Monday 22 September 2014

Into The Valley


So that's it, after eight festivals, this weekend marked the final one of 2014. Life on the road is over for another year.

Wearing: Dollyrockers maxi (Second to None, 2010), 1970 felt hat (Car boot sale, 2009), Huge vintage bronze hoop earrings (the fabulous Pao), Original 1960s Biba dragonfly choker (My Mum's), Bertie brogue boots (car boot sale, 2013)
Grabbing a book to take away with me I spotted one of my favourite reads, How Not To Run A Club on the shelf, Peter Hook's tale of the rise and fall of Manchester's legendary Hacienda, wondering if I'd be substituting club for festival as a possible blog title when describing our weekend. 


Muddled emails and telephone calls requesting information we'd sent weeks previously, trading pals dropping out at the last minute and an inclement weather warning, we wondered whether the very first V Dubs in The Valley was doomed to fail before it had even started but with the pitch paid for months ago it was a weekend away if nothing else.


Our initial misgivings couldn't have been more wrong. The location, a picturesque valley minutes away from the historic town of Bridgnorth, along with the warm welcome we received as soon as we arrived on site, immediately put us at ease. We parked, pitched up and were set up & ready for action (with the first cider on the go) by the time our mates arrived.  


Initially an intimate end of season event for a few hundred VW enthusiasts, demand for tickets was so high that the original location was changed & more tickets released, developing into a sell-out weekend with over 1,200 campers and hundreds more day visitors paying on the gate.


An impressive variety of food stalls, inexpensive booze, live music, an old skool disco, a scooter rally, a large car & bus display and, crucially, loads of immaculately kept portaloos. 


And, for late September, the weather wasn't too bad, either. The mist looming over the valley looked far more menacing than the reality. 


There were lots of interesting traders,


The man with the auto jumble was a dead ringer for Hunter S Thompson.


Great live music,


Some very dapper gents.... 

Wearing: Vintage maxi & stainless steel pendant (both from car boot sales), velvet & rhinestone choker (vintage fair, 2013)

...and me!


It was great to see (hello, Claire!) and to hang out with friends from home after we'd closed for the day. Here's Maxine,


and Jolene with her handmade silver jewellery (HERE).


We've met this lovely couple and their two tiny Jack Russell dogs (the baby is under the table) at previous VW events. I went AWOL for ages chatting to them back at their van.


Taking a book with me? What was I thinking? That was about as misjudged as our expectations for the weekend. V Dubbers are a mixed bunch, people of all ages and backgrounds united over a common love for a brand. A huge cross section of people attend shows and vintage is still rather niche. Luckily having a classic air cooled bus visible from our pitch and having been regulars on the VW scene for over 8 years means we're recognised and visitors love to pop by for a chat, a catch up and a casual browse, often ending up falling for some of the stuff on display.

Under Siege! SOURCE


This was all I read, a couple of articles from this month's Chap magazine over crumpets & coffee snatched before we opened for business, kindly donated by new friend who'd christened our style "Cool as f*ck".



Wearing: Topman skinnies, vintage Wrangler shirt, Original Lee card blazer (all charity shopped), Tootal scarf, tooled leather belt and 1970s Cherry red Docs (car boot sales)
Wearing: 1970s Jersey Masters skinny shirt & gold lurex maxi (Both from my friend Pete @ Chickadooli), Vintage hat & choker (as before), 



And now to the downside, unpacking Gilbert, putting away the stock and tackling the mountainous washing pile.
See you soon!


Linking to Patti's Visible Monday and Judith's Hat Attack.


50 comments:

  1. Really amazing pics, Vix, I love your hat!!

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  2. The eight festival challenge. Sounds like an endurance event. Well done you two, you've worked your socks off this summer. I love the picture of you being swarmed. That's busy! Glad the festival turned out so well, sounds like you really enjoyed it, the perfect mix of business and pleasure. You look great in that maxi with the medieval sleeves and that's a great look with the hat, very cool. Like your new friend said. I always think of Mrs Merton when Peter Hook is mentioned: play it Hoooky! Xxxxxxxx

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  3. What a great ending to the season, it looks such a load of fun. How cool, your mum's Biba pendant!

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  4. Wow, what a fabulous event and great photos. I love the massive sleeves on the blue green purple floral maxi - just fabulous.

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  5. What a wonderful end to the summer of festies. You've been so busy. I love that picture of Kinky under siege....speaks volumes.
    Love the maxi, Jon looking very dapper there and your style is indeed cool as fuck.
    See you soon
    Loves ya.
    xxxxxxxxxxxx

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  6. It looks like an amazing event and would have loved to been one of the visitors !
    I so wonder why we dont have such great events o er here ...
    xxx

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  7. Haven't you been busy?! Both looking great as always!
    Glad to hear it all worked out in the end, I imagine it will be even bigger next year. Would love to get into the VW scene - N keeps saying we should get a smaller house and invest in a camper!

