Not so Rapid -O….

Having avoided caravans all my life i suddenly find myself in possession of two.  to top it all I am so excited about the prospect of making their interiors twee and cosy that i’ve wasted hours pouring over fabric sites on line and considered confronting my arch nemesis, the sewing machine, in order to make cutsie curtains and cusion covers.

I have great plans for the exterior of this Elddis it ill become my “Pink Butterfly” mobile gallery

My first impulse caravan purchase was a 1960’s Elddis 2-berth – for £100 and complete with original curved cupboards and fittings.  I bought it early this summer with a view to converting it into a mobile gallery/craft outlet complete with sofa bed so I could attend festivals, fetes, car shows – sell my wares and have a comfy, canvas free sleeping plan.

The second impulse purchase was following our camping trip to Perth in early August.  As a result of Jill’s

1988 Rapido Expomatic – that box houses the fridge

fabulous tardis of a Rapido we decided that life would be impossible to sustain without one of our own.  Ebay helped us and for a bargain price of less than £400 – delivered.  i now own this.  I figured that if the old couple on the campsite in Scone could do it, how tough could it be.  I came home to it erected in the garden – 3 people , 2 hours to erect !!!!!!!!!!!!

This is how it should be done

Subsequently I contacted the Rapido Owners Club (there really is a club for everyone out there1) and purchased an e-brochure with the the schematics – wiring diagrams, part numbers ,folding and erection details.  We shall fold it away later today.  john and I.  I plan to video the experience – on request , the unedited version of this process with be uploaded to Youtube and this blog for all to learn from (ha).

Now I am looking for your advice.  The idea is that the folded Rapido is light enough to be towed by Ffloyd – in anticipation I have purchased a tow bar….

Its also big enough for 2 6ft double beds although my plan is to have one top bunk height double on one side with loads of storage

Ffloyd – my baby

underneath – or a double airbed for guests and leave the other half as permanent seating.  I’m going to remove the table and make an extra sofa section under the window leaving in ‘U’-shaped.  i may even make the additional base bit in case we want more people sleeping in there – cosy communal sleeping for six. complete with kitchenette to fry up the bacon in the morning and outside fridge in that ‘box’ on the outside to keep the milk and champagne.

kitchenette – no ideas spring to mind yet, give it time

The plan i to remove the table, recover the seats and add extra seating under the window

The bed will be at window height on those bars underneath will be storage (curtained off)

Anyway, enough of inviting friends over.  first i need to get rid of the musty smell, improve my collapsing and erecting times and make it all pretty and in keeping with Ffloyd.  with that in mind, I’m can’t deside whether to paint the wall panels or wallpaper them, probably cream (or green-white)

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leatherette for seating – what do you think?

I’ve seen this cerise pink leatherette which I thought I’d use as seat covering -recover all the foam- easy to clean.  What do you think – too much?

And curtains/cushions/tiebacks from one of the following materials.  this is where you all come in – i need you to vote as I can’t choose.  Or feel free to offer alternatives.  I would like to use her before Christmas.  Also folks, she needs a name.  Help me – you’re an imaginative bunch.

‘Prestigious Allotment’ either in black or ‘rhubarb’ – think I could line with a hot pink

“Thornbury’ – this colour combo is ‘sorbet’ , also available in ‘watermellon’

‘Tabitha’, this colour combo is ‘watermelon’ also available in ‘sorbet’

“spring Daisy Sky’ – i know its a bit of a curve ball but I am drawn to it

So, sorry , this is the first time I’ve asked you to be interactive  and I’ve come in hard with 3 question.

1.  Cerise pink leatherette – yes or no

2. which curtain fabric- or can you offer a better option

3. What shall we call her  (and ‘no’ i don’t want ‘Captain Rapido’ or ‘Swing Wagon’ – despite the mention of communal sleeping my mind wasnot in the place to which I’ve just led yours!)

Over to you. I’ll keep you posted