#Retirement Projects, #The VeeDub Bus, #Volkswagen Type 2 Crossover Bay Bus

VeeDub Photograph Library File.

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ILLUSTRATION HERE IS BY JONATHAN GROSS. THE FRONT COVER FOR HIS FATHER’S BOOK OF POETRY, ‘OFF ROAD TO EVERYWHERE’. BILLIE CLOUD 9 WAS THE INSPIRATION FOR THIS ARTWORK. HE TOOK PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE INTERIOR.

HERE? A SMALL INSIGHT INTO HOW THE VEEDUB FEELS. AS THE PREVIOUS BLOGS HAVE BEEN GIVING THE STORY OF FUTURE RECORDING MY SONGS IN THIS GREEN SANCTUARY ON WHEELS, I WANTED TO GIVE YOU A GLIMPSE OF THE FUTURE INTERNAL BUS VIBE.

A fair few photographs of my VeeDub Bus, now called Billie Cloud 9, have been taken since 2009. Certainly the stripping down, repairing all aspects from bodywork to engine and beyond to the aesthetics and the whole renovation process. A few of the developing interiors are captured in some photographs too. They are a visual imagery story.

IF YOU’RE IN THE BACK SEAT……THIS IS YOUR VIEW.

Luckily, I have saved all photographs over the years to an external hard drive, as they are too many to clog up an iPad file or mobile phone file. So. They are therefore, on a constant regime of exchange from one source to another more permanent source, they are kept safe. Unless I lose the external hard drive.

BACK SEATS.

What has happened recently is that many of the renovation photographs, which were loaded onto a ‘Thread Page’ within my membership of the Volkswagen Type 2 Early Bay enthusiasts site, have been taken off. Photographs taken were uploaded in good faith by using companies allowing free use for upload capability. All that exists now is a box with a company cartoon logo saying ‘problem. visit site’. They evidently want you to pay a subscription now.

THE NEW CARBURETTOR AND HOW THE VEEDUB ENGINE LOOKS. SITS IN THE BACK OF THE BUS. NOT THE FRONT LIKE A CAR, VAN, LORRY, ETC..

Over months now, I keep getting emails from these companies saying that payment is now required if you wish to keep the photographs. I ignore them as I know I have them, as said, on a hard drive.

VEEDUB BUSES ARE AIR-COOLED BY A FAN LOCATED INSIDE THE ENGINE BAY. THEY HAVE NO WATER FILLED RADIATOR SYREM.

However, within my ‘Thread’ on the Early Bay members site, there are very many exchanges with other members regarding the process, shown through photographs, of how my VeeDub Bus looked through the whole renovation journey. Now that there are no photographs, it is therefore nonsensical. It makes a farce out of and mocks the conversational exchanges. Payment? I don’t mind usually. But over the years of membership on the Early Bay site I used two suggested upload companies. And I won’t be using them again, because they are only relevant to that one Thread. I would never use them on this site for example.

I OFTEN SEE, ON RETURNING TO THE BUS AFTER A WALK, PEOPLE WITH THEIR FACE PRESSED UP NEAR THE WINDSCREEN GLASS, LOOKING INSIDE. IT OFTEN STARTS A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE BUS AND WHAT IT IS LIKE TO OWN ONE.

I haven’t been on the Early Bay site for a few years because my VeeDub Bus was inactive. Now up and running again, it was nice to go back in and check out how past friends/members have been fairing with their VeeDubs. These friends and members are very much like our WordPress community. Very supportive. Also, as VeeDub owners themselves, have valuable knowledge to exchange and help you get answers to various issues and problems.

THERE’S ALWAYS A VIBE IN MY BUS WHERE THE MYSTICAL AND SPIRITUAL ARE AN INHERENT VITAL FACTOR. THE DREAM CATCHER, BOOKS TO READ, MUSIC OF A NEW AGE NATURE, THE SMELL OF COFFEE BUBBLING IN THE MOCHA POT AND THE AMAZING AROMAS OF ESSENTIAL OIL AND RESINS ARE BURNING.

I tried to upload a couple of new updated photographs onto the site yesterday, taken from my iPad photo library, to finalise the Thread’s story board. But they wouldn’t upload. Insert button just showed an empty space with a little blue ? in the middle. So will probably be the company refusing the photographs. I will have to look into alternatives later today. The site members are very good at giving pointers and advice. Hope the answer isn’t the need to use an external organisation option again.

LOVE JUTE/SISAL FLOORING. LOVE COMFORT REALLY. TO ESCAPE INTO THIS SANCTUARY. KEEPS ME SANE. WHY? I SIMPLY LOVE CLIMBING INTO THE VEEDUB CAB, KNOW THE GIFTS IT CAN GIVE AND SO I ALWAYS WHISPER ….. ‘THANK YOU’.

So, just to say, we are so lucky here on WP. I do pay an annual fee on here for more photograph allowance. And to get the adverts removed. And get a Google www. address too. But even the basic WP plan allows visual imagery to enhance our blogs.

SO, A FEW CHAIRS, A TABLE TO HOUSE DRINKS, A GREAT BIG ETHNIC RUG, A CANOPY AWNING SHEET OVERHEAD, STRINGS OF SOFT/WARM LIGHTS, SOME GUITARS/DRUMS/ MICROPHONES ALL OUTSIDE ON A BEACH, RIVERSIDE OR SIMILAR WILL BE PRESENT OUTSIDE THE DUB.
AND OF COURSE….FRANKIE THE FELLA. ON THE HARNESS AND 50 FEET OF CORD ROPE LENGTH, BECAUSE LOTS OF OWNERS TAKING DOGS FOR A WALK/RUN AROUND ON THE BEACH.

