0:00:02 > 0:00:05Caravans. A fibre glass palace or a bank holiday road menace?
0:00:05 > 0:00:07Love them or hate them,
0:00:07 > 0:00:09in Wales, we simply can't avoid them.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11We spend almost 11 million nights
0:00:11 > 0:00:14and £300 million a year holidaying in them.
0:00:14 > 0:00:16But what is it about caravans
0:00:16 > 0:00:19that makes us a nation happiest on wheels?
0:00:23 > 0:00:28It's a sunny Sunday in August at one of Wales' biggest vintage shows,
0:00:28 > 0:00:31the Steam and Vintage Rally in Three Cocks.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34It's a place near Hay-on-Wye.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37Hundreds of vehicles are on display,
0:00:37 > 0:00:41every one a product of endless man-hours and years of dedication.
0:00:41 > 0:00:45Amongst the vehicles on show is a selection of historic caravans,
0:00:45 > 0:00:47owned by a group of enthusiasts determined to preserve
0:00:47 > 0:00:50what are often unique, historical artefacts.
0:00:53 > 0:00:57Caravans as we know them were first built in the 1880s
0:00:57 > 0:01:01and in today's money, cost anything up to £100,000.
0:01:01 > 0:01:05And as such, they were aimed at an elite group of people.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08These days, most of these have fallen into disrepair.
0:01:08 > 0:01:12But a few, a lucky few, have found themselves nurtured back to life
0:01:12 > 0:01:14and restored to their former glory.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17Meet the vintage caravanners...
0:01:21 > 0:01:22At his home in Abergavenny,
0:01:22 > 0:01:27Ivor Moylon is preparing his 1952 Argosy Caravan.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30It's believed to be one of a few.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34They only know of another one and that's in New Zealand.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36BRASS BAND PLAYS IN BACKGROUND
0:01:36 > 0:01:39I can't say there isn't any in this country
0:01:39 > 0:01:42but I don't know of any other ones.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46He rescued the Argosy a year ago from the North of England,
0:01:46 > 0:01:50and has spent thousands of hours restoring it to its former glory.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53Every inch has received meticulous attention,
0:01:53 > 0:01:55in order it might match the expectations
0:01:55 > 0:01:58of the sort of enthusiasts who attend the vintage shows.
0:01:59 > 0:02:01But what drives Ivor and his wife, Cheryl,
0:02:01 > 0:02:03to such extraordinary lengths?
0:02:05 > 0:02:08Every caravan is like a little museum.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10When you get to the show,
0:02:10 > 0:02:14people enjoy looking at your vintage caravans
0:02:14 > 0:02:18and they don't want to see it if it's dirty and scruffy.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21They'd like to see it all looking nice.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23# When I pretend I'm gay
0:02:23 > 0:02:25# I never feel that way. #
0:02:25 > 0:02:30I like going back in time, and when you go round these shows,
0:02:30 > 0:02:33you are going back in time, aren't you?
0:02:33 > 0:02:36It's a different pace of life, it's a slower life.
0:02:36 > 0:02:38And it's a nicer life.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43I could never see myself in a modern caravan.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45You can't go to the shows.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48When you've got a modern caravan, you got to take the kids with you.
0:02:48 > 0:02:49SHE LAUGHS
0:02:49 > 0:02:52And that's what we're getting away from!
0:02:52 > 0:02:55After £1,700 worth of work,
0:02:55 > 0:02:58Ivor is now confident enough to show take the caravan
0:02:58 > 0:03:00to 20 shows during the summer.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02ENGINE STARTS
0:03:03 > 0:03:05'Basically it's my past, innit?
0:03:05 > 0:03:07'You're getting involved in your past.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10'Basically, I suppose you're looking for your youth.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13'Whether I'll ever find it, I don't think.'
0:03:13 > 0:03:15With the Argosy looking spick-and-span,
0:03:15 > 0:03:18it's a short run to make sure everything is in order
0:03:18 > 0:03:21for one of the biggest vintage shows of the year.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23HORN BLARES
0:03:26 > 0:03:29And this is where Ivor will be heading...
