Lived in my van for four years now and it does have a bit more room than yours but the points you make are the same. I have had the nice cars, motorbikes detached house etc etc etc but I have never been as happy as I am now. Would never go back to the urban estates and the shit neighbours. Give me my Merc Sprinter and a great park up and you can keep the sheeple fenced in and sad, cos I'm off ! Yippeeee !
New Subscriber here. I'm 9 months into my vanlife and loving it. It's not hard at all. I made it through the summer a winter and I thought it would be worse. But it's easy. You dress for the weather. Be respectable where you park. Leave no signs of being there. I wish I would of done it several years sooner. 👍❤️
Good for you, in the nicest of ways i am so jealous ! I am a' part time' vanlife' fellow, a bit long in the tooth and like you, wish i had done things differently years ago ! Having just watched the video our friend was talking about the different types of work that lend itself to van life but really left out the blooming obvious...............Just doing your normal job and at the end of the shift, back to the van ! All the best with your vanlife and making it work for you. Regards Mike in County Durham
the only downside to my van life is the fact my van is 7 metres long, lol, so not the easiest to park, or get down narrow lanes, aside from that there are NO downsides ,love it, best thing i ever did, any minor inconveniences are negated by the freedom it gives you, and your right, i think people get jealous because you have the bollox to do something different while they carry on with their hum drum lives, just waiting to die, as that saying goes, you only get one life, LIVE IT FFS!!
I remember watching the first few videos when you had just moved into your van and being equally impressed/concerned. So glad to hear that it is still working for you. Coincidentally, read a story today about a woman living on a house boat with a baby as she too got fed up with her landlord and the toxic rental market in the UK right now
Since i been on my own and living in the van for 15 months i have found that i now talk to anybody anywhere when im out and about where as before i was very reserved and introverted its definatley made me more outgoing at first i felt starved of conversation , i use the outdoors as my therapy too specially the hills and mountains , love your video because there so honest !
Love your videos! you're quite right. I find that even brief conversations with passing strangers really helps with perceived loneliness. I've just bought my first campervan and due to take off for my first lone adventure in a couple of weeks.
If we had a good economy and affordable housing I feel like van life wouldn’t be a thing. It’s a product of an unfair system and does seem hard with the lack of space. You make it look easy
I dont watch your channel very often, but I register that you are very diffrent than when you moved into your van? You seems so much more positive and happy!!🙂 Your eyes are shining and you smile more....even the expression on you face are different .....I'm so happy for you!!🙂
There is organic soap you can pour out where ever you want. Its the only soap i use for everything, dishes, clothes and myself. Highly recommend. If you make a hole in the top of the water container and with and easy pull of tap you get higher pressure if you need. Safe travels
So much ‘fake’ vanlife online, it’s great to see how it really is and that it isn’t all beaches sunsets and cocktails but that you can still have a great time. Always look forward to hearing how you get on 👍🏻
Very much still enjoying your channel 👍👍. Completely agree that nature helps lift anyone's mental state and that saying hello and smiling at people is also my go to. I moved to a rural village where I knew nobody from a town after working in London and living abroad years ago. Years where people had no time for pleasantries/care for others. Now I know I could never go back permanently to that way of living. Looking forward to your next vlog - hope you both have a great weekend. P. S. your daughter is a lovely little lass - just listening to her brings a smile to my face.
