FIRST NIGHT EVER in a Van! SUPERMARKET CAMPING!
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- Опубліковано 6 лют 2025
- Spending my first night camping in a van, at Sainsbury's!!
See y'all on Sunday (or maybe next Thursday...) at 5:30pm (ish!)
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RELEASE TIMES:
THURSDAY 5:30 PM UK TIME
SUNDAY 5:30 PM UK TIME
If you enjoyed today's video and want to see more then please let me know down in the comments below, and don't forget to give this video a 👍!
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Kist used to make this video:
MAIN VIDEO CAMERA SETUP:
Sony FX3
Sony 16-35 F4 Zeiss
Sony 24-105 F4 G Lens
Tilta Cage
Smallrig Audio Handle Plate
Sony Audio Top Handle
Small XLR
Rode NTG4+ Mic
Manfrotto 055 Tripod x2
Manfrotto Pro Video Head x2
SECONDARY CAMERA SETUP:
GoPro Hero 12
Chest Mount
Window Mount (sticky pad)
Chest Mount
Head Mount
Tripod/stick
THIRD CAMERA SETUP:
iPhone 13 Pro Max
Sony A7iii
Samyang 14mm
AUDIO SETUP:
Zoom H1 Audio Recorder
DJI Wireless Mics
Rode Smart Lav+ Mic
Rode NTG4+ Mic
DRONE SETUP:
DJI Mini 4 Pro Fly More Combo with Hard Case + variable ND filters
PHOTOGRAPHY SETUP:
Sony A7iii
Sony A7R
Sony G 24-105mm
Samyang 14mm
EDITING SETUP:
MacBook Pro M1 Pro 2021
Samsung 27inch 4k Screen x2
Sandisk SSD
Premiere Pro (video)
Lightroom Classic (photo)
Photoshop (thumbnails/major photo editing)
*You will need to paste a sticker on your dashboard the written height and width of your motor caravan, just so you remember on small lanes that might have overpass bridge clearances.
Don't forget the weight as well
And more importantly, remember to amend that height when your roof rack loaded with gear.
Don’t forget the anchor and rope in case the brakes fell
And most important. Put a sticker of an upside down pineapple on the front ,and back of the van and a pink flamingo on your dash if possible.
From the awful wreck you started with, you have done the miracle of creating a lovely, clean, warm and most of all safe, traveling home. Happy Trails To You.
The green throws on the sofa’s look great! So glad you had a successful first night! You’ve put in so much hard work - well done Alex! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏💙
Alex, BEAUTIFUL transformation of Turtle!!
The throws, pillows, etc., make it so home-like.
👏
Lala 🐕 seems to enjoy home from home 🏡
What a job you have done brilliant
My first night was on the terrain of my farm. To find out what the kids and I liked and didn't like. The night was perfect, so the next day we took off.
ALEX please make sure you carbon monoxide alarm is on and working! Diesel heater worries me… please!
Alex: Here is a tip 4 U from another Alex: The peel-&-stik vinyl looks terrific, but before you affix more of it to any of the wood partitions or panel sections, might I suggest that you first prime and/or seal any bare wood first (especially if it is new!) I did almost the exact same project as yours with a minivan conversion a while back and found that after the first summer/winter, most of the "Mac-Tac" (the brand name of this product here in Canada) that I had applied to new wood was coming undone and peeling away. Apparently the adhesive on the backing heats up in the hot summer months making it "gooier" whereupon it is absorbed into the unfinished wood, leaving little left to keep it attached. The vinyl itself was not damaged at all, and I reattached it using contact (rubber) cement, which directs that you first paint a layer of it onto both surfaces to be bonded, then wait for it to become somewhat dry/tacky after which you can re-attach it. This process solved the peeling problem completely since the cement I first painted onto the wood acted as a primer, thusly sealing the pores.