0:03:29 > 0:03:31the site of the annual show at Three Cocks,
0:03:31 > 0:03:34which is a place just outside Hay-on-Wye.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37Tomorrow, this 25-acre piece of land will be transformed
0:03:37 > 0:03:42into one of the biggest steam and vintage vehicle festivals in Wales.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45And one of the highlights will be a collection
0:03:45 > 0:03:49of some of the country's finest vintage caravans.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52First to arrive with their 1970s Buccaneer caravan,
0:03:52 > 0:03:55towed by their majestic 1960s showman's lorry,
0:03:55 > 0:03:59is Denzil and Rhian Barr from Llandeilo.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05Attending vintage shows together is their main hobby these days.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08But they didn't start out like this.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10Well, we've done it over 30 years, you see.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13Started tenting, then we had a Morris Thousand van with a mattress in.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16In the morning, the drips were coming down on you.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19Then we went in for a small caravan one of the old ones, two berth
0:04:19 > 0:04:22and then we went in for this one.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26He's lost a spirit level, that's what I'm looking for now.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29Oh, it's not here. Yes, it is! Here it is.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32Look at the stuff in here, we got to carry all this, see?
0:04:32 > 0:04:34Well, you bring all your food with you, you see?
0:04:34 > 0:04:38And your clothing and the bed clothes.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42SHE LAUGHS It's all go, yes. All go.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44And once you're settled, see, it's right.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51But before they can get settled, there is one member of the family
0:04:51 > 0:04:54who needs urgent and special attention...
0:04:58 > 0:05:00..Bubbles.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02A three-year-old Abyssinian black guinea pig.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05Or to Denzil and Rhian,
0:05:05 > 0:05:09literally like a tiny, hairy, four-legged baby!
0:05:09 > 0:05:12There she is, Dad's picking you up.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15- There she is.- That's Bubbles, look.
0:05:15 > 0:05:21That's Bubbles. Bubbles goes everywhere with us. She likes it.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23- This is the third we've had.- Yes.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27And she knows when we start packing in the house, you know? "Eeek, eek, eek", she goes.
0:05:27 > 0:05:28Yeah. She loves coming.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32She's good, she is.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35In the caravan, we take her anywhere.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37She's looking warm and all in there.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39If it gets cold, we got a fire in there.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41But despite the home comforts,
0:05:41 > 0:05:44Rhian knows that Bubbles will struggle to settle.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48Sadly, Bubbles has an addiction.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51He'll have to get some grass for her or she'll be shouting.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54She wants grass all the time.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58Aye. Oh, it's lovely to go away for weekends like this.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02That's the grass she likes, real green. She enjoys that.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06You watch her now, she'll be out for that now straight.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10Come and get the grass now, then.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13Oh, you see? Grass straight away. She likes that.
0:06:14 > 0:06:18Huh? Like the grass, don't you?
0:06:18 > 0:06:19Aye, aye.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22Look at her getting through that.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25Probably explains why they didn't let her have a run in the field.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34As the Marshalls begin to mark out the field,
0:06:34 > 0:06:38there are some unusual new arrivals.
0:06:38 > 0:06:39The Teardrops.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44Micro caravans are designed to be hitched up to anything,
0:06:44 > 0:06:48so that the intrepid traveller can head off in search of adventure.
0:06:48 > 0:06:49Or to the layman,
0:06:49 > 0:06:53they're a bed on wheels that looks like a water slide.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55# Oh, baby, don't let
0:06:55 > 0:07:00# Let this teardrop hit the ground
0:07:00 > 0:07:03# Oh, baby, don't let this teardrop... #
0:07:03 > 0:07:06This sleek little number is owned by Richard Oliver from Llanidloes.
0:07:06 > 0:07:10But during the journey, he's sustained some damage.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16We've got a bit of a problem with the jockey wheel.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21Er, we'll get round that, I'm sure.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23Yeah, that fixed it.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27Next to arrive, the boys from the Historic Caravan Club.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30This one is a 1952 Freeman Leveret,
0:07:30 > 0:07:33owned by partners Barry and Richard from Welshpool.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37Parking it isn't easy.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40As you are... No, left hand down!
0:07:42 > 0:07:43Have you got the water, dear?
0:07:46 > 0:07:48Every caravanner knows that once in your field,
0:07:48 > 0:07:51the first thing to do is to get the kettle on.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56That is, of course, if you can manage to park your caravan.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59"Yeah, just take it out, Rich, and bring it back in."
0:07:59 > 0:08:03Or if you can get your vintage stove to light.
