Rob's 21st Weekend - Mountain Boarding

So exciting ... setting off for our weekend with Ned. It was great driving along noticing the admiring looks, other drivers pointing and VW drivers flashing their lights (three on the first day). You were right Stella this is a leisurely pace !

As Rob got used to driving Ned at the start we built up a record convoy (2 lorries, 30+ cars, motorbike and a caravan) all following us. You were right girls, putting up the awning was certainly a challenge. Between the four of us it still took longer than imagined and at the end we had a worrying number of metal poles spare. Doubtless Ned found this very amusing !

Saturday: Phew ! The five of us survived a wet and windy night. We picked up the awning, piled everything back into Ned and set off down the (very narrow) country lanes. We headed north to Chester. When we arrived at the mountain-board centre, Ned was happy to have his photo taken with the mountain-boarders, but was not keen on joining in when he saw how steep the hill was !

Ned had a restful day in the car park, enjoying the attention of other visitors including a troupe of Boy Scouts. By 5pm Rob and Richard were exhausted, sore, wet (yes it rained) and muddy. Ned would not let them get in before cleaning up. We then took him to our favourite Indian restaurant before heading off to the camp site for round 2 of Euerby's versus Awning.

Sunday: What do you know ? Another windy night and another wet morning. So we hit the shops at Cheshire Oaks causing record tailbacks on the M53. We found Ned a quiet corner of the car park to rest while we shopped and went to the cinema. While we were gone, Ned made friends with a pretty red Ferrari ! Back at the camp site at last a sunny evening. We picnicked on the grass, French stick, cheese, Kettle Chips and a glass of bubbly. Ned had admirers here too "So cool" and "He's so cute".

Monday: Summer arrived, warm and sunny. We celebrated by blowing up the spotty beach ball and putting on the CD ! Everyone on the camp site was sad to see Ned go and waved us off. We enjoyed a "leisurely" drive back to Hereford with a lunch break for us and Ned. We had all become very fond of Ned it was hard to say goodbye to him.

Jane, Melvin, Rob and Richard



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From SW18 to South Wales

This was a try before you buy experience that fanned the flames ...


We came to realise what a wonderful way to holiday, touring in a "camper" can be. First night Aria took us to a quiet patch of moorland on the edge of the Brecon Beacons, where we cooked chilli and drank an average bottle of Rioja. For mid July it was FREEZING but Aria kept us warm and snug throughout the night. Next morning we woke to a glorious sunrise over the Beacons watching the rising sun whilst munching on bacon sandwiches and drinking strong coffee in total solitude was a fine start to the day.

The original plan was to head for Pembrokeshire, instead Aria decided the Gower was nearer ! Lot's of surfers on a huge beach at Rhossili with plenty of sunshine. However the Gower is busy and there were no quiet spots to park Aria so we headed back to the mountains. To our delight we discovered a little patch of heaven where only the sheep disturbed us. Surrounded by yellow and green moorland, Aria looked like a precious gem in this vast landscape. We feasted on stir-fried brocolli and chicken and settled back in the comfort of our temporary home to watch a DVD. A quite perfect evening. We are now convinced a VW camper is a wonderful way to travel.

Julian, Alice, Theo and Gus

PS: we forgot to add that Aria is very well fitted out and has very thoughtful owners !! Thanks for such a great three days.

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Spanish Surprise for George

Jane decided to surprise her husband when back in the UK from their home in Valencia.

I've read all about them. I have all the books and whenever I get the online chance I like to check out the Danbury website to see how much they cost ... So imagine my delight when my girls surprised me by booking one for the first week of our summer holidays !

Yes, there they were, sitting in Aria at the local roundabout, waiting for me to come home. Its true that I couldn't take the smile off my face and laughed like a fool in disbelief.

We've had the most fantastic time (dispite the rain) there has never been a dull moment and we've brightened up everyones day as we travelled around the Pembrokeshire and Cardiganshire coast. I could have sold Aria at least six times and we've handed out all the brochures, she's attracted so much attention.

I have taken so many photographs I feel like a staff photographer for "Coastal" magazine. I am going to send them to the owners of Aria in the hope that they'll use them for the next run of advertising material. And the photo album at home will be well stocked as a result of this week, that's for sure.

The hard part comes next, as we have to return Aria this morning. My girls want to keep her and giving "Pickles" the teddy bear back with her will be a real emotional struggle. I'm sure whoever has Aria next will have the most wonderful time. We'll certainly be back for more next year, thank you ...