Lovin your station. I’ve Vw T4. 1999. Just got the white hammerite out and painted outside. Looking good. Going away next week. I’m retired so can go at the drop of a hat. I’ve a collapsible toilet for No2s. Just double bag it and throw it in the bin. I’m as regular as clockwork. Take care. 👍👍👍
Good stuff enjoyed your look on van life , I’m in to my 9 th year , off to Spain every year for winter then home to Uk for spring and summer , it’s called “ a vacuum head “ , best life ever
Hi, great vlog. I think some of the points you raise are spot on. I think there's a huge difference and misunderstanding of being "alone" and being "lonely". I like being alone .....but I like helping and being around people too. The problem is we are taught to become part of the system and we naturally want bigger and better thinking this will bring happiness.....well it brings a type of happiness not an inner one. I think from "out looking in" the perspective may be of what you lose being in a van but from what I see from your journey it's a lot about what you gain. Financial freedom , off the matrix, master of your environment and destiny. I must admit sound proofing and one way windows would be something that would be a priority if I was building a van as would a 360 degree camera so I could keep an eye on things from the comfort of my bed. Keep up the great work 🙏 G 🦉🦉
Chuffed to see you thriving buddy. You’re certainly finding your own way, and I’m sure you’re going from strength to strength. You may well be on to something that is to become a social norm, allowing many to escape the stranglehold of the banks and a biased system? Soon be summer, where heat (in the van) might be an issue? Love what you’re doing, keep it up. ‘Sithee’ Andy.
I dont live in my van but I get away as much as we can. We visit my brother he has a big 4 bed house and dont get it when I say I will be in the van he thinks I am nuts. But its my own space and I get away from everyone. Great Vlog.
I was the same as you never really spoke to people just kept myself to myself Helen showed you how to light up I became a dog owner and my amazing Greyhound showed me how to talk when out I was never lonely but gosh I come back from been out walking now with jaw ache LOL So good to see van life working for you..
Love the parks talking idea, I'm single and live by myself, but always on the Facebook messenger , but already know a few locals when I walk around my local parks, it's always good, and a nice coffee at the cafe 😉
Cracking video as per. Thanks. I do feel a couple of tips coming on. Consider using a 50 50 mix of white vinegar and water for doing washing up. Use a spray bottle, find a smaller bottle that will fit the screw spray attatchment, they are very common. Spray and wipe down with a j cloth or a micro fibre cloth, the vinegar smell will disappear after a few mins. And a toilet tip for a number 2............... just spray some of your vinegar/water mix onto the bowl and put a few toilet paper sheets onto the bowl surface, this will facilitate the 'business' to slide away..................i am sure you will get the drift :) Cheers Mike in County Durham
Been watching you since the start mate. Glad to see and hear you are doing so well. Clearly mentally you are in a good place. You’re looking well and have each subject/issue you listed sorted….good on you. I too speak to people and so does my wife. We live in Somerset and strike up conversations with other people we see out walking. Never met anyone who doesn’t want to chat. 👍👍
So glad to have come across your channel I relate to so much I have gone through a split and have 2 young children I thought buying a caravan would help but I have had the thought of van life and I only worried about having my kids etc but I was looking at it the wrong way like the fun aspect of it for them and the freedom it will bring me
You certainly have the right mindset about vanlife ! Which l love also. If I could give you some advice, it would be staying small is personally better, staying with a lower roof gives you more freedom. I have a Renault traffic. You can check it out if you wish. I chose not to continue with RU-vid because l am retired. I wish you all the best with your adventures and, much success with your channel. PS I'm currently in Saint Tropez. I'll be coming back to England for a few months soon. If you wish, we could meet up and maybe you would like to do a van tour of my van ? I Enjoy your videos 👍
I was going to add, staying small , makes you less conspicuous, if you are bothered, James? Why not get a pop up installed if you go to Europe & can afford?
Thanks Dave, I'd definitely be up for doing a video about you and your van, it's something I've thought about because I've become friends with some fantastic vanlifers through this channel.
I am loving the Gritting van...it just needs the right curtains haha...and the sound of rain on a van is the most therapeutic sound in the world...good for the soul...I love your videos...Thanx so much.
I love the vid and as you said life gets easier when you talk to the lovely people you meet when out walking. I love just saying hello when I'm out walking the dogs.
