After purchasing our camper, who we have called Billy, during the Covid saga the idea was to go local for a few camps to see how we and Billy would go. Being complete novices with the campervan and camping scene, we are well out of our comfort zone. Billy has had a lot of work done but more of that later.

Well, having the invite from VWT2OC and a nice discount negotiated by Lorna, we decided to take the plunge and give it a go to Petruth Paddocks, after all the reviews were positive. A nice camp with people who have same interests (VW campers) would be a safer bet than other camps we looked at (in safe company) although a bit further than just local as we live in Tamworth Staffs.

With the help from Lorna and the VWT2OC committee we booked our pitch. After a week of deciding what we needed and a fair bit of shopping for our adventure we were set to go.

Having a few sleepless nights of how to manage the porta potty, the Elsan waste points and how the hook up works, we sorted just about everything  we would need including the bus emergency breakdown kit. So much stuff, not much room.

Bus, camper, van now fully loaded (not sure the correct name to use) we were ready for an early start.

Friday morning 5.15 am and off we go. Me, Janet and Bella our Bichon on our way, M42 then M5.

Just a few miles on the M42 and it started to rain and rain and rain. Billy running just fine then just before a planned stop at Stentham, it had a little flutter/misfire on one cylinder for a few minutes, but felt like ages. My heart in my mouth hoping we weren’t going to break-down and Billy just perked up and started running OK again. 

A quick stop for a loo break a coffee and a discussion, shall we turn around or carry on?

Carry on said Janet lets go for it. So off we go.

Traveling along and rain continues, the closer we got to Bristol the worse it was getting, so much rain.

Somerset within our reach and we got there early, very early. A drive to the camp to find it and see how we check in. “A bit early the young lady said”. 

After a drive to Cheddar and find a car park, sat in the bus for a coffee and a bite to eat we ventured into Cheddar then to Petruth Paddocks at 2.00pm.

A quick camp induction from the young ladies in the office and the offer of “we will tow you out if you get stuck” was a bit of “oh dear is it that bad?”

Once directed and marshalled into our pitch we were greeted by Nick who welcomed us and gave us some great advice about the camp site and the VWT2OC activities. 

A meet up at the local brewery to meet some of the VWT2OC members was a really nice tonic as being novices we were not sure what happens at a club camp. Introducing ourselves and meeting new people who made us very welcome was a bonus. Lorna told us that Nick is the club burger King and flips a good burger.

Well a few hours later, the smell of burger and onions was too tempting not to miss. Although the rain did put a bit of a damper on it. 

Meeting Nick again on the grill and Val doing a great job on the onion pan the burgers were most welcome.

A chat to a few people during our camp was interesting and the bacon bap on Saturday morning was another bonus.

We had a good time, it was a pity there was so much rain but it has not put us off, we plan to do some more short stays but hopefully not in the rain.

So for our first venture it’s been a great experience, a bit of an eye opener to say the least, there are some things extra we need to bring especially a mat/grid for outside the bus as trying to get your wellies off without getting  your socks all muddy is a trial in itself and maybe a small awning would make it a bit better.