Love these unplanned on-the-hoof videos of your travels. The pizza looked exquisite and I bet it tasted exactly that after a long and taxing day of road trauma. Getting bursts of two to three hours sleep is something of a treat to gentlemen of a certain vintage. Thanks for putting yourself out yet again.
From working night shift one week a month for 25 years, and watching wild camping videos, I can recommend foam ear plugs. It may not get you a perfect nights sleep, but it does help. Cheers
Bobs a good ‘un! I suffer with anxiety occassionally, and I know how you feel when you have a big day of work coming up and it disturbs your sleep. Meditation and breathing exercises always helps me. Thanks for a great video!
Part of my job, many years ago, was cleaning toilets. Horrible, grubby toilets are a cleaner problem, not a customer problem. Ps.... I just watched a video of a guy chugging along in a narrow boat in Winter and I thought 'What could be more British than that?' The answer, plainly, is HubNut camping in a Belingo at a bloody service station.
Dull fact, Bella’s SVV plate would fit in well here in Norway. The equivalent of the DVLA here is called Statens Vegvesen (SVV), «state road authority» Love the channel, respect for keeping these forgotten vehicles alive 🙌🇳🇴
Just watched your interview on Classics World. I’ve been watching and really enjoying all your videos for years, but to my shame I never subscribed. I’ve finally remedied that today - better late than never… Anyway, thanks so much for many years of delightful and informative videos so far and long may they continue. I particularly enjoyed the Leyland National drive a few years ago (very niche, but right up my street) I always feel happier after watching one of your videos- definitely a feel good channel for us automotive enthusiasts. Your channel is a definite “go to” to cheer up a gloomy day! Thanks again and keep it up - much appreciated!
Amazing video Ian thank you ☺️ my Dad done his national service at tilshead back in the 50s. I must say this video wth all the shorts is way up there for me as one of your best . Thank you
25:00 The Museum--sudden flashback to your New Zealand trip. I'm commenting in the moment--will there be a typewriter???? Despite the various hardships, that was a surprisingly pleasing video. It seemed as though you were happy on your travel. As well as the obvious thing of knowing where your towel is, a possible help to the cold problem is newspaper. I believe that amongst the rough sleepers in the earlier 20th c., _The Times_ was favoured as a wrap. A couple of layers would trap air and make good insulation. Perhaps you could follow the example of American survivalists, and have a Go Bag constantly prepared? Towel, basic toiletries, spare pair of knickers, emergency food of choice, screwdriver and adjustable wrench? I do not believe that Bella is viable for two person camping (though the warmth problem may be alleviated), but as you say, this must be learned by experience. As for sleep: I can have sleep disturbed simply by the knowledge that I have to get up earlier than normal, so consider yourself normal (relatively).
That was great you did well camping in the boot jump this time of year. My one was very similar and I had a Berlingo but I camped in it when it was a bit warmer. Great to see the Niva at the end. I've got one of those too ( a RHD Cossack).
Insulating the floor with dynamat and 12mm of dense cell foam and also the inside of the rear hatch made a world of difference in my S-WGN as for rain noise using the light covers usually used for snow ,completely over the roof removes noise a lot and also covers anything like a roof box and stuff stored under it ,from prying eyes.For largert vans I found Former RAF cargo parachutes were ideal ,have a word with the Squadron QMS 😁
This report reminds me sleeping with my buddy in my Mercedes-Benz 200 Diesel (1972/W115) back in 1989. We drove from Lake Constance through Switzerland to Geneva to visit our girlfriends. They‘ve been living in guest families as «Au pair» students and it was impossible to stay in their house. Thanks for your trip and camping report, Ian. See you next time »»» Martin
Ah, my part of the country - New Forest, and Beaulieu NMMT where I worked many (many!) years ago. Bucklers Hard well worth a visit btw - do go next time you're around!
