The Campervan

Our first camper was the beloved LTR a VW Westfalia California from 1992. This was my introduction to comfortable camping as up to now I had always been used to tents and backpacking before. This was pure luxury.

Our first trip abroad in 2008 with her to France. This was taken in Entraygues in the Lot valley.

Taken in Sligachan on the Isle of Skye. A site that definitely had it's fair share of midgies, with the Cuillens in the background.

A tea break at the end of the road on the Island of Jura with some friends.

Definitely a room with a superb view. Wild camping on the West Coast of Islay and boy was it windy, so much so we had to drop the roof that night.

In August 2011 we bought a 2001 Autotrail 635, now this really was luxury as it had a toilet and a bed that you didn't have to make up each night. My wife was over the moon. We drove it up from Alicante area just stopping off to visit some friends in Oropesa and another stop half way up France then onto Calais and home.

The Motorhome

Our new motorhome, just a "wee" bit bigger than the VW!

After a long drive we can just put our feet up and relax.

There's lots more storage and we even have "hot" water for a change.

Some of the modifications I have made:-

When I bought the motorhome in Spain there were no gas bottles at all so I decided to have a twin 11kg Gaslow system fitted in October. Hopefully this should last us around 6 weeks in the summer months but we'll find out soon.
The first Autotrail we ever looked at had a circular table that could be swivelled out so people could put their drinks on it, I thought this was a great idea and it saved putting the large table up. Autotrail quoted £320 so I thought I would make one myself. Cost was £70 for the leg and 2 bottles of wine for the wood plus the cost of a pot of varnish, a "wee" bit cheaper, it must be the Scottish in me.
The waterheater locker was very handy for storage but I wanted some way of protecting the unit from possible damage. I found a couple of bits of 2" x 1" wood, cut them to length and stuck some underlay on the ends to protect the surfaces they were going to be put against. Up to now they haven't moved whilst in transit and they keep the plastic boxes, which I use to hold bits and pieces in, in place. Rather than waste the space between the heater and the seat I screwed 5 wine bottle holders to the bulkhead, I must admit, the Red Wine always seems to come out of there at room temperature now!! Have added a water filter under the kitchen sink. Bought a WiFi Omni directional aerial from www.motorhomewifi.com to improve WiFi signal. Have just fitted 2 new seat covers for the front seat from www.motorhomeseatcovers.co.uk.

Before we went to Westpoint I decided to invest in a 15 watt Solar Panel from www.sunshinesolar.co.uk. It kept our leisure battery topped up for all 4 days. I am really impressed. I am now contemplating having an 80 - 100 watt one fitted permanently that could keep both the engine and leisure batteries charged.