A long weekend off work with the promise of good weather meant that I couldn't resist a cheeky last minute booking with Vintage Vacations. With the choice of eighteen vintage American and British caravans all lined up in a field near to Ryde, on the Isle of Wight, we couldn't wait to arrive to head straight back to 1962.
We stayed in the 1962 Safari Airstream, which came equipped with a waiting bottle of Babysham, cakes, vintage board games and books, and fresh local produce all ready for breakfast in the morning! Helen and Frazer, who run the site, have also compiled a very useful guide to the island, which lists their choices of places to eat, visit and even recommend the best vintage shops...perfect!
Once we had settled into the Airstream we decided to have an explore! We first headed to Shanklin, a very cute little village with thatched roofs a plenty. We soon found a wonderful cider shop and were sure to pick up some drinks for later that evening! We then carried on over to the coast at Ventnor. Oh it was so lovely here! Not a lot of shops, but great ones at that. Plenty of antiques, furniture and charity shops, it made for perfect browsing. Here, there is also the wonderful Oh So Vintage which is a little treasure chest of goodies. I was incredibly smitten by the most perfect, original 1940's jacket, and by a fantastic vintage hat which I bought that still had its original tags in it! Even better, for those that stay with Vintage Vacations, you get 10% off in Oh So Vintage!
We then carried onto Newport, which had lots of charity shops, including a big one that had lots of furniture in it. Unfortunately, we were just a little too late and it had closed much to our disappointment-tip, everything closes at 4 on a Saturday! There was also a well stocked dress agency that was probably full of goodies!
We really had the most wonderful stay, transported away from everyday life and the technology we are accustomed to, it was lovely that my phone wouldn't work and there was no TV, laptop or phone to be distracted by! Spending Saturday evening reading Breakfast and Tiffany's, with the sounds of the swinging sixties playing and a summer breeze coming into the Airstream, it was a welcome change and a sure way to relax.
My amazing new hat!
Sunday morning we tucked into an amazing breakfast of sausage and egg sandwiches (yum!) then drove over to Bonchurch Village, for a 1940's Day at East Dene. Let me tell you, Bonchurch Village is the most beautiful little place! I think that I could have happily stayed there forever!
We became aware of the event through the Vintage Vacations Facebook page. If you are considering a stay, check it out as they keep it very updated with local events. We arrived to glorious sunshine, a 1940's band, a tea and cake stand and some vintage stalls; it was lovely watching the sea with a piece of cake, accompanied by the sounds of the forties.
With that it was time to go home, but hopefully to return again very soon. In the words of Gary Barlow, we had an 'absolutely fantastic' time and will definitely be staying with Vintage Vacations again, hopefully for longer! I have lots more pictures of the Airstream and Island on my A Brighton Belle Facebook page, which can be found here! I would love it if you can give it a like too!
With lots of vintage love,
Hannah xxx
