Saturday, May 17, 2014

A gorgeous retro caravan, Autumn Splendour and the Beach Hop

A couple of weeks ago my friends Annie and Simon Dawn took their lovely caravan  Louisa Ann - built by Annie's dad in 1962 - to the Whangamata Beach Hop.  Annie and her niece Julie Jones served up high tea on my Crown Lynn Autumn Splendour.  And this is what the table looked like:
Lots of people just love Autumn Splendour but I am not such a fan, it was too much of a cliché during my 'formative years'.  But my daughter is young enough to appreciate it so she has first dibs on my set.
Anyway, I digress. Here are Annie and Julie with the Louisa Ann, in their matching retro dresses they made from an authentic 1960s pattern.
The Louisa Ann is one of only about 12 distinctive Everson's Deluxe Caravans, Annie's dad Ern really only made them for family and friends. Several are still on the road, including one at the beach hop which belongs to another branch of the family. Inside the Louisa Ann is bit less plush than modern caravans - there are lots of rivets and the sturdy aircraft aluminium is exposed, but it's very cosy and Annie and Simon have been all over NZ in her for months at a time. The original Formica is still in great shape - here is the all-important swan and my books on display.
From all reports the girls had an excellent day, and I am so happy and proud that my Crown Lynn was used in such a great way.  Go Annie and Julie!
I do love to see Crown Lynn being used and enjoyed, and for that reason I can't resist adding this pic of my Book Club supper setting - I didn't have time to dig out matching trios so we had mix 'n match, which worked just as well if not better.
More soon
Keep warm
ValM
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4 comments:

  1. AnonymousMay 29, 2014 at 11:03 AM

    What a lovely blog, Valerie - we love your caravan! Wondered if you'd seen this short 1949 doco? http://nzos.me/1juvYe7

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  2. Val MonkJune 1, 2014 at 11:31 AM

    Thank you very much for this.. I have seen this before but in my next post I will endeavour to give it more prominence. It is just great to be able to see people actually making the products that we are so keen to collect today.
    http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/from-potters-wheel-to-mass-production-1949

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    Replies
    1. AnonymousJune 15, 2014 at 1:38 PM

      Hi There, I was wondering if you had anymore information on the Everson caravans? I have one that has been converted to a motorhome and would love to know a bit more of its history - it is a beautiful piece of work. Many thanks Adrian

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    2. Val MonkJune 16, 2014 at 9:21 AM

      Adrian I am sure Annie (Ern Everson's daughter) will be delighted to talk to you. Flick me an email on valmnk at gmail.com and I will pass it on to her.

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