Time to take the Flying Cloud down to Cornwall for a fortnight under aluminium rather than canvas
Canoe on top & everything we might need (almost) inside the Airstream
She towed fine down the A30
...never a shimmy or a sway
The chair & table are a temporary substitute for the dinette which will now be a winter job
Our usual haunt in the wilds of Cornwall and after so much rain - some very welcome sunshine !
Interestingly, when dismantling the inner skin, there was no sign of there ever having been a dinette or bench seats fitted, so she probably was supplied with fold-out table and chairs before the typical end dinette became standard.
A view of the estuary from the bed
Cupboards, wardrobe, drawers and magazine rack refitted - the end one is the space for the Marvel fridge (still a work in progress)
Our friends Shepherd's Hut
Morning coffee - Atomic style !
Now, we'd normally like to escape the news & TV altogether but camping had coincided with the Olympic fortnight... so we fitted a temporary TV !
The wiring is all there but I haven't fitted the electrical system yet, so (apart from the telly) we had candlelight...
...and firelight (with the odd cowboy !)
...and illuminated steps !
Coffee grinder & aluminium containers
Curtains - a re-issue of a Sanderson design from the 50s
Shrimping
at low tide
with some freshly picked samphire
The family glued to the Olympics
...another win in the rowing for Team GB !
In the great lottery to get Olympic tickets, we came up empty-handed but luckily my brother lucked-out & had enough spare for us to make a family jaunt up for a morning's athletics
So we all headed up from Cornwall on the train to Olympic Central
...arrived early !
Fantastic atmosphere - intimate & vast at the same time
the brilliant Mo Farrah about to win his 5,000m heat
and the Thomas Heatherwick flame
Stunning wildflower planting around the stadium and all over the site
Home on the train over Brunel's finest creation; the 1859 Tamar Bridge - undergoing a bit of an overdue restoration.
Polishing still at an early stage but getting there...
Awning still to come but instead we rigged one next to the fire
Hehr Standards looking good...
... & working well
And despite not having resealed the outer seams, no sign of any leaks
My favourite gravestone - clearly carved by a typographer way ahead of his time (or possibly hers)
It wasn't all sunshine but in what has become Britain's wettest summer since records began, we had a pretty good fortnight
Its become traditional that I'm expected to build 'club fenders' around the fire bucket (unsurprisingly, this year's model has an Olympic theme)
... so we can all sit back with feet at the right height
for gentle toasting
Changeable winds meant that we weren't always upwind of the fire !
Time to sit, relax & read - I can recommend the A303, Highway to the Sun
Sailing in our old friends Enterprise dinghy
Lunch on the beach
Friends round the fire
Sandy with his Powerisers - boing !
Coming back with the incoming tide
Clearly an ex-member of a dodgy Country & Western combo !
Early evening fix of the Olympics
Heading home
She does tow like a dream
... even on 'Impracticable' roads !
Hope to see some of you down the road in your Silver Sheds before long
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Wow! What great progress. The photos are terrific. I would say it all looks quite American except for that samphire part. You eat that stuff?
ReplyDeleteFrank
Thanks Frank - Samphire is quite a delicacy & delicious. Its often referred to as sea asparagus; either raw or boiled with melted butter, we love it.
ReplyDeleteOurs is Salicornia europaea - I think you have Salicornia virginica which isn't quite the same gastronomically !
Chris
Chris, everything looks fantastic. So glad to see you out on the road enjoying your hard work. . . and what a great looking camping trip.
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Norm
Pure eye!
ReplyDeleteI'm getting more jealous of that Atomic coffeemaker every time I see it. :)
I'm so glad you guys had the opportunity to go to the Olympics! I was fortunate enough to go to a few events when the Olympics were in Atlanta in '96. My Olympic memories are treasured!
Chris, you have a wonderful way of telling your stories with photos. The Cloud looks so inviting, especially with the sunshine streaming in. A delight to see. I know you're thrilled to be camping.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, kudos to you Brits for a fine job hosting the Olympics. From opening to close, it was one of the best ever, certainly the best in my memory. It's nice to see your personal photos of part of the events.
Dacia
There are quite a few Atomics on the US side of the pond - just type it into eBay (thought they're usually a few hundred dollars, but the coffee is worth it !
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked the Olympics - I think the opening ceremony may have foxed a few non-Brits but I think we did a pretty good job of it & made it quirky and mildly eccentric. It was nice to see the whole country get behind it & brilliant to go up for a morning's athletics - even if it meant leaving the Flying Cloud for a day or two.
And thanks for all your nice comments - it is great to be camping AT LAST !
Cheers, Chris
Looks like a lovely trip. The campsite looks nice and laid back. You can't beat a night round the camp fire. Look forward to your winter projects.
ReplyDeleteHi! I would like to use the one awesome picture of Robbiati's espresso machine in front of your airstream. You can check my Blog for its history! Thanks, Mik
ReplyDeleteHi Mik
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your blog. Yes, you're welcome to use my Atomic/Airstream picture, though a photo byline (c Chris Vile) & a link to my blog would be appreciated.
Best
Chris
http://www.giordanorobbiati.com/2013/03/chris-does-it-with-style.html
ReplyDeleteHi Mik
ReplyDeleteVery nicely done & thanks for being so diligent with the credit on my pictures.
Really enjoyed your site & keep brewing Atomic stylie - there's no better way to make coffee !
Chris