#InternationalCaravanDay
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ukrobertslack.bsky.social
I quite agree, these illustrations are charming. I had not previously known of #InternationalCaravanDay. Nor was I aware of holidays on Dartmoor in horse-drawn caravans in the 1920s. What an adventure that must have been. We have early caravan home roots in our #Devon family.
September 24, 2026 at 5:21 PM
exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social
For International Caravan Day, we’re sharing a favourite from the archives!

This delightful childhood notebook by folklorist Theo Brown captures a caravan holiday on Dartmoor in the 1920s through a series of charming stories and illustrations.

📷 EUL MS 388/94

#InternationalCaravanDay #Archives
Illustration of a caravan being being pulled up a steep hill by a van, with two people pushing the caravan from behind. The title above reads 'The Joys of Caravanin' and the text under the illustration reads: 'The Long Pull up a hill on Dartmoor. (Note the 'shovers' behind!)'. Illustration of a person standing on the steps of a caravan holding a brush. The text next to the illustration reads 'Then, of course, there are lots of dormestic [sic] jobs to be done be-fore one settles for the night - for instance, the can needs a sweep after the journey -'. Illustration of sleeping arrangements in the caravan, with one person sleeping above, and two people sleeping below. One person below is comforting a dog who is barking. The person above is saying 'Dry up' and the person below is saying 'Shut up'. The text next to the illustration reads: 'After a long day's journey, we feel we have earned some sleep, but if we have earned it, we don't get it. This is Mrs Brown trying to console the dog, who has just awakened the camp by its savage barks because it thinks it has heard a sound without.' Illustration showing a caravan being pulled down a hill by a vehicle, and is followed by several other vehicles. A sun smiles over the hills. The text below the illustration reads: 'The lorry arrives & we shackle up. Then we start. This is the long push down a hill on Dartmoor. (note [?]) We are keeping back a carabanc, ['and' crossed out] a Daimber (jolly good one too!) and a bycycle (a brand new Raleigh!). There are dosens more over the top of the hill really.'
September 24, 2026 at 11:06 AM