0:08:05 > 0:08:06That will soon light.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09Ah, it's OK, we'll pop back, shall we?
0:08:09 > 0:08:12It takes a bit of a while for the gas to get through.
0:08:12 > 0:08:16Yeah, that's it. Back you come, as you are...
0:08:18 > 0:08:20Ah! There you go.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23- At long last, it will eventually light up.- What was the problem there?
0:08:23 > 0:08:26Gas takes a long time to come through when its on a slope.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29What you need is some of that uphill gas.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31"Keep going, keep going, stop!"
0:08:31 > 0:08:34There we are. We have a table.
0:08:34 > 0:08:39So four people can sit round this and have their beverage.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42I suppose people were a bit smaller in the olden days.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45And then it's time for the final touch,
0:08:45 > 0:08:47an authentic 1950s radio.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50I don't think we'll get any reception, let's have a look.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52RADIO CRACKLES
0:08:52 > 0:08:53We might.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57And through the magic of telly, Richard's managed to pick up
0:08:57 > 0:09:01the Home Service. All our yesterdays, today.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04MUSIC PLAYS
0:09:06 > 0:09:08With the Freeman finally in position,
0:09:08 > 0:09:11it's time for the set up to begin.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15But for Barry and Richard, this isn't a chore, they love it,
0:09:15 > 0:09:19because for them, attention to detail is everything.
0:09:22 > 0:09:26Caravans back in the '30s, '40s and '50s
0:09:26 > 0:09:30tended to come fully equipped with china, pots, pans and so on.
0:09:30 > 0:09:35So what you were buying was almost a complete home on wheels, really.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37Over a couple of years,
0:09:37 > 0:09:39we've managed to put together two complete sets
0:09:39 > 0:09:41of Freeman caravan china.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45In fact, we've got more than two sets, we've got a cupboard full at home, as well!
0:09:45 > 0:09:48And that's not the only thing they've got at home.
0:09:48 > 0:09:52They've also got five more caravans.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55What we've got in this caravan is multiplied five more times,
0:09:55 > 0:09:58so, yeah, it definitely becomes an addiction, I think.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01We spend the summer using them and, you know, the winter, you know,
0:10:01 > 0:10:05finding all the bits and pieces to go in them.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07It's kind of an all-year-round job, really.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11With a vintage rally almost every weekend this summer,
0:10:11 > 0:10:14doesn't it get a bit weird living in the past?
0:10:15 > 0:10:20Yeah, we have vintage caravans full of vintage things,
0:10:20 > 0:10:22but to us they've just become our ordinary caravans
0:10:22 > 0:10:26and you stop noticing the fact it isn't a modern caravan
0:10:26 > 0:10:29because it's what we're used to.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32It almost becomes a museum on wheels,
0:10:32 > 0:10:35but at night-time, it becomes our home.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39When you've got the gaslights lit and the gas fire lit,
0:10:39 > 0:10:42you can almost imagine yourself back in the 1950s.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45# To make things right
0:10:45 > 0:10:51# You know I'm so alone tonight
0:10:51 > 0:10:53# Far away... #
0:10:53 > 0:10:57As Barry preps inside, it's Richard's job, as rally officer,
0:10:57 > 0:11:00to mark out the allocated spaces of the site.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03It's an important role and he's got bespoke equipment.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07I use this old string,
0:11:07 > 0:11:10it's probably in memory of a fellow member, Bob Bissell.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13He used to have string, he measured the distances.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17People often talked about him and his rope and getting it accurate,
0:11:17 > 0:11:21so this is what we've copied. It's the Bob Bissell rope.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25Suddenly, Richard's told that three unexpected caravans are due to arrive.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27He needs to get control of the situation,
0:11:27 > 0:11:29re-calculate his measurements and act fast.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38So basically, that's one caravan.
0:11:38 > 0:11:39There we go, crisis averted.
0:11:41 > 0:11:46Just in time, too, as the arrivals from the Historic Caravan Club flood in.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52And amongst the vans arriving, The Argosy.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55So, Ivor, now you're here, what's the plan?
0:11:55 > 0:11:58Now it's the easy part, just having a relax, innit?
0:11:58 > 0:12:01Have a look round all the other vans, like.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04Try the door now, cos that's the last part.
