We had camped with tents before, but this was a different experience entirely, having our accommodation double up as our transport.
And apart from the littlest lad's short term heartbreak in the picturesque village of Widdicombe, as we watched his new balloon drift away up until it was out of sight, it was a really good family holiday. I wonder why we didn't do it again?
Anyhow, the VW pop-top is alive and well and rolling happilly along on its current generation Transporter Van platform. Called the California, I've had a quick run around in it, and I'm promising myself that I'll book it for a week of Ireland staycationing before the summer is out.
The California is a much more sophisticated beast now than the original pop-top. It's bigger, of course, as the Transporter Van has also become. And it is much more luxurious, although that also translates into a much higher price position too.
But it is unique in that the California represents the only camper built in its own factory by a major carmaker. Which means that every component is to the original vehicle's specification, and the camper is properly 'typed' by its manufacturer.
The compact size as these things go is also a positive, certainly for the normal small family. Because it means the California is as at home doing family taxi and commuting service as it is hooked up to the power and water of a good quality campsite.
Indeed, demount the 4-bicycle rack from the rear and close the doors and nobody would be any the wiser that it isn't a Transporter-based MPV or shuttle.
It's a four-person car, albeit the pair in the back have the kind of travelling space that you only get in first class in a long-haul airliner.
But it's also a four-person sleeper, with a double bed capacity in the back, and another smaller one in the 'upstairs tent'.
And there's a kitchen/diner capability, with a double gas rings hob, a sink, and a deep fridge all along one side of the centre section. The lids close to give a workspace, and there's a pullout table for eating at (and another one in the sliding door).
Both front seats swivel so that the four occupants can sit facing each other and converse over the bottle of wine or whatever at the end of the touring day.
Turning the vehicle into a bedroom is the work of moments, although everybody will have to exit it first, so there's a lot to be said for having an optional awning in case of rain. Access to the upper ’floor’ is over the front seats, so there’s no disturbing those below if a midnight or early morning excursion to the outside is required. (No, there’s no bathroom!)
The poptop is an aluminium roof and fabric affair, with mosquito-net covers on the ventilation flaps so things can be as airy as the night weather allows. It is raised and lowered electrically by a very safe mechanism. Takes about a minute.
As a driver, I’ve always liked the Transporter anyhow. That compact footprint again, a nice driving position with great visibility, very convenient controls. And it’s comfortable, as a van must be these days anyhow because it is the operator’s ’workplace’.
Power in this instance is from the 140hp version of the current 2.0 VW diesel that is a very refined and efficient motor. Overall the driving is an effortless exercise, especially as the vehicle application and format doesn’t require or encourage push-on motoring.
Now to the tough part. This mobile ’Hotel California’ doesn’t come cheap. Beginning at some €54,000, albeit with all the basic camper equipment and a really good trim and finish, it doesn’t take much in optioning to top the €60,000 mark.
The positive side is to take the long view. Maybe a small 2+2 family, or a retired couple with the travelling bug. Whether to review the best of Ireland or to regularly take in various European destinations and routes with the help of the ferries, the California would have no difficulty in doing this job for a decade, at a minimal depreciation if looked after.
Much of the annual repayments could be offset by savings in hotel bills, and eating out need only be an occasional event because it is very easy to ’eat off the land’ as you travel with your own kitchen and dining room.
And the view can be different every day, or every week if you find a place you like.
It’s taking a road that’s no longer less travelled.
