OOh I been so lazy! I've also been busy, but that's no excuse for not posting on Nan The Van for so long.  Nan's been spoiled a bit recently, a new spare wheel cover and best of all a set of Hubcaps.  I've had the hub caps since I bought her, but I've never been able to get them to fit the wheels, so I eventually got round to tracking down a set of second hand rims, having them resprayed and finally fitting them.  I can't believe it took me this long.

                   

The sands at the end of time

A busy shift at the fish fryer on Good Friday and we were packed and away by 5:00. Headed north to meet up with our pals who'd also just had their Van resprayed. A rendezvous at Sandsend beach on Saturday morning saw a brace of Vikings turning heads and prompting smiles. 

A full 10 hours on the beach with all the usual shenanigans and no sunburn! We moved south at six just as a spectacular electric storm broke and camped near Robin Hood's Bay.

A top weekend all in all and a fun run down Sutton Bank on the way home. 

All done and dusty!

Happy boy, happy van. Picked Nan up from the spray shop on Thursday. All the ugly rust has been banished.

Went out for a spin today, ended up at Yockenthwaite at the top of Wharfedale for a spot of lunch. In his infinate wisdome, Nick the Spray changed the awful bright white for the original Volkswagon  creamy white (got the serial number somewhere, must make a note). Looks splendid, just the old wheels letting her down badly, but I'm on the case.

A great afternoon, hooping, scoffing, throwing stones into the river and playing Mouse Trap in the van. A cracking Sunday all in all, and getting us somewhat excited about our up-comming trip to Scotland to mark our tenth wedding anniversary. 

Nearly there!

Word on the paint tin says it'll be dry by Friday! Couldn't resist popping by to snap a couple of shots before the green goes on. Looking good this far, top job on the filler & rub-down.

A couple of ugly spots uncovered, stripped back and new metal placed in. I know that these aren't the world's most exciting shots, but it's all part of the show.

Roll on Friday is about all I can say. Hope the weather stays fine for the weekend.

How many Vikings make a horde?

In my quest to account for the original horde of Vikings, I've so far clocked up 20 number plates (including my own). It's unconfirmed, but apparently there were 200 Vikings made, so as you can see I have a long way to go. Word of my quest appears to be spreading slowly and I had a great email from a fellah named Dan who's searching for a van. Apparently, his parents bought a Viking in Norfolk back in 1984.

Sadly Dan's parents divorced in 1988 and Dad took the van with him. The chap managed to keep hold of it until one fateful day in 1989 when he somehow beached the van on a two foot high wall while 'under the influence'. This is the bit that tickled me ... Legend has it that a rather opportunistic officer of the law cut a deal with Dad, letting him walk free while taking legal possession of the Viking. All in a days work I suppose!

Anyway, Dan is now trying to locate the said Viking, though he only knows the last part of the registration 205K. He contacted me through this blog, but it's not one that I've come across yet. It's fairly distinct in that it's a 'crossover' bay with an early front panel and later rear lights.

These pics were taken on a site in Greatstone in Kent. Is that a Raleigh Grifter Dan's riding? He's set up a thread on the Volkszone forum, so If you come across this lost treasure please be sure to get in touch: Dan's lost van

I've only got half a rego, but I've added it to the horde and shall keep my eyes peeled. I'm rather glad I started this Viking hunt now. Any more great stories out there?

A week and counting ...

I'm like an excited kid in the run up to a birthday. Nan is booked in for a respray in a weeks time. With any joy I'll have her back in time for a run out to Gordale Scar at the end of the month.

Then a whole series of trips coming up in the Spring/Summer, Scotland, Norfolk, Willowman festival (oh the joys of a festival only an hour away from home!). 

Guess I'll have to wait a while

So the welding was all done in December. I took Nan round to see a bloke about a re-spray.  Looks good he said, they've done a good job with the welder! Anxious to get back on the road I asked him how soon he could crack on with it.  Unfortunately It turns out I'll have to wait 'till the weather warms up a bit as Nick doesn't have heating in his workshop!

  

I have to admit, I was a little disappointed, but patience is a virtue as they say and the trip to Nick's workshop wasn't altogether wasted as I spotted a couple of parafin heaters standing outside in his yard. "You can have the pair for a tenner", best bargain snapped up. It might be a tad chilly in Nicks workshop, but it's nice and toasty in my shed on the allotment! Roll on Spring.