Page 53 - Enjoy-It 2023

see if there was a VW T5 out there (the big sister to the Caddy!) that might offer a little more room to me and
my two small beast companions, and would you believe the perfect van was waiting for me – automatic, with a tailgate, A/C, a tow bar and... a sunshine roof would you believe, well I didn’t need persuading. Out with the seats and in with the fixed bed, now I’m the proud owner of an overnighter and first-class hotel on wheels, I am living the good life on the road.
Sadly, we are a man down in terms of my companions, so the T5 really is more hotel and less veteran dog bed these days... (those dog lovers amongst you will hear me!).
I have recently invested in a Vangear Minipod from those genius types near Brighton for in-van kitchen needs with sink, USB tap, workspace, and a fixed gas hob, which all neatly folds away to nothing. When I cook outside, it’s on a raised campfire by Snow Peak that folds flat to stow away. I go nowhere without my Yeti flask filled with fesh and piping hot Grounded coffee and have had so many fun trips and reviews thanks to the T5.
I have also been through so much kit! Magnetic awnings, inflatable awnings, blown away awnings, (now settled with an awning for life from Thule), insulated window blinds, curtains, windscreen covers, regular tent pegs, industrial rock penetrating tent pegs, leisure batteries, flat batteries, jump leads, jump chargers, jumped up neighbours, and I have lost most of what I have taken away with me somewhere in the van, and I just love it
– Spot my loyal companion loves it – my beloved Rubi LOVED it and boy have we have had some fun together. Last year at Dorset Nectar Cider Farm and whisky tasting at the Dartmoor Whisky Distillery in Exmoor.
I’ve been river swimming in Warwick, surrounded by stags in Glencoe, had long days, coastal path trots and cold-water swims in Osmington Mills at Isle View, plus trips to 50th birthday parties, off road races in the west country and qualifying swims in Dover and guess what – I’m yearning for more space (and heat in fact as I had
to check into a hotel after the Dover swim as I got a tad hypothermic in the water!).
Camping is addictive and simply bliss, it’s the ultimate freedom and there’s so much to see out there... Strawberry moon rising over Weymouth Bay, stags eating by the van in Scotland, wildlife, rivers, beaches and lovely folk.
And so now I’m just looking for a VW Crafter (the big sister to the T5), but I am only looking, honestly! And with these words ringing in my ears: ‘don’t look at the puppy or indeed the Crafter, if you can’t have the puppy or the Crafter...’ I’ll keep you informed!
vangear.co.uk | uk.yeti.com | uk.snowpeak.com dartmoorwhiskydistillery.co.uk | dorsetnectar.co.uk Grounded Coffee P58 | Isle View – P50 kinlochlevencaravans.com
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