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  8. The pictures look wonderful Vix and a love all the outfits and your hat is fabulous !!! have a good week xxx.

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  9. What a fab time! I'm pleased the weather wasn't too dire after all, and that the VW crowd are learning the feel the vintage - and Kinky!- love. As always, you and Jon are the best advocates for vintage style, since I can wholeheartedly agree that you are indeed cool as fuck! Loving the print on that first maxi, Jon's blazer, and that groovy Jersey Masters shirt and lurex combo.
    The stalls, the folk, the site, your stall, and of course the vehicles, all look amazing.
    Crack on with that washing, love, and then you'll deserve a night with your feet up in front of the telly with a glass or two of something delicious! Love ya! xxxx

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  10. Your new friend hit the nail on the head ... you two are as cool as f*ck! I'm sorry to see your festival season wrap up, as it is so fun and interesting to hear all about it from afar. This event sounds like a great one to finish with.

    My cousin has just completed a refurb of a vintage VW bug so I've recently been exposed to the tight community within fans of the brand, albeit again from afar as he lives in a different province. It's so neat to be part of a group like that. I should look to see if such a thing exists for Mustangs.

    xo

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  11. Last festival of the season - must be a bit bittersweet. You both look fabulous!!

    I love that "Hallowed be thy Pain" - did you try any of the hot sauce?

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  12. Hi Viv I just love the hat you are wearing ,I would so love one this style ,but find I can't find one small enough ,if you ever find a small size one would you get it for me please ..love Jan xx AKA PIN HEAD XXX

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  13. You and Jon are such a handsome pair in that first photo! And I offer this compliment to a point: Too often does one sees a well-dressed woman escorted by a man who appears to be her yard lad. Kinky Melon certainly belongs in any venue where MEN with an eye for style and value (V Dubbers!) congregate.

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  14. This absolutely looks opposite of what you feared thank god! What a picturesque spot and with all those beautiful unique VW's and wonderful cross section of folks I so wish I could go to this with you guys! Both of you look beyond stylish, that dolly rocker dress and the last one you've got on, wow Vix you are just gorgeous, the dresses aren't bad either. You and Jon are cool as fuck!

    You both should be real proud of the year you've had. I think Kinky Melons is gonna make 2015 it's lil bitch! I love you!
    Xxxxxxxoooooo

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  15. Ps the guy without his skin is a creepy as fuck:)

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  16. what a great weekend, you truly didn't need that book, so much going on, beautiful spot too!

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  17. oh its been so fun following your festival days! and what a perfect place to see if off. Misty mountains an V-dubs, how perfectly dreamy 70s, especially with your orange lurex shirt. divine! xo

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  18. Gorgeous location, and it looks like a pile of friendly folks, so cheers to your last festival of the year! You and Jon are stunners, natch. Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday, xox.

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  19. So glad it went well. You look fab in all your outfits and Jon looks pretty good too!!
    It's positively summery here today ...
    M x

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  20. I've spied three great velvet red blazers this morning over my coffee. I'm obsessed now.
    Thanks for the great show of VW's and Lambrettas! I love them both!

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  21. Great event and wonderful photographs! You and Jon look fabulous, love your hat!

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  22. OMG, I thought I loved the lavender dress - then I saw the black/aqua/purple/green one! I want it badly!

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  23. "cool as F@%K" indeed! Love the first dress, then loved the second one even more.

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  24. I see you had full rails and a splendid stock of carefully curated vintage treasure very neatly displayed at the V Dubs in The Valley vintage festival. I love the lilac/orchid colour of your Dollyrockers maxi and the look of the vintage maxi-dress you're rocking with pendant and choker whilst standing next to the Kinky Mellon's Retro Boutique sign. The sleeves of both maxis are fabulous and the sign's antique picture frame is a beauty. John's Tootal scarf looks spiffy styled with his vintage Wrangler shirt and Lee card blazer. It's nice that there was such a good turnout at the festival and numerous shoppers visiting your pitch. Best wishes for a pleasant autumn.

    http://www.full-brief-panties.blogspot.com/

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  25. what a fantastic summer you have had , I am sure you will find something else to diversify with and it won't be long for the next years events calendars to be produced then you have them to look forward to xxx

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  26. it can´t be bad if you´r there!!!
    love the look with the hat! thought the skirt is velour!
    and jon looking cool as always - that friend is totally right :-)
    xxxxxx

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  27. I love the purple maxi dress! This festival looks fun as hell <3

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  28. I used to really enjoy the veedub scene years ago when I had mine. There was always a great vibe and you're right about the mix of people. Apart from a jumble sale the other jumble I get excited about is auto-jumble!! I can wander around those stalls for ages and enjoy having a haggle for a bargain. Now did I ever tell you about the time I picked up a boot lid for Archie for a tenner.......stop me now before I start to drone on! xxx

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  29. Great pics Vix, really gives us a flavour of the Vdub scene but trust me to spot the man picking up dog shit in the third photo!(at least that's what I think he's doing) Love your outfits and Jon looks a cool dude as usual...how about those dapper gents, the one on the left looks really smooth. Hope the washing's done now and you've got your feet up with a glass of rum in your hand. Cheers! xxx

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  30. I'm in love with every one of these outfits, you look flawless! Particularly the purple maxi dress, wow! So glad to hear you've had such a fun and successful year at the festivals, they look like a blast!

