The time has come for a change.

[WelshGas]

Thank you ALL for your kind messages of support and " Likes ". Both myself and my wife are overwhelmed. Thank you once again.

 

[briwy]

Good luck with the new van Paul. I hope it gives you as good service as you've had with the Cali.

 

[Frank L]

WG
Since I bought my Cali in 2016 I have followed your helpful posts with interest - sometimes just in admiration that anyone knew so much about Cali's, other times because I needed some technical info, exploded parts diagram or practical advice. So many helpful contributions.
Much respect!
Enjoy the MV, and the travels.

 

[Elmo3]

WG, your knowledge and experience was amazingly useful when we first became interested Calis, went through all the pros and cons, then bought our first in 2017. Now on number 4! Best of luck with the new wheels.

 

[DavidofHook]

We will miss your wise advice Welsh Gas. All the best for the long term

 

[WelshGas]

Well it's here now, on the drive. I'm getting to grips with the multitude of gizmos and driver aids.
So I'm officially an Ex-California Owner.

 

[Californication69]

Well it's here now, on the drive. I'm getting to grips with the multitude of gizmos and driver aids.
So I'm officially an Ex-California Owner.

View attachment 130473

You’ll be fine, just don’t try and stand up in it !
The drivers seat is very comfy, whaddya reckon?
You need some boxes to keep your paraphernalia in

 

[WelshGas]

You’ll be fine, just don’t try and stand up in it !
The drivers seat is very comfy, whaddya reckon?
You need some boxes to keep your paraphernalia in

Don't think so. Removed 2nd row seats. Pulled 3rd row forward. 2 x folding ebikes in boot still have lots of room.
Busy ordering usbc leads and adapters. Sorted out satnav, got the family addresses stored.
Trying to get rid of " Work" in Favourites.
Android Auto works fine through Bluetooth. Hopefully my Memory stick with all the music on will work .

 

[DMC]

Well it's here now, on the drive. I'm getting to grips with the multitude of gizmos and driver aids.
So I'm officially an Ex-California Owner.

View attachment 130473

It looks a real beauty WG. Best wishes in the new direction you are taking and like many others i have really appreciated your words of wisdom. Here’s hoping you will still contribute from time to time.

 

[Resfeber]

I’m a bit late to this party Paul but thank you for your help over the years and input to this club.
Vehicle looks great. Right colour in IMHO
Enjoy and onward for more travels and comfy Hotel based stays
Just bagged one of the last new stock T6.1’s 204s with 5 years of everything included and 50% zero finance.

Bertie 2 will be along shortly

 

[m10chkcalifornia]

Well it's here now, on the drive. I'm getting to grips with the multitude of gizmos and driver aids.
So I'm officially an Ex-California Owner.

View attachment 130473

Looks great. Is that SWB (as distinct from LWB for upcoming Cali)?

 

[wildslammer22]

Well it's here now, on the drive. I'm getting to grips with the multitude of gizmos and driver aids.
So I'm officially an Ex-California Owner.

View attachment 130473

I’m sure you’ll be the go to expert on all things multi-van in no time. Enjoy it and I’m glad you’re sticking around, I like having someone to argue with (ULEZ anyone…) - it’s the Greek in me!

 

[WelshGas]

Looks great. Is that SWB (as distinct from LWB for upcoming Cali)?

Yes, SWB.

 

[Skylark2.0]

Well it's here now, on the drive. I'm getting to grips with the multitude of gizmos and driver aids.
So I'm officially an Ex-California Owner.

View attachment 130473

Beautiful looking van that, enjoy! Are there hotels up at Nordkap?

 

[WelshGas]

Beautiful looking van that, enjoy! Are there hotels up at Nordkap?

Yes, close by.

 

[ThomasHJ]

Wow. First of all, congratulations on a stunning new car and most of all, on a decision which I assume wasn't easy to make. Wish you all the best and hope you two will enjoy travelling in this way as much as you seemed to do with your Cali.

Second, this scares me! How are the rest of us going tu survive without your knowledge and willingness to help out? I'm not even joking! It has always been reassuring to know we both owned a T5 and I have often been able to fix things thanks to your knowledge and also your willingness to help. So thank you very much for that.

Hope you get a chance to be around here once in a while, but most of all wish you great years together travelling in your new vehicle.

 

[WelshGas]

Wow. First of all, congratulations on a stunning new car and most of all, on a decision which I assume wasn't easy to make. Wish you all the best and hope you two will enjoy travelling in this way as much as you seemed to do with your Cali.

Second, this scares me! How are the rest of us going tu survive without your knowledge and willingness to help out? I'm not even joking! It has always been reassuring to know we both owned a T5 and I have often been able to fix things thanks to your knowledge and also your willingness to help. So thank you very much for that.

Hope you get a chance to be around here once in a while, but most of all wish you great years together travelling in your new vehicle.

I'll be around and posting if I can help out.

 

[Charlotterobin]

Hi WelshGas, thank you for all your generous knowledge and time

 

[BigPritch]

@WelshGas .......good luck and like many on here, thank you for your assistance and help, even tho some of the questions you may have raised your eyebrows over. Enjoy the new wheels, but also like to know what you think has changed camping/vanning wise since Covid ?
All the best.

