The first year with the Big White Van

i don't think i know what SAD is.i've heard of it of course,but thought it was something people who spend their lives in buildings without the energy to escape suffer from.which is why people who get into this wild camping lark become a bit evangelical.i've been talking people into this for 30 odd years and always will,and as i've said before,nows the time to do it,competition means vans are affordable,fuel is just about,ferries aren't too bad,and forums like this one will help guide you through the unknown.go for it!
 
Great and inspiring post WVW, well done for going for it, doing it surviving it and loving it! I also think that getting my campervan was the best thing i ever did, i feel so lucky that I have one, and have met some great people and been some fantastic places with it. Simply cant understand people who don't like them or don't get it!;)
 
You come (and gone ) far Jess. Excellent! (I still have those items btw but won't be over again until the spring).
 
n brown said:
i don't think i know what SAD is.i've heard of it of course,but thought it was something people who spend their lives in buildings without the energy to escape suffer from.which is why people who get into this wild camping lark become a bit evangelical.
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SAD = Seasonal Affective Disorder (Depression due to lack of sun/daylight hours)

SBS = Sick Building Syndrome (General ill health due to being in buildings, usually with poor air quality)
 
Really inspiring WVW.
For some reason I thought you were a fulltimer?

I'm really encouraged by the fact that you started with a shell and then added to it whilst you lived in it (at least part-time)
Also the idea of ging something - any lifechange really - a year and then reconsidering ... I suspect that is really important for those considering full-timing.

Perhaps I will be able to post something similar in the future!
Helen
 
A really great post WVW you are an inspiration to many on here.
 
hi Whitevanwoman thanks for your inspiring post. Looking forward to meeting and getting the grand tour!
 
Hi WVW

I love the blog, would love to see the van, I'm in a VW T4 which you may spot in the wilding sites in Cumbria where we could raise a glass:cheers:

Jaypod
 
Wow that read beautifully. It seems you'e had a very similar year to me with your van ;)
 
I'm really encouraged by the fact that you started with a shell and then added to it whilst you lived in it (at least part-time)
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I did this....... unless you have the perfect space to park-up and work - place for a tent, electricity, where you can make plenty of noise, not freeze to death etc. you're going to have to really rough it. Every time you do a 'little' work it makes a stupendous mess! Clearing tools, paint and sawdust away nightly so you can lie down to sleep :mad1:

''An adventure''
 
Whitevanwoman your post brought a tear to my eye is was so inspiring to read and has clearly brought great joy at an otherwise difficult time for you. I have a modern van every every device but I am sure it has not brought me as much happiness as yours has for you. Still work full time so don't use it as much as you but hope to bump into you one day you sound like a very determind person, best wishes Phillybarbour.
 
This will be our first year with Drutt and I can only hope that we have as much enjoyment in ours as you have had in yours.
If your ever down our way you can call in for shower/ water etc..we would love to meet you..
All the best on your future adventures
 
Thank you to everyone for the positive comments about my post, I'm quite gobsmacked by the number of likes, and having the post bumped again is just what I need at the moment to re-inspire me as I've been feeling very low for some time due to some very difficult personal circumstances, and as some of you may have read in other threads, I'm at a point where I need to make some serious decisions, including whether or not to go full time in the van.

I guess I'm lucky in that I had a good education and parents who made me work hard, and also that writing has always come easy to me. As I've said elsewhere on this forum, being taught to touch type as a teenager means that I can type almost as fast as I can think, and having been "trained" to write essays at O level and A level in academic subjects, means that writing long posts and debating issues is something I do enjoy. I'm very glad that others enjoy reading some of my posts. I'm now thinking that I should spend more time writing for my blog, about my adventures in the Big White Van, so you as readers are now inspiring me.

Since the original post, the Transit has cost me about £1800 in MOT and other essential repairs and the last of my redundancy pay has now been spent just keeping it on the road (instead of spending it on getting the leaking roof of the house repaired!), and I have wondered whether I was doing the right thing putting so much money into simply keeping it running. Having reread the original post, I'm in no doubt that this is the right thing for me, as those magic moments that I've had in the van are priceless, and will stay with me for life, and as I also said, my sense of adventure has been reawakened, as has also my sense of pride in myself. The feeling of pride and satisfaction at getting myself out of being stuck in mud, in the middle of nowhere, having spent ages on my belly underneath the van in stinky salt marsh mud, moving bits of carpet and rubber matting around under the wheels, gave my self-confidence in my ability to cope without panicking or resorting to tears such a boost, and that memory is one which will stay with me for a long time, and when life is tough, it's something to motivate me - I can indeed get myself out of the sh*t on my own!

And I have been inspired by so many others on this forum, who have described their adventures, their difficulties and ways of overcoming their difficulties, their self-build stories, their pleasure in their own vans. I've been given ideas, help, advice and support, which just like the memories of my own adventures, are also priceless. I've not always agreed with all of your advice and suggestions and there's been times when I've been frustrated and annoyed with some comments on the forum, but the learning process continues, and just as I'm continuing to learn more about the van and how to adapt it to suit me better, I'm also learning a bit more tolerance and how to be more like a duck (water off a duck's back).

But if anyone else mentions Carbon Monoxide to me... :hammer: :mad2: :danger:
 
PS. Thanks also for all the offers of showers, water and driveways to park on, much appreciated, and if I do go full time in the van, I may well take you up on your offers :cheers:
 
sparrks said:
C'mon, it's just a gas!:)
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th_Machine_20Gun_20Smiley_zps158cfaef.gif
 
First year

:heart:: Hi just been reading this & thought it was really good, after been camping for about 20years I have just completed 1year on my own & it was hard but has been worth it, I've not been to any meets but hope to get to shap (weather permitting) & 2 weekends away before that, so thanks for making me smile it was good CHING CHING .
 
Nice story.
I'd like to do more wilding but I suffer from J.O.B. Worse that that, my wife is working in the education business so I'm tied to school holidays. So WVW if you find a big fat hippy haunting your dreams its just me. Yes I have options but also years of conditioning to stop me from chucking it all in. 60 might not be old but it's old for a big change- unless I'm pushed like you were. As I work for the MOD that's not too likely 'cos there will always be people to throw rocks at it seems. Anyhoo, keep on keeping on and letting us cowards read you.

XX


P.s. to all - no offence meant re: SAD
 
Thanks for the positive comments.

I'm not far off reaching the end of year 2 now and although I'm still in the house and not full timing, it remains a definite possibility depending on what happens with my finances over the next few months. A fuller update will follow on the 2 year anniversary but suffice to say that the big white van has proved to be life changing and has been one of the best things I've ever done .

I'm in bed in the van, snug and cosy, listening to the wind after some star gazing earlier and although I'm tired, I can't help thinking about all the various jobs which need doing - another layer of insulation and then the walls and ceiling can be carpeted (although I rather like the silver bubble wrap ceiling as it twinkles and reflects the solar fairy lights ), boxing in the storage areas, bolting dogs cage to floor, and wiring in 12v led lights and more.

Looking forward to the music meets :)
 
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