Right then, Ive found some time, hiding from the Sun (and work). It's finally happened. The first ever Hugo Bus Campervan Porn post — or as I've now decided to call the feeling it gives you: Vanvy. You know the one. That warm glow of admiration tinged with just a tiny bit of "why isn't mine that good?" ... but we do 💏you Hugo It's fine. We're all friends here. And it really isn't actual Envy it's more pride of being able to be a small part of a massive, joyous, culture.
Camper Marmalade is the perfect hunting ground for Vanvy. You wander the field in the sunshine, coffee (/Cider) in hand and every direction you look there's something that makes you stop and stare. Young vans, old vans, tidy vans, quirky vans. And the one thing they've all got in common? Their owners absolutely love them.
This is the thing that gets me every time at these events. On the outside, the crowd looks wonderfully random — different ages, different backgrounds, different tastes. But park them all in a
field with their vans and suddenly there's this invisible thread connecting everybody. Life is better with a van. Everyone here knows it, and nobody needs to say it out loud.
I like to just snap photos and not try and be too invasive so first up, a gorgeous dark T3/Type 25 flying a stack of flags like it's claiming territory. Which, honestly, it is. The high-top roof, the moody paintwork, the whole "I was cool before you were born" vibe — this one had earned its pitch (and fond memories for me of Hugo Senior).
Then this red T4 caught my eye (we like red vans 😉) and yes, the number plate really does say T4 WXF. Clean, classic, and quietly confident. Our kind of van.
Over in the next row, someone had brought their entire living room. Two T5s flanking a Joolca awning tent with VW-print windbreaks running the full length. It looked less like a campsite pitch and more like a very relaxed festival production. Respect for the commitment to comfort.
And then there was this absolute unit — a T4-based Karmann Cali Colorado motorhome. If the T4 is a van that grew up and got sensible, the Karmann is what happens when it also inherits money. Stately, properly enormous, and utterly at home surrounded by its smaller cousins.
Now this other red T4 — this one made me properly stop. Solar panel on the pop-top, stickered up to the nines, and a hand-painted VW stag logo on the side. It's got stories. Lots of them. The kind of van that doesn't need to shout because everyone's already looking at it.
A tidysilver T5 with it's Vango Airbeam awning for all the extra leg room — practical, polished, and clearly the work of someone who's done this before and knows exactly what they want from a weekend away. Nothing too flash, just done properly.
Then the big guns. A VW Crafter conversion , off-road tyres, a rear-mounted spare wheel and such a cool plate MO04 DUB - Moo, Mo for, Move for DUB... who cares its cool. If that van had a theme tune it'd be something by Mootörhead. Loud, large, and absolutely unapologetic.
Then this lovely bronze T5 pop-top looking at our well loved T4, both longing longingly at a lovely early T2 Bay - 1969 ... a most fine year for births.
And finally, this absolute legend — a Barn door but now pimped with alloys, pink and cream, doors open, bunting out.
And that brings us to the neighbours and the grand BEST VAN prize winner — this magnificent black T5. Jet black with a striking red pop-top but still not too cool to fly Sussex and a pirate flags. This DUBedition has had some serious design love and creativity. The lovely owners also designed their own box and bike tow bar carrier.
(Of course my "classic" 35 year old trusted tent keeping some coolness company.
Welcome to Campervan Porn. Vanvy is real, and this is only the beginning. 🚐 xx
ALL THIS IS THANKS TO https://www.facebook.com/Campermarmalade
PS... I'm not some mega VW buff that knows every detail and spec. I may sometimes get it wrong... I'm just simply show my respect to the class and culture out there.