A suitably laid back launch

Rather than have a traditional launch for the new book we thought that making a little film would be a way of involving more people and giving our readers – new, old, and familiar – a sense of what ‘My Cool Campervan’ is all about.

We featured ‘Cuthbert’ a very lovely and characterful 1958 Bedford CA… one of the last split screen Bedfords before the design changed to a more modern single screen in 1959. It was the last campervan we shot for the book, just off Columbia Road market in East London.

Columbia Road is one of the UKs last remaining streets made up of independent shopkeepers – it’s a really vibrant community of makers, artists, movers and shakers, and it seemed natural to use the same ‘feel’ and location for the movie. So, off we set for a cool day out in London… picking up friends, trundling along Old St, through the car wash, onto Shoreditch, picking up some coffees in Columbia Road, finally passing through Broadway Market for lunch supplies.

We ended our journey in Victoria Park with what was left of the picnic…. there was plenty of idle chat, gossip and music along the way that carried on in the gorgeous afternoon sunshine. Have a look at our adventure here…

During styling and the photography of the new book we found that many owners related similar stories during the enthusiastic conversations we inevitably fell into. Many people told us that the greatest benefits were to be found in just going out in the camper…driving to the seaside after work and getting some chips: making up some sandwiches, a flask of tea and parking up somewhere nice; or having a day out in Epping Forrest….simple pleasures. Just having a good time not doing very much. Why, you could even take a camera along and make your own little film (now there’s an idea).

Enjoy.