Although not a full timer (and not at all during the current situation) I totally agree with reusing the same cup etc. I’m quite happy to cook a one pot meal and eat out of the same pot while drinking wine from my coffee cup.
Oh my goodness you guys are the best! Love your honesty and how down to earth you are! So many vanlifers on here are so sickly sweet ! Thanks heaps and Happy New Year where ever you maybe parked!
This was such a great video, i love how you explain the slight difficulties you face as well as telling us how much you enjoy van life..... i have seen quite a lot of van-lifers videos and i know that some of them only emphasise the good bits and really only film the best bits of their experience which makes it seem idyllic, but i'm not so easily led as to believe they have no problems and no negative times either with their vans or with their relationships. Funnily enough now we are in lockdown here in UK i am at home with my husband 24/7 which so many people say must be really hard, but for us it isn't as we work together fulltime (usually, but not right now) and we are used to being together all the time... we give each other personal time and space so that we don't crowd each other, and it works for us..... however we have a good relationship anyway which i am sure is the key. Looking forward to lots more videos from you both xxx
Hello Twish! Thanks for your comment as always, we appreciate it. Yeah, there's plenty of positives to film and pass off as a bonus of everyday vanlife, but like you said there are difficulties and not-so-great times too. We do our best to keep it on a level, yes we certainly do capture a lot of lovely looking drone footage etc but try balance it out with talking about toilet troubles and stuff like that... We're glad the people who watch us can appreciate and enjoy hearing about the more mundane aspects. Yeah, having a good relationship is key. We were discussing last night if we'd be able to do this with anyone else but each other, there wasn't many positive answers :P I know it's probably a very testing time for a lot of couples, glad that it works for you though. Sounds like you've got it figured out!
Thanks Robert! Ah brilliant, you wont regret it. The best thing we've ever done. We can't wait to get back out there, might see you on the road! Cheers
Hi guys and thanks for another informative video. You really have got it down to a fine art moving the furniture, setting up your spaces etc. Now you can share a little more space for a while using the awning on Camp Lockdown. Keep safe and take care!
Hello 👋 thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. We rarely made content much longer than 10 minutes for that exact reason. But sometimes there too much to cram in, and we’ve had a positive response from our subscribers. So around 20 minutes is becoming the norm for us 😊 thanks for your feedback, we appreciate it!
Well done you lovely pair. I love the bloomers - whoops I mean bloopers at the end, very funny. Your van is still looking really great and I think you have done so well with the limited space that you have. Netflicks is amazing have you watched The Crown? It’s my most fave thing of the year. We have a VW high top with a full width bed that’s very wide if you are ever in Hertfordshire and fancy a look at it, we adapted it from a two single bed layout. Ventilation is so important but I don’t think you realise that until you have actually used a van in the winter and for cooking as you say. A top vent would work really well, don’t forget you will need a blind to cut out the light as well. You could consider quite a large vent but the shape of the roof will dictate how big you can go I think. Did you consider growing anything there while you are staying? I could post seeds out there if so. Sending you lots of love stay safe kiddiwinks xxx
Haha, thanks Tina! We think the van is holding up well, we've grown into it now and have our systems in place to make it work :P we haven't watched the crown but have heard good things and had it recommended to us before, so we'll pop it on the list! Would be interested to see how the extra space works & feels. Yes, will have to do a fair bit of research for a vent, like you said the shape of the roof is going to be one of the biggest factors. Wish it was completely flat :P Haha, thanks for the offer of seeds, we don't want to say yes right now just in case we are able to leave before the package arrives... although that looks unlikely! Thanks Tina, hope you're well.
Haha, don't think we'd know what to do with the space! But we've seen/been in a few bigger vans and motor homes... it does get us thinking! :P for now we cool... like sardines in a tin!
Cal, are you still alive? So nice that you shared some vanlife reality with us. Some real nice pro's and con's, and that new table situation seems to work just fine now you found your routine in setting it up. Love the awning ;)
Hi Sharon, thank you! You never know our paths might cross one day ;) I just nudged Meg about the dreads again (sorry, slow response)... she says they haven't had any maintenance in the last 9 months or so. She struggles to do the upkeep herself so they go through phases of looking good and... not so good :P She had them tightened up before we left but they're a little loose now. She says there au natual at the moment... :P
Great video guys absolutely love flora. We are currently building a camper for our disabled 7yr old son. Hes designed most of it himself and it looks awsome x
Hi Lawrence, thanks for your comment! :) Fantastic to hear you've got a project underway, if your son has any re-design ideas for Flora don't be shy to send them over :P We're always looking to improve the layout! Is this your first camper? Cheers!