George, Jane, Francesca and Olivia

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36yrs Old Ned Looks After Three Cathedral School Girls

Although Ned is 36yrs old, it was his first time at Glastonbury (well at least that is what he said!).

We unfortunately got geographically misplaced on the way to Glasto. After a cosy nights sleep we wondered into the festival on the Wednesday. After several hours of exploring the park etc.. we stumbled our way back to our understanding Ned and quickly put the kettle on for a cuppa.

Our initial plan of setting up camp proved to be "difficult" as three girls putting up an awning in the dark proved too much ! Instead we decide sleeping would be a better use of time.

After a quite bright and not so early start we had a quick breakfast and sorted "awning attempt Take 2" which proved much easier in daylight ! Note to all - awning is so much easier to put up in daylight !!

We then eagerly set off to the festival itself and enjoyed many performances including The Feeling, the Hoosiers, Kings of Leon etc.. The rest was a blur ...

Emma, Charli and Harriet

Hereford Cathedral School

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Would have been 5 stars except Charli shut her fingers in the door on the way back so took off half a star in sympathy ;-)

Aria Takes Kath and Allan to Glastonbury

Went to Glasto !! It was not only our first time at Glastonbury but it was Aria's first time too. I think we were all a bit over excited. Aria looked after us so well. She escaped the mud and was always waiting for us at the end of a long drunken day, to keep us cosy and warm just to do it all over again.

Aria had many admirers at Glasto, in fact I think she may have pulled an old brown T25 who parked next to us ! We will be at V Festival in Ned in August but we will never forget Aria, and hope to be back at Glasto with her next time - please please please ???

Massive thank you to Stella and Steve, inside Aria is really gorgeous. All the extra touches are what make her so special (a mini home from home). Thanks again, we have had a blast !

Much love - Kath & Allan xxx

PS: our boys loved Aria too when we took her home, but didn't get much of a look in - maybe next time ...

PSS: on the way to Glasto we stopped at the services and were marshalled into a checkpoint area for festival goers. Police with sniffer dogs were checking each vehicle, remembering the no dogs rule I protested "dogs are not allowed in Aria -she is on hire" which raised their suspicions further and we ended up with full body searches ! It goes without saying they did not find anything other the colour of our underwear !

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Irene and Ian Tick Off An Ambition

Irene & Ian Davies and their granddaughter Alysha on a Welsh Adventure.

A dream come true only travelled on the B roads, wonderful scenery over the Clun Valley. Lots of pit stops to make tea in the pretty spotted tea-pot. Snug warm nights. Plenty of fresh air, my granddaughter absolutely loved every minute, and I loved it more to watch her play "Aria Wave", it was magic. She is a Vdub we'll never forget.

See you again soon, very soon. Lots of love Irene, Ian and Alysha.

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Mountain Biking in Wales

Michelle Ede and her son James

We travelled to Rhyd-y-Felin in deepest Wales where my son James was competing in a downhill mountain bike race over the course of a weekend. Faced with the prospect of two nights under canvas or the chance to fulfill a lifetime dream of driving and staying in a retro VW Campervan. There was no choice ;-) So we embarked on our journey in Aria !

It is true what they say, your cheeks do ache with the grinning and you truly do celebrate EVEN the journey. Fun fun fun !!! I was like a child on Christmas Eve the night before we picked up Aria and on being shown round and driving her I discovered that she wasn't just beautiful to look at she drove beautifully too. The higher than normal driving position afforded me breathtaking views of the valleys and mountains as we journeyed. Wonderful. Small enough to comfortably negotiate the most remote areas she was "tardis like" enough to keep us in the comfort of home.

We settled down at the foot of the mountains seemingly miles from anywhere. I had 360 degree views that money couldn't buy from your own front door and as I laid in my bed in the mornings I could see past the forest , up the mountains to cavernous blue skies back down to earth.

She enabled me to feed the hungry hordes with their bacon rolls whilst James showed the endless stream of friends and strangers alike round "The Van" ! Aria's magnetism was no respector of age. Old and young alike were beguiled by her ;-)

All too soon it was time to pack up and leave. I wanted to relish some of the love and care so obviously lavished on her before she was entrusted to us, was determined to get her back in time to stroke, tend and polish her up before her return. What a joy.

Haven't had such fun in years. Fab ! fab ! fab. Can't wait for next time.

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Mobile Team Meeting

Steve Shepherd decided to take his sales team out for a memorable working lunch.

The photo looks a bit dodgy, a cross between bouncers and a boy band !

After driving around for 30mins we couldn't find a layby so parked on a quiet side road and had a picnic. On the way back we must have passed a layby every half mile !

A team meeting to remember ...