0:12:04 > 0:12:05That's it.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09All ready to go now.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11All I got to do now is make a cup of tea.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19Next to arrive is the Historic Club's youngest member, Rob Finney.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24Where did you get your caravan, Rob?
0:12:24 > 0:12:29Well, we found it in a barn near Aberaeron
0:12:29 > 0:12:33and, er, it was in a dilapidated state.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37Over a six-month period, restored him up to how he is now.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41It's a 1941 Winchester,
0:12:41 > 0:12:45made by Bertram Hutchings in Winchester.
0:12:46 > 0:12:51At a cost of £450, it was seriously for the elite.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54So, when you work that out in today's money,
0:12:54 > 0:13:00that's about sort of 80,000, 100,000, which is ridiculous for a caravan!
0:13:00 > 0:13:01Do you want to go shopping later?
0:13:01 > 0:13:05Rob's arrived with a fellow vintage caravanner, his dad.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09And it's a hobby that's been part of the Finney family for a long time.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13Father's been dealing in the big mobile holiday statics all his life
0:13:13 > 0:13:15and his father before him.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19All the family has got caravan parks, holiday parks
0:13:19 > 0:13:24and he's always been dreaming about caravans from when he could walk.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27It was always caravans made out of wood to tow behind a bike
0:13:27 > 0:13:33and things like that and then worked up and started off with the clubs.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36- That's it.- The clubs love him because he's young blood
0:13:36 > 0:13:38and that's all he dreams about, caravans.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40Quite sad, really!
0:13:40 > 0:13:43Needs to get out a bit more!
0:13:43 > 0:13:46Ah, but for Rob, this is getting out.
0:13:46 > 0:13:51And, for him, modern life simply doesn't have the same appeal.
0:13:51 > 0:13:56I love the old '30s and '40s caravans, they've got so much character and charm,
0:13:56 > 0:13:59not like the modern day ones, which are pretty much all the same.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01You don't get much variation in them
0:14:01 > 0:14:07where, you know, gone are the days of a solid fuel stove in a van and gaslights
0:14:07 > 0:14:13and 40s gramophone with music like Vera Lynn playing and stuff like that.
0:14:13 > 0:14:18You all just get into the swing of it, it's a bit of harmless fun.
0:14:18 > 0:14:23# I'm forever blowing bubbles...#
0:14:25 > 0:14:30Over at Denzil and Rhian's, the awning's up and luggage unpacked.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34So now it's time to sort the holiday accommodation for Bubbles.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36# They fly so high... #
0:14:36 > 0:14:38Oh, yes.
0:14:43 > 0:14:47And what do you get in return for all your hard work, Rhian?
0:14:47 > 0:14:50If you ask her for a kiss, she'll give you a kiss.
0:14:54 > 0:14:55Nothing nasty in her at all.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58She will nibble you, you know, but not bite.
0:14:58 > 0:15:02# I've looked everywhere... #
0:15:02 > 0:15:08Here it is, that's a guinea pig caravan.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11I've never seen her do that before!
0:15:11 > 0:15:13You're going back now.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15See if she'll give me a kiss.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17Give Mam a kiss. Kiss.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22C'mon, kiss for Mam. She wants her food now.
0:15:27 > 0:15:32At Rob's Winchester it's time for some interior design... 1941 style.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37And that goes over there.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40Everything has its place, it's just remembering where it all goes!
0:15:44 > 0:15:46Everything is considered, and everything's authentic.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50- Right.- And for Rob, transporting himself back in time
0:15:50 > 0:15:55is as much about the ethos of the era as it is about the decoration.
0:15:56 > 0:16:01I think it's partly what you hear about what happened in the '40s,
0:16:01 > 0:16:04about people rallying round and getting together and the whole
0:16:04 > 0:16:08"make do and mend" and that sort of side of the social history.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11I mean with the caravans, it was for high society.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13So you've got the best of both worlds.
0:16:13 > 0:16:17You've got the camping side, the high society buying caravans
0:16:17 > 0:16:19so it's all part and parcel.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22But, yeah, I don't wish I was born in the '40s,
0:16:22 > 0:16:24but I think it was a nice era.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28I think everybody just muddled in and got on.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31When I'm either in it, enjoying it on a weekend
0:16:31 > 0:16:34or working on them back in the yard, that's me happiest, yeah!
0:16:34 > 0:16:36Yeah.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40People say I'm mad, but, you know, we're all a bit mad, aren't we?