P.S.: I had to laugh when you mentioned that you: "had a new mattress delivered" for your camper? 😏🚙
In your particular circumstance, wouldn't it have been easier (& cheaper!) to simply drive over & pick it up yourself? LOL🫥
You really do need blackout blinds for overnight camping, checkout Dunelms for them. Roller blinds are usually small enough to fit between window and curtain. Come the summer you may well need anti-mozzy screens too!
Wow! You did an awesome job on renovating your van Alex! Kudos to you!! 👏🏻❤️👏🏻
Congrats, Alex, on your first successful overnight adventure! Can't wait to see more. You are doing a great job on your van! Loved seeing Layla. Been missing her.
Your cooker should have auto light just turn dial all the way Alex to light the gas
Good luck on your adventures- you did a great job restoring the van!!! ❤❤❤❤❤
Turtle is looking great. Just a suggestion for the two windows on the back door. Instead of curtains, you may like to check out blinds that are very easy to install. We replaced our caravan door curtain with one. Not expensive.
Turtle looks great with the new cloths you got for her. I’m sure she’s feeling so much better since you’ve put all that hard work into her. Looking forward to your Friday trip. Have fun!
So glad it's not just mine that smokes on start up , I prewarn anyone parked near me 😂.
You're doing a great job 🙌
Clear tape would of looked much better... enjoy your videos by the way . Can't wait to see the finished van when completed
Yeah, you did it. Turtle looks amazing. You should be so proud. What an incredible makeover.❤
We are so proud of you …
Enjoy him …
Ps ..
🙏😇❤️ Please don’t forget to seal tape your joins on the roofs
Layla looks comfy in her new home.. Congratulations on all you’ve done for Turtle.
Well done, Alex! TURTLE looks so home-like inside! Congratulations on your first "successful" night out staying in your camper van! You have accomplished so much in a short period of time. You should be very proud of yourself. 😊👍
Also if you go to camp sites at at weekends or watch youtube, you will find what suits your needs, always carry a jump pack and a tool set and a multi meter , cable ties and tape, gaffer and insulation, and make sure you have a recovary service , just in case ...
The vinyl covering looks great ... professional.
Alex that cooker has a self lighter you turn the on button all the way round and it will ignite😁
Nice work, that’s a crazy big project many people would not attempt but you knocked it out well. I thought campers with damage like that would be trash but very cool to see how they can be saved
We used to do Walmart free parking and casino's in Canada, as long as you go in and play the slots for a while. They were beginning to clamp down on being able to park at some Walmart, it depends on the location and the town's rules. Thunderbay, ON was really shut down for parking over night. Even owners of motorhomes could not park them on their driveways, even if they were not staying in them. The only place we know that has local municipality rules about motorhome in the town limits. I believe there are other locations in ON that are pretty strict. Ronnie in Saskatchewan
Coming along, Alex 😊. Suggestion - you can buy rolls of strips which you can iron on the surfaces of the bits you have vinyled so that it looks cleaner and profi without showing you cuts. Showing my age, but lying up on you bed area ain't comfortable for me 😂😂 still U have advantage of youth. In my case seen it, done it and survived 😮. Also, you need to 'anchor' moveable objects when underway else U gotta kit of cleaning up every time ❤. Happy travels. Alex xx
Hi Alex, please make sure you have all windows & front window (shield?) covered for safety at night. Strong lock on doors etc. Good luck for future adventure. Love seing Leila again 🥰🐾
A friend of mine calls the short trips " land cruises". So much fun to have a mini home away from home!
Use green house tape on the windows it's clear and waterproof
Yay, Tesco's car park here we come! You and Lela have done so well fixing up Turtle (and Uncle Mark and your cousins). Can't wait to see where we all end up. I guess it might be the Lake District, but it could be anywhere. Hope you have a great trip and enjoy the freedom that Turtle is going to give you. Make sure you have an emergencies box, like spare batteries, sticky tape, scissors, petrol, first aid kit. Love the green covers on the settees. You could put sticky backed velcro over the windows and hang curtains from that, which could be stored in the boxes when not in use. So looking forward to your next adventure. 😁🏕🫖
We went to a campground nearby to learn how to operate everything and make a list of everything we needed. In the states, you can spend the night for free at Cracker Barrel (restaurant), Walmart (need to ask, not all allow it, Cabelas, and BLM Land (Bureau of Land Management- mostly in the western part of the country. We call it Boondocking in the states. Mooch docking is when you camp in a friend or family’s driveway.
