Olofsbo camping in Falkenberg on Sweden’s west coast advertises its “open scenery, large grassy area and magnificent bathing for the whole family.” A “warm welcome” is promised by owners Inez and Lars-Erik Karlsson on the camp site’s homepage. But not if your caravan is too ugly, the Järlefjord family found out to their disgust.
Alexandra Järlefjord recently bought a 1964 Eccles Moonstone caravan and decided that this summer the family would try out the camping life.
Although the aged caravan had managed to pass the stringent tests of the Swedish Motor Vehicle Inspection Company (Bilprovningen), it failed to pass the equally stringent inspection of Olofsbo camp site.
“I met a man who said that he ran the camp site. He said that our caravan was not coming in here. It is far too ugly,” said Peder Järlefjord to Hallands Nyheter.
The Järlefjords, indignant at the slight afforded to their mobile home, approached nearby Hansagårds Camping. They told their story to the staff at reception who, after consulting their neighbours at Olofsbo, elected to compound the family’s woes and sent them packing once again.
The family and their slighted vehicle finally found a welcoming home at nearby Skrea camping. The camp site proved less willing to judge the family’s trusty van on its looks alone and even complemented them on having such a fine vintage model, Hallands Nyheter reports.
“We are a normal Svensson family with two children. We are not ‘raggare’ and do not stand out in any way,” said Alexandra Järlefjord using the Swedish term for an average family, and for members of a gang that cruise around in cars, similar to ‘greasers’.
Shame was swiftly followed by anger and the Järlefjord’s have been in contact with the Ombudsman against ethnic discrimination (DO).
The family have not given up on the camping life however and their vintage 1964 Eccles Moonstone caravan will be back in use next summer.
“But never again at Olofsbo Camping,” the family told Hallands Nyheter.
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