THE morning I picked the VW California camper I heard a snippet on Ray Darcy’s programme on Today FM saying that the number of Irish people taking camping and caravanning holidays had grown by 30 per cent in the past two years.
Ray suggested that after the fine summer we had last year more families would opt for an outdoor holiday this year, but he pointed out that there was no guarantee of another fine summer. How right he was, I only had the California for a few hours when it started raining.
The California, which is based on the VW Transporter, is very neat and could carry five people in comfort. But of course the big test of a camper is children. There is heavy demand on the one California that VW has on their press fleet and I had arranged to pick it for the weekend our grandchildren were visiting from Denmark. The children really enjoyed the novelty of travelling in the camper and they pretended to sell ice cream cones out of the back window at a local playground.
We took a trip to our local caravan park to check out prices and facilities. But when asked if they would like to stay there for the night in the California, the children said they would prefer the comfort of their grannies. Ah yes, the old Dublin saying is definitely true,
‘relax you’re in your grannies.’
The California can sleep two adults and maybe another one or two children. There is a two-ring gas hob and fridge, plenty of storage space, but no toilet. However, I’m told that most people who go on camping holidays use the toilet and shower facilities at the various camping parks. For a full list of caravan, camping and motorhome sites log on to www.campingireland.ie
Access to the rear section is via a sliding door. And you have to get used to just one back door, otherwise the sink and fridge would fall out the other side.
The dash is typical VW, well laid out and easy to use. There is plenty of leg space for the front seat passengers as the gear lever is incorporated in the dash. And naturally the driving position is really high, so that you can appreciate our lovely countryside as you move from one caravan park to the next.
Prices start at
?¬57,890 and road tax is only
?¬130.
Charges for an overnight stay plus electricity supply for two adults and four children work out at around
?¬30, but prices may vary at different locations. So if you fancy a staycation this summer the California could be the camper van for you. It would still be fine for family duties in the winter, but at that price it would be a bit of luxury in the colder months.
The California is a lovely idea and it could help unite or maybe divide families. But I think you it would be even better if we could get some
‘California type’ weather in Ireland.