A good mate of mine has done the van thing. He managed to do two laps of Australia in a Toyota Liteace van. I often draw on his experience to inform my own camping trips these days. If you can unbolt the back seats and build a bed frame. This will give a heap more room for storing your gear and supplies. I'm a fan of the self inflating camping mattresses. Leave them set up in the back and it makes it easier to pull over and have a rest on long road trips (especially here where you can be driving for 10 hours a day). Microfibre camping towels are awesome. I have 3 that each roll up to about the size of a coke can. I have been investing in a bit of extra camping gear for going away over christmas, so we are taking a folding gazebo and a tent to go in it, a 12v fridge to store food and cold drinks, and a battery and solar panel to run it (although you could also use a leisure battery in your camper). We're working on being able to run the fridge for 2-3 days away at about 25AH power draw a day. Services are good if you are on the way somewhere and just need to crash for a few hours, but as you saw, the toilets are definitely only use in desperation, and camp grounds are definitely the better choice. All said, apart from the cold, it looks like a fun way to get away for a few days.
Hey, I have recently been investigating Car Camping in a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso. I started off with a standard duvet and it was rather chilly. I have since purchased a tog15 duvet and slept like a log all night very warmly. I have also purchased a Jackery Power Bank. For the summer I have two solar panels for free top ups. I have a plan to go to Isle of Skye over the Christmas period…….. great video, have given me some nice ideas 👍
1. I've camped in a tent in every month of the year. Including waking up and finding ice outside. The trick to keeping warm was a thermal vest, a 4 seasons sleeping bag and a thick 13 tog duvet on top of that. 2 After forgetting to pack so many utems, I learnt to use a checklist for packing.
@@HubNut Ian, from August 1972 to February 1973, as part of my Chemistry degree course at Salford Uni, I had a placement at Albright & Wilson, a chemical company, in Oldbury. I shared a flat with another student from another college called Ian, he was from Leeds.. We lived at 2 Stanmore Road, just off Hagley Road (the property was demolished some time ago). One Friday night, we were in the Kings Arms pub, when last orders were called at 10.30 pm, unlike Manchester, where I lived, closing there was 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. This was because the pub was inside the City of Birmingham. We then learned later that the Bear, at Bearwood, just down the road, was in the Borough of Warley and they had last orders at 11 pm. We then used to always finish up in the Bear or pubs nearby that were in Warley (now Sandwell). At the time, my parents and I lived in a multi storey flat in North Manchester. One cold, wet winter morning I was at work when I bumped into a neighbour from our block of flats, Jack Walsh. He drove tankers, so was making a delivery of chemicals, so he then asked me what was my excuse for being 90 miles away from home. BTW, you're a brave fella for sleeping in the Berlingo in such cold weather.
I’ve spent many nights in my Renault Scenic, I have a 4inch foam mattress that fits perfectly and I can stretch out fully (5foot 11inches)with the rear seats removed! I leave the parcel shelf in to put stuff on, I have curtains that wedge into the windows.I love it but cars get very cold! In winter twice as much bedding as you would use at home, a hat and a couple of hot water bottles and you’ll be toasty😊 best thing about it is no faffing setting tents up, no stress when the weather turns grim👍🏼 My mates think I’m nuts😂😂😂
I had a Peugeot 106 diesel, not the same engine but maybe an ancestor to that in Bella. The hard starting when cold was caused by the valve clearances opening up. I was able to re-shim it without taking the camshaft out. It was fiddly but possible. Still gutless afterwards but I think part of that was due to timing after doing the cambelt. Or it could have been a weak injection pump. The starting issue was fully cured though.
when you turn left towards Kidderminster I saw a Vectra and thought I see loads of them still around - those last Vectra's pre-Insignia models must be hardy beasts
😀👍 Great vid, I personally look forward to more of Bella, as I also have a berlingo, 2004, and I think you're presentation/personality is brilliant to watch, thanks for sharing 👍
Coming from a quiet rural environment. I found road noise really unsettling when sleeping in my van. But you do get used to it to a certain degree, more so with repeated trips. That said, I do love wearing my bluetooth sleep band with the BT controller on the front, and old school earphone modules inside.
Having slept in un-insulated (windows) cars on many occasions when rally spectating I think you'd be better in proper sleeping bags than a duvet, less fuss with two people as well. A sheet of Karrimat under the bed pads would also help and you really need a roof box!
