Page 52 - Enjoy-It 2023

DON’T LOOK AT THE VAN - IF YOU CAN’T HAVE THE VAN!
This is a self-indulgent feature on my new passion of the van life and camping. Born from nowhere really, maybe
a love of boats and the smaller living spaces? I did a
little research and started looking for a VW Caddy Maxi. I knew I wanted an automatic, with a tailgate, A/C and
a tow bar, just a few of the ticks I required. “You need
a DSG love – good luck with that!” said one sceptical salesman, it’s amazing what one can find when you know what you’re looking for, and with a little patience I found it all in the end!
Out with the Caddy seats and in with the memory foam mattress and hand cut black out window blinds and several freezing evenings (nothing to do with the Caddy more to do with the cold November nights I elected to embark on this new fantasy!) of trial and error – mostly error it must be said!
The Caddy did well – does well actually, as I still drive it as my car, my swimming changing room, a space useful
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for a nap while waiting for mates who are late and to effortlessly transport anything such as dogs and mid- century modern furniture!
The Caddy has seen me through a week in Wales, several Dorset weekend breaks and a good few motorway stops halfway to here and there! But I yearned for more space!
They do say, don’t look at the puppy if you can’t have the puppy, but we never learn, do we? I just ‘looked’ to