If you could see me now, you would see a smile from ear to ear on this big old face of mine!!


After falling in love with those Westfalia Essen trailers a few years ago, and knowing how damn hard to find they would be in SA, I turned my attention to the Essen trailer replica/version made by Trek bar here in SA. Then I saw one at an old show, and then saw pics of Fig's one. I knew I had to have one.
Last week that bug was biting again after seeing "Ruth 62", the little trailer in Barrydale on Seans trip report or under "spotted" i think. I gave Sean a bell and he told me it belonged to Mark Sauls, and my heart dropped. I know Mark well, and well enough to know I would not get it. I saw Jolas's post and then thought its worth a try. I called Mark and he said that he has over R5k in it already on the resto and him and the missus were gonna keep it. I thought, ja well, better luck next time.
This morning, Im at work as usual at 06h50 and checking out gumtree for my normal morning trawl. Last item on the list stuck to my widescreen monitor is "Trailer". I click search and with the speed of a seasoned pro, Im on page 3 and see the picture that still has me smiling , under the heading "trailer".
What made me worry was that the advert was 10 hours old, and already had 97 viewings. A sure sign of interest! I then see the reason why... its listed at only R1500. I do a double take, and wipe my eyes. Im not dreaming or still half asleep.... it still shows R1500.
Im on the blower immediately, and ring up the seller. Its just after 07h00 and the call rings to voicemail. I leave a message. Being the persistant chap I am, I call again. Same result. I then send him and SMS. I then call again from my mobile. Same result. I call again and its engaged. Damn I think, thats either good or bad news. Good news as he is taking calls. Bad news, somebody else beat me to it.
2 minutes later, I call from my office phone and leave it on speaker. Somebody answers and I grab for the handset. The guy says, "if you are calling for the trailer, I have 10 other guys coming to look at it". An already long story short, I call my dad up and result! He was back home from Constantia with the trailer at 09h15 this morning.
I cant wait to see it. He says it looks brilliant and complete with spare wheel and the lid and hinges are in good nick. Asked him to check the buffers and he reportes that they have lots of spring left in them.
Needless to say, Im gonna be an even happier camper.....

And yes... I am happy!

Muds