I am not a hippy. I’m not a crusty. I’m not a gypsy. I work for a living. I pay my taxes and I am a responsible citizen. I believe in recycling. I do not litter. But I want a simple life and so with my husband I’m moving into a van. Maybe we will hate it. Or maybe this is the beginning of a new life.

In search of another life

"They danced down the streets like dingledodies, and I shambled after as I've been doing all my life after people who interest me, because the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones that never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn..."

Jack Kerouac

Tuesday 31 August 2010

Home and Dry

After four near-sleepless nights in northern France we returned to Brighton late last night, worried that our lovely home may be flooded. But luckily it is dry and cosy. The tar sealant has done its job although the sealant tape fell off the ceiling under its own weight.

Now begins the time of year when it’s good to have a burner in your van. We have a gas fire which we can’t really use as our mattress hangs over the edge. We can put a ring on the hob to heat the van, or simply wear more layers. Last night I slept in a hoody and didn’t wake up hot. Luckily the weather is looking good and we will put the van in storage at the end of the month. If we were staying any longer than that we’d have to get rid of the mattress so we could turn on the fire. Let’s hope the rest of the month is as sunny as it was today.

5 comments:

  1. does that mean that next month the title of your blog will read "living in a flat...!"

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  2. Definitely not as we're off to India next month, part timers as we are!

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  3. I must say this blog has inspired me. I've been looking at second hand vans. Not sure exactly what size I need. The bigger it is the more comfort but so cumbersome to travel around. I travel all the time for work, so the plan is, instead of staying in hotels, to stay in caravan parks so I get power and no hassle. I will get fees paid for by work so it's going to be a good deal.

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  4. Congratulations on your van living year. This blog has inspired me and I've been looking at vans as they come up for sale. It's sort of scary and I would prefer to be doing the van living project with a partner, but this probably won't be possible. I can't wait though, to find that perfect van and move on into the nomadic world.

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  5. Hey Laura - I have been following your Blog for the past few months and it has been really helpful - and hopefully now I will also be doing the same next Summer - please post some info on what you will be doing in India!

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