Swimming lesson!

Lauren took Hannah swimming on Wednesday afternoon at the local pool. Hannah seems to like it and she has an opportunity to wear her funky swimming trunks!

Hannah

Hannah is the Jauss Family baby! She was born on 31st March weighing 6lbs 11oz. She's growing up very quickly and now, at almost 5 months, she's doubled in size! It's been a real delight to watch her discovering the world during these months and to see her personality develop. Hannah is also a busy baby! Lauren regularly takes her to Pushy Mom's in either Hampstead or Highgate, and for coffee afternoons with the girl's from the NCT. She also is subject to a stream of admiring visitors. Hannah has enjoyed a number of trips and holidays, recently her first camping trips! Her favourite activities at the moment include watching the cats, playing with her toys, eating, lots of cuddles and trips out and about, preferably in her chest carrier!

New Forest: July 29 & 30th

Ryan, Lara, Lauren, Hannah and I set off Saturday mid-morning for a camping weekend in the New Forest. We took Flash and Ryan's motor and headed down the A34. Traffic was appalling on the M27, but then it was the first weekend of the summer holidays. All the campsites in the New Forest were full, but Lauren found a place at White Parish on the A36, which was basic, but OK. Before getting there we went for a walk by the Rufus Stone (where William II 'Rufus' was killed while hunting) and had lunch at the nearby, and aptly named, Walter Tyrell pub.

Ryan set up his new tent at the campsite, which was very large, and we chilled out under its shelter during the rather wet evening. Cooked up some spag bol using soya substitute which was, surprisingly, pretty nice! this was Hannah's first camping trip and she seemed to like it!

Next day we went for a walk in the New Forest near Beaulieu and had a roast lunch at a pub up on the moor. Some kite flying in the afternoon rounded off a really super weekend.

Flash

Lauren and I bought a 1974 VW campervan in April 2005. The bus, originally assembled in South African and shipped to the UK in 1986 and nicknamed 'Flash', is fitted with an 1800cc engine. Flash retains its original Westphalia Contiental interior, though the rear bench has been recovered with black pleather. At some time after it was brought to the UK it was also fitted with a dormobile hinged roof. The bus has also been changed in colour: originally blue, then green and red when we bought it.



We used Flash mostly for surfing trips in the summer of 2005, with multiple visits to North Devon coast and Cornwall. We also took it on a trip to the Breacon Beacons in Wales. It was soon clear that the engine was in dire need of an overhaul (low compressions, blocked idle jets, burning oil) and that the body work needed tidying up.

Over the winter of 2005/06 with a lot patience from Lauren, Flash was extensively restored by Bob and myself: the red paint was stripped off and essential welding done around the bus, in particular on the nearside rear wheel arch, around the sliding door and by the nearside tailight. Flash was resprayed using nitrocellulose-based paint in Mars Red and Alpine White. New rubbers were fitted to all the windows. The top end of the engine was also rebuilt, with new pots and pistons, gaskets, shelves, clutch and clutch plate and so on. Petronix electronic ignition was fitted, new HT leads, fuel filter, Empi air filters. The engine was also carefully cleaned and repainted as was all the tinware. The lot was checked over by Henley Beetles and passed its MOT in early June.

All this is described, with photos, in a posting on the JK Forum.

The interior will be restored over the coming winter, in particular: cleaning and respray of the front cab, fitting modern stereo and speakers, tidying electric wiring, installing leisure battery and 240V mains hook up, protecting wheel arches, new coat of paint on the wheels, recovering door panels with red vinyle (basket weave), fitting eyelids and 70s spot lights!

Croyde, Devon: Aug. 4-7th

We got an early start to Croyde Bay from Compton thanks to Hannah who woke us up promptly at 6 am! I used the new Ocean & Earth straps to tie the boards to Flash (easy!) and then we were away with Ryan and Lara following up in their own car. We travelled the A303 route and made good progress, stopping at Cartgate picnic area for an hour to feed Hannah, until we got to Barnstaple. Traffic was terrible then (about 1 pm), so we parked up at the Homebase for Hannah to feed again (!) and to grab some lunch. Unfortunately, when it came to leaving the bus wouldn't start. Figured it was the same problem as went the starter jammed at Membury Services, so Ryan and I rocked it back and forward while in gear. Didn't work this time though, but being so close to the surf we couldn't bail. Gave Bob a call at work and he suggested bump starting her, so got Lauren to shove it into second, coralled another pair of hands and got it going that way! Drove straight on through to Cherry Tree Farm and left Flash running until we chosen a place to pitch.

Quentin and family were there, and he showed us a good spot on a bit of incline (in case I had to bump start again) with a view of the sea. It was a pretty spot with plenty of space and simple, but clean, facilities. Quentin was really welcoming and everyone in his family made a good impression. He helped me set up the our new Reimo XL awning and it was magnificently huge, with a super little inner tent where we set up Hannah's travel cot. After that I grabbed my board and hit the surf. Tide was going out, surf about waist high and clean, so nice conditions to get back into it. I didn't stay in long and then Lauren went out.



Over the next few days we surfed early am and late pm, usually on a lowering tide. While one of us was out, the other looked after Hannah, which worked pretty well. Surf improved over the weekend with some excellent sessions. Got some video of Lauren and she also went out without a wetsuit on the last day! I had super session on the Sunday pm. Hit the water about 7.30 pm, clean surf about chest-high with bigger sets sweeping in regularly. Caught some great rides and while in the line up had a spectacular view of setting sun!

On the Saturday, tried starting Flash. Nothing happened again, so broke out John Muir's bible and got under the van! Turns out that the solenoid was rusty, so after testing the contacts I banged it with a hammer a few times. Amazingly, it started first time! One less thing to worry about when we head for Eire!

Ryan and Lara did some body boarding and built a great sand castle. We also all enjoyed a nice night out at the Blue Groove with Hannah in the travel chair. On Monday afternoon, Lauren and I packed up and hit off for home (Ryan and Lara stayed on for a couple more days). Lauren drove through light traffic after refueling and lunch in Barnstaple and we made great time, back to Compton in 3.5 hours.