54 TRAVELwww.volkswagencamper.co.uk

W

hether stopping for petrol, parked at a

supermarket or on a campsite, someone will

come up and ask you the usual questions.

How old is it? (42). How long have you had

it? (22 years). Bet the restoration cost a fortune? (Nope,

all original). The stranger will either have had one and

regretted selling it, would like one but can’t afford it, or has

one rotting in a garage awaiting the welding torch.

So I had no qualms about taking the rare opportunity

of hitting the road for three weeks, just me, the Bus

(a.k.a. Bliss), a bike and a guitar. Being September, post

the summer crush, I decided on the West Country,

with the intention of some lesser known places. I know

the dramatic north coast well but the south, with its

meandering creeks and wide estuaries, certainly not.

I only had two fixed points. To start at Sidmouth in

East Devon and to end at Looe in Cornwall at a music

festival. Sidmouth had a particular draw. As my 76 bus

was originally converted by Devon, it was at their factory

in Sidmouth where it was transformed from panel van

to camper. Strangely omitted from the Lonely Planet

guide, I eventually found the Alexandria Industrial Estate

where the old factory buildings still stand, somewhat

ironically occupied by a boiler company called Fords.

Thankfully it was a Sunday so I didn’t have to explain my

impromptu photoshoot.

I stayed for a few days at the beautifully manicured

Salcombe Regis campsite, a very energetic hours’ walk along

the coast path to the Georgian gentility of Sidmouth with

its grand Georgian promenade and tropical gardens. In the

other direction, nearby Beer is a lovely little fishing village.

As I arrived a local wedding was taking place with the bride

carefully descending out of a gorgeous blue splitty.

Moving further west, I camped between Dartmoor and

The coast

near Sidmouth

Taking Bliss

home to Devon’s

old factory

Owning an old VW bus is like owning a dog. Take it out in public and

you’ll end up in conversation with a stranger.

WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHS: MARTIN FRIEND

TRAVELDEVON & CORNWALL

Bliss In The

West Cou nt r y