The curse of the Bananas is beginning to course in my veins again and I will have to go a'roaming awhile I fear. But this time, instead of doing a Walter Starkie, we might be a bit more sensible and get a camping car.
So, has anybody out there got one, has anyone advice on the purchase of a modest two birth-ish vehicle, not new, perhaps on a Volkswagen base.
What of importing from, say, Belgium; is this practical, do-able or do the DRIRE make it a real pain?
Me, two dogs and a duck called Emily will be most grateful.
Irish prof of Lit. of the pre-Spanish Civil War era who had gypsy blood and who used to don old clothes every summer and just go off walking in Spain with his fiddle. Spent a lot of time with gypsies, best known for 'Spanish Raggle Taggle' but there is also some good poetry I think.
I have a Hymer A-Class (that means a gin palace in motorhomespeak) which I originally imported from Germany to the UK then brought it across to France. A few hoops to jump through over here, but no big deal.
In your case, the secret is to buy a pukka conversion from a Euro company such as Westfalia - they are the specialists in Volkswagen conversions (they are now owned by Volkswagen). They also offer a top of the range 'James Cook' model based on the Mercedes Sprinter and a very nice 'Nuggett' model based on the Ford Transit. Check out their website for details. You can pick up recent second hand vehicles but be aware that campers do tend to be expensive.
Whilst commercial vehicles don't yet fall within the Euro type approval system, the continental camper manufacturers will have organised EU-wide approval for their latest conversions as 'specialist vehicles', so that they can issue the magic EU certificates of conformity which makes the import process a cinch - even coming from Belgium.....
You can find lots more information about Westies from the UK importer. Whilst I have no business connection with them, the German owners are old friends of mine....
Hey, I've seen SD's camping car and it is definitely the dogs whatsits! By the time you've walked from one end to another you could alomost be in another country, that's how big it is!
Sid
Edit: Just noticed a post 3 or 4 below this thread about someone selling a campervan. Just like a dating agency, linking buyers and sellers!
Yes Sid, I did see the post but wanted a bit more guidance really from people who have experience of the things. Clearly SD's is far too posh for us poor mortals!!!