Akupe Gypsy Caravan

Akupe Gypsy Caravan

Pippy McCurdy: 
 http://www.unusualstays.com/
http://www.stumbleuponcroatiaslovenia.com/

Not more than ten minutes drive from Martinborough is Akupe Farm. Only hard to find if you are driving too fast, you may be fraught with doubt as I was,  as to whether you had missed it or even whether you were on the right road. However the directions from the owners are good and there it is, just where  they said it would . Do not expect to actually see the gypsy caravan - its hidden from the road. Obviously in terms of privacy this is a good thing; -  in terms of being sure you are in the right place - not quite so reassuring.

Akupe Cottage and Akupe Gypsy Caravan sit near to each other behind a cluster of tall trees. Painted maroon and white and sitting on its metal wheels it is indeed, a gypsy van. However it has been in one place for a long time and in all honesty its not likely to be heading out onto the back country roads again at any time soon without a good deal of work.
A little more love and care to the exterior would help a lot with that critical first impression as you pull up alongside your accommodation for the night.  Inside however, the van is spotlessly well kept, and has an interesting, patterned theme throughout. Is it an authentic gypsy sense of style? - maybe not. (It doesn't have the remotest similarity to the vans in 'My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding' - thank goodness!)  But it's appealing none the less, with its lacy curtains and floral trims. I liked it.

The van has a pot belly stove, an inside shower and toilet, a small kitchen, and a very comfortable double bed. Unfortunately not being smart enough to work out how to make the fire go, it was the heater for me.  Ditto for the gas fired hot water! There were instructions for this, but whether I got these wrong or whether I  simply didn't wait long enough for things to heat up, enough, I never really managed to work out.

However the van has some lovely touches. The convenience of having all those services tucked in under the one roof was a pleasant surprise and is not to be underrated. The bed was ultra soft and was clad in a gorgeous satin duvet cover and matching sheet and pillows.. So nice! The windows were leadlight with ruby red cathdedral glass in the split stable door.

I must admit I like to meet the owners when I choose a place to stay but it was not to be. No doubt they were respecting my privacy which is in itself a considerate approach, just not my preference.Who put together this cosy little creation I wondered. Where did the van come from? Was it very old? Was it ever on the road? So many questions ...

Websites: http://www.unusualstays.com/
http://www.stumbleuponcroatiaslovenia.com/