Love being nosy with videos like this, it's so interesting to see how others live in small spaces! Completely agree that you adjust to a new 'rhythm' of life, both physically and in your relationship with each other. You don't need tons of space in a van to make it feel like home, every layout and size has it's pros and cons, but looks like you two have got life in Flora down to a T. Love the sound of your cosy evenings in the van too, they sound heavenly 😍Keep well guys, love from the grey UK 💕😊
Hello! Ah brilliant, how's the van coming along? Is it your first?? Doing our van was the best thing we've ever done. Currently back home in the U.K saving money for our next adventure, we had such a blast during our first 13 months on the road. Well worth it! :)
Just discovered your videos! I really enjoy watching them with a cup of tea, and you both come across so lovely. We have a Vw transporter for work, and feeling inspired to go on more camping trips. Thank you!
Hello Anushka 👋 thanks for your comment! Haha, a cup of tea whilst watching us seems to be the best way to do it 😛 glad you’re enjoying the content. Oh definitely, I’ve seen some very clever conversions that people have made to make the van suitable for work and play! We’ve had a great time as you can see, recommend everyone to get out and do it (when it’s safe too, of course) thanks again :)
Big respect to that living style....most full time vanlife couples at least own a Sprinter or Crafter which gives much more living space. Could be an option for the future?!!
Thanks! Yeah, going bigger in the future is always a possibility. And we'd be lying if we said we never got envious when seeing those more spacious vans about 😜 however, we do love our smaller van. It's not always easy, but it has its benefits. We are going to do some upgrades over the next few months to make it more comfortable for us 😊
Yeah, LWB which is about 40cm longer (or thereabouts, if I remember correctly). Might not sound like much but it helps! You just have to think ahead and be patient sometimes. We have friends that live & travel in a t4 with 3 dogs and have been doing so for nearly 10 years! Only now have they added a higher roof and changed up the layout. It's all down to personal preference, but we love having a smaller footprint 😊
I know! We have no idea 😵 in some ways it feels like we just started but looking back at old pictures the beginning of the journey does feel like some time ago!
Cool video. I really enjoyed watching it. I'm currently working on a small budget van conversion (Ford Transit '57, mwb&medium roof) and I find your channel very inspiring. All the best!
@@FloraTheNoviceExplorers Yes it is the first project like that for me. I'm at the stage of grinding off the rust from the floor, so at the very beginning of the whole process. I have to design the whole thing properly - apart of a full time job for NHSPS I run an antique business on the side and I spend a lot of time (most of my AL entitlement) doing antique fairs here in UK and on the continent as well - all fairs are cancelled now so I have enough of time for this project. I need this van for me, my wife and our dog for our trips and just for myself for my antiques events. Quite challenging task ahead of me - the whole living area, at least the bed will have to fold - giving me some extra storage room even for a bulky items. I couldn't get anything bigger because of limited parking space. I'll definitely keep browsing your channel - your'e doing great job! All the best and happy Easter :-)
Wow! Sounds a great challenge! Thinking out load - There is a modular campervan kit that be fitted into the van ...then removed when you need the van space!
@@FloraTheNoviceExplorers im not doing too bad, im in a safe place with some kind people! hopefully it will be over soon :) hope you guys are doing good
Great vlog, again. Your channel is an oasis these days. I was thinking, since you're not able to get a charge from the engine at the moment, how are you managing for power and are you getting a decent amount from your panel? (question for a future Q&A if you prefer?) Totally with you on kitchen economies to save water and energy. My 'ablutions' set-up is basically a pee bottle plus a little 10L Kampa flushing loo - I'm in a van the same size as Flora so space is premium - this combo works well, keeping the bottle for #1 and the Kampa for #2! Thanks, looking forward to the next dose.
Hi really enjoyed your video me and my partner bought T5 last year and love our time on the weekends in it would love at some point to travel through Europe and just leave life like this looking forward to the next vid 👍
Hello Leighton 👋 appreciate your comment! I think buying a camper is the best purchase anyone can make, but I may be a bit bias! We’ve only been doing this 9 months but we absolutely love it, obviously a bit different right at the moment but still good. I’d urge anyone to get out and travel :) any trips planned?
i like your frendship with each other, it seems for the video, that you have also a lot of fun, i see the improvement of the editing, maybe is focussing the camera a thing to look for, but overall , you do a great job!!!
We don’t take this too seriously and want to have fun whist filming. yes we are great friends - which very much helps living in such a small space! Cal is looking forward to upgrading his camera soon. 👍🚐☺️
Love it, the sign off... "From camp lockdown".... Glad you are doing ok, keeping entertained and keeping safe. Great video as normal and TFS... More so under the circumstances we all find ourselves in. Quick question...are you running and moving your van around the site a bit to keep things in working order and not seizing up? Take care.