17 thoughts on “VeeDub Photograph Library File.”

  1. You have been busy Gray. I hope you can sort out your other site, or you’re going to need to migrate to a VeeDub site here on WP.

    I loved the interior images. It has a very warm, nostalgic feel. You’ve made yourself a perfect escape refuge

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    1. Thank you Brenda. I have thought of VeeDub sites on here before, but they are mostly story tellers. The Early Bay and Late Bay sites have specific categories such as technical, for sale, shows, and of course the general stories, so I’m not sure if there is anything on here on WP with that level of insight and expertise.

      I do exchange with a guy on here who owns a beautiful 1960s VeeDub Splitty who often tells of his tales of travels over your beautiful Scotland. But not often. He uploads only from time to time. I have another two, maybe three, on my ‘following’ list, but their last uploads were years back.

      The Dub is my Nirvana really. I’m just about to find a Frankie pic to upload onto the end of this blog. Can’t find it presently. He’s looking through the window of the Bus. And, thanks for the comments about the ambience. It’s nice at night when the lights are all Christmassy and warm. That soft warm creamy light with candle light too. Perfect chill factor. I bought a huge length of dark green muslin cheese cloth material the other day to drape over the external awning canopy. Down the two sides to keep warmth in and create more of an outdoor ‘room’. Having an outside ‘roof’ canopy with two sides enclosed keeps the vibe of safety, but allows the view of stars and night sea too.

      Hope you are keeping well Brenda. All the best. 🙏🏽

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      2. It has been a weird year hasn’t it. It needs a magical click of the fingers to get life back to normality. It will be nice to see you returning and writing again. I bet you get to write with a smile and a sigh of satisfaction. And a sense of ‘Hello. I’m back. So…..here I go again…..’.

        When you return to certain interests in life, they seem to bring a familiarity and comfort that brings the mind back to base. That in itself speeds health recovery. And of course, with a return to your writing, an awaiting blog community full of welcoming vibes regards your new tales too. Bet you can’t wait. 😊 Cheers Brenda.

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      3. Exactly. I’ve spent about 2 weeks reviewing/revamping the blog and shared a couple of new posts on Sunday … study skills first, but travels to follow. Actually off to Edinburgh for 5 days at the start of the October week

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      6. A change is as good as a rest I suppose. 😊 And, having worked in theatre when training and witnessing the physios encourage safe mobility, I wish your friend a successful recovery. All the best Brenda to yourself and your friend.

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  2. Billie Cloud 9, I love that name. looking at every detail, from the finish and the steering wheel to the panels and throw pillows and specially chosen words that adorn the bus, all I keep thinking is, “so this is what ‘magical’ means.”

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    1. Cheers cookie. The Cloud 9 on the end of Billie, was a recent addition. Billie was from my daughter’s and my own love of Morrissey. His song Billy Budd came to mind. So from the off, the Dub was Billie. Although…Initially I wanted Sputnik. I think the translation means travelling companion. But Billy/Billie won the day. My daughter wanted the Dub sprayed pink. Nope!

      The Cloud 9 addition? First from that quirky instrumental ‘Groovin’ with Mr. Summers on Cloud 9’ I put together. And secondly from the feeling of sitting outside the Dub with the kettle on and picking up the guitar in the open air….you feel like you’re on Cloud 9. It suits the YouTube ambitions as a name too.

      The Dub has been a very expensive ongoing problem. The figures I added up from 2009 to 2020 were eye watering. More spent since then too. But. The Dub is a 1972, so now it is 53 years old. And old classics do rust and eventually rot when you live near the coast. Salt sea air! I tidy up a bit for photographs. But when it’s full on living in the Dub…..it is a nice chaotic mish mash of throws, coffee cups, whisky glasses, cooking, and books open. When having home study, I took my 3 year nursing degree reading need to the Dub. Reading the necessary books down at the dunes/beach or near a riverside spot I loved.

      When friends or family are around, it’s louder music, louder conversations and even louder laughing. On my own, it has a vibe of quiet and solitude. I’ve Mindful meditated often in the past in the Dub. Settles your frantic worrisome thoughts and heals the soul. And sometimes….a nice inner song idea with a surfacing melody invades your senses.

      Thank you cookie. I like that thought of yours….magical. It is THE perfect word. 💫

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      2. My grandkids thought I was a wizard when they were younger. My grand nieces and nephews too. One thought I was actually Santa. Strange how their minds can perceive and work out the actual truth. 😄. Cheers cookie and thank you.

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    1. Thank you Sheila. I’ve been trying to build a vibe in the VeeDub and feel this will need to be added to with ongoing music presence. Djembes and acoustic guitars. Some percussion instruments, etc. But the important thing is the feeling of relaxation. I like it best when it gets darker. Fairy lights, hanging ethnic tea light holders and maybe a log fire burning in a brazier.

      Frankie goes into the VeeDub on the house drive too. Cheers.

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      2. Thank you. The hunt for a nice ‘vibe’ is always something to consider. People like to feel a certain good feel factor regarding any art form. I return often to YouTube videos that present the familiar and a sense of belonging. Cheers Sheila.

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