Adventures in a VW T4

Although we are seasoned campers, we have now upgraded from a tent to a VW T4 that’s been converted to a camper. The banner across the windscreen calls it the Flying Banana, so it’s not hard to guess what colour it is (I don’t think my son, Callum understands though, as he said it should be called the Flying Apple. Presumably he just thought it had to have a fruit connotation regardless of the colour).

We field tested it last weekend by spending a couple of days at the Haven site in Hafan Y Mor. When camping in a tent, you get used to how things work, so it took a while to readjust to the size of the van. It will also take a while to learn how to pack appropriately, with what we do and don’t need to take as space is limited. Although there’s a rock ‘n’ roll bed for Deb and I to sleep on, I purchased a  cab bunk for Callum which you suspend across the front doors, but as he’s almost as long as the bed already, I’ll be looking to convert the van by making it into a pop top, but I’ll have to do a bit of research to find a reputable company to do the work.

As for how we coped, it was actually good fun and very cosy. The thing I never liked about camping was the hassle of putting the tent up and down,  especially if it’s raining, and it’s obviously so much easier to park up and be done - although we have got a drive away awning with the van, but haven’t tested it yet as I didn’t think it necessary to erect when we were only stopping for a couple of days. We shall be going away in it again in a couple of weeks, so I might test it out then. But for now, the Campervan adventure(s) have got off to a good start and I’m looking forwards to our next trip. 

The Lake District

We arrived home yesterday after a short break in Keswick in the Lake District. No matter how many times I visit the area, it never fails to fill me with awe with its sweeping vistas and majestic mountains.


We’ve camped on the same site a couple of times before, at the edge of Derwentwater (the location of the site means that it can easily flood, but we were lucky enough that it only rained for one day during our stay otherwise the resident ducks would have been swimming around the tent instead of waddling.) We were also field-testing (quite literally) our new tent, an Outwell Colorado 5. I think we now have five tents stashed around the house, but this is by far the best of the bunch. It’s big enough to stand up in, and has a large sitting area.

During our stay, we met up with my brother who is fortunate enough to live just outside Keswick in the village of Borrowdale. He’s lived there for a number of years, and I often wonder if he knows how lucky he is to live in such breathtaking surrounds. Anyway while there we tackled Helvellyn, which is the third highest peak in England at 3118 feet (only 75 feet less than the highest, Scafell Pike).

It took us around 2 hours to climb to the summit, a feat that some people achieve by running, but they are obviously part machine or just plain crazy. The stunning view at the top makes the effort of the climb seem more than worthwhile, but my aching calves and thighs might not agree.


While visiting the Lakes, we also went in search of a couple of Geocaches, which we haven’t done for a while, taking in a route along Walla Crag. This is a short fell walk that gives superb views across Derwentwater. The only problem on the day we went was that the heavens opened and we ended up putting drowned rats to shame. Coupled with a cold wind, it makes you realise how unpredictable and dangerous the weather can be, especially when you’re caught out in the open.

But it’s no wonder the landscape has been the inspiration for countless artists and writers over the years. Majestic, stunning and awe inspiring. That’s the only way to sum it up.