Hi James ,,I think you are doing brilliantly,,your getting a real lot off subscription’s,it’s all looking good ,your very positive person and the right mindset to do well on your quest I think you will get a bigger van ,,and that will be a game changer for you and Helen all the Best Stewart Wiltshire 👍🏃♂️🏃♀️
I take my hat off to ya! When prices are going through the roof at least you have a roof over your head sod everyone else get a wood burner I'm sure you can make the room I love your videos 👊
Keep the faith brother I started in a car gave up renting then small van now I have a bigger van with shower an toilet took me a few years to save an build you have to have patience brother or its handing over 3 grand a year for council tax an 10 grand for rent an endless bills I got out of the system especially with the terrible hi rents an inflation I owe the useless council nothing I adapted they can stuff going back handing my hard money over to greedy landlords I save about 7 grand a year with van life I eat well plenty of walks and metal health is 10 out of 10 I will retire in the van because I love the freedom I found it difficult at first small van it takes patience an hard work to get to where you want to be my mrs loves leaving her house to hit the road with me so who nos you could end up on bigger van one day stick in there brother there's a million people on you tube van life who go to pubs eat drink then they turn into chefs how to cook s breakfast lol or walks everywhere ive been lol 😂 I hope ur channel grows if you like it good luck to you brother
Hi James. I only subscribed a week ago & binge watching your videos from start, its great to see how you've settled into vanlife so well making adjustments to your van & cooking better meals for yourself. It's an absolute pleasure watching you & Helen together I think your both great . Keep doin what you do top stuff!!
In the summer when sun is strong I bought before a couple of black plastic Jerry cans ,fill with water and if possible leave in the sun ,evening private park up open rear doors peg a shower curtain and a hot shower, and for washing up , I think they make portable blag bag showers that you hang on side of van in the sun, you most probably know already.
You shud of seen me back in the day 95"ish, in the back of an escort van!!, with a portable 14" black an white telly that run on 12v lol, was hullarious watching that telly, a time before internet, and all these phones and tablets, makes me want a john deer ride on mover and a trailer lol.
Love watching you both. Is it possible to turn the volume of the music down when you add it ? It’s really hard to hear what you’re saying. Keep up the great videos ❤
Thank you for the interesting chat. You make me smile. I have lived alone forever. I walk a lot and will talk to people. I've had some fantastic conversations. If I was a bit younger and didn't have any cats, I would live in a van. But I am older and have cats, so I car camp. ilona
Cheers James. Enjoyed that. Glad it's going so well for you. You are right, why are we so conditioned to see success in purely cosmetic/monetary terms? Success surely is finding happiness and enjoying a fulfilling and stress free life. Go for it mate
Love it. Very interesting! I think you’ve got a great life James. I’m very envious. You tell it like it is which I really like. Just FYI, a store cupboard meal in my house is a “Mix up in a dixie” 🤷♀️😂
Glad it is working out for you and you haven't had any major problems to deal with. At least we are coming out of winter and you have spring and summer to look forward to. Mind you, you might be looking at how to keep the van cool later on in the year. Yikes! 😉
Enjoyed watching great vlog down-to-earth and honest Looking forward to going up to Yorkshire in May going to visit bangers for cash Matthew sons auction probably do a stealth in Scarborough keep doing what your doing 👍🚐👍
I think you were one of the first to start vlogging campervan realism, we have had enough of all that instagram gorgeous camping, it's fake, the people are fake, keep it real sunshine
Lynn here again on Hubby's phone 😏, just to say , I used to be like you , couldn't talk to people , but if I was out having a drink , I'd talk to anyone, but back to normal without the drink , then one day I just thought well if I can rattle to people with drink I can rattle without it , it's only opening your mouth and speaking, we can all do that , right and since I have , people have told me some right life stories 😂😂, it's all good 😊👍, Take Care 👍
I totally agree with all of your points. I tried something different for my ablusions. Looks like a wonderful dinner! Lots of GREENS. Well done. One thing that I like about your video here is that you show the real size! When I look at other videos in a micro van, they look as though they have so much space. It's the nature of women to chatter. So, that's good you're open to learning from a good friend. The world is as you see it. It can be difficult, when you're feeling down... but you seem to have cracked it. Good video. Thanks for sharing.
Up in the morning and ready to leave for the slave trade ,to be robbed of what could be free time . And realized a new vid from yourself had come to play , so I’m now unpacking my tools and seriously considering doing the step ... lol . Your still keeping it real , no nonsense chat . See you soon bud and thank you for the content .