Hi Dawn! Yeah, we're doing well & safe. Hope you are too? We did discuss moving the van soon recently, been stood still for around 3 weeks or so, which it hasn't really done before! So yes, we better had. Did check it still started the other day :P thanks again.
Maybe a question for a future Q&A if you haven't answered it before - How has your relationship changed from living in a flat to a van. Has it put a strain on it or made you closer, or a bit of both?
Great question, we were just sat here discussing it. We could try give you an answer :P but we can sit on it if you can wait for the next Q & A? Although that may be a little while away! Cheers
Very nice layout and a likeable couple - did I miss the information how you deal with ventilation in general? Not for cooking, but normal moisture that settles from breathing during days and nights...??!
Thank you, appreciate the comment! We did a video a few weeks ago about things we’d change or do differently. I think there was about 12 things or so but ventilation was near the top of the list! We overlooked it looking back, cheers:)
We have wind deflectors to allow some air flow on front windows and thermal blinds too to try and help with general moisture... also trialing kitty litter in socks too...
Got to admit house hygiene and van hygiene levels are very different 😂😂 So are you learning Italian whilst over there? Can you move spots on the site to change your view every week?
I think we had best try and learn Italian - so that we have something to show for our time! We are planning on changing pitches tomorrow, start the van up and give her a drive about! X ❤️ 🐒🚐 x
Me before watching your video: "I'm really happy with the interior design for my VW T4.. i can finally start building it" Me after watching your video: *deletes it and starts all over again" Thanks for sharing this! :)
Haha glad you found it helpful! Wishing you luck with your conversion, will it be your first? We have loads of videos on the build on our channel if you want to see more! Thanks :)
@@FloraTheNoviceExplorers I've use (a lot) an Mercedes 406d self converted in the past, but the VW is my first self conversion. Your build videos are excelente!
Hi 👋 I guess we just thought we could get by without. Yes, it’d be more comfortable but instead we use the roof as extra storage. We have a big roof rack, solar panel, roof box and 2 surfboards 😋 it’s not always ideal but it works for us... so far anyway! Thanks
Hi 👋 you can get pretty small chemical/compost able toilets these days, that’s what most people do. Showers aren’t too common in vans the size of a T5, but I’ve seen a few! Pre-covid showering and toileting wasn’t really an issue, especially throughout Europe. But with services a bit limited currently we had to resort to using a “solar shower”. Basically a small black bag with a tube coming out of it. Not very glamorous, but a life-saver whilst in Sardinia. The climate made it more bare able 😛
Ok well nice all the things I saw till now ... just one question who pays the bills . Because with a full visa card , I can act as a hippie .. the last time I saw a hippie he had a iPhone and his mother paid that bills .. I think that’s the hole idea find someone to pay . Well as we work and a camper is my dream . Don’t have the money wet . I need to find the time also . I selling bike and car to get a camper hope I will soon . Then find the time . But as it seems I will have just some weekends with the kids . But that will do ...
Hello Kostantinos! 👋 we both pay the “bills” 😛 We saved up for about 3 years and sold a lot of our possessions. We both worked full-time and tried to save every penny. It wasn’t easy and it took a long time, but it was well worth it 😊
Some days easily, some days not so 😛 there’s definitely a technique to it... some days we’ve mastered it, others we fail miserably. But it always turns in the end, handbrake can get on the way a bit sometimes.
Change as in for a single seat? We’ve thought about it, but the double seat offers that little more room. We’d definitely have it swivelled though, double or single it really helps open up the space of the van a bit 😊
Change as in for a single seat? We’ve thought about it, but the double seat offers that little more room. We’d definitely have it swivelled though, double or single it really helps open up the space of the van a bit 😊
Brilliant thanks for your help! I am just starting the process of planning - I have the advantage of a carpenter boyfriend so just trying to get a layout plan in mind before we crack on 🌞
Flora & The Novice Explorers 🤣🤣🤣 I’m just about to start converting my own van, and the pooping issue does concern me a little - not sure I can handle a poo basket though. Incidentally it reminded me of one of Victoria Wood’s stories about visiting a guest house which had a wastebasket in the room, lined with a carrier bag, and a sign above it saying “This is not a bidet” 🤣
Haha 😂 we didn't really do much research before we set off, but i'm pretty sure you can get decent little porta potties these days that stow away. Or something a little more substantial, the main thing we're battling with is lack of space. But we're already realising what we don't need, so we ma have the room for a proper one!
