Wednesday 3 August 2011

Introducing Mabel...

Well here she is, my new 'old' girl.

I'm totally smitten with her,
and after spending a night in her recently
my boys and I know we've made the right decision.

Thank you for all writing such lovely comments
about my caravans in my last post,
and although I always try to send you back a
personal little email I couldn't for some of you
as your addresses aren't linked to your comments/blog
(or something or other) so please let me give a huge thank you
for all your encouragment.

Anyhow, lets get to the eye candy!

Here she is at

Strawberry Wood!
(cute name for a campsite eh?)


Her cute little door, with it's proper little door handle,
of course she had to have a special little key ring
from Aunty Cath's shop!


Always open for friends bearing cake.



Take a pew, on the sofa.
AKA Finn's bed.


 Never one for muted colours me.


The kettles on Love!

Check out 'Dudley' our dinky stove.
All original and still working.


Even the chores are a pleasure!


Not being able to make my mind up,
my boys helped with the fabric choices.
I was keen to have Cath's prints in Mabel,
and I saved up hard.  Anyhow, the boys wanted boats,
Mummy wanted flowers, so we met half way
and had both.
Each end having different curtains.


Well I hope you enjoyed yourselves having a peep.

She's a very special girl is old Mabel.
SPRITE caravans were the ordinary folks holiday home on wheels,
compared with other expensive coach built caravans
at the time. Many were made and they're
fairly plain and simple as caravans go.
But I have it on good authority
that old Mabey Baby is very rare indeed.
She was built in 1963 and there are few, if any,
Sprite Alpines (her official title) from that year left.
She's appeared in a caravan monthly magazine
already I believe.

Just think, that Mabel could be in this line up
of shiny new models back in the early 60's!


Well I think she's as good looking today,
as she was back on the Sprite Alpine production line.
I hope you agree.

Thank you for letting me share her.
Our next stop by the way, is Anglesey next week!
If it rains or shines we'll be happy and cosy in our little house on wheels.

Love Claire. x

14 comments:

A Treasured Past said...

Hiya, great to see you (well you know what I mean)! Thanks for sharing the lovely new photos of Mabel,I sure do like her alot. I bet there will be many cups of tea brewed on the cute little stove. bye for now, Tam x

bellaboo said...

OMG Claire,she is G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S!
I can see you have spent a lot of time and effort getting her ship shape....LOVE the curtains with the bobble edging...soooo cute! Hope you have a wonderful time in
Anglesey.....come rain or shine :0)

lavender attic said...

I am very, very envious - I showed my husband a photo when you first got Mabel, and told him that's my dream. A fab renovation; she's in very good hands. Love the 1970s Enid Blytons too x

Gem said...

She is gorgeous, I'm sure she will bring you plenty of happy memories and lovely stories to tell in years to come. I love what yu have done with the decor and can honestly say I am a tad bit jealous (Ok very jealous ha ha)xxx

Amanda said...

She looks gorgeous. My friend has a large tourer caravan and sometimes when life gets hectic she goes sit in it, in the drive....

Unknown said...

I love love love her! Oh Mabel oh Mabel will though be mine....

Between Me and You said...

Come to Scotland!!!I`m not kidding, some of the caravan parks are so gorgeous you`ll never want to leave! Great Work, Claire and Long May Queen Mabel Reign!Always great to `hear` from you. x

retrorevival.biz said...

OMG, she's GORGEOUS! Lucky you!

~Cindy

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

All this caravan talk makes me want to buy one!!!

Victoria xx

WinnibriggsHouse said...

She is stunning Claire, I am so envious. You have made a fantastic job of your makeover.
Jenny x

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Hi Claire Sweetie...
Mabel is absolutely gorgeous. I love her shiny new makeover. How beautiful she is. I love your door, it's so welcoming and look at the curtain. Love those little ballies on the edge. I always loved that trim.

Love that little dudley stove, how sweet that is. To know that it is all original. Just takes my breath away. How about a cup of tea sweet friend?

You will be making memories over the years. I am so jealous. Love this little trailer. She is in such great hands. You have done an awesome job.

This is the Miracle Weekend makeover. I am one of the hosting sites. For every comment left, Guideposts magazine will pay a dollar, to the next cancer makeover patient. Please stop by and read the story about 9 year old Charlie, and bless me with a comment. Out goal between the 4 or 5 blogs is 5,000. I know we can do it. I would appreciate it, if you pass the word around to as many friends as possible.

Thank you sweetie for a wonderful post. I love it. Have a glorious weekend. Country hugs from Phoenix, Sherry

Sophie - Chez Sophie said...

Wow clair, she looks amazing,
Love your colurs & patterns.
Luv Sophie xxx

Passthechocsplz said...

Mabel is lovely! You have done a great job with her. I've got a little caravan called Madge and she is the apple of my eye. Isn't it great to be able to pack up, head off and leave your everyday life behind for a little while?

Here's to many happy times in your lovely old girl x

Claire Gale said...

oh my giddy aunt mabel! i'm sooooooo jealous. what a beautiful new old girl she is and what a great job you've done x