 

[Campervanpup21]

Having just returned from almost 5 weeks in Australia, touring around New South Wales we have finally come to decision.
Over the past 50 + years we have holidayed in tents, caravans , from a small 4 berth to a twin axle 7 berth as the family grew, all over the U.K. and Europe and since retirement have Campervaned all over the U.K. and Europe covering over 134,000 miles in the past 10 years in our trusty 2014 T5.1 E 180 biturbo. ( which still doesn’t use oil between annual oil changes )
What the last 5 weeks have confirmed is, we do still like driving and visiting places but we do like the luxury of hotel stays, meals out, staying in European city/town centres rather than campsites on the outskirts and the fact that “ camping/campervanning “ has changed since Covid.
So, what to do?
We had our California valued at a VW Dealership just before our trip Downunder with a few to purchase a New California.
While at the Dealership we viewed a new SWB Multivan Hybrid Style.
Last week we contacted the Dealership salesman we had spoken to and have now completed the purchase of a Hybrid Multivan Style SWB in Black that we pick up on the 5th November. All done by email from Australia.
So after 10 yrs , virtually fault free ownership of our California a new Chapter opens up.

I’m sure I’ll still be around for a while, AND I won’t be asking for my Account to be deleted and so if I can be of any assistance, just ask.

Would like to wish you all the very best in your new adventures in some luxury and to thank you for your help since we joined the Cali community. All the very best.

 

[WelshGas]

@WelshGas .......good luck and like many on here, thank you for your assistance and help, even tho some of the questions you may have raised your eyebrows over. Enjoy the new wheels, but also like to know what you think has changed camping/vanning wise since Covid ?
All the best.

As I said to @Viktorgeorge

It might be an age thing but since Covid campsites seem to be busier, all types, and it seems a different clientel has taken over . They are either noisier or everyone retires to watch TV after 7pm. It's just a different vibe. It seems the days when you could sit around chatting to neighbours comparing setups or trips you've done or just life in general have gone. It's probably us as we get older.. It just isn't as much fun or something to look forward to as it was.

 

[Ksar-el-kebir]

Having just returned from almost 5 weeks in Australia, touring around New South Wales we have finally come to decision.
Over the past 50 + years we have holidayed in tents, caravans , from a small 4 berth to a twin axle 7 berth as the family grew, all over the U.K. and Europe and since retirement have Campervaned all over the U.K. and Europe covering over 134,000 miles in the past 10 years in our trusty 2014 T5.1 E 180 biturbo. ( which still doesn’t use oil between annual oil changes )
What the last 5 weeks have confirmed is, we do still like driving and visiting places but we do like the luxury of hotel stays, meals out, staying in European city/town centres rather than campsites on the outskirts and the fact that “ camping/campervanning “ has changed since Covid.
So, what to do?
We had our California valued at a VW Dealership just before our trip Downunder with a few to purchase a New California.
While at the Dealership we viewed a new SWB Multivan Hybrid Style.
Last week we contacted the Dealership salesman we had spoken to and have now completed the purchase of a Hybrid Multivan Style SWB in Black that we pick up on the 5th November. All done by email from Australia.
So after 10 yrs , virtually fault free ownership of our California a new Chapter opens up.

I’m sure I’ll still be around for a while, AND I won’t be asking for my Account to be deleted and so if I can be of any assistance, just ask.

Good luck sir!

 

[BoredArtist]

As I said to @Viktorgeorge

It might be an age thing but since Covid campsites seem to be busier, all types, and it seems a different clientel has taken over . They are either noisier or everyone retires to watch TV after 7pm. It's just a different vibe. It seems the days when you could sit around chatting to neighbours comparing setups or trips you've done or just life in general have gone. It's probably us as we get older.. It just isn't as much fun or something to look forward to as it was.

Age will be a factor, but it doesn't explain it all. I have a theory: Humans have talked to each other for thousands of years, and face to face contact has been a major part of our collective evolution. Since the dawn of the digital age we have been forced to scale back our social contact as shops, cinema, sporting events, etc....are all now accessed online. In just 25 years we have almost become non social...we now live in a tiny little digital universe...and as you have noticed...we are not any happier for it. You can't fast forward evolutionary behaviour and expect us to function the same...we obviously don't.
Enjoy your new van.

 

[clarinetbcn]

Of course everyone should choose the vehicle which is best suited to their needs, as I have done by choosing a Beach over an Ocean. But my question here to Forum members is, is this a van, or a car based crossover with a second A pillar whose purpose is to make it look like a space efficient van? Why would VW add the expense of the second A pillar, which is not useful or necessary? I think this is relevant because this is the base of the new California. My opinion is that this is the result of VW finding itself in disastrous financial difficulties, which means they no longer can afford to create an up to date van chassis.


Edit: the “new” Transporter is a rebadged Transit made by Ford in Turkey, which is why VW won’t use it for a California. I predict that Westfalia, with its Ford and “VW” conversions, will win the market because van owners look at space first.

 

[Kingfisher]

Congratulations on the new beauty on your drive. The T5.1 has truly served you well. I for one have been inspired a lot in my own travels by your Countdown Scandinavia trips. Thank you for that!

Please do keep sharing your adventures, and how you get on with the Multivan.