One Month Anniversary

Friday 10 August 

Today is a bit of a milestone in that it is exactly one month since we took possession of Campy from Bilbo at East Grinstead. We thought now might be a good time to talk about how we and the van are bearing up under strain.

First off Bilbo. We have always been impressed with the service we have received from Bilbo. They have been very helpful to us on a number occasions and any problems we have encountered have been sorted out with minimum delay. Can we recommend them as a company? Yes of course we can. So thank you Bilbo for all your help and thanks for making us our Campy. A special thanks to Steve who sold the van to us, to Dave who built it for us, Alesha who steered through the construction, Chris who took on the final prep before handing it over to us and Carmie who has dealt with the after sales. Thank you all.

Why ‘Campy’ (the van not the name). It took along time for us to decide that a VW conversion was the right choice for us. Strangely, a Bilbo Celex was the first conversion we had ever seen and it was in the campervan sales centre down to towards Wittering. We were really taken with the van on the forecourt and particularly the quality of the fittings and attention to detail. We also liked the contemporary feel of the van and it suited our minimalist taste. We were also very impressed with the amount of space you have on the inside for moving about compared with the volume of storage space available. We must have liked it a lot as Kevin took a set photographs including the makers name and the style of the van. A couple of years went by and it wasn’t until we decided that the traveling life was for us and an endless succession of trips to caravan dealers, shows etc, that we returned to Bilbo. As soon as we sat in the Celex we knew that this was for us. 

We have not been disappointed in any way with our chosen van and we are very happy with the construction of our van and all the extras we specified. There are no rattles in the van and if there were they would be of our own making. We have had no issues with the van other than a protective cap for a nut missing and a curtain hook which was also missing which later mysteriously turned up in the cutlery draw! Although the van is small it never feels claustrophobic and we certainly do not find we are tripping over each other. The choice of colour was perfect. We have been out all day in the burning sun and come back to find it relatively cool inside the van. Silver also doesn’t show up the dirt and much as many darker colours. Yes we would have loved a black or a darker colour but from a practical point of view they were a non starter.

The driving position is great and it feels like you could carry on for many miles without it giving backache or fatigue. It has six gears but sixth is only useful on motorways and dual carriageways. Looking through the manual the gear change is easy to remember. First up to 10 mph, second 20mph, third 30mph fourth 40mph, fifth 50mph and sixth over 60mph. Even ‘white van man’ couldn’t get that one wrong!

It is easy to say is there anything you would change in the order we placed and in hindsight the only changes we would make would be cosmetic. The beauty of having a VW Camper is precisely the point that you can alter the look of the van to your own tastes and thereby make it your own. Kevin would have liked a front spoiler and 20” low profile wheels and there are any number of goodies like different front grills and bits of bling to add on but we love the van as it is and we can make changes as and when we (and money) feel like it.

Any disappointments? Well the hanging wardrobe is far too small to hang anything other that a babygrow, so we have relegated it to a storage locker. No great loss really as we have both left our jackets at home. Everything else goes in our bags and takes its chance and gets creased up along with the rest of our gear.

Equipment. Those in the know will know that Kevin went to great lengths to do research into what was needed in the way of equipment for our travels and which was the best makers of said equipment and where to buy it etc. So by the time we set off we were locked and loaded to the gunnels with all manner of stuff. Most of it has been exactly as expected and performed well, some has exceeded all expectations and others not so. Here are our top 10 purchases and must-haves for those interested.

1. The Duvalay’s. These were a last minute purchase as we had gone down the line of single duvets and blankets. The Duvalay is outstanding and it is fair to say that since we have been in Campy we have never slept so well. Now, sure you could say it could be down to the fresh air and the lack of stress etc but if you are comfortable in bed you will sleep better and we do. The award winning Duvalay™ combines optimum sleeping comfort with incredible ease of use. It’s a clever product consisting of a bottom pocket with memory foam and the top pocket houses your duvet. You simply unroll the Duvalay™ to use. If ever you decide to order these, order the bags to put them at the same time. We were too cheap to order them and are now waiting for them to come into stock.
2. The Bus Shelter. This is basically a sun canopy that slides into the rail on the side of the van. We ordered the long wheelbase version for our van in black. It looks stunning, is simple to put up, takes up very little room, the poles can double up as a washing line and it is good value for money.
3. Collapsable bucket and bowl. These simple devises are a must for any camper. They are very durable and fold up to no more that 3cm. We had the rather snazzy shade of blue. They also do a collapsable funnel which is on the hit list as soon as we get back to Burton on Trent. 
4. Roberts SolarDAB radio. This has been a god-send and an inspired choice by Petra’s colleagues when she left work. It has worked tirelessly every day so when you listen to Humphries in the morning you can be assured we are also.
5. Porlex hand coffee grinder. This device was given to Kevin for Christmas by Josie, it’s a stainless steel hand grinding coffee grinder and is immense - you take the top off load it with fresh coffee beans put the top back on put the winding handle on and grind like mad. It takes about 120 turns of the handle to do the job and it is a workout for your right arm but it is worth it. NOTHING beats a proper cup of freshly ground coffee and we have one every evening with a chocolate and a spirit drink. Decedent we know but so what. Thanks Jo X
6. Bialetti stainless steel stove top coffee maker. Obviously to accompany the above, don’t be tempted to go for the aluminum versions of these makers that go funny inside. Parts are available so they will give years of service. Worth the investment even if not camping.
7. Chinese noodle bowls. We eat almost everything out of these bowls. Now we know what your saying why on earth would you have a couple of heavy crock noodle bowls on board? Well they are great, you can sit on you chair bowl in one hand and fork in the other safe knowing its not going to fall off your lap. They hold a good amount and are ideal for Chinese take away’s and curries. 
8. Crocs. Never thought we would be padding around in Crocs but have to say that these have been very useful indeed. You can leave them outside in the rain and they will come to no harm. When they are needed simply bang them on the floor heel side down and all the water rolls off. Not for walking around town in but ideal for taking a shower in when sharing it with slugs. Think of them as outdoor slippers and you get the message.
9. Silverscreen. The Silverscreen is a device that fits over the windows of the passenger side of the van over the windscreen and on to the back of the drivers door. It is made of a silver (hence the name) nylon type material that reflects the sun during the day(keeping Campy nice and cool) and keeps the heat in at night (keeping Kev and Petra nice and warm) It also gives total privacy in the areas covered and negates the use of using the vans curtains to the front of the vehicle and even better from having folding them back up again in the morning.
10. Eagle Creek. Not quite sure where we would be without the Eagle Creek packing system for clothes. It has enabled us to be ultra organised in storing our clothes and makes it so easy to know where everything is. They can be labour intensive to begin with as you have to be methodical in your packing but keep at it and you soon get used to it. One of the best things when using the system is you can get loads more clothes into the same size space. We have been using these bags for years and would not be without them.