Ohh yea I know Rownham services. I stopped their briefly on my commute from Bournemouth to Suffolk in my Reliant Robin to see if they had any 20/50 mineral oil for sale. I assumed they wouldn't and I was correct. Managed to pick some up from a Halfords not too far down the road though 👌
Last time I went car camping the person in the pitch next to me had a Berlingo permanently set up as a camper. No rear seats, curtains, a mini kitchen and electrical hookup passthrough etc. It seemed lovely. The only bits it could have done with that my BYD Dolphin had were some permanent electric heating system that doesn't take cabin space and a sunroof so even with all the windows covered for privacy you can get daylight in.
Apart from waking up around 5.00 am that was a pleasant experience. Towels may be an issue, forethought needed. The oil filled radiator is a great idea for a good nights sleep, and will only require low settings, go for the mini version, it will more than suffice.
welcome to Rownhams Services Ian. they only did a make-over of the Westbound side a few years ago. it was crap before and only acceptable after. it's the only service area I've ever had the need to make an official complaint to. good for a pee though 😁
First Auto Shenanigans , then Hubnut travelling roads I know well from a former life. Quite the memory lane trip this evening 😅 Welcome to the wonderful world of Berlingo camping. I've got to convert mine back to camper mode soon for 4 nights away later in the month. Heating will definitely be required, and yes the top half of the van being toasty with the bottom half frozen is my experience too 😀 Whilst there's technically room for two to camp, they work much better as a solo IME. But 2-person mode is good for days out and picnics if you've got the table to use etc. p.s. I do NOT miss commuting on those roads around Bristol...!
I had a Citroen Xsara estate for 10 years & in all that time it never liked starting up in the cold, even replaced the glow plugs & it made no difference so no idea why it were like that. Great trip & test though although in November brrrr certainly jumping in the deep end. Thanks for the journey
Good you to see testing Bella as a campervan and she seems to be very adequate as a campervan a very versatile van car tow vehicle for Bob she is the real Swiss army knife of vehicles
Tip: on aliexpress you can get compressed towels, full size. Avoid those in the red wrapper, those are of thin material similar to moist toilet wipes. The ones in white and blue ones, that are properly hockey puck size, are actually big enough to towel off a whole person if they dont have long hair like i do. You spend 5 minutes peeling the entire thing apart, but then you have a alright sized towel. Put two of them in the car, they're sealed so they don't get damp. You can wash and reuse them (though not compressed anymore) a couple times. The ones in the red wrapper are good if you need a large rag to do emergency clean ups with, but i don't like them for toweling off.
look into getting reflectix insulation! place some between the camping kit and the floor of Bella. then another layer under the mattress pads. also can be used as extra layer in the window covers. Can also use it in Bob in similar style.
You and Bella did well, Ian. If you really want to do winter camping maybe get a proper winter sleeping bag? Also, a urinal bottle might be a good idea (seriously!), it can also keep you warm after use 😅😂
Great video. Camping out in the colder months is always difficult but what is underneath you is as important as what is above you when you are sleeping out. I found a really thick sleeping bag beneath you keeps you toasty with a thinner summer sleeping bag to sleep in and then something on top to adjust the comfort. Or perhaps get an Austin Maxi?
Next time bring an electric under-blanket! That will keep you cosy😊. Another thing is: You should have those window covers the other way around! The shiny side should be facing inworth! In winter that is. In summer the shiny side pointing outworth, to keep the heat of the sun out! It's a learning curve, I know, but I tell you out of experience Ian!
Have a look at Britstops for camp overs. Often more convenient for a single nights stay over. - quite often they’re in Pub car parks so you have a potential meal available too.
Mornin'! That Niva is mine 😂. It's a 2021 model I imported it just before the war in Ukraine. It's in Milford if you ever want to come and have a drive.
Hi Ian that was me who said good morning I hope saying hello just helped you with your day ahead after a night's sleep in the services Was lovely to meet you an have a quick chat ✌🏻👌🏻🙏🏻
Using a car for what it was not intended for always requires adjustments and sacrifices, but little by little it reaches a level where it is easy to live with, especially in less cold seasons.