Enjoyed this video .Glad you're settled into van life you make it look good .Have a lovely weekend enjoy time doing the videos of pubs and walks .Looking forward to the next video .Stay safe keep warm .
Been watching from the start your videos are great so true and real, love the pub crawls with Helen she is a peach keep hold of her. There are some really good vans on market place right now I keep seeing them and you spring to mind straight away, shame I can’t share them. Looking forward to next one keep safe 😊
Ooooo Matron ... Frankie Howard made me jump. My Mum used to answer when I asked. "What's for tea ?" "Duck and Roll" So I'd say What's that? "Duck under the table and roll out." Funny what you remember from childhood. I n'joyed this 20 questions sesh. Keep it coming you make I laf ...and that's not easy at the moment, as life's a bit tough at present so 👏👏👏👏👏 Round of applause. I really look forward to your posts and wish you well. If only I was 20 years younger, van life really appeals, so I'm living me dream thro' you and the wonderful "Bet Lynch !" Stay safe Luvly hugs Janice 👵 xxx
Thank you for balanced informative video fellow Yorks bod. Your giving me a shove in the van life direction. The older I get the more disillusioned in the cycle of work dissatisfaction rent I become. Love freedom this lifestyle appears to offer.
Seriously, I secretly, more or less, planning my step to full time van life, only my daughter and two close friends support it. I agree with you fully! Cheers Albert
Been here since the beginning and yea, you seem much more confident about parking and stuff these days. Also, homework time seems like a good time to try out those earplugs. ;)
Great honest insight James. That will put a lot of people's minds at ease I'm sure. Looking forward to seeing your weekend with mental...your words not mine 😂🏴
Seriously ditch the portaloo. Get a 20l pale with lid, a pool noodle cut to length the ones with the hole through the centre. Cut cut one side down it’s length to make a comfy seat. Two plastic bin liners one inside each other in the pale. Do the business, tie the first bag up, tie the second bag up then into the bin like parents do with nappies. Bingo done. Portaloo too messy!!
I can also strongly relate to your story and enjoyed catching up with your vlogs. We’ve subscribed now and we also have a channel, but only a small following. Take care James. 👍☺️
You bring to smile to my face watching how your getting on 😊 So glad it is working out you definitely see life from a different perspective enjoying the environment around slowing the pace of life in this crazy rat race were in it's making me look at the little things more Your a top bloke
Hi James I love watching your vids, You are so down to earth and tell it straight as it is. I would love to have a Van so I could travel up to South Yorkshire and spend time with my Daughter and Grand-daughters who live in Rotherham, I did notice a place you were at called Wath and my daughter lives minutes from there, also was that Park Gate you were parked at?
Great vlog, Yorkshire folk are the best! I’m one of ‘em, I literally talk to everyone, can’t imagine not doing , you two are hilarious, thanks for your honest vlogs , keep em comin,,,,,,, si thi 💙😁
“Maybe that’s Yorkshire folk, some people you can’t get away from in Yorkshire, everyone’s got a story” 😂 we sure are a friendly bunch, I love my fellow Yorkshire folks. Not biased at all….💕 nope, not me 😊 Really enjoying your channel. Wish you the best 💪 Helen, love you lass! 😘
James, my son gave me a great washing up brush from Waitrose, where you fill handle with washing up liquid, every now and again you change the brush head, this might save tou some faff.
Another good one James! You're nailing these videos. Have you ever watched "Foresty Forest" in his van? He's quite the cook with his air fryer and I think you're doing a fine job cooking up your "bits and pieces". Your little girl sounds like she likes being with dad in the van, she's a regular "Chatty Cathy", I bet she doesn't have a problem talking to people. Take care now and enjoy the ride.
Mate I live both of those life. Experience every aspect of van life in the truck Monday to Friday and run a home in the background, you are now getting on top of it and winning And as for the mountain reference at the beginning, just pay attention to the schengen laws after Brexit, some are allowed in the EU and the rest are doing Scotland or Wales videos