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  31. Oh such fun! I adore your first outfit, really handsome and the sleeves on the second maxi are very attractive (Ahrgh, I am trying to use the synonyms yet so hard!)
    Sounds like a super time was had by all.
    x
    Vix, did the dress on the mannequin get bought? That pretty shorter one- with a v neck? Is it for sale? What size?

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  32. Both of those maxi dress are just too gorgeous, especially the first one! :)

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  33. Again, and again it's so wonderful to stop by your world!!!
    Just indispensable for a journalistic spirit and a hungry heart!!!
    beauty, humour and wisdom...a must!!!

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  34. Sounds like a great end to the summer, I've enjoyed reading about your festival experiences and seeing your cool outfits! x

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  35. Oh how I love the outfit with the orange top, the hat and the maxy skirt on you - such an elegant hippy! Jon looks very sharp - great style! So glad that the end of the festival season was such a good one. Great old cars, and the location is beautiful, and the people are unique, and the weather seems so cooperative with you. Here is to a bit of good rest and the new beginning! Cheers! xxx

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  36. Love the leafy vibe and Autumnal colours creeping into your wardrobe. Great pics too, specially that fog.

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  37. You sure are an old hand at festival life. I love the idea of bringing old VW's, music and markets all together in picturesque scenery. Xx

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  38. You are totally cool as fu*ck. I adore your black dress. You look like a sexy witch.
    It looks like an incredible festival. xxx

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  39. Awww, it's over, but I have totally enjoyed my vicarious festival season, it's been a blast!! Kinky Melon always is a crowd puller, you can see why, because it's awesome! I loved the cars and bikes, fecking brilliant they are and pyscho juice! what was it? I'm intrigued (must look it up) and the flesh model is terrifyingly good - love your outfits! (and Jon's!) we are matching toenail varnish twinsies! hope you are having a bit of a chill today though x x x

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  40. I can't believe festival season is over :0(
    I've loved coming along for the ride!!
    Oh and you should wear more hats ... they suit you :0)
    xx

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  41. Eight festivals? That's a whole lot of washing. I can imagine the little trail of sighs you leave in your wake - women clutching the arms of their boyfriends a little tighter after their man sees you, and vice versa for Jon. Thousands of little hearts beating just a little faster all over the country. It looks like you've had a great season - I hope so. I see sunny skies ahead...

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  42. You spent the weekend looking beautiful and Jon looked handsome, as always ... hope it was lucrative! I love these events when they are near the restaurant. The folks who come to these car things often have a coin or two in their pockets, and are a step above some freebee seekers at some of the wine festivals. Hard to sell wine when they're giving it away outside your door! Clearly you kids are absolutely cool as the guy said!

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  43. Lovely photos Vix and cool outfits on you and Jon. xoxo

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  44. Looks like so much fun and you both look fantastic doing what you do best! xx

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  45. 8 festivals, WOW! You have been a busy trader but imagine its been amazing too.

    Our VW would have been right at home here, they are soo stylish.

    Great to see you under siege and mega busy and why wouldn't you be with all that amazing stock.

    X x

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  46. 8 festivals, WOW! You have been a busy trader but imagine its been amazing too.

    Our VW would have been right at home here, they are soo stylish.

    Great to see you under siege and mega busy and why wouldn't you be with all that amazing stock.

    X x

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  47. Wow! This looks like a brilliant outing! I love the misty photograph too.

    You look as stunning as ever (and Jon too of course).

    Unpacking is always the downfall of an otherwise, perfect day xx

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  48. You guys have been selling machines this year! I'm so glad your last sale went out with a big bang.

    I'd have to agree with the assessment of your style. It fits perfectly.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  49. Well, you are "Cool as F**k", glad the rest of the world can see it! You've had a stellar selling season, and I'm sure you're looking forward to a bit of a break.

    The black/green/purple print maxi with the cross and velvet choker is a perfect VIX outfit to end the season.

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  50. Obviously you guys are as cool as f**k!! I was reading this post then I got overly excited when I saw "Herbie" my favourite movie as a wee kiddie! I LOVE that first maxi - those sleeves are amazing!! I have never even owned a car (a life lived in the inner city has meant we never have needed one) but I have always loved VW beetles. They are such a fun little car:)

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Thanks for reading and for leaving a message. Please don't be anonymous, I'd love it if you left a name (or a nom de plume).

Lots of love, Vix