Great video and I know you have already said no to a camping battery BUT, may I suggest a small split charge relay with a NP7-12 battery, the battery often runs shop alarms but gives you a 12v supply (will fit into a sandwich box) to use with a drop down to 5v usb. 2yrs ago down here in Devon I stayed online for 4 days while the house was off grid due to the power grid lines falling over in the wind. The other house on the farm used a Mitsubishi outlander hybrid to recharge phones and things, oh and the solar and wind turbine on the farm don't work without a grid connection !
There was a motorway services station on the M5 near Worcester that was selling diesel for £1.89 per litre on the 19th October. The next service station along had it for £1.45 per litre.
Just an idea about when you both try camping in Bella together, you could cut down the passenger side of the bed to make it shorter, that way you won't have to fold forwards the passenger seat, could provide extra maneuvering room for you both
Might be worth investing in a diesel heater, there are specific ones for vans and they're, almost silent, cheap to run and will definitely take the bitterness out of sleeping in the colder weather.
Love the airline table Ian😂 Bless Miss Hubnut she doe's look after you!. Have you thought of a roof box for Bella? Got one on my Xsara Picasso. Throw everything in it for camping!
Might be an idea to get one of them chinese webatso clones to fit to the engine so it will preheat the coolant and warm up the cabin quickly. I've got the hot air heater version fitted in the boot and good lord does it warm up the car quick.
A towel is just about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can carry.
If there's something Douglas Adams taught little me in Canada is to never forget your towel
Yes, I was wondering if Ian had ever read the hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy.
@@Ricketik65He's a hoopy frood ! 😊
Yep, it's a tough universe out there...
Douglas Adams lost a towel on a trip once and was so traumatised he included it in the books, so that we may never forget.
Not sure Bella can go light speed like a Vogon Transporter ship..
A roof box could solve storage problems and also it would be a buffer against rain noise 👍🏻
Love these unplanned on-the-hoof videos of your travels. The pizza looked exquisite and I bet it tasted exactly that after a long and taxing day of road trauma. Getting bursts of two to three hours sleep is something of a treat to gentlemen of a certain vintage. Thanks for putting yourself out yet again.
Forget the heaters, heated blanket and maybe a hot water bottle is what you need here
Really enjoyable. I liked the "don't touch wet paint" analogy !
Loved the comment about Russians having a fondness for Salisbury!
From working night shift one week a month for 25 years, and watching wild camping videos, I can recommend foam ear plugs. It may not get you a perfect nights sleep, but it does help. Cheers
Bobs a good ‘un! I suffer with anxiety occassionally, and I know how you feel when you have a big day of work coming up and it disturbs your sleep. Meditation and breathing exercises always helps me. Thanks for a great video!
Someone needs a Ford Prefect to help out with the towel situation.
Reminds me of my roadtrip through the Alps 25 years ago in my BX estate. Sleeping in the mountains 😍
Part of my job, many years ago, was cleaning toilets.
Horrible, grubby toilets are a cleaner problem, not a customer problem.
Ps.... I just watched a video of a guy chugging along in a narrow boat in Winter and I thought 'What could be more British than that?'
The answer, plainly, is HubNut camping in a Belingo at a bloody service station.
I used to be a toilet cleaner at Kay's Catalogue warehouse on the day Elvis died. A student job at the time.
On the More British, it has to be the family of four going to school in the cold. In a golf Cabriolet roof Down.
That would be American not British! The narrowboat is infinitely more British.
Dull fact, Bella’s SVV plate would fit in well here in Norway. The equivalent of the DVLA here is called Statens Vegvesen (SVV), «state road authority»
Love the channel, respect for keeping these forgotten vehicles alive 🙌🇳🇴
Just watched your interview on Classics World. I’ve been watching and really enjoying all your videos for years, but to my shame I never subscribed. I’ve finally remedied that today - better late than never…
Anyway, thanks so much for many years of delightful and informative videos so far and long may they continue. I particularly enjoyed the Leyland National drive a few years ago (very niche, but right up my street)
I always feel happier after watching one of your videos- definitely a feel good channel for us automotive enthusiasts. Your channel is a definite “go to” to cheer up a gloomy day! Thanks again and keep it up - much appreciated!
