From Garfagnana to Lancaster: The great GTD repatriation adventure

Let us talk about my Volkswagen Golf GTD—a true love affair I have had since 2017, when I bought it for £13,500 from a VW dealership in Lancaster. I have pampered this car like it is a rare art piece, and you would think it would be impossible for me to let it go. But then came the thought: “Should I repatriate it to the UK, sell it, and pocket the profits?” After all, it’s still a beautiful red three-door, with 112,000 miles, a full service history, and a Ferrari mechanic—GianLuca—looking after it like it is a Ferrari itself.

Sounds simple enough, right? A little paperwork, a ferry ride, and boom! Sell it and head on to the next adventure. Well, that was until I remembered Brexit.

The Brexit bureaucracy: A nightmarish paper trail

Ah, Brexit. The gift that keeps on giving, especially when you want to sell a car in the UK and cross borders without needing an extra PhD in customs law. Repatriating my beloved GTD to the UK meant I had to navigate a maze of paperwork—NOVA forms, VAT exemptions, HMRC regulations, and oh, let us not forget the DVLA—a bureaucracy so tangled it could only be rivaled by trying to unravel a spaghetti noodle in the middle of an earthquake.

In the end, the idea of taking my car from Garfagnana to Lancaster through Calais and Dover, just to deal with the mountain of paperwork and potential buyer tire-kickers, made me rethink my plans. I mean, who really wants to spend the next few months wading through forms just to sell a car that has been my loyal companion for years? Not me.

The love affair: GianLuca, the Ferrari mechanic, and the soul of the GTD

But here is the thing—the GTD isn’t just a car. It is my chariot, my spiritual companion. When I first bought it, I was living in England, but I had no idea that this car would become a part of my life like a best friend. And then there is GianLuca, the Ferrari mechanic, who has been taking care of the GTD like it is a precious Ferrari. Every oil change, every tire rotation, every hand wash of the engine—he treats it like a king.

I have seen the kind of TLC GianLuca gives this car—he meticulously cleaned and revamped the engine at 85,000 miles, and I truly felt like I was sitting in a luxury sports car every time I turned the key. His care for the car was as deep as the friendship we developed, and it was hard to ignore the spiritual connection I had with this beautiful red machine.

But wait, it gets better. Have you ever had your car washed by refugees at a car wash in Lucca? Yes, you heard that right. I have had the immigrant boys hand-wash my GTD, treating it with a reverence I only get when I am in the presence of true love. The whole thing felt like synergy—a car that has been cared for by some of the most caring souls in Italy. The car was practically a living, breathing entity, one that was intertwined with the human story. I couldn’t just let that go without a second thought.

Enter California Ocean: A new adventure

But then there is the California Ocean. You might be wondering, “Why trade in the GTD for a van?” Well, it’s not just any van—this is the Volkswagen California Ocean, a beautiful piece of engineering and a vehicle made for comfort, adventure, and spontaneous road trips.

The California Ocean offers me the chance to embrace the freedom of the open road with the space I need for more comfortable travel across Europe. And let us face it, as much as I love the GTD, it is not exactly a camping car. Enter the California Ocean with its sleek design, fully-equipped kitchen, and ability to sleep four people in comfort and style.

And here’s the kicker: It’s also an investment in the next chapter of my travels, one that gives me freedom without the headaches of trying to find a hotel every time I want to take a weekend trip. It’s like having a home on wheels. With the five-year EU warranty and full-service package, I could finally start driving with ease again, without the worry of constant maintenance (the kind that comes with owning a car you have had for years and are now looking to trade in). The £88k price tag? Well, that’s just part of the price for not dealing with paperwork and the GTD’s future issues.

So, what do I do?

At this point, I am faced with a decision—keep my beautiful, soulful GTD, or take the leap and trade it in for the California Ocean, a symbol of new adventures and freedom.

But let’s be real, the GTD and I have shared too many memories to part ways easily. I can already hear it calling me, its engine purring as I drive through the hills of Tuscany. But then again, the California Ocean promises a different kind of adventure—one that’s a bit more laid-back, a little more spacious, and a whole lot more future-focused.

In the end, what I think I will do is keep the GTD in the family, not sell it. It has been my chariot, my trusted friend, and, like a good pair of bespoke shoes, it just feels right. If I want to explore Europe, I will do it in comfort, style, and elegance with the California Ocean. And who knows? Maybe the GTD and I will hit the road together for one last grand adventure before it’s time to finally let go.

The takeaway

In a world full of bureaucracy, Brexit nightmares, and fast-paced living, it’s important to take a step back and reflect on what really matters. For me, it is not about the £4k I could make selling the GTD, or the fancy new van I could drive. It is about the connection with the things we love, whether it’s a car, a van, or even a mechanic who’s as passionate about your ride as you are.

So, for now, the GTD stays. But the California Ocean? That’s my next adventure. And if you need me, I will be cruising around Europe, living the dream—one road trip at a time.

Lifestyle