The Freddy Files
VW CAMPER & BUS|Spring 2018

Paul Knight whisks us along a fun-filled, 36-hour road trip to the Freddy Files show in Ninove, Belgium

Paul Knight
The Freddy Files

For those amongst us who have attended a Freddy Files gathering in the past, the format will make perfect sense, however if you’ve never been before, you’d be forgiven for thinking that, on paper at least, it seems like quite an unorthodox set-up. i.e. we’re essentially talking about a whirlwind 36-hour tour of Europe to attend a one-day event in early March!

Yes, I think I’d better start at the top and explain exactly how this wild weekend works…

The master plan

Chatting with my good friends / regular camping crew Jolly Jim Warner and Peter Simpson on New Years Eve we concluded that we were missing the VW show season and that we should make an effort to kick 2018 into shape by hitting as many events as possible. And so, it was decided that we’d head over to Belgium to check out the annual Freddy Files event, which would be themed ‘The Thing Fling’ this time round.

The Freddy Files is organised by our old buddy Frederic Peeters (hence the Freddy Files title), this event has grown into a pretty major gathering over the years, and certainly has quite a following. It’s also unlike any UK event in as much as it is 100% air-cooled only and it’s not held at a showground or campsite, but simply takes place on the streets around the centre of a small town.

Held in the Belgian town of Ninove, the show is actually just a oneday affair (the Sunday) however, many people arrive early and stay over, hence there is a more casual gathering on the Saturday at a local brewery for those early birds.

The organisers also hold a ‘prebooked’ dinner / meet-up on the Saturday night, however the local bars and restaurants are always full, making this one of the liveliest evenings of the year in Ninove!

This story is from the Spring 2018 edition of VW CAMPER & BUS.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the Spring 2018 edition of VW CAMPER & BUS.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM VW CAMPER & BUSView All
T5 Buyers Guide
VW CAMPER & BUS

T5 Buyers Guide

If you want a large, practical VW you can stamp your mark on and drive daily, perhaps it’s time you look at buying a T5? Here’s what you need to check

time-read
8 mins  |
December 2019
Germany Calling
VW CAMPER & BUS

Germany Calling

Cycling and sight-seeing whilst taking in plenty of history along the way.

time-read
9 mins  |
December 2019
Village Bus
VW CAMPER & BUS

Village Bus

A RHD Barndoor Deluxe Bus is an incredibly rare and very desirable vehicle and Carl Elliott’s superb ’54 is perhaps the best example anywhere in the world!

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2019
Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit
VW CAMPER & BUS

Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit

As the saying goes, it’s only original once. Fortunately, this retired fruit pickers Bus had been left to ripen in a farmer’s barn

time-read
6 mins  |
December 2019
Family 'Wagen
VW CAMPER & BUS

Family 'Wagen

What do you do when you have a kick-ass Ghia but a large family? Simple. You build a kick-ass Bay Window Microbus as well

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2019
Status Cymbal
VW CAMPER & BUS

Status Cymbal

When drummer Nick Robin’s AA card was taking too much of a beating it was time to visit VW Downunder

time-read
6 mins  |
Spring 2018
I Is For Industrial
VW CAMPER & BUS

I Is For Industrial

While the best place for an air-cooled VW engine will always be in the back of a VW, the industrial variants have ended up in many unexpected places as well. Including a very big gun…

time-read
7 mins  |
Spring 2018
Still Doin' It
VW CAMPER & BUS

Still Doin' It

After a hard working life, three engines and two restorations, you’d think this Pick-up had earned its retirement. Not quite

time-read
4 mins  |
Spring 2018
The Freddy Files
VW CAMPER & BUS

The Freddy Files

Paul Knight whisks us along a fun-filled, 36-hour road trip to the Freddy Files show in Ninove, Belgium

time-read
5 mins  |
Spring 2018
Readers' Rides
VW CAMPER & BUS

Readers' Rides

Your pride and joy is our delight to share, so here they are

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2018