Got the Van, got the time and got the plan

Got the van - not so new Bongo. The good thing is that I know the previous owner and my very good friendly garage owner knew it before I bought it.
I don't need to be able to live in this van for days on end so the plan is to have a custom conversion to a day van. I want to keep some seating as this is the only vehicle I'm running so seating will be retained as bed base. A small bed platform will be needed alongside 'kitchen' unit. Leisure battery and hook up should be fitted, clean and dirty water, gas and port-a-loo. The van already has upstairs bedroom but in Orkney the wind tends to blow quite a lot so it won't always be a good idea to put the top up. Side windows have blinds and I'll get the Bongo front and rear kit for the other windows.

The good thing about being retired is that you can choose to go any day - and to stay at home likewise. We sometimes get four seasons in a day here but when the weather is good, it is very, very good. Island life means that you can avoid the wind. Nothing is very far away. We get Northern Lights at this time of year and very little dark in June. It is quite something to watch the glow of the sun move around just below the horizon.

Of course, you have to be out there to enjoy all this. Jack prefers the grass above most beaches where there is more chance of chasing rabbits. Me - I like to hear the sound of the sea in all moods. So....the plan is not to plan but to take every opportunity as it arises.

Longer trips south can be taken at leisure. No more 'dog friendly' B&B for us. I'm looking forward to meeting some more folks who retired very, very early!! and have started Camper Van Life as a belated GAP year.

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