Off-grid island campout

Aircooled Adventures in the Outer Hebrides

Going out out Having taken so long to get electricity connected to the Small Mission Hall, it’s ironic that when the opportunity arises, I like to go for an off-grid campout. I’ve learnt here that the weather can change quickly. That means you need to be prepared for all seasons at any one time. If … Read more

good/bad news on a road trip

running out of road on the Isle of Lewis

Journeys destination It was a nice feeling to have finally arrived in the Outer Hebrides and to be back at the Small Mission Hall again. A different kind of road trip experience this time with an actual destination to go to and stay in. However, before you get carried away thinking I’ve ideas of grandeur … Read more

Driven not hidden

Arrived at the Small Mission Hall

Bye bye Skye Having made the journey from Glencoe to Uig in good time, I had time to both get a ticket for the crossing (always useful!) as well as grab a drink. Looked like it was going to be a fairly busy crossing, but the CalMac team are excellent at working out the best … Read more

Hessisch holy grail

texture and colouration detail on a patina barndoor bus

On a mission Hessisch 2022 was sadly drawing to a close. Still, there is plenty more to see and do, including getting decent-quality rocker gaskets for the journey home. Should be able to find some suitable gaskets in the trade/swap meet area of the show. With my friend Caroline’s expert supervision, I should be able … Read more

Has to be Hessisch HO22

cool campsite HO22 style

HO22 Showtime After seeing all the fantastic vehicles in the camping areas and then the amazing Grundmann Collection, it was probably a good time to actually go and check out the main show event of Hessisch Oldendorf HO22 now! Waking to another glorious hot sunny morning, I arranged to meet Caroline and Adam for the … Read more

Hessisch HO22 road trip

camping companions

It’s been a while… My task list of things to do on the bus was big. In reality, a bit too big to get everything done before setting off. Some bits will need to wait to get finished off. At least I managed to get a fair chunk of it done. There’s always more to … Read more

Hoping for Hessisch Oldendorf 2022

Hidden gems tucked away at Hessisch Oldendorf

So HO22? After the recent postponement of the air-cooled show at Ninove in Belgium, all hopes are now that Hessisch 2022 finally gets to take place this year! It seems a genuine age since I last was able to go to a decent air-cooled show (for obvious Covid-19 reasons). If there is one show you … Read more

Rear headliner takes shape

social distancing – headliner work in progress in the car park

Headlining resources Waste not, want not. I used a large ply offcut from cutting the sheets to length, as a full-size test piece to check the width dimensions inside the bus. Better safe than sorry. It’s got to be right. This way I can make sure that the final fit should be nice and snug. … Read more

Lockdown not a slowdown…

lockdown air-cooled social distancing

Headliner back on track No chance of going too stir crazy in lockdown. A VW camper often presents lots of potential work projects to keep you busy. Fortunately for me, I have the headliner to finish off. Living in the ‘new normal’ of a Covid-19 pandemic, where social distancing is the norm, it’s good to … Read more

Countdown to Hessisch 2021

plenty of cool early split window beetles to seen

Hessisch Oldendorf International VW Show There are VW shows, and then there is the Hessisch Oldendorf International VW show! I was lucky enough to go to the last show (HO17) and was completely blown away by the event. So when the tickets and dates were announced for the 8th show in 2021, I was really … Read more

Making the rear roof headliner

back to refining the test piece for a perfect fit

Heading to the back With the front two flexible ply pieces for the cab headliner all cut to size and fitting nicely, time to make a start on the rear sections of the bus. In theory, some of these should be a bit easier. Let’s see how that theory works out! When making headliner pieces … Read more

Cab ply headliner test fitting

test fitting the cab ply headliner panels

Headliner transformation Having spent a while getting all the sizes and dimensions sorted, and the flexible ply cut, I finally had both pieces of the cab section of the headliner ready. These potentially were the most difficult pieces to make. Hopefully, the other sections for the rest of the bus should be a bit easier … Read more