Show Report: Bustypes 2013

I'm going to start scaling-down the show reports on here; I feel they're getting a little 'same-y' - talk about the weather, whinge about the food on offer, etc, etc. Whilst I enjoy giving you a 'punter's-perspective', I think it's time to knock them on the head.

Maybe I'll continue them in the future with just a few pics from my Instagram feed:

I'm hoping to be submitting images and words on a freelance basis to Volksworld's VWT Magazine in the not too distant future so my writing up of shows will 'hopefully' be seen there instead.

The show itself is still, year on year, very good. A tried and tested formula that doesn't need messing with. The weather played ball and after what has been a fairly rough Winter, it was great to be able to sit outside our vans and get together with friends from last season. Camped by the entrance there were a couple of thoughts running through my mind on the Friday afternoon; the first was 'where are they going to put everyone?' - an almost constant stream of campers came in from 3pm until around 7pm! Secondly, it was great to see so many T4's and T5's; later model vans have been truly embraced by the scene with many people selling-up their old vans in favour of the newer varieties... but why so many non-VW campervans (or motorhomes to give them the correct title) this year?

I've already seen a few negative comments on the forums from people that couldn't arrive until Saturday and then struggling to find a space - should the camping be VW only, or limited numbers of tickets available to non-VW's? I'm not sure it could be possible.

Finally the food. Many camper-owners (ourselves and friends included) love our food. I enjoy nothing more than a good social barbecue with everyone dipping in, buying and cooking their own food, sitting around talking, drinking and grazing on what's available. But come Sunday morning after maybe a few too many shots the night before it's time to see what the show's food-court can offer...

A 'speciality' coffee van with no hot water telling us to go and get coffee from another seller - instant coffee!!! Over-priced and borderline-under-cooked burgers and hot dogs being sold at ridiculous prices. I just don't get it. Are the organisers putting the contract out to the highest bidder or the highest quality? This year's selection was dire.

Surely a few hours research could source some local independent caterers - the type that attend farmer's markets and food-fayres? It's not that people aren't willing to pay but as a show-goer we shouldn't be expected to pay for poor quality food. It might cut in to the show's overheads but surely the positive feedback and increased sales would enhance the show's reputation and add another reason for visiting year after year - just my thoughts...

I'll definitely be there again next year. Maybe I'll be brave enough to put the van in the show'n'shine. Either way - I'll be bringing enough food for the whole weekend!