0:16:40 > 0:16:43Right, so that's everything for there now.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46Now we've got to do the kitchen area.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55Unpacking and setting out caravan crockery can be a tiring process
0:16:55 > 0:16:58and it builds up quite an appetite.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01Can I order ten portions of fish and chips, please?
0:17:01 > 0:17:02- Yeah.- Cheers, thank you.
0:17:02 > 0:17:03As a welcome to the rally,
0:17:03 > 0:17:06Barry and Richard have invited everyone to tea.
0:17:06 > 0:17:10And what could be more in-keeping with a vintage weekend
0:17:10 > 0:17:12than traditional fish and chips?
0:17:13 > 0:17:17# Oh and I'm the type of guy who will never settle down. #
0:17:17 > 0:17:21Teardrop trailers first became popular in 1930s America
0:17:21 > 0:17:25and with this American heritage came an American attitude to caravanning.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27# I hug 'em and I squeeze 'em... #
0:17:27 > 0:17:29A man called Warbird explains.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33I could just put that behind any of the cars or vans I've got
0:17:33 > 0:17:36and just go away for the weekend.
0:17:36 > 0:17:41Everything's in it and it's just a simple way of getting out of town.
0:17:41 > 0:17:45It's a bed on wheels, really. You cook in the back of it.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48You haven't got much room to do anything else
0:17:48 > 0:17:52apart from sleep in it really, so, yeah, it's a sleeping pod.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55# ..With Rosie on my chest cos I'm a wanderer... #
0:17:55 > 0:18:00As we leave Warbird to his chops and tummies start to rumble on the site,
0:18:00 > 0:18:04does Teardrop owner, stir-fry Sue describe it any differently?
0:18:04 > 0:18:08It's posh camping, you know, it's comfortable to sleep in
0:18:08 > 0:18:11and also, like, just, I don't know, it's just very relaxing.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14Teardropping, like I said, it's just good fun
0:18:14 > 0:18:16because you just hitch up and off you go
0:18:16 > 0:18:19and wherever you end up that's where you
0:18:19 > 0:18:22set up and start enjoying wherever you are.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25I mean, we're in a beautiful place here in Wales.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28Stunning views and I can't think of anything better really.
0:18:28 > 0:18:34Bit of sauce on me chops... and the job's a good 'un.
0:18:34 > 0:18:38At the other end of the field the fish and chips have arrived
0:18:38 > 0:18:42and the historic caravan clubbers are re-living days gone by.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46That's what they would of done, you know,
0:18:46 > 0:18:49found a local fish and chip bar or something,
0:18:49 > 0:18:51or even caught their own fish in the river.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54But, yeah, fish and chips goes down a treat.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58And all of a sudden, he pulled the lever like that and it reared up,
0:18:58 > 0:19:01it broke the tree off in the track, thrown my grandad off.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05Out in the countryside, green grass, dry weather and fish and chips.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07Can't really be much better than that.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10Basically, I suppose you're looking for something
0:19:10 > 0:19:12that was there in our childhood.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15You talk to everybody about what they've got,
0:19:15 > 0:19:17what they've done, where they've been.
0:19:17 > 0:19:21And I tell 'em what I've done, what I've got, where I've been and that's what it's about.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25It's a nice night, nice friends, good company
0:19:25 > 0:19:29and just appreciative to be here with everybody.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35And as night falls, Rhian's in a reflective mood too.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41When I go caravanning I switch off. I don't think I'm home at all.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43I think more of this than my house.
0:19:43 > 0:19:44It's a silly thing to say,
0:19:44 > 0:19:46cos it's our house, it's paid for and everything.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49But I'm more happier here in the caravan.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52# ..Your lips, your fingertips... #
0:19:52 > 0:19:55I could live in a caravan all the time.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58There's something romantic, better than home. You're enjoying.
0:19:58 > 0:19:59At home you're thinking,
0:19:59 > 0:20:02"What's tomorrow, what do I do today?"
0:20:02 > 0:20:05You can forget it when you come in the caravan, see?
0:20:05 > 0:20:06Yeah, it's great.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09Oh, we really enjoy it, it's a shame we've got to go back.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13Never mind, that's how it goes.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16Say good night to the one you love, Rhi.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19Night, night, Bubbles. I'm pulling the curtains now.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36It's the following morning and it's show time.