Amazing video Ian thank you ☺️ my Dad done his national service at tilshead back in the 50s.
I must say this video wth all the shorts is way up there for me as one of your best . Thank you
Your travel videos are the best 👍
1962 Morris Minor Traveller 775 EHO. It's had the same owner since 1983!
25:00 The Museum--sudden flashback to your New Zealand trip. I'm commenting in the moment--will there be a typewriter????
Despite the various hardships, that was a surprisingly pleasing video. It seemed as though you were happy on your travel. As well as the obvious thing of knowing where your towel is, a possible help to the cold problem is newspaper. I believe that amongst the rough sleepers in the earlier 20th c., _The Times_ was favoured as a wrap. A couple of layers would trap air and make good insulation. Perhaps you could follow the example of American survivalists, and have a Go Bag constantly prepared? Towel, basic toiletries, spare pair of knickers, emergency food of choice, screwdriver and adjustable wrench?
I do not believe that Bella is viable for two person camping (though the warmth problem may be alleviated), but as you say, this must be learned by experience.
As for sleep: I can have sleep disturbed simply by the knowledge that I have to get up earlier than normal, so consider yourself normal (relatively).
I have previously visited the museum and successfully located a typewriter.
22:15 Ha! I was thinking exactly that as you said it
That was great you did well camping in the boot jump this time of year. My one was very similar and I had a Berlingo but I camped in it when it was a bit warmer. Great to see the Niva at the end. I've got one of those too ( a RHD Cossack).
You and Steph 'today' are killing it
content-wise
👏
another great video. I did my first berlingo camp not long ago and it snowed.
Insulating the floor with dynamat and 12mm of dense cell foam and also the inside of the rear hatch made a world of difference in my S-WGN as for rain noise using the light covers usually used for snow ,completely over the roof removes noise a lot and also covers anything like a roof box and stuff stored under it ,from prying eyes.For largert vans I found Former RAF cargo parachutes were ideal ,have a word with the Squadron QMS 😁
This report reminds me sleeping with my buddy in my Mercedes-Benz 200 Diesel (1972/W115) back in 1989. We drove from Lake Constance through Switzerland to Geneva to visit our girlfriends. They‘ve been living in guest families as «Au pair» students and it was impossible to stay in their house. Thanks for your trip and camping report, Ian. See you next time »»» Martin
Looking forward too it, notification set
Great video Ian. You mentioned nerves & anxiety I know how you feel. Don't think I could sleep in a van.
I enjoyed watching your adventure. We've tried camping in our Citroen C4GP although in fair weather.
Great video 👍love the van life vibe, and in a super berlingo, my favourite supercar..... This will go interstellar now this channel for sure 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Ah, my part of the country - New Forest, and Beaulieu NMMT where I worked many (many!) years ago. Bucklers Hard well worth a visit btw - do go next time you're around!
You are right, it is a TV van. I’m pretty sure the satellite dish on it is a Swe-Dish DA150, which is a pretty cool bit of kit.
Camping in the Belingo so we dont have too.Great video Ian,so good i watched it twice.
Really enjoyed your camping shenanigans. Please do more, sir ;-)
A good mate of mine has done the van thing. He managed to do two laps of Australia in a Toyota Liteace van. I often draw on his experience to inform my own camping trips these days. If you can unbolt the back seats and build a bed frame. This will give a heap more room for storing your gear and supplies. I'm a fan of the self inflating camping mattresses. Leave them set up in the back and it makes it easier to pull over and have a rest on long road trips (especially here where you can be driving for 10 hours a day). Microfibre camping towels are awesome. I have 3 that each roll up to about the size of a coke can.
I have been investing in a bit of extra camping gear for going away over christmas, so we are taking a folding gazebo and a tent to go in it, a 12v fridge to store food and cold drinks, and a battery and solar panel to run it (although you could also use a leisure battery in your camper). We're working on being able to run the fridge for 2-3 days away at about 25AH power draw a day.
