Living full time in a campervan

[AliceAbsolum]

DH and I moved in the bloody day lockdown 3 started.
We've been trying (operative word) to vlog our experience....

I'm not sure about it to be honest! 1/2 the time I just feel like a twat! If you're bored feel free to critique/give your opinions.

Thanks all

How have you found the reception from locals when you stop, or do you use a camp site every night.
Are you not worried that your van will be conficated by Police when you stop? new Police Laws?

We've not used a campsite yet. Tend to stay away from people in forest carparks etc.
Sleeping in a vehicle isn't illegal, so not worried about the police. If they did ask us to move on, we just would - quickly and politely

So you're living the way Travellers have done for literally centuries (and are still hounded and harrassed for, and facing further legislation to criminalise their way of life). It's nothing new!

I hope you are against the new Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill...

Where do you empty your grey or black waste? Or have a shower?

Whilst they're only guidelines, why does this :

Travelling within England
You should continue to minimise the amount you travel where possible. This means you should avoid making unnecessary trips and combine trips where possible

Not apply to you?

I'm also curious about showering, rubbish disposal and where you park. Do you just park up on random streets, or pay to park in carparks?

Another one signing in to hear about loos and showers . What do you do for work/money?

Really enjoyed watching this . Love it when you get fish & chips. You both seem really happy and positive . Do you have an Instagram I could follow ?

Looks fun if not freezing 🥶

Nice to see so many positive comments about the Traveller way of life, I'm sure everyone who is loving watching shiny middle class #vanlifers are as positive about Travellers and support their right to live on the road too :)

Insta - running.offgrid

Thanks all.
We empty the black waste (portapotti) once a week in the in-laws toilet, but we will use chemical Disposal points in campsites going forward. Grey waste is totally biodegradable (tea toothpaste and washing up water really) so we pour it away down drains away from people.

We have a shower out of the back but I've not been brave enough to use it yet... So it's sink washes or booking a swim

Its hard, but fun. Just hope we can take her over to the EU... One day.

I've enjoyed this very much ! I will certainly follow you

Have just subscribed, looks really interesting.

I wish you well, we've just gone into bricks n mortar, the racism was too bad and the threat of us losing our homes was just too much.
Maybe there will be no problem for you.
Your thread is heart breaking.

Good luck to you. Should be fun over the summer when the weather improves!

Re: the video. It's very slow and boring. Too much content about drivel i.e the cutting up of a pepper / boring grey view. I'd have a look at the popular insta or youtube vids they are a bit more snappy and upbeat usually. It could be good to limit a vid to 3 mins.. it's easy to lose interest after that.

@BrilliantBetty

Good luck to you. Should be fun over the summer when the weather improves!

Re: the video. It's very slow and boring. Too much content about drivel i.e the cutting up of a pepper / boring grey view. I'd have a look at the popular insta or youtube vids they are a bit more snappy and upbeat usually. It could be good to limit a vid to 3 mins.. it's easy to lose interest after that.

Thanks for the feedback. It's so hard to know how to pitch it. 3min might be a bit short for the youtube algorithm. But I hear you, it's not hugely snappy and quick.

OP, just check out the New Police Bill.
You aren't just asked to move along, the law states you can't stop.
There aren't enough sites, over 1000 of us are on the list, just like your council house lists.
There won't be one law for you and another for travellers, although, maybe there will.
It will be interesting to see what happens.
But, after around 600 years in this country, looks like we've been eradicted, confined to history.

Might be tricky but... could you paint the outside a cool, bright colour. Perhaps with a mural or motif by someone talented. Something to spark a bit of interest and make it more memorable and unique

Hi all. Thanks for the feedback.

What do you think about this week's episode?

Why did you decide to move into a converted van rather than a proper campervan? Even the ones the same size as yours, the Sunlight ones for example have a proper bathrooom with shower, kitchen, storage etc. Was it purely aesthetics?

@Devlesko I bet there will be one law for posh vanlifers and another for Travellers. I am sorry you have experienced racism.

I feel like your episodes should be shorter. 3 mins maybe? Also show us round the inside of your van please

I like the feel of the videos. I'd like to see your van hacks, day in the life -
more focus on how it works day to day.
I think 3 mins would be too short , the pacing replicates the way of life. i lived on a narrow boat for a year on the london canals moving every two weeks so know how its slow but fast moving all the time

I started watching the “episode” where you move into the van but it was so off putting how you never looked into the camera lens and just watched yourself in the display all the time instead

I'd do this in the US but not here. Good luck!

You seem lovely, OP, but van life looks grim! Your bed makes me feel claustrophobic. And emptying your loo once a week - eurgh!

What's the appeal? What do you do when it rains all day?

Didn't watch the second video as 25 mins is too long - Schitts Creek was only 20 mins!

Good luck