Day 11: Tuesday
My last day at Trelay, and that means I need to fix that floppy TV aerial so it at least doesn’t cover up the rear number plate. Borrowing a handy ladder (the place is full of them), Tom watches in the role of Health & Safety as I climb to the roof of the van and have a poke around. Continue reading “Vanlife, the second week. Day 11: Tuesday”
Day 10: Monday
As ever, I wake up early, the Cornish sunlight streaming through the skylights and the too translucent roller blinds. It’s a rather cloudy sky, and that sun only peeks through sporadically, but it’s a pleasant enough temperature. I’ve no idea when Tom will be up and around – we did drink quite a lot of beer last night and stay up rather late. Continue reading “Vanlife, the second week. Day 10: Monday”
Day 9: Sunday
I wake up early, as usual – the influx of daylight through the skylights and the thin blinds always wakes me up not long after dawn. Fortunately I’m connected to my brother’s WiFi network inside the house, so I pass the time reading the Guardian and watching iPlayer until the house residents wake up. Continue reading “Vanlife, the second week. Day 9: Sunday”
Day 8: Saturday
My first big trip in the van, and everything’s ready to go! Everything, that is, apart from me, as I once again wake up in the White Horse car park with a hangover. A quick glance out of the window reveals that Phil must have been too drunk to drive himself, as his car is parked next to me. What an enjoyable night. Continue reading “Vanlife, the second week. Day 8: Saturday”
Day 7: Friday
A pretty mild night, so no real need for the heating. Still, as I wake up it’s 15 degrees in there, so I turn it on anyway to potter about making tea without having to put clothes on. I finish work early today, so I’ll be heading back to Stretham at about 2pm, to refill the water tank and have my first attempt at the delightful task of emptying the chemical toilet. That should get me ready for my first real excursion in it, a trip to Cornwall to see my friend Tom. But first, there’s a gig with Phil’s band at the White Horse this evening, so another night in the pub car park beckons! Continue reading “Vanlife, the first week. Day 7: Friday”
Day 6: Thursday
It’s really necessary.
The first thing I notice on waking up is that my breath is condensing in the air – this is not an occurrence I’m used to while being indoors. It’s not great big plumes or anything, but it’s noticeable. It’s definitely chilly. Continue reading “Vanlife, the first week. Day 6: Thursday”
Day 5: Wednesday
OK, I’ll admit it – I haven’t had a shower since Sunday.
Yes, the van does have a shower installed, but I’m cautious about running out of water; if I have to drive to get more, I may lose the cushty parking spot. Besides, there are well-equipped showers in my work’s swanky new premises – but I keep forgetting to take a towel in with me. Continue reading “Vanlife, the first week. Day 5: Wednesday”
Day 4: Tuesday
A bit quieter today, with a routine starting to be established.
Tea is not so good this morning – I’m pretty sure the non-fridge has caused the milk to go off. It doesn’t smell bad, but the tea definitely doesn’t taste right. Oh well, there’s bean-to-cup espresso machines at work, so I’ll go with coffee. Continue reading “Vanlife, the first week. Day 4: Tuesday”
Day 3: Monday
The first day walking to work from the van!
First though, time to use the toilet for the morning ablutions. Thankfully, I remember to open the blade before weeing into it, and close it after flushing. Seems fine, and should present no problems for the rest of the week.
I also have to make my first cup of tea in the van. Fortunately, a bit of reading had showed me how to work the cooker – you have to hold the gas knob in for ten seconds or so after lighting it, just like the fridge, as a safety measure. Turning on the water pump, I fill a pan from the tap (I haven’t yet found anywhere with a stove top kettle in stock), boil it (fairly quick), and tea is forthcoming. Nice. Then off to work… Continue reading “Vanlife, the first week. Day 3 – Monday”
Day 2: Sunday
I wake up with a hangover.
I probably didn’t need that last can of Punk IPA (nor, if I’m honest, at least one of the preceding pints in the pub). Fortunately the bed is still comfy, so much so that I keep putting off the necessary trip to the hedge until my bladder is near to bursting. Then it’s back to bed; more music, read some comics on the iPad, and wait to feel better so I can drive back to Stretham in preparation for a full week in the van. Continue reading “Vanlife, the first week. Day 2 – Sunday”
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