There are a load of other things we could have named and could probably name a top 50 if needed, but in general we are have been very pleased with our choices. However, with every up there is a down and we have bought some things we have been disappointed in or not come up to expectations

1. The Awning. Before we came away we were both sure we would be sitting in the awning at every campsite and the carpet would be down with the Coleman table and chairs in their place. Unfortunately, it has not turned out like this at all. We have used the awning for one week and it was in windy wet conditions so quite frankly it was unpleasant to sit in. It was also noisy and kept the light out of the van. We have not used it since. Not because we won’t but because there always seems to be a reason why not to use it. The campsite is too small, it’s raining, it costs too much to put it up, the ground is not even. But in the mean time the thing sits in the boot weighing the van down, taking up valuable space and costing us money carting it all around Cornwall. It is going into storage at the earliest opportunity only to come out again when when we can guarantee to use it. (Poss Norfolk next year)
2. Water container. Kevin bought from a camping shop one of these collapsable water containers. It folded in on itself for storage. Unfortunately, it was so hard to erect it into a square again that it split. We now have a different design so will have to see how long that lasts. On the subject of water we have found that it is as simple if not simpler to use a small water container and the collapsable bowl to do washing up than the sink! So we hardly use the on board water tanks and sink. 
3. Collapsable step. The first collapsable step we bought did precisely that it collapsed! It was purchased from the same place as the collapsable water container....pattern forming here? Second version cost a fiver and is behaving very well.
4. The carpet. Now from the start we love having the carpet in the living area of Campy and I do not think it would be that comfortable without one. It would be cold and slippery in the wet. However, the colour grey is a bits magnet and we are constantly sweeping the wretched thing out. There are of course two sides to this as with it getting bits on we are at least cleaning it and therefore not being neglectful of our duties, but it does become a pain. We have now resorted to gaffa tape to pick up all the bits the brush wont remove.
5. Outside mat. We have gone through three outdoor mats in out month. The first was a totally inappropriate one that Kev got from, yes you guessed it! It was totally the wrong colour and type. It got thinner and thinner virtually disappeared  before our eyes. The next was at the other end of the spectrum £20 rubber backed with black and white piled upper. This shed bits of fluff all over the carpet which we are still removing now. Finally, good old Tesco came to the rescue with the £4.99 job. All rubber with holes in it, no piling or bits to worry about. Just chuck it outside the sliding door and forget it. Job done.

We have thoroughly enjoyed our first month in Campy and why wouldn’t we? We are free to come and go as much or as little as we like, visiting places we have never been to before whilst in the company of someone we love and care for very much. We always knew that we would be alright in our van and would cope with whatever comes along whenever it comes along. We can see only good times ahead and look forward to many more months in Campy and onward to Spain for the winter. We have enjoyed doing our blog and we are really encouraged by the amount of people who are interested enough to follow our travels. So thank you for all the kind comments that come our way from family and friends alike and we will continue to put entries on not only for you the reader but for us as our diary. 

We have settled well into the routine of balancing doing visits to sights and attractions with the more mundane such as washing and food shopping. Some things have come as a surprise for example why would people pay to use the Launderette at on average £20 a go for two full loads of washing and drying and not just go and buy a cheap washer from Curry’s? We have changed the way we eat, a very healthy diet now, and we are both looking and feeling very well. We have now got everything we need so we doubt we will need to buy anything other that food, fuel and Campsites for a while. It’s a life we are just getting into and loving it more and more.