various youtube video and reading this forum as well. I appreciate all the good advice on this forum and the fact that you don’t get bombarded with ads or pop-ups. I reason that all the good advice on this forum on what to buy/not to buy, and the optional extras to go for has saved me so much time & money that I should put back in so gladly paid the membership fee. Thanks to all the contributors, I hope I can contribute more to the forum with my own experiences.

I bought from AutoEBid, who were very good and without hesitation would recommend using them to get the 11% discount. They regularly communicated by phone/email with updates every month regarding progress on my order. Reading through the various posts this has been missing from a lot of dealers. I must admit that I was a bit apprehensive about ordering with them as it felt a bit like ordering a pizza. You go online and use their tool to pick a base model and then add the optional extras. You are presented with a price and someone calls you up to answer any questions or if you want to progress. If you progress then you pay a deposit to a main dealer and then further down the line, the balance when the car is ready. And then a nice man came and delivered my car to my house for me. Although you do not get any handover as you would from a main dealer but there so much advice in this forum and the various youtube channels that I did not feel I missed out. Of course I’m making a joke about the pizza but they were 100% professional, I was just not used to buying a car like that.

Which brings me to the VW California Youtube channels. I have to call out the channels that I found very useful. The is a Youtube channel called “A Bus and Beyond”. The videos are informative and enjoyable to watch. Thanks guys for the effort that you have put it. I also enjoyed watching Chili’s Videos. The videos are not in English, but if you watch on a computer there is a function that allows for subtitles to be switched on. This option will not work on a tablet/mobile device. Also California Chris. His videos are just as good as any handover and I think better than the Camping Supplement that comes with the User Manual.

The car is just sat on the road outside my house so am looking forward to when the restrictions are lifted to go on day trips, overnight stays, weekend trips and much longer trips. I have four kids hence I’m used to booking everything way in advance so it is going to be a huge change in mindset to hit the road without having a prior booking. As I’ve never been to a campsite, what is the policy to just rocking up. Is booking essential? Is a two night minimum required over the weekend?

The other thing that I like to do is outdoor cooking. I like nothing better that having a cold beer whilst cooking some good food over a live fire. Over the years, I’ve accumulated portable BBQ’s, fire pits, a portable pizza oven so am looking forward to taking these on the road with me. I’m a sucker for buying these things. I hope to share some of my experiences of what works/ doesn’t work, tips, hacks etc. over the coming months.

Anyway, I think I’ve rambled on for a bit too long, but if you happen to come across an Indian guy with a Cherry Red California and a black Labrador dog, then that’s probably me. I’m kind of going out on a limb here, but I’m guessing there is not that many with that combination, so come and say hello!

View attachment 74605
Hi Boops, I used to be a SW15 Londoner forever until kids came along. Now just into Surrey ("Greater London"). Love the van...and the colour. Will you have any problems with electrical hook up(at home)? Going Solar?
 
Hi Boops,

great opening post, lovely looking post Van, :Iamsorry

the kids will not call it a post van after they have camped in it.

wishing you many happy memories

re campsites, each has its own policy, if I were you I would start by booking a couple of sites as this year will be very busy, various sites can help with research.

ukcampsite etc. ( google search will bring it up)

A good app (paid app) is “search for sites“ circa £5 per year, it can be used to search a specific locality etc. ( 7 days free access before you have to pay)


Don’t forget to wave

enjoy :cool:
 
Hi there!!

Sounds like you are going to have some great trips and will certainly look forward to seeing you on the road!!!

Happy driving "its a cheerful looking machine "
 
hi welcome.
im south london, 40miles south london but your always welcome to drop in for a chat about vans n stuff.
Thanks Capt Kirk. For sure, that would be great. I have to warn you though - apparently, I'm becoming a camper van bore!
 
Hi Boops, I used to be a SW15 Londoner forever until kids came along. Now just into Surrey ("Greater London"). Love the van...and the colour. Will you have any problems with electrical hook up(at home)? Going Solar?
To be honest - I did not think that far ahead about electrical hook up. Guess I'll just have to wait until I can park. outside my house and run the electrical hook up through the letter box!
 
Brighton here, which I'm sure will be on your list of places to drive to :)
 
Great post and great van... got quite a picture in mind now of you, all your kids, your Labrador, bbqs, fire pits and pizza oven!
 
@Boops , welcome on board and congratulations on the new van. Enjoy the adventures ... and remember to post up your adventures on here :thumb Enjoy
 
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