Swiss Rendezvous 1
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Hello,
I was contacted last winter by email by Christopher, a new owner of a 1962 Land Rover Dormobile in Lucerne, which is over the mountain from us. He had bought his vehicle last Christmas from the same group of Germans who had imported mine from England, as well. I had bought mine from them in September, 2007. It was odd to receive photographs from Christopher of my Dormobile and his Dormobile in a German campsite in 2004, both with German number plates and being driven by people we didn’t know! I now know of 3 Series 2a Land Rover Dormobiles in Switzerland.
While both vehicles were “roadworthy” in Germany when we bought them, I got mine on the Swiss road again in May, 2009, and he just passed inspections 10 days ago. Both vehicles have been rebuilt for left-hand-drive.
It turned out that our kids are the same age, so we decided to meet up last weekend. The place was Engstlenalp, on the mountain right between our homes.
It was a fun time for the kids, especially.
While we are both still driving our new/old vehicles gingerly, the Land Rovers worked fine. He still has issues with getting his grill/hob running and with fitting seatbelts. Meanwhile my freewheel hubs are leaking like sieves, my fuel gauge stopped working, and an intermittent valve clatter in my sixpot drives me crazy.
As we departed, I had to stop to use the “loo” while Christopher kept going down the mountain. During those few minutes, a powerful hail storm hit us and caused hundreds of dimples in my newly painted bonnet. Christopher escaped damage. As much as it hurts to see my beautiful bonnet damaged, this officially identifies my vehicle as “native” to the Bernese Oberland (all cars here have hail damage) and now my Landy will command the respect it deserves around town.
[attachment=2:2ivqzbwf]2Cars01.jpg[/attachment:2ivqzbwf]
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[attachment=0:2ivqzbwf]FindTheLandies.jpg[/attachment:2ivqzbwf]Next week is the Swiss Rendezvous 2, when Jabbawocky will be here and I’ll meet with him and ant in Valais.
-Jeremy
The second Swiss Rendezvous was really nice thanks to Tony’s hospitality, good weather, and a great campsite. I was glad to meet Jabbawocky, his family, and Barney, which has turned out to be a very nice Dormobile. The kids had a great time together.
Typical discussions of awnings and road springs, engine transplants and rust repair, portable refrigeration, last-minute preparations, English weather and traffic conditions. It was a great opportunity to see how others use the interior space of their Dormobiles, and to admire Mick’s terrific new curtains.
Unfortunately my fuel pump gave up on the way home, quite near the campsite, but I pushed the Dormobile to a farm so it didn’t have to stay on the roadside. Tony took us to the train station and I’ll be sorting it this week.
Two of the many guises of a 1969/1970 Land Rover Dormobile:
Mick’s got some bling on his roof rack, and a very nice awning. Everything’s out to dry after a few days of rain:
The first-rate toilet block (turkish-style, next to the barn) and the snow on the mountain:
The (free) campsite was at the end of a road. It had stopped raining so I didn’t need my new rear awning; I just wanted to show it off:
Room with a view:
-Jeremy
HI all
Louise, William and I would like to thank Tony and Sally for organising a fantastic meeting. It was great to meet up with Jeremy and family and also Pascal and family. Pascal is the Chairman of the local Land Rover Club and he did us proud, bring his raclette grill and serving us this delicious traditional Savoie dish.
Here are a few pictures of barney to start with. Will do a full story when i get time.
All ready at Dover
Two old Friends
The old and the new
High on a hill, but without the goat
Hope you like them.
Cheers Mick
HI Alex
The straps are sandwiched between the upper panels and the roof. they are made from some green webbing I have. The buckles are the spring loaded self gripper type you get on the small non ratchet straps. I had one from an old bike carrier, but the other two I cut off brand new straps. The loops are the same size as used on my roof for holding the roof down. I got them from http://www.vintagecarparts.co.uk/en/729~footman+loop+staple,+chrome-details/. I made the alloy backing plates to try and match the plates on the hold down staples.
Hope this helps.
Mick
for the photos 
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