Lela already knows where the co-pilot seat is. For being a first timer at renovating you did an excellent job. Well done. Turtle look nice and cozy. it will be perty when you finish. I like a little waffle.
You must be excited staying in Turtle for the first time
Nice to see her first adventure.
You need to practice your parking and it would have been a perfect opportunity to practice when you went shopping!
Whoa look at you Alex... Staying out in turtle... Layla seemed very content.. You have done a fabulous job... Love all you throws very lush 😂 cannot wait to see your adventures... 🙏
It is starting to look really nice, and yes, yellow curtains are a happy color and bring the sunshine in.
Looks great. Very manly.
Watching all that exhaust you may want to put an additive in your gas and oil to clean all the crap out and lube it. .
Good luck on your 1st real journey in the van fella, been following your journey for about 3 months now and we're impressed. About watchers every Thursday and Sunday! Keep them coming
Actually, this looks like fun. You can live a nomadic life and be safe at the same time. That camper van offers quite a bit for you to be able to go from place to place and enjoy a quality life. Have fun. Have a wonderful day
Love the throws etc you have bought to make it nice and cozy Alex.❤How was Lola in her new digs with you Alex? Nice bit of covering with the sticky back Plastic .Will you be covering all of what needs to be covered in that ?Thanks for Sharing
Yes! I'm so pleased that you had a successful 1st night camping. My 1st was a lake 7 min. from my door... I smiled the entire time. Funny thing, people drive to the Yukon from all over N America, and many spend the 1st night in Walmart parking lot. They know how to party...with 24-hr sunlight, that parking lot is hopping all summer🥳🍻 Congrats Alex & Layla 🙌
Lovely choice of cushions and throws !
You will discover bit by bit all the little extras you need to make it cosy and comfortable, Including having well fitted windows for safety and extra curtains for privacy.
Also, make sure to ventilate when you are burning gas indoors : it releases some pretty unhealthy compounds
Well done Alex, all the suggestions im sure are to try to help you as you embark on your trips, you are certainly almost there with Turtle. My input is ensure you haveca check list before moving off - eg. Chocks, plugin if used, securing loose items etc. Hopefully you will have security in place for the van plus your expensive camera gear. Have really enjoyed your journey si far and look forward to future trips 👏❤
Just an idea. If you think there might be too much yellow. Maybe buy or make patterned curtains with a mix of green and yellow. The throws and cushions look fab. Coming along great. Looking forward to the next one .
I suggest that you have white curtains with a yellow patter of some sort. I would go for a stripe to continue the stripes inside. All yellow for the space would be a bit overwhelming. Great work though. Love to your beauty Lela. 🙏🙏🙏👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️🤩🤩🤩
You could get new vent covers 3D printed if that hole bugs you (it would me!). So far you are doing a great job. All block yellow may be overpowering, tones of green, mustard, creams and some yellow may work.
Doing a grand job Alex. I love the make do a mend approach to the project and its obviously geared to your budget. My wife and I get quite excited when we see you in and around Dunchurch. It always makes us laugh when you refer to Uncle Mark. My nieces still call me Uncle
and they’re in there forties. Important note….ive just realised I’ve been watching you on my TV and hadn’t subscribed, have now😮
Wallmarts, here in the states, are the place to park if you don’t have a campground. You have just got to be proud of what you’ve done so far. It may not be a chateau, but it’s yours and your diy is just as cool to watch it being done as any brick and mortar. Layla looked oh so comfy on the green couch. Looking forward to the adventures in Turtle.
