Yay, lockdown ends

[Imaplumber]

I don’t know about anyone else but I am looking forward to getting out in my Willy’s Jeep, spent over a year rebuilding it

I am hoping to get down to Devon and Cornwall this year, going to visit the places I took my kids 40 years ago

But I do have some concerns, it’s going to have changed in 40 years, car parks, parking, camp sites, even wild camping,

This year it’s just going to be the wife and means our tent (I usually travel in a big yellow truck with 20-30 other people, the overland company has now folded)

I’ll be using my Willy’s Jeep as I said, it’s a 1943 model, with full canvas (a winter kit) there is no central locking, just a crook lock and removing the rotor arm for security

In anyone’s opinion, how safe is it likely to be ?

There won’t be anything of value left on it when parked up,

I won’t be using motorways (that would be like asking your granny to do a sprint) so it’s going to be minor roads, back roads

Then September, it’s off to Arnhem for the commutation of the para drop (I have no idea if there any groups going this year

I am not very mechanically minded, so have the AA on call if things go seriously wrong

(My Jeep has a new engine, rebuilt gear box, decent tyres, new canvas, I’m hoping nothing will go wrong and Murphy’s law won’t apply)

Just wanted people’s thoughts

Edited by Imaplumber on Tuesday 2nd March 15:57

[Imaplumber]

Oh, c’mon, there has to be someone from Devon and Cornwall in here

What is it like there in these places now?

Is it worth travelling all the way down there for a holiday?

I know over the years it’s been forgotten with people going to foreign places (okay British summers aren’t the best)

I know I had some great holidays there when the kids were younger

Surely it hasn’t changed that much ?

So c’mon, give a bloke a heads up

[probably chalk]

I grew up there and my folks still live there. I know some of Devon and Cornwall very well and almost all of it to some extent. Much of it is still, quite frankly, lovely. However, whenever previous lockdowns have ended and coincided with good weather and school hols, there has been chaos.
I can't wait to get down there to see my folks and my wife and I will be going almost as soon as it's permitted (cottage already booked) but we won't be going during school hols.
We don't have kids though.

[Imaplumber]

[quote=Imaplumber]Thanks for your reply, I was beginning to wonder if anyone would

My kids are all grown up as well

It’s funny I can’t remember any rain when we were down there, but it must have done at some point

I will try and avoid kids holidays, but this year they are going to be all over the place

I am really looking forward to going there again, going over old ground again

I’m taking my Jeep, in no rush, retired so plenty of time

If you see me, say Hi

[Imaplumber]

[quote=Imaplumber]Thanks for your reply, I was beginning to wonder if anyone would

My kids are all grown up as well

It’s funny I can’t remember any rain when we were down there, but it must have done at some point

I will try and avoid kids holidays, but this year they are going to be all over the place

I am really looking forward to going there again, going over old ground again

I’m taking my Jeep, in no rush, retired so plenty of time

If you see me, say Hi

[Imaplumber]

[quote=Imaplumber]Thanks for your reply, I was beginning to wonder if anyone would

My kids are all grown up as well

It’s funny I can’t remember any rain when we were down there, but it must have done at some point

I will try and avoid kids holidays, but this year they are going to be all over the place

I am really looking forward to going there again, going over old ground again

I’m taking my Jeep, in no rush, retired so plenty of time

If you see me, say Hello,I’ll be the bloke in the Jeep

[Mars]

My brother has a place near to Salcombe. He tools around the lanes down there in a partly restored Series II Landy - looks fabulous with its canvas top. I hope I'm not tempting fate but he leaves it all day in the town car parks when they're at the beach or in the RiB.

With a decent disclok and removing the rotorn arm, you should be fine.

Post some pics of the jeep.

[Imaplumber]

Here we are,

[probably chalk]

Imaplumber]maplumber said:

Thanks for your reply, I was beginning to wonder if anyone would

My kids are all grown up as well

It’s funny I can’t remember any rain when we were down there, but it must have done at some point

I will try and avoid kids holidays, but this year they are going to be all over the place

I am really looking forward to going there again, going over old ground again

I’m taking my Jeep, in no rush, retired so plenty of time

If you see me, say Hello,I’ll be the bloke in the Jeep

Are you thinking of visiting anywhere in particular?

I've got into model-making to occupy myself during lockdown. Next up is...

[probably chalk]

Imaplumber said:

Here we are,

That's terrific.

[Imaplumber]

I spent lockdown rebuilding it, new engine, new winter kit, new cushions, new seats, new fuel tank, new speedo, fuel gauge, new sender unit (with a little help from friends)

I have a map of Devon/Cornwall

Going to do the same as my Oz trip, see a name, see a place that might be good, might be worth looking at, a good looking pub, we go visit

[Mars]

probably chalk said:

Imaplumber said:

Here we are,

That's terrific.

Yes, it is. I bet it's a laugh to whizz around in, in the summer.

[Imaplumber]

All it has done is go round the block this year and to a garden center

[LordBretSinclair]

A good friend of mine is a member of this club https://www.facebook.com/Devon-Cornwall-Military-V...

I'm sure they'll give you some good advice.

[Imaplumber]

Thanks very much for that link

Been trying to find any groups that are going to France some time this year, no joy so far

[Bahnstormer]

Just get down to Normandy anytime around 6 June, You won't be lonely for long !!!!!!

[Imaplumber]

I was hoping to find a convoy going that way, same as going up Arnhem

Never know when you will need help or even a bit of conversation

[Court Jester]

Hello Imaplumber,

I live in North Devon. Generally little trouble (biggest complaint seems to be bored people complaining the kids are using the pump track in lockdown or someone hasn’t picked up after their dogs!!!).

This year is however going to be horrendously busy - a lot of campsites are full already so you need to book in advance. I think you will be lucky to be able to just rock up. Best to avoid the larger commercial ones like Woolacombe Bay group if you want a quieter life (although facilities will be good).

Most years there is a D-Day festival at Saunton Sands on the first weekend in June - with WWII planes, old Jeeps and military vehicles. Obviously it was cancelled last year and I cannot see an advert as to whether it is on this year - maybe worth contacting the organisers if of interest.

Hopefully this is of some use.

[Imaplumber]

Court Jester

A lot of times I havent used a campsite, just rocked up to a farm and ask to use a patch on a field

Most places are happy about that (they usually want to look over the Jeep)

I have camped in some pretty strange places all over the world (some really nice places as well)

A sweeper tip in Romainia, a field in an African tribal land, an elephant refuge, A lion refuge, a beach in Australia

I dont leave any rubbish behind, what I take in I take out
I dont know what it will be like this year with people leaving crap behind last time we came out of lock down
Its mainly towns a cities that worry me, parking, leaving the Jeep (no doors, no security, apart from a crook lock and taking the rotor arm out)