Services are good if you are on the way somewhere and just need to crash for a few hours, but as you saw, the toilets are definitely only use in desperation, and camp grounds are definitely the better choice.
All said, apart from the cold, it looks like a fun way to get away for a few days.
Weather fanifuctired , Enjoying the videos that you
Hey, I have recently been investigating Car Camping in a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso. I started off with a standard duvet and it was rather chilly. I have since purchased a tog15 duvet and slept like a log all night very warmly. I have also purchased a Jackery Power Bank. For the summer I have two solar panels for free top ups. I have a plan to go to Isle of Skye over the Christmas period…….. great video, have given me some nice ideas 👍
1. I've camped in a tent in every month of the year. Including waking up and finding ice outside. The trick to keeping warm was a thermal vest, a 4 seasons sleeping bag and a thick 13 tog duvet on top of that.
2 After forgetting to pack so many utems, I learnt to use a checklist for packing.
Another fab vlog. It did look very cold.
I used to live just off the A456, but much higher up, in Edgbaston, Birmingham, on a stretch called Hagley Road, many moons ago.
I lived in Bearwood so know it well.
@@HubNut Ian, from August 1972 to February 1973, as part of my Chemistry degree course at Salford Uni, I had a placement at Albright & Wilson, a chemical company, in Oldbury. I shared a flat with another student from another college called Ian, he was from Leeds.. We lived at 2 Stanmore Road, just off Hagley Road (the property was demolished some time ago). One Friday night, we were in the Kings Arms pub, when last orders were called at 10.30 pm, unlike Manchester, where I lived, closing there was 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. This was because the pub was inside the City of Birmingham. We then learned later that the Bear, at Bearwood, just down the road, was in the Borough of Warley and they had last orders at 11 pm. We then used to always finish up in the Bear or pubs nearby that were in Warley (now Sandwell). At the time, my parents and I lived in a multi storey flat in North Manchester. One cold, wet winter morning I was at work when I bumped into a neighbour from our block of flats, Jack Walsh. He drove tankers, so was making a delivery of chemicals, so he then asked me what was my excuse for being 90 miles away from home. BTW, you're a brave fella for sleeping in the Berlingo in such cold weather.
I’ve spent many nights in my Renault Scenic, I have a 4inch foam mattress that fits perfectly and I can stretch out fully (5foot 11inches)with the rear seats removed! I leave the parcel shelf in to put stuff on, I have curtains that wedge into the windows.I love it but cars get very cold! In winter twice as much bedding as you would use at home, a hat and a couple of hot water bottles and you’ll be toasty😊 best thing about it is no faffing setting tents up, no stress when the weather turns grim👍🏼
My mates think I’m nuts😂😂😂
I had a Peugeot 106 diesel, not the same engine but maybe an ancestor to that in Bella. The hard starting when cold was caused by the valve clearances opening up. I was able to re-shim it without taking the camshaft out. It was fiddly but possible. Still gutless afterwards but I think part of that was due to timing after doing the cambelt. Or it could have been a weak injection pump. The starting issue was fully cured though.
I had a 1527cc Citroen AX diesel that required shims to sort out the valve clearances and poor starting.
when you turn left towards Kidderminster I saw a Vectra and thought I see loads of them still around - those last Vectra's pre-Insignia models must be hardy beasts
Quite the adventure, there! Stay safe, don't freeze!
I always have a toiletries bag +towel, sox & jox oh and a dunny roll i keep in the car, you could keep it in that drawer you have Ian. Aussie Graham.
We used to follow the old RAC rally around northern England in the snow in a Maestro, happy days .
Eye mask and ear plugs would be useful gadgets for a good nights sleep.Enjoyed the video.❤
😀👍 Great vid, I personally look forward to more of Bella, as I also have a berlingo, 2004, and I think you're presentation/personality is brilliant to watch, thanks for sharing 👍
Great vid Ian! Really enjoyed it 👍
Tilshead, you were on Salisbury plain. Keep an eye open for tanks!