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The Yorks Take MJ to Gower

Mary Jane has regular jaunts into Wales, some say her engine speaks Welsh. The weather was mixed (it was April) but the bike was useful for shopping trips.



Stella and Steve took great care of us, the personal service was second to none.

On reflection would have been useful to have more storage, especially when taking our two young children. Thanks for the feedback - we now include a pup tent free of charge with Mary Jane to give you extra storage space.


Gideon & Cathy York and children

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The Jennings Visit Their Donkey in Devon

Stephen and Fran decided to take Emma and Georgia to see the donkey that they sponsor at a santuary in Devon. A few firsts including walking on the beach while it was snowing !

Mary Jane was wonderfully cosy and sooo pretty !

Loved being able to pull over and make a cup of tea whenever we liked.

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Steve and Sarah's Easter Break

The weather forecast predicted heavy winds and snow, must be the Easter Bank Holiday then ...

This did not dampen Steve and Sarah's spirit of adventure. They were heading to the South West for a relaxing weekend away from the day to day grind.

Even though the weather was more winter than spring they really enjoyed having "chilled out time" in Mary Jane where it was cosy and warm. The thing they liked the least was having to bring Mary Jane back ! The home-made chocolate cookies were also a nice touch and kind comments were made about how well Passage Unwritten was organised and run. Thanks for the lovely feedback Steve and Sarah.

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Your own VW camper van hire adventure starts at Passage Unwritten.

Celebrate the journey, Treasure the memory, Return the van ...

Webb's Birthday Celebration and Cambridge University Visit

Mike arranged a surprise trip for his wife Susan in Mary Jane the VW Camper van. Since the trip was over a week after Susan's birthday he decided to tell her otherwise, as he said "he might have been going on his own !".

Stella provided cake and champagne to celebrate Susan's birthday along with a special "Birthday" CD in the player to sing along to.

The destination was Cambridge to pick their son up from University for the Easter break. The Webb's younger son enjoyed sleeping in the roof bed and watching DVDs on the flipdown screen. The weather wasn't great (even though Mike had requested "good weather" on the booking form!) however the camper van was a cosy retreat with it's heating and electric blankets for even the coldest night (they named her Hurricane Jane for the way she fought off the storm).

What the Webb's liked the most was the spirit of freedom and being able to see over hedgerows. On their return they experienced some very strong side winds which was made driving Mary Jane at bit wahoo. Mike was amazed at the economy of Mary Jane's 1.4i engine which was far more efficient than he expected.

The Webb's plan to be back however next time they have vowed not to ask for good weather on the booking form.

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Remember today and have your own VW camper van hire adventure.

Dalton's Snowdonia Spring Break

From the time Chris picked up Mary Jane to the return from Snowdonia a week later, the sun shined ... this was March !

Chris and his wife decided to take a week away from it all and escape to North Wales. No campsites booked, no firm plans just going where they pleased when they wanted.

One day breakfast overlooking the sea ...

... the next with a view of the spectacular Snowdonia mountains.

The Dalton's intend to be back for a week in Mary Jane in the summer, the sun has already been ordered !

For your own VW campervan adventure visit http://www.passageunwritten.co.uk/.

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Taylor's Go to Pembrokeshire Coast

The Taylor's were the first to take Mary Jane out on a misty February morning. By the time they got underway the sun broke through and set the tone for a lovely day by the sea.

The Taylor's were thinking of buying their own VW campervan however with Passage Unwritten been on their doorstep in Hereford they have decided to simply hire a VW camper van from Passage Unwritten as and when required. They expect to be back for a holiday later in the year.

A trip to the beautiful Pembrokeshire coast in Wales ended with watching the sunset whilst sipping a glass of complimentary champagne.

For your own camper van adventure take a look at VW Camper Van Hire.

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The VW Camper Story Begins

OK, let's condense the last month into a few paragraphs.

Started a VW camper van hire business late Jan with a City Centre launch in Hereford. Saw 200 people, many that had campervan stories, some that poked off our 17 yr old daughter, Emma (right of group), by saying they were "campervan owners before she was born". Charli, Matt, Anna, Alex and Emma were great at chatting up anyone within 50m of Mary Jane (the camper van).

Bookings keep rolling in and the common interest is a love of camper vans and the way they get lodged in folks memories for life. You don't need a camera when you take one of these baby's out, it will be unerasable in your memory, I swear.

Take a look at our VW Camper Van Hire website (we are based in Hereford) to get a taster.

Coming soon, update on stories for those that hired Mary Jane (right) and a bit of video.

Until then ...