Waverley Caravan – 1

Up a narrow lane in the village where I grew up, lived an artist called Miss Garland. Her home was a tiny caravan set in a flowery garden, in the corner of a field. As a child this seemed like a dream existence. The reality probably wasn’t quite so idyllic, but I was too young to understand that. I only saw the romance of it all.

To me, whose ambitions included becoming a ‘Bally dancer at the London palladeam’, and whose favourite pastime was getting covered in mud exploring the network of ditches in the locality, Miss Garland’s lifestyle seemed to epitomise the best of both – being creative and being close to nature.

I always had the long-term ambition of having a caravan of my own, and the dream of it being in a secluded flowery spot. The big garden we’d invested in gave me the opportunity to indulge my ideas.

We found a completely original 1950s caravan for sale. It had been top of the range (once), was beautifully fitted out, 28 feet long and £150.00 delivered. Too good to miss.

The solid metal chassis was still strong, the windows all in place, the interior dry, the wood frame covered in thin aluminium and the roof lights all watertight and in good shape. Perfect. Even the towing equipment was still serviceable, so delivery was not a problem.

All that was required was a good clean up and a repaint, and my caravan adventure could begin.