Impromptu gathering by the sea
It’s been a while since I caught up with a few bus buddies. So it was nice to have a small socially distanced informal local gathering now the pandemic rules have been relaxed a little. Not quite a VW show as such. Still, it will be nice to see people outside of a supermarket setting finally!
quick Hastings stop off for fish and chips before heading outLeaving the house for non-food shopping activity seemed like a special event just in itself! To mark this special event, I treated myself to some classic seaside fish and chips from my local awesome chippy! Something I hadn’t done for a few months either! Dinner sorted, it was then over to Bexhill to catch up with a couple of friends…
so no rain forecast – shiny bus in attendance!nickname ‘Mango corner’
This old German Fire Department bus had lived a tough life and had plenty of scars to prove it. However, it was solid and on the road. It looked as tough as nails. Still, plenty of life left in it! Loved the accident damaged rear corner repair. Clearly must have had access to a full original paint Mango/Seagull grey corner from another bus, so used this as a complete repair section. Reminded me of the Japanese art of Kintsugi or ‘Golden repair’ approach that I love and try to use wherever possible.
why’s your nickname ‘Mango corner’?It even had some very cool nautical illustrations on the side which seemed very apt considering Hastings long-standing association with pirates!
cool Pirate surfing illustrationLife by the sea
It’s easy to forget how fortunate I am to live this close to the coast. For a catch-up, we decided to try and pick a reasonably central location to everybody so we could gather safely outside. This parking area on a small clifftop provided an ideal spot. Space to park for free with a half-decent view out to sea.
view from Bexhill back over to HastingsLong time no see
It was overcast with a few sunny intervals, but at least it was dry. Lockdown seems to have been going on for an age. It was great to catch up with a couple of friends and to be outside in the fresh air again for a while.
great to catch up with a couple of friends againTea by the sea
So having nabbed me a parking spot, it was time for some fish and chips and a spot of tea by the sea courtesy of my trusted old Trangia stove. It’s the simple things in life which are the best!
always time for tea by the sea with my trusted old Trangia stoveAll the options
It was fun catching up with people and seeing their different rides. Lots of different options and variations on display. Busses, buggies and bugs all in attendance. Stock(ish) slammed and raised. Something for everyone.
safari windows open to take in the view and sea airRoom for one more
Soon some of the previously occupied parking spaces emptied out (Nothing to do with us I’m sure) and before long, it had become a bit of an air-cooled takeover for the evening!
busses, buggies and bugs all in attendanceThis was much to the bemusement of one local out for their evening stroll. He was fascinated by seeing this motley collection of air-cooled rides gathered in one place. He loved seeing the array of vintage cars out and about. Always nice to bring a smile to people’s faces whilst your out and about doing your thing!
it’s the truth… ‘Fake rims make baby Jesus cry’Don’t make baby Jesus cry!
No one really wants to do that do they? Plenty of cool original wheels on display with some friends who are seriously obsessive wheel nerds. Me, I like to keep things both simple and original with stock factory steel wheels! This very much makes Jesus happy! 🙂
plenty of variations on a theme to be seenI normally get teased about only taking pics of small abstract bits of buses. Little details of things I find interesting. So just for a change, I thought I would try to get a few more full shots thrown into the mix. Everyone likes a bit of variety now and then. But there again, when you see a cool old vintage blues festival sticker, it is hard to resist!
cool vintage Blues festival stickerCool Mouse Grey sky matching bus
The classic VW colour palette is pretty varied and cool. Period colours rock, but this Mouse grey bus colour is bang on the money as contemporary colour too. Its strong survivor look contrasts how smoothly it sounds and drives. Beautiful bus!
smooth-running hardcore slammed mouse grey busLooking forward to more…
So not exactly a typical VW show. Not a road trip of any great length. No camping out was involved. This is what 2020 has brought us. Maybe this is what the new air-cooled normal might look like moving forward?
an impressive impromptu gathering by the seaIf so, it’s not so bad. It was great to briefly get out and catch up with a few people. That said, I have to admit that I am really looking for to the full experience and adventure that Hessisch Oldendorf International VW show in 2021 brings, that will be a real VW show to remember. In the meantime, this was a fun night out!
