Pick up our new Ocean tomorrow

Damo+3 · Jan 23, 2020

This forum malarkey is all very new to us so bear with...

We're a reasonably young family lucky enough to be able to go touring for several weeks each year and have travelled extensively through France in a tent as well as other trips elsewhere. Been thinking of taking the plunge with a California for ages and eventually went for it last week after getting what I hope is a solid deal on a new van (albeit the T6 Ocean not the new 6.1). We're picking it up tomorrow morning and it's a strange kind of feeling of excitement laced with trepidation that we get out of it what we hope to. We've got 2 boys aged 8 and 6 and want to take them to places which might not be so easy in a tent starting with the Outer Hebrides!

Fingers crossed we're not disappointed and can make lasting memories for the 4 of us.

Thanks a million.

Soton Campers · Jan 23, 2020

The only regret you'll have is not doing it sooner! Get out there and enjoy yourself! I bet your kids will be soooo excited that your first sleep will be on the driveway!

MattBW · Jan 23, 2020

Look forward to hearing all about your adventures! Get ready for a grin from ear to ear

Gary&Heather · Jan 23, 2020

I can honestly say you have made the right decision and your little ones are the perfect age all the memories they will have will be priceless :thumb

and good luck for tomorrow it will be a day you won't forget.

AlisonF · Jan 23, 2020

Welcome, hope it goes smoothly. (There’s a check list in the downloads section if you need it). Happy camping :thumb

MattBW · Jan 24, 2020

Todays the day!

Damo+3 · Jan 24, 2020

Well we picked the beast up this morning and already feel like this is a cracking decision. Thanks for the positivity folks. I'm seriously considering sleeping in there on the drive tonight and then might go for a run up to the Lakes tomorrow. Happy freaking days!

Soton Campers · Jan 24, 2020

Damo+3 said:
I'm seriously considering sleeping in there on the drive tonight

Knew it!

Volkywagen · Jan 24, 2020

Any pics??

Damo+3 · Jan 24, 2020

A little earlier on before dark...

Monty Zoomer · Jan 24, 2020

Take a look at the passenger side B pillar door trim. They all have a defect in the moulding and VW are not doing anything about it...

Joker 1299 · Jan 24, 2020

Monty Zoomer said:
Take a look at the passenger side B pillar door trim. They all have a defect in the moulding and VW are not doing anything about it...

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Spoil his fun, why don’t you?

threetone · Jan 24, 2020

@Damo+3 Congratulations on the great purchase. Best of luck!!

@Monty Zoomer get over yourself, pls don’t spoil anyone else’s fun because you have ocd’s.

willwander · Jan 24, 2020

Damo+3 said:
A little earlier on before dark...

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Gorgeous van.
Looks almost identical to mine lol
Looking forward to hearing more about your adventures.

Sunstoner · Jan 24, 2020

Damo+3 said:
A little earlier on before dark...

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Fabulous looker!! Congrats :cheers

Resfeber · Jan 25, 2020

Again congratulations. Even after 12 months that “cracking decision” feeling is still strong for us after getting “Bertie” Right choice of colour IMHO :thumb

Now to the shop for accessorising and have you named “the beast” yet

Gary&Heather · Jan 25, 2020

Very nice looking van well done.

BeeBee · Jan 25, 2020

Welcome and enjoy, 10 months with ours and still nip myself that it’s really ours. I’m sure you’ll assess what accessories are best for your family but would highly recommend getting a ‘safelock’ for the spare wheel (lots been taken) and consider a steering wheel lock... good visible deterrent ... no one wants to lose their Cali.

Hotel California · Jan 25, 2020

Monty Zoomer said:
Take a look at the passenger side B pillar door trim. They all have a defect in the moulding and VW are not doing anything about it...

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Thats not a defect but a imperfection in the molding thats been there eversince the start of the T5.
Are you aware that a Cali suffers roof corrosion and do nothing about it?
Makes the line in the plastic trim look like nothing.
Anyway , i'm not worrying over the roof or the plastic trim and enjoying my Cali , hope you are enjoying yours.

@Damo+3 , have fun in the New Cali , looking good!

AlisonF · Jan 25, 2020

Congrats. I also remember wanting to sleep in it on the driveway. Occasionally still want to. Even with the issues I’ve had with my van I still love driving it and camping in it. And so do the dogs. Hope you have a great weekend discovering things you never knew about it / her / him...

HectorPascal · Jan 25, 2020

Congratulations to your family. My wife and I are firmly of the view that we should have got ourselves into a Cali at the start of family life and forsaken the whole car > bigger car > estate car thing. We would have saved a lot of money and had masses of fun. Why not have your children keep a journal of their adventures in it - a sort of Cali-diary. That will be fun to read in twenty years.

Happy venturing.

Miles Porter · Jan 25, 2020

Congrats - life changing decision, and all for the best. Have a great experience - your kids will just love it.........and you will too of course. Looks great - loving the colour..........keep us updated on your travels.

Julesa · Jan 25, 2020

Trust me (random stranger) you will not be disappointed! Best decision we ever made! Happy travels to you & your family

kurienp · Jan 26, 2020

Damo+3 said:
I'm seriously considering sleeping in there on the drive tonight and then might go for a run up to the Lakes tomorrow. Happy freaking days!

So did you?

congratulations on the new purchase. It will get you to do many more silly things such as sleeping in it when visiting the in-laws

going for random getaways which may just increase, the increase in work from home situations where you just work from in your Cali. .... and many more

Hope you had a good time in the lakes.

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