Camper Seeking

So, we’ve settled on a Long Wheel Base (LWB), Mid-Roof Ford Transit as our camper van, and we think we’ve found the one to buy. Now comes the tricky part: working out how to fit it out as a camper!

We’ve had so many ideas as to how to plan the layout – deciding exactly what we want to include. We’re trying to decide at the moment whether we want to do a proper built-in shower/toilet compartment, or just store the toilet and have an outdoor shower. We’re putting off making the decision until we actually have the van, and can walk around and get a feel for the size and living space we would have.

So far, we need to buy/consider:

• toilet/shower
• where to install the gas bottle and cooker
• where to install water/wastewater tanks – how big also
• water heater and pump?
• electricity – having 2 batteries or more
• lights
• sinks and showerhead and taps
• bed/couch design, including matresses/seat covers
• table design
• storage – where and what style
• 2- or 3-way fridge
• are we taking the Esky too?
• curtains/mozzie net installation
• getting window put into the van
• flooring and walls – do we panel it?
• I’m sure there’s more but I just can’t think of it right now!!!

So, there is a hell of a lot to consider and plan for – but our aim this week is just to buy the van and go from there. Once we move out of our house in the next week or two, we’ll be able to start working on the van full-time.

Oh yeah – we’re also in the process of choosing and buying a shipping container to keep at my parent’s place to store all our stuff in. Whew!

If you’ve got any suggestions for the van – throw them our way please!

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Travelling Europe – Bus, Van, Train, Plane??

Anyone got a spare one of these?

So, the question is: What is the most economical (i.e. cheapest) way to get around Europe and the UK for 6 or more months?

There are a few options, which basically boil down to a car/van, bus, train and plane (and possibly boat/ferry, too).

We’ve been thinking about the Pros and Cons of each, and this is what we’ve come up with so far…

Bus

There are a few great hop-on hop-off bus companies throughout Europe, like Busabout.

Pros: Reasonably flexible; inexpensive; meet new people.

Cons: Limited to bus routes and times; possibly boring/annoying; not the cheapest option; need to pay for accommodation.

Plane

These days, there are heaps of low-cost airlines throughout Europe that make a short plane trip economical.

Pros: Frequent flights to most places you could want to go; relatively inexpensive; fast.

Cons: Lots of plane journeys add up; need to pay for accommodation.

Car

You can either rent a car short-term, or, if you’re not an EU resident, participate in a buy-back scheme for longer trips.

Pros: Freedom to go where and when you want; comfort.

Cons: Slower than flying; need to drive yourself; paying for petrol; need to pay for accommodation.

Campervan

Again, the options are to rent or buy.

Pros: Freedom to go where and when you want; comfort; an on-board hotel room (and possibly bathroom); (if you buy, rather than rent, you can go for as long as you want).

Cons: Slow; need to pay for petrol; need to drive yourself.

Train

The classic Eurail pass is on the cards here.

Pros: Relatively fast; flexible and frequent; comfortable.

Cons: Expensive; limited to train lines; need to pay for accommodation.

After much discussion, we’ve decided to go for the Campervan/motorhome option for the European leg of our trip. We plan on staying a long while in the UK/Europe, and having a form of transportation that doubles as our accommodation will save us a lot of money in the long run. We also plan to buy our motor home rather than renting, as this means we can travel for as long as we want without having to worry about extra rent.

Of course, buying a camper brings in other costs such as insurance and road-side assistance that those travelling for a shorter period of time may not want to have to organise – but for us it will be worth the extra effort.

The Aussie leg of the trip will be a bit different – I’ll blog about that a little later.

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What do you reckon??

Too ambitious for three months???
The first crazy stab in the dark at a European itinerary.

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