Did try to spot some!
Great video Ian!
Coming from a quiet rural environment. I found road noise really unsettling when sleeping in my van.
But you do get used to it to a certain degree, more so with repeated trips.
That said, I do love wearing my bluetooth sleep band with the BT controller on the front, and old school earphone modules inside.
Bella really is the universal vehicle.
Always welcome to camp on my drive in Bella or bob in the future. Near beaulieu
Great little Vlog Ian. Never thought of Microfibre clothes as a towel 😂😂 it does look cosy in the Berlingo.
Having slept in un-insulated (windows) cars on many occasions when rally spectating I think you'd be better in proper sleeping bags than a duvet, less fuss with two people as well. A sheet of Karrimat under the bed pads would also help and you really need a roof box!
Looking forward to the Impala test. I've never seen one apart from in pictures, and as you know I like microcars.
“I’m the expert at towel forgetting”
😂😂😂
Might try it in my c3 Picasso next year, but I will definitely wait for the weather to improve!
I loved this adventure!
If you like WW2 stuff, visit Lepe Country Park next time you're down Beaulieu way. Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway is worth a visit too!
Ohh yea I know Rownham services. I stopped their briefly on my commute from Bournemouth to Suffolk in my Reliant Robin to see if they had any 20/50 mineral oil for sale. I assumed they wouldn't and I was correct. Managed to pick some up from a Halfords not too far down the road though 👌
Last time I went car camping the person in the pitch next to me had a Berlingo permanently set up as a camper. No rear seats, curtains, a mini kitchen and electrical hookup passthrough etc. It seemed lovely. The only bits it could have done with that my BYD Dolphin had were some permanent electric heating system that doesn't take cabin space and a sunroof so even with all the windows covered for privacy you can get daylight in.
Apart from waking up around 5.00 am that was a pleasant experience. Towels may be an issue, forethought needed. The oil filled radiator is a great idea for a good nights sleep, and will only require low settings, go for the mini version, it will more than suffice.
How is it powered?
welcome to Rownhams Services Ian. they only did a make-over of the Westbound side a few years ago. it was crap before and only acceptable after. it's the only service area I've ever had the need to make an official complaint to. good for a pee though 😁
First Auto Shenanigans , then Hubnut travelling roads I know well from a former life. Quite the memory lane trip this evening 😅 Welcome to the wonderful world of Berlingo camping. I've got to convert mine back to camper mode soon for 4 nights away later in the month. Heating will definitely be required, and yes the top half of the van being toasty with the bottom half frozen is my experience too 😀 Whilst there's technically room for two to camp, they work much better as a solo IME. But 2-person mode is good for days out and picnics if you've got the table to use etc.
p.s. I do NOT miss commuting on those roads around Bristol...!
I had a Citroen Xsara estate for 10 years & in all that time it never liked starting up in the cold, even replaced the glow plugs & it made no difference so no idea why it were like that. Great trip & test though although in November brrrr certainly jumping in the deep end. Thanks for the journey
That shower scene was a bit scary.
Don't want to slip on the soap 😂
Great vlog .Thanks
Cold starting problems are the only reason I stopped using old Peugeot diesels. Loved my C15D's
Good you to see testing Bella as a campervan and she seems to be very adequate as a campervan a very versatile van car tow vehicle for Bob she is the real Swiss army knife of vehicles
just a pity the berlingo is in poor condition and doesnt run well
Tip: on aliexpress you can get compressed towels, full size. Avoid those in the red wrapper, those are of thin material similar to moist toilet wipes. The ones in white and blue ones, that are properly hockey puck size, are actually big enough to towel off a whole person if they dont have long hair like i do. You spend 5 minutes peeling the entire thing apart, but then you have a alright sized towel.
Put two of them in the car, they're sealed so they don't get damp. You can wash and reuse them (though not compressed anymore) a couple times.
The ones in the red wrapper are good if you need a large rag to do emergency clean ups with, but i don't like them for toweling off.