You are doing a fantastic job so far Alex... can't wait to see what you do with it next. The green looks pretty good. Good luck Alex!
We've followed you here from The Pethericks and love watching you! Protip: I bet if you pull off those rather ugly gratings / vent things and spray paint them black, the yellowed plastic that makes them look old and sad won't show (and also won't degrade further in the sun!), road dirt will be less visible too, and it'll make the van look sporty and fast (along with those stripes). :D
You can never have too much yellow Alex 😁😁
At 7:11 Lala was like, "Hey! Leave me alone, I'm trying to rest here!" LOL!
Congratulations Alex, you have done well. Google how to clean yellowing plastic, your toilet and basin will look way better. ❤
Love that you’re using your go outdoors membership card for sticking the vinyl down, very appropriate 😂😂
Everything looks awesome. The vinyl looks good. I once used the vinyl 12x12 tiles...they just stick on and they come in all sorts of color and decor...from the look of ceramic tiles to the look of bricks and they are fully washable and durable. You have done a remarkable job...well done Alex !
Wish you and Layla many happy travels in turtle but please get the window fixed and good locks on all doors and windows. Black out blinds or curtains as your security is very important.😊
Alex, you and Layla have made history! Your first time spending the night in Turtle! Congratulations! The new seat covers, pillows, etc. look great.
There’s never too much yellow 😀 what about little mini roller blinds rather than curtains
🥰🥰LELA!❤❤ I know it wasn't safe for her to be around a lot of the construction you filmed, but I missed that sweet face. 💖
Looks great ( except the taped up window)
Van looks great Alex, very cosy..
🥂🍷Congratulations on your inaugural trip! Can’t wait for the big one this w/e….. all the best!👍😋
Did you sleep okay on your first night in Turtle? Is the sleeping loft comfortable enough?
You need to get that roof cleaned, sealed and get some solar on your roof, and a decent mppt controller victron or renogy and one or two leisure batteries , a split charge , and put a T connector on your diesel and extend your heat flow where you want it... thats ya basics really , then build it up in time ..
aww Layla she is just happy to be with you Alex but she does look a little bit reticent about her new wheels. yay Yorkshire tea, our fav in Canada as well! kitchen looks great too!
Think u should pull out ur bathroom as mine had a lot of rot init, ur doing a great job btw. If ur thinking of painting the outside I used trade paints military grade looks great plus it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb
CONGRATULATIONS on getting the van ready to travel! That has been a tremendous accomplishment! The vinal you added also helps the aesthetics, I assume you'll be doing more of that. I did have one question; will you be returning to help Billy at the convent? It appears now that you have your mobile studio you may be working more meaning you won't have the time to go back to the convent. I'm sorry if that's the case as I have really missed seeing you involved there but understand if that's not possible. I really enjoy your videos here. Keep up the good work!
Thank you for sharing 😊
You might want to think about getting black-out curtains. If you have the lights on at night no one can see in.
Love how you covered the old cushions Alex! Looks like you and Layla. Oh, and turtle! Cute how you color coordinated the bungy Alex 🤣 I'm so happy everything is finally working out for you!! You and Layla will have a blast. Many fine trips together.
I’m glad you and Layla had a good first night in the turtle. It looks amazing and I like your decor choices.
Alex, you are very daring. Hello Lela, big hugs to her🤗. I would go to Seacliff beach at the top of the cliff. You survived the night great! You have done a great job Alex, thanks for sharing, enjoy your day.
It looked nice and cosy ❤
Alex the Highwayman camper supreme 1night in Sainos car park
3:42 beautiful furnishings for the camper van. and i love turtle.❤
🌼 🌸 🌻 🌹 🏵
Alex, everything is looking great.
I wonder if a little heat from a hairdryer would help the sticky wall paper stick better.
A quick painting the wood with some cheap varnish before sticking the wallpaper , it will stick easy and not peel away .