0:20:36 > 0:20:41Last minute preparations before the show opens,
0:20:41 > 0:20:43so giving it a quick wipe over.
0:20:44 > 0:20:49And for Barry, the vintage theme even extends to the outfit
0:20:49 > 0:20:52he's going to wear to show the punters around the van.
0:20:54 > 0:20:59I think what you're doing is catching the feel of a period of time gone by
0:20:59 > 0:21:04and I think it can look a wee bit odd if you're sat outside
0:21:04 > 0:21:08your very carefully prepared vintage caravan
0:21:08 > 0:21:13in modern clothes and it all adds to the image.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20After a good breakfast, Rhian, Denzel and Bubbles set-off
0:21:20 > 0:21:22to get the lorry into position.
0:21:22 > 0:21:27This afternoon is the grand parade, the highlight of their weekend.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31Rhian and Denzel's now, not Bubbles'.
0:21:31 > 0:21:32Hers is grass.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37The show's opened and punters are in
0:21:37 > 0:21:42and straightaway the vintage caravans are attracting attention.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46Especially Barry and Richard's Freeman.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48It's time for a guided tour.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51It's all wood, you know there's no Formica or...
0:21:51 > 0:21:55I think it's one of the most pleasurable parts of the weekend actually,
0:21:55 > 0:21:58you know, just taking that time to talk to people.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00What would we be doing otherwise?
0:22:00 > 0:22:03At home doing the garden or shopping or something like that.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06I couldn't think of a better place to be.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08You've spent hours restoring your caravan
0:22:08 > 0:22:13and you've enjoyed showing it off at the vintage fairs to a bunch of enthusiasts.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15But what then?
0:22:15 > 0:22:18What does a dedicated, vintage caravan refurbishing fanatic
0:22:18 > 0:22:20do when a project is finished?
0:22:20 > 0:22:22Kick back and relax?
0:22:22 > 0:22:24I'll be selling this caravan.
0:22:24 > 0:22:25This is the last show I'll show it at.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28So I'm looking for a bigger caravan.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31One slightly bigger with two single beds in it.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35So then I'll sell this one and then this is the last show I'll do,
0:22:35 > 0:22:38get that one in and then I'll have to do it up to show standard.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42I've already slept my last night in her.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45That was last night, so I'll be taking it back now
0:22:45 > 0:22:47when the show finishes and that is it then.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50- Cheers, love.- Yes.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55The excitement is increasing.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58It's not long until the start of the grand parade
0:22:58 > 0:23:01and although the commercial vehicles are all lined up ready to go
0:23:01 > 0:23:05there's always time for a little chat to a kindred spirit.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08When you've got one of these under the bonnet,
0:23:08 > 0:23:10- you'll always come home.- Absolutely.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12If you've got one of those now the pipes are gone,
0:23:12 > 0:23:15you can pull one of them levers and you'll come home.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17Denzel's showing the lorry and talking about it
0:23:17 > 0:23:20and I'm doing my knitting and listening to them as well.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22I can hear them from here.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25He's in his element and when he's home tomorrow
0:23:25 > 0:23:27he'll be lost, he loves it, see.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30This is a nice little van, but it's no good to us.
0:23:30 > 0:23:34It's too small, there's no toilet compartment or anything
0:23:34 > 0:23:37- so that will be a waste of time us bothering with that one.- Yeah.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41Ivor and Cheryl are window-shopping for their new caravan
0:23:41 > 0:23:43and Ivor's next project.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45They're in need of inspiration.
0:23:45 > 0:23:47No, it hasn't got two single beds.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49We want some with two single beds.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52That's one you make your own bed up and I don't want that.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55Has it got a toilet compartment? Cos that's the main thing we need.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57- I think it has. - Let me have a look then.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04Yes, it has. It divides off to make its own toilet compartment.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07One of these would do us. It's quite a bit older than our van
0:24:07 > 0:24:10and would be a lot better for the shows.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14But there is a caravan Ivor's had his eye on...
0:24:14 > 0:24:16Barry and Richard's Freeman.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19Now remember, Ivor, the trick with negotiating is to play it cool.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22- Hello there, mate.- You all right?