Love the camp ,more please.🏴🚙👍🏻⛺️
👍👍👍👍👍
look into getting reflectix insulation! place some between the camping kit and the floor of Bella. then another layer under the mattress pads. also can be used as extra layer in the window covers. Can also use it in Bob in similar style.
Get a boot awning if you are going to camp with Miss Hubnut, the dog and luggage.
Great video Ian.🙂👍
26:18 I thought for a moment friar tuck was in bella
Good video, great thumbnail.
Use your bed as a template and use good quality plywood and heavy duty piano hinges. Cheers!
Yep, I am definitely going to make one; nope I won't use it when it's cold, mostly just to break up a journey now I am old
you should fit a diesel heater under the car and run that they are amazing and can keep you warm really well
You and Bella did well, Ian. If you really want to do winter camping maybe get a proper winter sleeping bag?
Also, a urinal bottle might be a good idea (seriously!), it can also keep you warm after use 😅😂
getting my Estima mini camper in january, can't wait lol
I think you could do with a heated mat/pad you can put on the floor of the car.
Great video. Camping out in the colder months is always difficult but what is underneath you is as important as what is above you when you are sleeping out. I found a really thick sleeping bag beneath you keeps you toasty with a thinner summer sleeping bag to sleep in and then something on top to adjust the comfort. Or perhaps get an Austin Maxi?
That's Bakers Dolphin coach was a Vanhool EX.
You should always know where your towel is!
Next time bring an electric under-blanket! That will keep you cosy😊. Another thing is: You should have those window covers the other way around! The shiny side should be facing inworth! In winter that is. In summer the shiny side pointing outworth, to keep the heat of the sun out! It's a learning curve, I know, but I tell you out of experience Ian!
Have a look at Britstops for camp overs. Often more convenient for a single nights stay over. - quite often they’re in Pub car parks so you have a potential meal available too.
True but not many pubs have showers.
It’s not just pubs - it’s leisure centres, village halls, some stops do have services..
Great adventure, love this video 💚
Mornin'! That Niva is mine 😂. It's a 2021 model I imported it just before the war in Ukraine. It's in Milford if you ever want to come and have a drive.
Thank you! Please email ian@hubnut.org
Oh, the glamourous life of the UA-camr!
After a few years camping I went on to caravanning, even then a very good pitch was about £20 - A WEEK !!
Hi Ian
that was me who said good morning I hope saying hello just helped you with your day ahead after a night's sleep in the services
Was lovely to meet you an have a quick chat
✌🏻👌🏻🙏🏻
Using a car for what it was not intended for always requires adjustments and sacrifices, but little by little it reaches a level where it is easy to live with, especially in less cold seasons.
Great video and I know you have already said no to a camping battery BUT, may I suggest a small split charge relay with a NP7-12 battery, the battery often runs shop alarms but gives you a 12v supply (will fit into a sandwich box) to use with a drop down to 5v usb.
2yrs ago down here in Devon I stayed online for 4 days while the house was off grid due to the power grid lines falling over in the wind. The other house on the farm used a Mitsubishi outlander hybrid to recharge phones and things, oh and the solar and wind turbine on the farm don't work without a grid connection !
There was a motorway services station on the M5 near Worcester that was selling diesel for £1.89 per litre on the 19th October. The next service station along had it for £1.45 per litre.
Yikes!
Just an idea about when you both try camping in Bella together, you could cut down the passenger side of the bed to make it shorter, that way you won't have to fold forwards the passenger seat, could provide extra maneuvering room for you both
For some reason. Morrisons Calmore seems to be one of the cheaper petrols stations in the area. At least it was last time I visited.
Might be worth investing in a diesel heater, there are specific ones for vans and they're, almost silent, cheap to run and will definitely take the bitterness out of sleeping in the colder weather.
Love the airline table Ian😂 Bless Miss Hubnut she doe's look after you!. Have you thought of a roof box for Bella? Got one on my Xsara Picasso. Throw everything in it for camping!
Might be an idea to get one of them chinese webatso clones to fit to the engine so it will preheat the coolant and warm up the cabin quickly. I've got the hot air heater version fitted in the boot and good lord does it warm up the car quick.