You should consider blackout curtains for your windows. And they need to be custom made, have a way so they close flush to the surface. Velcro will do.
Slide folding windows would be great. They have magnets to hold them closed. Then no need for " yellow curtains. Looks good.
Hey Alex. Love the videos. Did I miss where you said the mattress was a comfortable sleep??
Okay, Alex, let's talk curtains. My first thought was not yellow ones for exactly what you said about would it be too much yellow. I thought about a yellow and green print which would combine the 2 colors. AND THEN my brain came up with what I would do if it was my van. If you would not feel childish, wait for it.....turtles.You might be able to get curtains or fabric with turtles on them, with yellow and green even. Think about it.......
You will need more water jugs more than just 1. You know you can buy porta potties that you could just set on top of old toliet.
Will you be returning to the convent where Billy is working,you did an excellent job videoing the work they’re doing,you’ll be surprised with all the work that’s been done in the convent. 🌟👍
Stove works great. We use one gotta have the tea. A pan for toasting sandwiches, and a pot for soup. You can line pot with aluminum foil for super easy cleanup.
For your back door windows possibly you could find some of that product that sticks right onto the glass so you can see out but people can't see in. It would save you having to hang a curtain or something...
Yes either that or the “frosted” film that is used on bathroom windows. That way light comes through but no one can see through it. Also I hope Alex is cracking a window if using that propane hot plate for very long. Don’t want to take a chance on carbon monoxide getting to Layla or him
Well done Alex 👍.
Fingers are crossed,Layla is with you❤, and I will and others will be watching😊😊😊😊
Looking great Alex!! Now you need some window covers for night time privacy or at least black out curtains. Lovely to see Layla as always!!
Hi Alex, great video and glad your first night camping went well 🤭. May I ask, where did you buy the vinyl wrap in your kitchen area from? It’s very retro I like it. Thank you.
I would Defo spend the night in Sainsburys parking lot !
Well done Alex. How exciting for you and Laila. Looking forward to seeing the next destination.
good job Alex, just a suggestion could you not put those stick on tiles on the back wall of the kitchen area, i'm guessing it would be cheaper than the rolls of fablon you are using (that's what they used to call it when I was younger! haha) also if the handle of your kettle is getting hot, wrap a few layers of string around it, my dad who was a chef at sea used t do that to metal handled pans, saves you from using a tea towel and the risk of it catching fire. and also like others have suggested I'd buy roller blinds for your windows, they are cheap to buy and easy to fit, some B&M's or home bargains, dunelm, will have them. Leyla looks well comfortable in the van, are you eventually going to re paint the van? Safe travels Alex.
Alex, please do some research on using research on using the propane stove inside the camper with no ventilation. We have a 5th wheel camper and have been instructed to always use the vent while we cook. We were told it was dangerous to breathe without ventilation. However we never did any research to find out what the danger was.
Just want to keep you safe😊
Love the videos, and wish you well!
Well done Alex turtle looking good
I am with you on hating shopping. Plan ahead and order online. I haven't been in a store since 2020. That is one thing covid improved....shopping online....only thing! Have you checked online RV stores for replacement parts for the exterior plastic parts. They generally have they even for old stuff.
Vinyl looks much better. Nice job.
I would have stayed on the drive mate. Mum and dads eendless supply of food, free electric and uncle Mark to fix it lol. Good job mate looking good.
It looks really nice and so long as you’re warm and dr that’s the main thing. H you ou and Laila will have a great time.
You are doing awesome! You could put magnet on your curtains so you can put it up when you need them! Great camper park! You are making good decisions. Waiting for your next adventure.
Will you be returning to the convent where Billy is working. No overnight stay in any shopping center on Long Island. Great job on the camper looks great !
Lela seemed very comfortable in the van, and it does look cosy with the bits and pieces you have added. I look forward to seeing your road trip vlogs and am happy to watch more of the van renovation as you complete the planned tasks.