0:24:22 > 0:24:24- Are you going to sell me this now? - No.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26Come on, put a price on it.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28It's priceless for me really
0:24:28 > 0:24:31because once you've sold them, they've gone, you see.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34I know, but if I'm going to buy a van, you want to buy
0:24:34 > 0:24:36the one you like and this is the best van I've seen.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39This is my favourite, we've got a collection.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41This one is my favourite, it's a good all rounder,
0:24:41 > 0:24:43we can use it for holidays.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46If you ever want to sell, promise to give me first chance.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48We will. To be honest, we'll put you on the list.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50We've got lots of people asking all the time,
0:24:50 > 0:24:52"can we buy it, can we buy it?"
0:24:52 > 0:24:55- I'd love to buy this.- It's one of the best layouts I've seen.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57After a few whiskies and brandies maybe.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00We'll have to stay tonight and see if we can get you!
0:25:02 > 0:25:03You know, it's er...
0:25:03 > 0:25:06- All right.- Thank you. - Thank you very much anyhow.
0:25:06 > 0:25:07- Thank you, bye.- Bye.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09Ah, it's not to be.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12It seems Ivor's search is just beginning.
0:25:19 > 0:25:23It's here, the moment that Denzel and Rhian have been waiting for,
0:25:23 > 0:25:26the grand parade and Denzel's chance to really show off the lorry.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34The crowd look on as the 1960s showmen's truck
0:25:34 > 0:25:36glides majestically around the ring.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43Look at that,
0:25:43 > 0:25:45man and vintage lorry in perfect harmony.
0:25:54 > 0:25:59It's a fantastic turnout of all types of vintage vehicles
0:25:59 > 0:26:01from across the generations.
0:26:01 > 0:26:06So much so, in fact, that even the mechanical monkey is impressed.
0:26:08 > 0:26:13It really is the ultimate show for the vintage devotee.
0:26:24 > 0:26:26But all good things must come to an end.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29And at Barry and Richard's, it's the tricky task
0:26:29 > 0:26:32of putting everything away ready for the drive home to Welshpool.
0:26:32 > 0:26:36Yeah, you do think, you wonder why do we do it, cos it is tiring.
0:26:36 > 0:26:40Especially working all week and then away weekends.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42But then come the winter time when it's all over,
0:26:42 > 0:26:45you look back at the different shows like this one at Hay here
0:26:45 > 0:26:48and you think, "Yeah, we did have a good time.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51"It was a nice social time and nice weather."
0:26:51 > 0:26:55So it all paints a nice picture for the dark winter nights, really.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04Yeah, this is an old caravan, it's 50 odd years old.
0:27:04 > 0:27:09But you kind of stop recognising that because it's your caravan,
0:27:09 > 0:27:11it's your home on wheels at the end of the day.
0:27:25 > 0:27:29It's also time for Ivor and Cheryl to say goodbye,
0:27:29 > 0:27:34and not just to the vintage fair but to the caravan too.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36You get to like them, don't you?
0:27:36 > 0:27:40You put a lot of work into them, but the layout isn't right
0:27:40 > 0:27:44for what I want, so it's time to say goodbye, innit?
0:27:44 > 0:27:49Like everything, you like it, but it's got to go at the end of the day.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51I'll find another one. I dunno.
0:27:51 > 0:27:56I'm beginning to think I shouldn't sell this one. I dunno, there you go.
0:27:56 > 0:27:58Aw, good luck, Ivor.
0:27:58 > 0:28:03One day you'll find a dilapidated caravan with two single beds
0:28:03 > 0:28:06and a toilet compartment. One day.
0:28:11 > 0:28:15For Denzel and Rhian though it's a change of plan.
0:28:15 > 0:28:19They've made the sort of impulsive decision that only caravanners can.
0:28:19 > 0:28:23They're going to stay another glorious summer night.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26The sun is shining beautiful outside.
0:28:26 > 0:28:30There's nothing to pay for staying, so we might as well make the most of it.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33Life is good in the caravan and we really enjoy it, the two of us.
0:28:33 > 0:28:37Well, we're both happier when we're here in the caravan.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41And who wouldn't be?
0:28:41 > 0:28:44A beautiful evening, a piece of cake
0:28:44 > 0:28:46and their own fibre glass heaven.
0:28:49 > 0:28:53# You and the night and the music
0:28:53 > 0:28:57# Fill me with flaming desire... #
0:28:57 > 0:28:59Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:28:59 > 0:29:01E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk