ISSUE
a magazine for the vanlife culture
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Plug-and-Camp BUSSTOFF’s own Plug-And-Camp - your advanture-system (“PACURS” for short) allows you to use our accessories together. You can use the PACURS accessories indoors as well as outdoors when camping and on the go. Each component can be changed quickly and is always firmly attached.
You can always hang something up: towels, wetsuits after surfing, the dog leash after a walk, the baseball cap after the day at the beach, the awning crank for quick access, clothes anyway. Busstoff® has the right calihooks and clothes rails for you indoors and outdoors. Perfectly placed, all without drilling, gluing or screwing - very easy, very relaxed. Hang it up, check it off!
HANGING
ABHÄNG
RO LLO
Whether you just want to put down something small, stow larger neatly for storage, of course secured for transport and always accessible while driving ... With the Busstoff® racks and shelf systems, we have the perfect solution for you. Beach, Coast, Comfortline, Ocean or Tour? Fits all! Of course, without any drilling, screwing or gluing. Ingeniously simple and well thought out down to the last detail!
WA S DA PA SS T
STECKT WAS WEG
Tailor-made camping accessories for VW California
T6, T5, Mercedes Marco Polo and other campervans Find individual equipment for everyday life and for camping with VW California Beach, Coast, Comfortline, Ocean, Multivan or Transporter ... VW T4, T5, T6 and T6.1 for your perfect campervan. Busstoff’s practical everyday camping accessories can also be quickly installed in the Mercedes Marco Polo and others for the holiday tour - without gluing,
STOWAGE
drilling, screwing ... simply plug-and-camp - and just as easy to remove. The valuable space in your motorhome is used efficiently and to the max with our equipment. We drive VW buses ourselves with passion and a lot of fun with small getaways over the weekend and great joy in long tours on vacation in the mobile home. We design our unique products ourselves and use the leasable, original camping accessories on our camping trips. As Busstoff® you get our experience tailor-made as a practical everyday solution for your perfect motorhome; conceived by campers,
Gear
LIVING
B L EIBT D
RAN
Get on the bus, be on tour, arrive, open the door ...
LIEBL IN GS PL AT Z
vacation and on the go at home! With the comfortable living space mats from Busstoff®, a floor that is warm to the feet and looking like a ship’s floor moves into your mobile home. Additional camping tables, especially tailored for motorhomes, create space. Practical camping accessories for the kitchen roll and drinks save valuable space and allow you to travel relaxed. Quite simply, at home on the bus.
proven while camping and made for campers made in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. Enjoy and experience wonderful holidays in your
At home on the bus
campervan with original Busstoff®, aesthetically pleasing in shape, well thought-out in detail and proven in function.
www.Busstoff.de
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Advanture Magazine
僕 は 旅 が 好きです。いろ いろな街にこのバンに乗 ってコーヒーを淹 れ に旅 しに 行きます。山 や 海 な どでこのバンを囲んで知らない人 達とコミュニケーションが生まれる のがとても嬉しいです。 近日中にこ の 車 の 中 に焙 煎 機を乗 せる予 定 です。
I go on road trips to various cities in order to brew coffee in this van. I am very happy to be able to speak with strangers who join me around this van, even in the mountains and by the sea. The plan is to install a roasting machine, in the very near future. Eishin @sunnysitecoffee
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EDITORS NOTE 08 PARK UP 10 BETTER COFFEE 22 WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT? 30 ON TO BIGGER THINGS 34 INTERVIEW: OCR ATHLETE 36 TRAVEL BLOGS 40 THE REAL WILDS OF SCOTLAND 44 TALLER 50 SECURITY 58
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EDITOR ALEX BROWN CO-EDITOR MASCHA BLOME CONTRIBUTORS BRAD JAMESTON, MARIA GAMPER, JESSI BERENDES, STEVE @ ROAMERVANS, DIETMAR BLOME, RICHARD & JACKIE PICKLES, HELEN GRACE HENING, DAVID HAMILTON-JONES
WEBSITE www.advanturemagazine.com FACEBOOK /advanturemagazine INSTAGRAM @advanturemagazine EMAIL editor@advanturemagazine.com PATREON www.patreon.com/advanturemagazine Advanture Magazine is printed in the United K i n g d o m o n e n v i r o n m e n t a l l y c e r t i f i e d p a p e r. The printer we selected buys stock from sustainable sources, uses superior quality vegetable based inks, and recycles all of their waste products. All images are copyright to their respective owners.
COVER IMAGE VANLIFER PASCAL @BAER.KARL BACK PAGE IMAGE LENNART PAGEL @GILBERTROAMS
A special thank you to the Patreon supporters who are generously donating to the creation of this magazine. Oliver Brown, J a m e s Ye a r d l e y, R i c a r d o R a m o s , J a n i k Vo t h , S a p t o , N o a h Ve r b o o m .
THE OVEN FOR THE OVENLESS OMNIA, THE STOVE TOP OVEN. EVERY OVERLANDERS BEST FRIEND. ”The Omnia is by far one of the best cooking products I have tested to date.” Chris Cordes, Expedition Portal
”We love the Omnia stove top oven.” Karen Smith, Truck Camper Adventure
EXTEND YOUR OMNIA
Muffins Calzone Pizza Bread French Fries Lasagna Biscuits Roasted Veggies
Visit our website for information, recipes and retailers www.omniasweden.com
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Issue 05
EDITORS NOTE. I created the Advanture Magazine because there was something missing in those high-street campervan mags. None were a jour nal to feed the real road nomads wanderlust. While the word wanderlust is pretty l o o s e l y t h r o w n a r o u n d t o d a y, v a n l i f e is the perfect medicine. We decide to pack our things into such small spaces, in search of better fulfilment out on the open road. If there is one thing I noticed while curating the pages of the first four
magazines, it was how so many more people were making nor mal life fit that of a vanlife. Working from the road and natures classroom are just two massively important areas that may take some time to adjust to, but could be the key in unlocking even more of this lifestyle than you may have initially thought. I admit that the lockdowns have finally affected me. I live in Barcelona where it is has now been over one year since we were put in one of the most severe
Images from a short skiing trip while the lockdown in Spain eased for a few weeks. Val d’Aran, Spanish Pyrenees. ALEX BROWN
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confinements in Europe, with subsequent ones lasting the entire winter and well into spring. Being someone who has spent more years travelling in foreign countries than the one I grew up in, looking out of the same window each day for the past year has now challenged that wanderlust beast within. My escape comes in two forms these days. Micro-advantures to local trails where I enjoy running to bur n off the uns p e n t e n e r g y i n m y b o d y. T h o s e h o u r s of fresh air are a real treat. I sit back down at the computer with a clearer mind, ready to work on the next piece of the Advanture platfor m. Then, there are all the incredible photos being shared on social media using the hashtag #advanturemagazine and it fires up all sorts of ideas for adventures to come. I have been shown so many different ways
t h a t p e o p l e h a v e b e e n k e e p i n g b u s y. Some of you have spent the time going through photos from past trips, sharing images from far away lands; pristine beaches, white-capped mountains and rolling deserts. Some have become master chefs! The van meals I am seeing s o m e t i m e s l o o k r e s t a u r a n t q u a l i t y, n i c e work indeed. Also, I have enjoyed seeing how many people have either started their own van conversion, or have spent time to work on their existing one. We are introducing a new feature in this issue which will start to look into this deep and varied subject.
ALEX BROWN @alexbrowndop
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PARK UP
We took Advanture Magazine back to the drawing b o a r d . N o w, w e h a v e a s t r o n g e r v i s i o n o f h o w o u r p u b l i c a t i o n w i l l s e r v e t h e a d v e n t u r e v a n l i f e c o m m u n i t y.
In February we announced the idea of a printed edition of the magazine. With thanks to the positive feedback that was received via our Instagram page, the time felt right to test things with a limited edition print run of our vanlife magazine. A small number of issue 04 magazines now exist in the wild. We have produced it as a beautiful journal that you can enjoy sat in the back s e a t o f y o u r c a m p e r, o r a t home while dreaming about the next trip. Advanture Magazine has come so far in the first year of publishing, but it is only possible to offer the print edition on a pre-order basis. D o n ’t m i s s o u t o n t h e c h a n c e to start collecting a print volume, by heading to our website and placing your order with us.
In other news ... well ... the last few months has been pretty tough on our way of life. A few full-timers have continued roaming, albeit having to keep up to date and very aware of the vast differences between Coronavirus regulations f r o m c o u n t r y t o c o u n t r y. During this time it looks like some governments have started to tighten the rules regarding freedom camping and the like. Portugal saw some disturbing scenes, where campers parked wild had returned to graffiti on their vehicles, broken windows, and even a small f i r e l i t u n d e r a n o t h e r. The UK has also seen a shift in rules concerning more full-time van dwelling. H o w e v e r, t h i s c o u l d e f f e c t anyone parked over night and camped in their van.
VA N D AY S E V E N T: 6-8TH AUGUST 2021
Adding to the frustration of British travellers, a 90 day limit for tourists is now in place across the Schengen area. For full details you should consult the British Embassy or the G o v. u k website. European travellers must also pay attention to the changes post-Brexit. Make sure your travel insurance is valid for any trip, and that you have checked on the driving license requirements. The past few months saw a rise in the number of E-vehicles being announced. We are really interested to see where this is going to take us, as brands such a s Vo l k s w a g e n , M e r c e d e s a n d Te s l a h a v e a l l r e v e a l e d interesting designs, as well as some new comers.
AM
and around 20 exhibitors from the campervan scene. In 2020 more than 350 vehicles and 500 visitors parked and slept on the festivals own camp ground. Interesting people, great vans and new products. Camp fire mood and good local wine is what distinguishes this lovely event.
A fun, passionate three day vanlife festival in Southern Austria which has been taking place a n n u a l l y, since 2018. It is all about traveling, offroad, DIY conversions, reports/ presentations, community plus If you are around in the unique travel vehicles. area, you should totally visit. The location, an old grange and vine yard is host to a fair
w w w. v a n - d a y s . c o m
# A D VA N T U R E M A G A Z I N E @advanturemagazine
/advanturemagazine
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Advanture Magazine
PIN IT Alongside all of the mechanical and technical things available to buy and put on or in your van, sometimes it is nice find something really cool to add to your van gear collection. A big shout out to Mark who sent us a bunch of these T 2 5 p i n s . We ’ l l l e t y o u k n o w where we stick them once we find a spot.
Buy here.
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We’d love to see these for all different types of campers. Wink wink. @T25_PINS
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Issue 05
T R AV E L G O A L S . P a n - A m e r i c a n H i g h w a y, a s s o o n a s C a n a d a o p e n s u p ...
S h a r e a w h i s k e y b y a c a m p f i r e w i t h a s t r a n g e r.
See more of the English countryside! Nice walks and small pubs. Get back outside, being in the city for so long is too much. Hire a campervan and experience vanlife for the first time!! We w a n t t o e x p l o r e t h e B a l k a n s w i t h o u r D I Y Vi a n o 4 x 4 b u i l d . H o w e v e r, t h e r e a r e a f e w t h i n g s l e f t t o d o f i r s t .
... anywhere,
far
from home ...
Just to hit the road in my camper again.
Park Up
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ISSUE 06 COMING SUMMER 2021 Cruising on the open road to make sun down at the beach. Features: premium solar install, the best coolers & 12v f r i d g e s , t r a v e l b l o g s , TA L L E R , 5 water sport road trip ideas. Order your copy online at w w w. a d v a n t u r e m a g a z i n e . c o m
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Issue 05
I’ve been travelling around in Fillmore, my Volkswagen T2, for 8 months now. Seeing new cultures, random encounters and the life experiences I am having are pure motivation to continue this crazy advanture. Although the cold of this winter has been a bit tough, I wasn’t going to stop. This picture was taken in Cappadocia, Turkey. On this night the temperature felt like -25 degrees. The reward in the morning was the view out my sliding door, of a hundred balloons rising slowly up. I have a wonderful memory of it.
Tonio R.
@thetonioproject
Every morning, around 100 balloons are allowed to take-off before sunrise. This spectacular sight in Turkey has a spot on every vanlifers bucket list. TONIO R.
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A brief summary of my week looked something like this. Some belt problems have started in my engine, I hear and have felt things slipping. The service belt finally snaps. Better call the tow truck. My insurance provider breaks the news … they will not cover me as I have been abroad for too long. The mechanic tells me “I see you Tuesday, Wednesday … now Thursday!” On Saturday, my dog Shams ends up at the vet. The following Tuesday the engine needs to be completely rebuilt. The engine no longer needs to be rebuilt. I have to sleep at the mechanics workshop. The new belts arrive but they are too wide. Or was it too long? The belts get fixed and I leave. They slip again. I make it back out to the beach, the vehicle seems fine to me. This spot will do. Life is good again.
Luca & Shams. @therisingvan
Park Up
This remote parking at Playa de las Pilas, is on the very southern tip of Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands. LUCA BONGIOANNI
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Issue 05
The VW Doka, is an all-wheel-drive variant of the Transporter range. Short for DoppelKabine by the German manufacturer, or double-cab in English. TIMO PREUSCHHOFF
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Oso is a VW T4 Syncro double-cab, which we built a custom poptop cabin on. It’s an alloy structure with a hydraulic system that lifts the roof 70cm to have more living space when parked up. The double-cab is used as a big storage room for our bikes and other equipment. We love finding new bike parks to play in, and of course new mountains to ride on too. Our second love is surfing, but there is no sea around our home close to Stuttgart. That‘s why we mostly drive to the Atlantic Coast to catch nice waves. The beaches and sunsets here are so beautiful. An easy excuse to break away from it all. This year we had the chance to take a longer trip over winter, so we packed the van and bought a ferry ticket to the Canary Islands. The waves there were insane, and the mountains too. On the small Island of El Hierro we had insane days with some other overlander friends. On the big island of Teneriffe, we spent a day in the Teide National Park which offers some stunning views from 2500m high, across the ocean and towards the other Canary Islands. This is a trip all vanlifers must make.
Timo Preuschhoff. @preuschhoffski
Not on social media? Send us your news via email! editor@advanturemagazine.com
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Advanture Magazine
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BETTER COFFEE Words and photos by Alex Brown
If there is one thing that most van campers will come to appreciate, it is that unprecedented moment of satisfaction when you melt into a camp chair with a good cup ‘o coffee.
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I
have been on a quest over the past few months to improve t h e c a m p b r e w. M o r e t h a n t e n years in the making, this article has the ingredients to wake you up and show you that there is so much more to enjoy than just what spurts out of the moka pot.
depends on where you are, but overall there has been a huge clampdown on wild camping. This is especially the case on the popular coastal route stretching more than 2600km from Sydney up to Cairns. We camped in the w r o n g p l a c e a f e w t i m e s . Yo u find that out at 6am, when the I was the coffee lad at my temp warden bangs on the sliding job while I was studying at door and stuffs a ticket in your t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i n c h e s t e r. f a c e . G ’ d a y m a t e . Working on a building site in England, in the middle of We left Australia after a year of w i n t e r, w a s n ’t e x a c t l y t h e m o s t t r a v e l l i n g a r o u n d a n d h e a d e d glamourous part time gig. for New Zealand. Our money was Five rounds of milk with two. I really thin after months on the would pile another teaspoon of road in Australia. It had been a Instant Gold Roast into mine, consideration to try and ship our hoping it would at least get me camper across the Pacific, but t h r o u g h t o t h e n e x t t e a b r e a k . r e a l l y, i t w a s n o t e c o n o m i c a l a t I would work that job for the all. Some lucky girl got our van, entire three years of my course, with all of the camping gear that eventually spending some of my we had accumulated. Except the cash on my first van, a brilliant moka pot. We needed that for red VW T4. But god, the coffee elsewhere. was terrible. A f e w y e a r s l a t e r, m y g i r l f r i e n d and I were living in a tiny Mitsubishi L300, which we had self-converted on the street of o u r r e n t a l a p a r t m e n t i n S y d n e y. There is a wonderful coffee scene in Australia that we had become part of. Mascha worked as a barista in a cool café right by the beach. The regulars w o u l d h a n g o u t a l l d a y, s a l t y from their sunrise swim in the Pacific Ocean. The blends of coffee were just as interesting as the variety of milk to choose from. People appreciated coffee like I had not experienced before, and the coffee itself tasted good. In our camper we dabbled in frothing up our own milk, using a little battery powered wand. I can not quite remember the blends of coffee that we were buying, but we were producing something passable out of the standard m o k a p o t . Tr a v e l l i n g u p t h e e a s t coast to hot spots such as Byron B a y, N o o s a H e a d s a n d a l s o inland to some of the Sunshine Coast national parks, we always were sure to appreciate great moments with a coffee next to our little van.
“ARE YOU REALLY MAKING CAPPUCCINO?!”
New Zealand is stunning. This was where we really grew our appreciation for the outdoors. The black sand beaches, subtropical forests, volcanos and glaciers are all perfectly held i n m y m e m o r y. N e w Z e a l a n d d o e s n ’t j u s t f e e l l i k e a n e n d of-the-world location, it is one. Despite the two islands not being that big, the landscapes certainly make up for it. We travelled around a lot of the country and were in a constant state of awe, at every corner taken. Albeit being a super touristy option, hiking the To n g a r i r o A l p i n e C r o s s i n g w a s the highlight. 25km of rugged terrain, composed of lava flow and harsh rock, resemble something like what the surface of Mars probably looks like. Having started the throughhike at 6am, we thought it was appropriate to stop around 11am for some caffeine. We h a d n ’t c l i m b e d i t , y e t . S a t a t the base of Mt Ngauruhoe (2291m) brewing our precious espresso and frothing up the milk, a couple of hikers passed us laughing and asked “are you Va n l i f e in Australia is a really making cappuccino”! challenge. Well, it certainly After summiting the peak shortly
a f t e r l u n c h , w e d i d n ’t g e t b a c k down and onto the hiking trail until mid afternoon. It came as a bit of a surprise upon realising that there was still a solid 17km ahead of us. Most of that we would be completing in the dark using our old iPhones for light. Fast forward a few coffees. These days I live in Barcelona. Spanish wine is delicious, but the coffee, not so much. In fact, much of the coffee here is cut with sugar in order to sweeten the bitterness. Having greatly cut down added sugars years ago, I was really surprised when I learnt that this coffee contained so much of it still. In the van we were still reliant on the moka pot, but at home we had a retro espresso machine, which made a really decent cup. I am no scientist nor coffee bean f a r m e r, s o I c a n n o t t e l l y o u m u c h about the cultivation of coffee. G r o w n a t h i g h a l t i t u d e o r l o w, north of the equator or south, I am not sure what makes some growers’ beans more special than others. But what I do know is how I like my drink to taste. For me, a darker roast is more satisfying, both as a coffee and as an espresso. Lately I tried to explore some lighter roasts but they were coming off a bit too sour in taste for my personal liking. But let us back up a little bit. Coffee, espresso, cold press. There are a few delicious options as to what you can be brewing up in the back of your own camper van. The difference between coffee and espresso is defined by a few factors. While both drinks can be made using the same beans, there are some differences in the way the beans have been roasted when it comes to specialising in either one. Ty p i c a l l y, a n e s p r e s s o r o a s t h a s been roasted for a longer time and makes the grind more easily s o l u b l e i n w a t e r. A n d , t h e g r i n d size itself matters too. Espresso is ground much finer than coffee that is being prepared for a press brewing method. As water is introduced to the grind, the coffee becomes soluble and is
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Cappuccino at the foot of Mt Ngauruhoe, AKA Mt Doom in LOTR. New Zealand’s newest and most active volcano. @MISSTRAVELISTA
e x t r a c t e d o u t o f t h e p o r t a f i l t e r, and dispensed into the cup. An espresso is created under pressure, with water being forced through a densely packed cake. Something like brewing with a French Press is a longer process. The ground beans are immersed within water for some time before being separated from the liquid. The grind. While each step of the process is as important as the next, everything really starts with the grind of your beans. Have a think about what happens when you order your favourite beverage in a café. In fact, it is one of the comforting sounds of a good café. The grinder will purr and start to churn out an appropriately sized coffee grind t o m a t c h y o u r o r d e r. W e c a n carry hand cranked grinders in the van, which are also excellent to put in a backpack if you are heading out for a hike. Grind size is the starting point of your drink preparation. Filter and French Press methods require a coarser grind, close to small pieces of gravel. Espresso requires a much finer grind, close to sand. Going
too fine will result in your cake turning into a saturated brick, preventing water from passing t h r o u g h c o m p l e t e l y. W h e n y o u first get your grinder be sure to take some time to grind a bunch of beans to find the sweet spot. This will also help to season t h e b u r r. A g r e a t c o f f e e b e a n grinder is worth its investment. Look for the following features when selecting: • Yo u w a n t t o m a k e s u r e y o u r g r i n d e r is adjustable. Can it produce the range of grind sizes that you desire? • What is the burr made from, and will it last? The last thing we want is an inconsistent grind over time. • How easy is it to fill with beans? I t m a y s o u n d s i l l y, b u t s o m e t h i n g wide at the top to pour into will be appreciated after you have used it just a small number of times. • W h e r e d o e s t h e g r i n d g o ? Yo u w a n t i t t o c o l l e c t i n t o a s e a l e d c o n t a i n e r, making it easy to transfer to your machine.
When I started looking around for a grinder I was pretty much sold on a €20 one off the internet. But with research and speaking to some people that had been down that route, the cheap grinders seemed like something great for the odd weekend, but were nothing for the barista to be. Right at the
top of the hand-cranked range you will find the Kinu grinders. Manufactured in Romania in a p r e c i s i o n e n g i n e e r i n g f a c t o r y, I was told a little about the family companies history by the c u r r e n t V P, C h r i s t i a n B i e r n a t e k . Just over a year ago, 30 years of passion burnt down and destroyed the machines which had been turning out premium milled products in their family r u n f a c t o r y. A t t h i s p o i n t , I started to realise how the Kinu grinders commended that higher price. These are some expertly milled items that you will see in the hands of the best baristas around the world. The company needed to rebuild. Out of the ashes, the Kinu M47 Phoenix was designed. It sits in the middle of their portable range and will cost you €199. Slightly lighter than the top model, but still containing features such as a fully adjustable range with microincremental settings, a robust burr set, and compact enough to slide into any available space in your van cupboard. I bought a small bag of coffee beans and got to work, investigating a whole variety of different grind sizes which were now possible.
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F i r s t c u p o f t h e d a y. I am in the Pyrenees chasing a pretty big storm that is due to a r r i v e s h o r t l y. I ’ v e s t u d i e d t h e radar and picked a spot close to Estany National Park where I hope to get out on my skis over the coming days. On the way out I was sure to pick up a freshly roasted bag of beans, a speciality blend imported from C o l u m b i a . Tr y i n g n o t t o l e t a n y freezing air into my sleeping bag, I peel back the curtain to see fresh snow covering t h e g r o u n d . I d o n ’t h a v e a diesel heater on-board, and trust me when I tell you that it gets absolutely freezing up at altitude. The first order of the day is to cup that coffee. I grind my beans, coarser than espresso, but not by too much. The first coffee of my day should be something longer that I want to enjoy over the morning. For this, I will use an Aeropress GO. The Aeropress GO is a fantastic little piece of coffee gadgetry which is also amazingly priced at around €35. It is similar to a French Press and is made from durable and lightweight
plastic. The press, filters, cup, spoon and mixing stick all pack up into something no larger than the size of the cup itself, which is ideal for leaving in your c a m p e r v a n p e r m a n e n t l y.
comfortable in your van and decide what type of drink you want. The smells and sounds are all part of the process and it has become such a pleasurable part of van camping for me.
All I need to do is boil some w a t e r, s o m e t i m e s e a s i e r s a i d than done. This morning the temperature outside is around -10c, while inside the van it s i t s j u s t b e l o w 0 c . I t h a s n ’t t o d a y, b u t r e g u l a r l y m y 8 l w a t e r bottle has frozen during the night. I heat up enough water to do a few things whenever I go to make a coffee in this s o r t o f s i t u a t i o n . Yo u w a n t t o p r e - h e a t e v e r y t h i n g . Yo u r c u p , your spoon, and definitely the Aeropress GO. All of this is a heat sync and will rapidly cool down your drink as you make it. This becomes a bit more critical with espresso, but for the best results, I pre-heat for filter coffee too.
Pouring water slowly in over 45 seconds, making sure not to disrupt the coffee bed too much. I leave it to steep for a minute. I give the brew a careful stir and then screw o n t h e f i l t e r. A q u i c k f l i p o v e r of the Aeropress GO onto its cup, followed by a steady press to extract the coffee. I am aiming for around 45 seconds to completion here. The result is a pretty concentrated cup o f b l a c k c o f f e e . Yo u c a n d i l u t e this with hot water to up the total amount, without loosing much strength. Considering the compact size of the Aeropress GO, I am comfortably filling a good 10oz sized mug, completed with a splash of oat milk.
The water is boiled and I start to pour it over the freshly ground coffee. The aroma that starts to fill my van is wonderful. For me it is not just the taste of coffee t h a t I e n j o y, i t i s t h e w h o l e process. Park up somewhere
The coffee produced from the Aeropress GO is rich, free of bits, and extremely consistent. It took little practice to get used to the work flow but I love the amount of coffee that I can produce from it.
Allow everything to cool down before bothering to start cleaning things up. Not so much because of the temperature, but I have found that if you allow the unit to cool, the coffee inside is a breeze to remove. The puck pops out as a solid piece, straight into the trash. Clean. I have warmed up, cleaned the snow from my solar panels and will do a bit of work on my laptop before heading outside. This is the vanlife. Suck your coffee. When winter rolls around it means I also take a break from trail running and will focus on ski touring. For me, it is more about the climb up than the ski down. Over the past couple of years, I have experimented a lot with various types of training and nutrition. While I appreciate it might not be for everyone, I absolutely love waking up before the first light, and climb the mountain on my skis to get a great view for sunrise. Most of the time it means I skip breakfast in order to get out e a r l y. W h i l e e x p e r i m e n t i n g w i t h t h i s f a s t e d state exercise I was happy to discover the chewable coffee beans from AirmenBeans. While they do not pack an incredible amount of caffeine, 100mg per 21g pack, it has meant that I can get a bit of a pick up early in the morning during my training. A fancy AirmenBeans box easily fits in your pocket and contains a handful of the beans. And with a number of top European athletes supporting the brand, I have felt comfortable in supplementing my brewed coffee for this chewable one, when the moment is required. Check them out at @airmenbeans_official Real stove-top espresso. Ye a r s a g o , I r e m e m b e r m y D a d t e l l i n g m e t h a t he was just too busy to take necessary time to m a k e a g r e a t c o f f e e i n t h e m o r n i n g . T h a t ’s O K Dad, Instant Gold Roast for you. I’ve learnt to take my time and enjoy the brewing process. The famous moka pot is a go to machine for campers all over the world, but I am sorry to b r e a k i t t o y o u , t h a t i s n ’t r e a l e s p r e s s o t h a t you are making with it. Real barista grade espresso is a small, highly concentrated shot of extracted coffee. The weight of ground beans is proportionate to the amount of liquid that is to be produced. The time it takes to brew the drink is as important as the temperature of the water which is p a s s e d t h r o u g h t h e p o r t a f i l t e r. A n d h e r e i s t h e k i c k e r, t h i s p r o c e s s n e e d s t o b e c a r r i e d o u t a t 9 bars of consistent pressure. That is a what a high-end café espresso machine is doing. So how on earth are you going to achieve that in the back of your camper? I am happy to introduce you to the 9Barista stove-top espresso machine. W h e n I f i r s t d i s c o v e r e d t h e 9 B a r i s t a I w a s n ’t s u r e w h a t I w a s l o o k i n g a t . Wa s i t a p i e c e o f art? Something that had fallen off a Space X rocket? Well, this is the result of a jet
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engine designer from Cambridge in the UK, W ill Playford, who knew exactly how to reach espresso perfection in the van. I took delivery of my 9Barista and could not wait to start pulling some shots of espresso from it. The team watched (in horror I think) as I uploaded my first attempts to my Instagram stories, and become totally engaged with me to help me get the best out of the machine. There was a bit more of a learning curve required from the 9Barista, many of which can actually be learnt in “The Grind” section of this article, but you also need to play around with the strength of your stove top f l a m e . T h i s m a c h i n e w o r k s i n a m a r v e l l o u s w a y. In short, the water boils in the bottom chamber t h a t b u i l d s t o a p r e s s u r e o f 9 b a r. I t t h e n p a s s e s through a valve and works its way through another c h a m b e r a n d t h e c o i l h e a t e x c h a n g e r, c o o l i n g t h e w a t e r f r o m 1 7 9 c t o 1 0 0 c , s t i l l a t 9 b a r. B y t h e t i m e t h e w a t e r m e e t s t h e p o r t a f i l t e r, f u l l o f p e r f e c t l y sized ground espresso, it has cooled further to 93c. Now comes in the most mesmerising display of coffee seduction you are going to ever see in your campervan. The naked shot of espresso collects on top of t h e m a c h i n e . Yo u g e t t o s e e t h e r i c h n e s s o f t h e espresso swirling around in the collection cup,
then a layer of crema comes to rest on top. What a s h o w. This, ladies and gentlemen, is the real deal. Priced at €300, the 9Barista is what it takes to get real stove top espresso in your campervan. But please, do not spill your drink over the price. Before you taste that first espresso, the experience alone is something to be celebrating. The finish of the product is stunning, it feels absolutely robust, and everyone is going to want to know what it is you have on your stove top I am sure. I f y o u a r e i n y o u r f i r s t D I Y b u i l t c a m p e r, t h i s might not be the piece of equipment at the top of the necessary purchases list. But for those of us cruising around looking to unlock that last b i t o f l u x u r y, y o u m o s t d e f i n i t e l y n e e d t o l o o k a t getting a 9Barista on-board. Seeking out a few new pieces of equipment for the van is always fun, and incorporating some of this different coffee equipment into your camper routine will enhance the camping experience much more. End note: all of this kit has been gifted to me over the y e a r s , a n d I h a v e s h a r e d m y h o n e s t o p i n i o n . I d o n ’t e n d o r s e s o m e t h i n g t h a t i s n ’t u p t h e a s t a n d a r d I a m h a p p y with, and would mention it if I thought that something d i d n ’t h a v e a p l a c e i n t h e m o d e r n a d v e n t u r e c a m p e r.
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Anna, Timo and Fiona parked up at Bozburun, Kocaeli, Turkey. This is the type of van camp that dreams are made of. @TRAVEL.FOR.EXPERIENCE
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W H AT I S I T ALL ABOUT? Words by Brad Jameston
Vanlife I mean. Freedom, of course. Spontaneity, for sure. But there’s something that runs deeper. Something about sleeping under the stars and waking up with the sunlight scattered through the trees that stirs up the primal inside. Something that’s simply not awakened in day to day civilian life. Senses are heightened. Time passes slower. What is time, anyway? Connecting with nature is connecting with ourselves. It’s our true habitat, our true home. The one which we have evolved over millions of years to exist in. In the modern world where we are so far disconnected from nature, so far disconnected from the environment which our bodies and minds have been exquisitely designed to expect to experience through the 5 senses; vanlife is medicine for the soul. Maybe it’s not for everyone. Maybe some folk have completely lost touch with nature. That’s fine too. But if you’ve a yearning to get out there. If the hills are calling you, or you’re totally intoxicated by the idea of waking to the sound of the ocean. Then Vanlife could be your medicine too. Thankfully, talking about our mental health is in vogue. The discussion is wide open and it’s okay to talk about things like depression and anxiety without the fear of judgement one would have received only 10- 20 years ago. But talking only counts for so much healing. Insightful Instamemes and positivity posts are only really a bandaid on a broken heart. What really nourishes the soul is not just listening to the call to adventure, but answering it. Take the plunge. Swap the shiny car for the rusty van. Up-cycle shipping pallets and make a rolling home from home. It doesn’t have to exist solely as a nice idea, like the ones
I think you have already doubled tapped. I think you have a longing to truly feel the infinite sense of freedom. It’s available for the taking. Everyone I knew thought I was nuts. Maybe they always did. My parents were worried and my partner even more so when I told them I was going to invest everything I had in a van that would become my home, one that would take me all over the European continent and beyond. And that’s exactly what I did. Four years later and my humble hippie home on wheels has rolled through fourteen countries. My partner and I have camped at the foot of volcanoes in the Canary Islands and at the top of mountains in the Moroccan Atlas range. We’ve woken to the sound of tropical birds in Portugal’s Northern jungles and drifted off to sleep to the sound of Ibiza’s August rains bouncing off the tin roof. We even found our loyal furry companion Buddy whilst on the road. Sure, vanlife is a bit of a “stick it to the man”. And the perks of not paying rent is pretty sweet too. But do you think that’s really what it’s all about? These memories don’t stay on the road. They live forever in our hearts. Whenever the difficulties of modern life get too much, when depression looms like a dark cloud that blocks out the sun, when anxiety creeps in like an unexpected earthquake that sends trembles through my bones, I’m able to close my eyes, find my breath, and visualise one of countless destinations that has been imprinted on my soul, and all of a sudden, I’m home again.
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Ever wanted to do something different? Something brave? Like quitting the 9-5 life and hitting the road. Well, in 2018 after 2 years of hard work turning an ex Military Leyland DAF T244 into an expedition vehicle and home, that’s exactly what Matt, Gary, and I did. 3 friends, 2 trucks and 1 amazing adventure. Bright Red and travelling like snails carrying everything we owned packed up in the trucks, we left the UK and headed to Mongolia. Travelling across Europe into Kazakstan, Russia and crossing Mongolia before heading back into Siberia and Kazakstan. We were self sufficient with food and water for around 6 weeks. Along with a large diesel tank, a couple of Gerry cans, and 2 diesel heaters we were good to go. Matt travelled in ‘Matilda’ and Gary and I in ‘Puddles`~’ who quickly became our home. Everything we needed was practically within reach! A small ladder hung on the side of the truck, easily removed, and granting us access into the cosy area inside. At a glance you could see the seating area, where 4 could sit comfortably, along with a safari type hatch opening to take in the delights of the outside world. A small but functional kitchen was situated on the opposite side of the wall, leading towards the large double bed at the end, with glazed barn type doors again maximising the light and vista. The bathroom, with its large double shower and cassette toilet was situated to the right of the main door, and through that we could access the cab. Among both our fondest and worst memory is Siberia. The Siberian winter, with temperatures in the region of-44c is a real experience. Now if you are used to life in Siberia, that’s probably no big deal, but if you are from England and travelling though Siberia in an ex MOD truck that you had converted into a motorhome/expedition vehicle yourself, you’re going to feel the cold a bit. As Words by Tina Shears, photos by Gary @Motorcraft Adventure Developments
prepared as we were, the cold snap caught us out and had a rushing through the snow to find a town over Christmas that sold log burners for a last minute modification! Everything was already frozen or was freezing. The diesel heaters could not cope and gave up. The 450 L of fresh water became a giant ice cube. More than one fire was lit under the engine to aid the thaw! Would we do it again? Yes, for sure, but not in the same vehicle! Our newest build, the Mercedes Vario 814D, is a collaboration with a professional coach builder - Motorcraft Adventure Developments. Having the knowledge and know-how of a professional on board has resulted in our u814D being equipped with a better insulated body for starters, and if we were seriously considering it again we might opt for a gas installation for when the diesel doesn’t flow as well as it should! The adventure in ‘Puddles’ has shaped our lives, and changed the way we wanted to live, forever.
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ON TO
BIGGER THINGS
Demanding off road adventures means you need to really consider the equipment you take. Driving from UK to Mongolia might be far out, but it is completely doable in a appropriate adventure rig. @MOTORCRAFTADVENTUREDEV
OBSTACLE COURSE RACING (OCR) IS A SPORT IN WHICH A COMPETITOR, TRAVELING ON FOOT, MUST OVERCOME VARIOUS PHYSICAL CHALLENGES IN THE FORM OF OBSTACLES. RACES VARY IN DISTANCE AND DIFFICULTY, OFTEN COMBINING TRAIL RUNNING, ROAD RUNNING, AND CROSS COUNTRY RUNNING. source wikipedia.org
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INTERVIEW: OCR AT H L E T E Interview by Maria Gamper Photos by Jessi Berendes
AM: What is special about participating in OCR racing? J e s s i e : Ta k i n g p a r t i n a n OCR race is the ultimate challenge for myself, nothing challenges or strengthens my body and mind like a tough race over many hours. I love the feeling when I move outside of my own comfort zone and experience again and again how I can push my limits. The OCR community is also a very special one, it is ambitious but open and
caring and that is reflected in the competition. I really admire it. A M : Yo u m o v e d f r o m regular running to obstacle running, how did you start training for this? Jessie: I came to OCR through friends and then joined a great team that is trained by an experienced OCR athlete and personal trainer (Doreen Glomb). I first had to build up strength, especially with regard to the entire upper b o d y.
Overall, my training is more functional and I try to choose exercises that use a lot of different muscles. One of my favourite exercises is the burpee pull-up: that means you go down to the push-up position, you do a push-up, jump back into a squat position and during the stretch jump up, you hold on to the pull-up bar and do your pull-up, slowly lowering it and then all over again. For me, everything is included in the exercise, jumping p o w e r, g r i p s t r e n g t h a n d
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coordination when jumping o n t o t h e b a r. Otherwise, it is running which forms the basis for O C R . T h a t ’s w h y, i n a d d i t i o n to long runs and sprints, I choose to interrupt runs with functional exercises such as burpees, pushups or leg exercises, or sometimes a small tree trunk or a car tire is taken w i t h m e o n t h e t r a c k ( t h a t ’s what I do best). The aim is to develop the ability to remain productive for as long as possible despite the high pulse, because an OCR race like this over 42km can take 7 hours. AM: Why is a van the best vehicle for you as an OCR athlete? J e s s i e : F i r s t o f a l l , I d o n ’t have to book a hotel anymore (laughs) ... Often I can even park and spend the night right at the event site, which is great, I often arrive the evening before the race, which gives me a relaxed start to the race d a y. Depending on the type o f e v e n t a n d t i m e o f y e a r, I have a lot of equipment with me, so it helps if you simply have space for everything on board. AM: How does it feel to end the evening in your van, after an OCR? Jessie: The point here is, the van is my home, and while the others are at the hotel or heading home straight after the race, I go over to the camper and I’m at home. I sleep in my own
bed even though I’m on the move, which is extremely relaxing. AM: What could you definitely not do without in your van? Jessie: My Sunlight Cliff has a shower and, even b e t t e r, I c a n u s e t h e s h o w e r as an outside shower through the window in the bathroom! Anyone who has ever seen what it looks like after an OCR race knows that the outdoor shower is a blessing. In terms of training, it is important that I always have certain equipment with me. I especially like my suspension for my TRX on the van. The TRX is a real all-rounder for training and with it I basically have everything I need for a p r o p e r t r a i n i n g d a y, i n addition to my running shoes. AM: Do you have a specific ritual before a race? Jessie: I make sure that I eat and drink enough and appropriately before each race. But the most important thing is my cup of coffee, generally in the morning and also to come down before I go to the s t a r t . Tr u e t o t h e m o t t o “First coffee then the world”! AM: Do you often travel with the van, and where to? Jessie: The good thing is, there are training spots everywhere and of course the best are outdoors, in
the forest, on a playground, stairs, or the old dumps in the Ruhr area (Germany) for mountain training. In addition to training in my h o m e c o u n t r y, I u s u a l l y g o on a more extensive tour every second weekend, i.e. create a new environment or create a route. Here I enjoy as many trail paths as possible, and constantly explore the area. At other times you could also visit friends with the van on the weekend and then discover the training spots there t o g e t h e r. Opportunities are limitless. AM: Is there a story of a special adventure that you had with your van? J e s s i e : To u r i n g t o e v e n t s with friends is always a fantastic time. Run t o g e t h e r, p a s s t h e f i n i s h l i n e t o g e t h e r. T h e n , e n d t h e evening sitting around the van, chatting and enjoying late into the night. Otherwise, trips to the mountains in my van are very special for me. There are so many dreamlike spots a r o u n d G e r m a n y. T h e s i g h t of the mountains is always a great moment. A feeling of home, peace and strength. I t ’s definitely addictive and I need it in regular d o s e s t o f e e l c o m p l e t e . AM Follow Jessi on a sport vanlife journey @sportsandvanlife
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PREVIOUS LEFT: An ideal sports machine, the Sunlight Cliff. PREVIOUS RIGHT: Enjoying the moment during an event in Mallorca, Spain. ABOVE: OCR is a mix of running and obstacle navigation. BELOW: Jessie has to train her whole body to be able to compete at this high level.
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O n l y a l u c k y f e w, m o s t l y t h o s e l i v i n g i n E u r o p e , w e r e a b l e t o g e t o u t o n t h e s l o p e s t h i s p a s t w i n t e r. I f y o u d o h a v e a d r e a m t o h i t t h e m o u n t a i n s i n y o u r c a m p e r, b e sure to get a head start on preparing yourself ahead of the next season. Read the report from Steve and Kate f r o m t h e i r l a s t t r i p c h a s i n g t h e s n o w.
We’d spent the previous two ski seasons touring the Alps in a VW T5 campervan and it was an absolute blast. But some cold nights and a few hairy moments made us realise that our first van was woefully under prepared for such harsh winter conditions. For this trip I decided to convert a new van that would be fully kitted out with everything needed for a winter mission, and with a few extra luxuries thrown in. It took 6 months of hard work to turn a 4WD VW Crafter into this beast of a ski van (nicknamed Chewie!). For us, a mobile chalet campervan w o u l d n ’t b e c o m p l e t e w i t h o u t a n e s p r e s s o m a c h i n e , a d i g i t a l p r o j e c t o r, h o t s h o w e r a n d a heated garage space to dry our boots.
"THIS CAMPING SPOT IS RIGHT BY THE LIFT, THERE’S GREAT TRACKS FOR THE DOG, AND IT HAS A LAUNDERETTE NEXT DOOR" U s u a l l y, w e h a v e a r o u g h r o u t e p l a n n e d o u t b u t leave it flexible enough to chase the changeable snow-fall. The plan this time was to spend 8 w e e k s i n t o t a l t o u r i n g Ty r o l , a n d h e a d b a c k t o
t h e U K v i a C e r v i n i a a n d S e r r e C h e v a l i e r . Ta k i n g a l o n g t r i p m e a n s w e d o n ’t h a v e t h e p r e s s u r e o f n e e d i n g t o s k i e v e r y d a y. W e c a n w a i t f o r t h e best snow or take a few days off to work when needed. Along for the ride was our rescue dog, Mari, so we had to consider how to keep her comfortable in the van when we were out on the s l o p e s . I t ’s n o t e a s y, w e b o t h r u n b u s i n e s s e s s o it can be hard to fit everything in, but usually t h i s j u s t m e a n s w e g e t u p s u p e r e a r l y. I f y o u g e t an email from one of us at 5am then you can be p r e t t y s u r e i t ’s p r e d i c t e d t o b e a g o o d p o w d e r day! W i l d c a m p i n g i s n ’t t e c h n i c a l l y a l l o w e d i n Ty r o l and you can get hit with a fine if you’re not careful. We had a few nights in remote spots but found it was easier and less stressful to stay in ski lift car parks and cheap campsites. So, after a few days in Soll and Zillertal and some boozy nights in Ischgl, we headed over to a tiny site w e k n o w i n M a y r h o f e n . I t ’s o n l y a c a r p a r k n e x t t o a f i e l d b u t i t ’s g o t a c c e s s t o a t a p , t o i l e t , shower and electric hookup for the van and costs just 10 Euros per night. Ideal for a few days of downtime!
Travel Blogs
TRAVEL B L O G S Words & photos Steve and Kate
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The snow was pretty scratchy for the entire week across Austria, so we ended up staying in Mayrhofen for a few days and caught up on some work before heading over to Saalbach and Zell am See. There is a slow but easy route on main roads, or a small and windy alpine pass over the top. As the forecast was predicting snow later that evening we chanced the ‘quick’ route, thinking we could beat the storm in good t i m e . Te r r i b l e i d e a . I t w a s t h e f i r s t t i m e i n t h r e e seasons I’ve ever had to put snow chains on. I t ’s k i n d o f f u n , u n t i l t h e r o a d s g e t r e a l l y b a d . Driving a 3.5 tonne van is scary enough but doing it on narrow roads with limited visibility in a snow storm was something else. The plan after Saalbach was Kitzbuhel and then on to St Moritz. The idea of staying in the w o r l d ’s m o s t e x c l u s i v e r e s o r t i n a c a m p e r v a n sounded like a lot of fun, but after setting off we checked the forecast again and they were predicting 80cm overnight in Lech and nothing further south! A quick U-turn and we were on our way to what is officially the snowiest place in Europe. The ski lift car park is huge and free to park in overnight if you have a valid ski pass. We tucked up at the far end of the lift car park a n d s e t t l e d i n t o o u r n e w c a m p . Wa k i n g u p t o s n o w p i l e d h a l f w a y u p t h e d o o r, w e k n e w t h e skiing was going to be amazing for the next few days! This camping spot is right by the lift, there are some great tracks for the dog, and e v e n a l a u n d e r e t t e n e x t d o o r. P e r f e c t .
After a week with family in Solden we started winding our way home. Zermatt has been on the wish-list for years so we made the detour t h r o u g h t h e A o s t a Va l l e y. T h e r e i s a m o t o r h o m e service area in Cervinia and we stopped here for t h e n i g h t . Yo u d o n ’t g e t m u c h f o r € 8 , b u t a t l e a s t we could refill the tanks and have a hot shower without having to be tight on the rations. We had one of the best (and longest) days skiing we’ve ever had, riding up to the top of the Plateau Rose and skiing down into Zermatt under the Matterhorn. What amazing views, all o v e r. O n t h e w a y b a c k w e t o o k t h e e p i c 2 2 k m s k i r u n d o w n t o Va l t o u r n e n c h e , o n l y t o m i s s t h e bus and get stuck for hours, and without a bar in sight! H e a d i n g a c r o s s t h e b o r d e r t o F r a n c e , i t ’s noticeable how much easier it is for campervan parking. The winter Aire at Montgenevre is one of the best around, right next to the slopes and only about €10 per night (electric tokens are extra). We ended up wild camping in Briancon f o r t h e w e e k b u t s o m e t i m e s i t ’s n i c e t o h a v e t h e option to wake up safely surrounded by other campers! Wa n t t o r e n t a v a n a n d h i t t h e s l o p e s ? Check out roamervans.com and never ski in the same place twice again!
Travel Blogs
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Issue 05
THE REAL WILDS OF
SCOTLAND Words & photos Richard & Jackie Pickles
Have you ever considered visiting Scotland in winter or early in spring? There is undoubtedly many challenges to discovering the wilder parts of Scotland, but then, that is part of the enjoyment anyway.
Travel Blogs
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The sense of adventure and sheer isolation is at a peak during these times. Of course, the conditions can be demanding, unpredictable and at times scary. But doesn’t that somehow make life on the road more exciting? Richard and Jackie are a happily married couple with a new-found love for adventure after investing in their beloved VW T6 camper “Nelson”. With the kids grown up and the added benefits of long teacher holidays, they have used the last 3 years to clock up over 300 nights across Europe and closer to home in the UK. They enjoy the freedom to explore new places and capture their adventures through photography. “There are so many benefits to exploring Scotland early in the year. Scotland is close to our home in northern England. A steady 6 hour drive can get us to Fort William for the night after a day at work. Once you pass by Glasgow, things quieten down considerably on the roads the further north. Scotland can have the most amazing weather at any time of the year, in
the same day we have been battered by incredible winter storms and then later have been walking in T-shirts on a deserted beach. In the summer months, the midges have a real reputation…none of that irritation in the winter. Finally, and most importantly, the Scots have a really positive and welcoming disposition towards van-based travellers- something we must continually work hard to preserve by being responsible wild campers. The responsibility should come easy as there is a great network of community water points, recycling, toilets and showers to use across the country. Scotland offers such a diverse range of experiences and geography to explore, we feel that in 3 years of adventures we have only just scratched the surface of what it has to offer.” Find Richard and Jackie on Instagram for more photos of their adventures throughout the UK and Europe. @vanlife_with_nelson @adventures_in_nelson
“we went to find the closest thing to true wilderness that the UK has to offer”
Travel Blogs
G AT E WAY T O T H E N O R T H Loch Lomond, Glencoe & Fort William…just follow the A82 north from Glasgow and you quickly start to discover the joys of driving in one of the most stunning parts of the world. Loch L o m o n d a n d t h e Tr o s s a c h s National Park is so popular in the summer that it has had to resort to regulating the wild camping spots in
t h e a r e a . I n t h e w i n t e r, a l l of these idyllic, and well thought out locations are freely available and a nice gentle introduction to those who are new to the wild camping life. Glencoe and the surrounding glens offer a stunning taste of the remote wilderness and beauty that further north h a s t o o f f e r.
ISLAND HOPPING There are a myriad of island communities to discover off the coast of Scotland. The excitement of boarding a CalMac ferry never fails to elicit the feeling of traveling somewhere remote, far removed from the pressures of everyday life and the opportunity to discover places that genuinely feel at the very edge of the world. Mull is easily reachable from Oban,
whereas the Outer Hebrides consist of a series of linked islands that provides the opportunity to island hop via a series of bridges and the smallest ferries of the Cal Mac fleet. On the Islands you will find some of the best beaches in the world. Explore miles of deserted sandy beaches, shared only with the entirely uninhibited wildlife o f t h e s e a , l a n d a n d s k y.
TA S T E O F T H E H I G H L A N D S The northern geography is rugged and desolate. Peaks are high and the population i s l o w. T h e r e s u l t , a r e a l mecca for the climbing and m o u n t a i n e e r i n g c o m m u n i t y. We have not yet had the opportunity to ski at one of the Scottish resorts, but they are thoroughly well set up for van based visitors. One of our most
m e m o r a b l e N e w Ye a r s w a s spent visiting the Reindeer herd at Aviemore and then wild camping in the snowy forests under the magnificent clear skies o f m i d w i n t e r. G e t u s e d to stopping the van for regular sightings of red d e e r, g o l d e n e a g l e s a n d the iconic and majestic highland coos.
NORTH COAST 500 if you want to really get a taste for the wilder side of Scotland, we thoroughly recommend the NC500 with a few additional excursions- we completed the 500 mile road trip o v e r a w e e k i n F e b r u a r y. We followed the route anti-clockwise, leaving the simply stunning north west coast until the end of the journey as it suits our interests’ bests. Opinion is
divided about the NC500 i n s u m m e r- s o c i a l m e d i a and locals suggest that it is o p p r e s s i v e l y p o p u l a r, a n d should really be avoided. In sharp contrast, for days on end we pretty much had the route to enjoy totally on our own, could drive at our own pace on empty roads, choose from a complete range of wild camps each night and had the popular locations absolutely to ourselves.
↑ A dream of storage space! DAPASSTWAS is simply hooked into the pop-up roof of the VW California.
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coffee palms road What’s your morning consist of, coffee OR tea? I switch it up, yet this coffee kick has a hold of me lately. I’m watering it down most of the time to reduce the jitters and making sure my oatmeal is ready with it!
Breakfast isn’t the most important meal of the day, what’s important is the first thing you put in your body. Rest Eat well Focus on your mental health B R EATH repeat.
Words by Helen Grace Hening. Photo by Ian Zamora. @KNOWMADVANS @IANZAMORA
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D E F I N I T I O N ( S PA N I S H ) TA L L E R n o u n , m a s c u l i n e ( p l u r a l : t a l l e r e s m ) . Wo r k s h o p , s t u d i o , s h o p , g a r a g e . A place where dream adventure vans are born.
TALLER.
O N E O F T H E P L E A S U R E S O F G E T T I N G I N T O VA N L I F E I S THE THOUGHT OF DESIGNING YOUR OWN ROLLING HOME. TA K E N O T E O F T H E F O L L O W I N G B U I L D S , B E C A U S E W E K N O W W H AT A R E A L A D V E N T U R E W A G G O N N E E D S .
Yo u s t a r t w i t h t h e b a s i c l a y o u t , will the bed fit lengthways or maybe sideways? The water you m i g h t c a r r y, s h o u l d i t b e p l u m b e d into the sink with a tap, or will you decant it by hand? The project could start to become overwhelming, so maybe you even consider looking around for a workshop.
stage to look at the numerous ways that a van conversion can be tackled. There certainly is no single mould which is suitable for all, but draw inspiration from the successes and even some design f a i l s , t h a t w e h i g h l i g h t i n Ta l l e r.
tips in the breakdown opposite.
S P E C I F I C AT I O N W h a t ’s y o u r a d v e n t u r e v a n f o r ? Only you can answer this, but a common answer is to take you, y o u r f a m i l y, a n d a n y t h i n g y o u need for your adventures, to interesting places and then to BUILD OR BUY Weighing up the pros and cons provide a safe place to rest, eat for a campervan build should not and sleep. We’ll put a range of vans on the be overlooked. Check out our top
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CONS
» T i m e : w o u l d y o u r a t h e r b e b u i l d i n g a camper or away having adventures in it? » H i g h l e v e l o f k n o w l e d g e r e q u i r e d . S a f e systems & installation are critical for seats, gas plus electrical systems. » A c c e s s t o a w o r k s h o p & t o o l s . » N a t i o n a l r e g u l a t i o n s . C a n y o u r b u i l d pass inspection & insurance regulations? » R e s a l e v a l u e o f a s e l f - c o n v e r t e d v a n w i l l be lower than a professional one.
PROS
» C o s t : i t w i l l a l m o s t a l w a y s c o s t l e s s t o build it yourself. » D e s i g n a n d f i n i s h , e x a c t l y t a i l o r e d t o your requirements. » P a r t s & c o m p o n e n t s : s o u r c e d f r o m anywhere including recycled. » A b i l i t y t o p r o b l e m s o l v e i f s o m e t h i n g fails while out in the wilds. » D e v e l o p n e w s k i l l s & a n e n o r m o u s s e n s e of satisfaction.
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The Watcher, a Mercedes Sprinter 4x4 camper realised by Polish workshop @ADVENTURE_VAN_CONVERSIONS
COST AND TIME o w n c a m p e r v a n t o b e o n e o f l i f e ’s S o f o r a f i x e d s p e c i f i c a t i o n , b e s t a d v e n t u re s . AM regardless of the path you take, the two remaining factors The first edition of this newly structured feature has been written are cost and time. There are many of you out there, proving by David Hamilton-Jones, founder of comparethecampervan.com that owning an adventure van d o e s n ’t h a v e t o b e p r o h i b i t i v e l y P a s s i o n a t e t r a v e l l e r, c l i m b e r, expensive, but many see cost as s n o w b o a r d e r, m o u n t a i n b i k e r a barrier to this lifestyle. So if a n d w h i s k y d r i n k e r. you have lots of time, you might find designing and building your
We want to see and feature a diverse range of camper builds. DIY or workshop, tell us what enables you to get out there for an advanture. editor@advanturemagazine.com
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JENNY THE VAN : VW CRAFTER - Conversion budget €7k - 4 weeks to complete - Materials: solid wood, oak panels, IKEA kitchen modules
COVID-19 hit everyone including Mats in s p a r s e l y p o p u l a t e d N o r w a y. A l t h o u g h h e r e m a i n e d h e a l t h y, t h e c o u n t r y w a s l o c k e d d o w n . L i k e m a n y, M a t s w a s d r e a m i n g o f e s c a p e . B u t living in one of the best countries to explore in a campervan, Mats turned the restrictions into an opportunity and decided to act on a dream and build a campervan to travel around his homeland. The decision was made and six days later he was the proud owner of an empty m e d i u m w h e e l b a s e V W C r a f t e r, n a m e d J e n n y. It quickly became a family project; Mats called on his older brother to assist. Stian, an experienced construction engineer with the space and required tools jumped in to assist. It w a s n ’t e a s y a s S t i a n w a s w o r k i n g f u l l t i m e a n d his wife Anja was expecting their third child, s o M a t s s p l i t h i s t i m e s u p p o r t i n g h i s b r o t h e r ’s family and working to build his escape vehicle. These projects always take longer than anyone
Photos by @jennythevan
- Favourite part: working with brother on a cool project - Least favourite part: driving around a lot to buy parts
imagines, as problems that require unique solutions constantly arise. However working on such a project with his brother turned out to be a wonderful bonding experience. M a t ’s d r e a m w a s a h i g h l y f u n c t i o n a l c a m p e r v a n that would allow camping in all seasons. Therefore insulation was critical, and this is w h e r e S t i a n ’s e x p e r i e n c e a n d a t t e n t i o n t o d e t a i l were invaluable. Interior construction was completed with a low maintenance rubberised laminate floor and sealed wooden panels for t h e w a l l s a n d c e i l i n g . I n t h e l i v i n g a r e a , t h e r e ’s a f l e x i b l e s t o r a g e / s e a t i n g / b e d s e t u p . T h e r e ’s a g a s c o o k e r, s i n k w i t h r u n n i n g w a t e r a n d f u r t h e r storage making up the kitchen area. Finally a roof mounted 180-watt solar panel, feeding a l e i s u r e b a t t e r y, e n a b l e s o f f - g r i d c a m p i n g i n t h e wilds on Norway and hopefully further afield as borders open up.
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Photos by norantz.com @norantz
UNNAMED : MAN TGE 4X4 - Budget: van €39k (new), conversion €26k - Main upgrades: poptop, Seikel liftkit + snorkel, side popouts, winch - Reason for project: upgrade from VW T5 to
If time is one of your most precious commodities t h e n y o u m i g h t w a n t t o b u d g e t f o r, a n d e m p l o y a p r o f e s s i o n a l c o m p a n y. T h i s c a n g e t e x p e n s i v e , and you must do your research as not all are e q u a l o n q u a l i t y a n d s a f e t y. Ta k e y o u r t i m e t o find a good one, especially if your specification is unconventional. For the s e l f - b u i l d e r, increased complexity increases the time but for a professional, this increased build time will normally incur additional cost. A good designer will work with you to create a solution to your requirements within your budget. W ith a family that were growing up and with shared travel goals, that included long term t r a v e l t o p l a c e s l i k e I c e l a n d a n d N o r w a y, B i l l y a n d h i s f a m i l y f r o m G l o u c e s t e r, w a n t e d t o upgrade their current van. As an operations manager in the aerospace industry with experience of building two previous campervans himself, Billy had exacting standards and a big dream. He had a sizeable budget but simply d i d n ’t h a v e t h e t i m e t o b u i l d w h a t h e e n v i s a g e d himself. He wanted a 4x4 that would allow his f a m i l y o f 4 , p l u s a B o r d e r Te r r i e r, t o t r a v e l , l i v e and sleep in comfort without being so large t h a t i t r e s t r i c t e d t h e i r m o b i l i t y. B i l l y a n d h i s family spent many months researching vehicles
larger adventure van for family - Delivery date: summer 2021. Collecting with brother and road trip back to the UK
and decided on a medium wheelbase 4x4 MAN T G E . B u t h o w t o s e a t f o u r, s l e e p f o u r a n d h a v e a kitchen, toilet and shower? The solution was one rarely seen on this size of vehicle, a poptop. While researching conversion companies, B i l l y c o u l d n ’t f i n d a n y o n e i n t h e U K t h a t w o u l d fit a purpose designed pop-top, so his searches t o o k h i m f u r t h e r a f i e l d , a l o t f u r t h e r.
Norantz in Spain were selected, and before the brand-new MAN was delivered from the factory in Poland, the design process began w i t h t h e c h o s e n w o r k s h o p . To e n s u r e t h e v a n would be able to go anywhere, the van did a pit-stop to Seikel in Germany for a suspension l i f t . F i n a l l y, t o b r i n g t h e r e m a i n d e r o f t h e d r e a m i n t o r e a l i t y, N o r a n t z a r e c o m p l e t i n g t h e f u l l camper conversion with pop-top, snorkel, side p o p - o u t s , w i n c h , w h e e l c a r r i e r, r o o f r a c k , s o l a r panels, ladder and awning. L i k e M a t s , t h i s i s a l s o a s t o r y o f f a m i l y, f o r n o t only are Billy and his immediate family looking forward to their adventures, Billy and his Brother plan to collect the completed adventure van and enjoy their time together travelling back to the UK.
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THE WATCHER : MERC SPRINTER 4X4 - 100% bespoke design - Conversion price: €70k - Custom exterior paint, with matching interior work on the seats
- 3 Webasto air heaters and thermal insulation for extreme cold adventures to -50c - 4 berth
What can be achieved when your dreams are really big? Is travel to Central Asia and Africa on the cards? What if you have both time, and a significant budget? This is where things can get really bespoke. This professional conversion from Polish c a m p e r v a n w o r k s h o p , A d v e n t u r e Va n Conversions, was designed and built on a 4x4 Mercedes Sprinter to meet this ambitious dream for a family of three.
Photos by Architektkadru.pl @ArchitektKadrdu
How has this striking and functional vehicle b e e n a c h i e v e d ? E x t e r n a l l y, a P o l i s h S t r e e t Artist from Poznań was recruited to paint a one-off creation, which complements the hard-wearing Raptor paintwork. A custom in-house roof rack and rear carrying setup, support the 360-watt s o l a r p a n e l s , a r o o f d e c k , l a d d e r, s p a r e wheel and external storage box. Finishing the look and increasing off-road driving c a p a b i l i t y a n d s e l f - s u f f i c i e n t r e c o v e r y, i s a bespoke uprated suspension system, B F G o o d r i c h K O 2 Ty r e s , a S a f a r i S n o r k e l , A R B Tr e d b o a r d s s e c u r e d e x t e r n a l l y f o r easy access, a custom designed winch p l a t e w i t h t o w i n g h o o k s a n d a Wa r n Ta b o r 12000lbs W inch. There are an additional 700 watts of Baja Lights on the roof rack a n d i n t h e c u s t o m b u m p e r. F i n a l l y, a n on-board compressor quickly allows the airing up and down of tyres for changing terrain conditions. For comfort in all climatic conditions, t h e i n s u l a t e d f l o o r, w a l l s a n d c e i l i n g a r e designed to breathe. Paired with a trio of Webasto diesel heaters, hot water and blown hot air will keep things comfortable at low temperatures. These have also been integrated to enable excess heat from the engine cooling system to provide hot water after driving. This system can be reversed, to heat the engine and prevent freezing in the very coldest of conditions. I n t e r n a l l y, f u n c t i o n a l l u x u r y i s a c h i e v e d . Bamboo cabinets reinforced with aluminium are topped with bespoke Corean counter tops. The shower is a custom design made from stainless steel a n d s e a t s a r e t a i l o r e d i n I t a l i a n L e a t h e r. Contrasting stitching and embossing matches the exterior street art. Power management uses all Victron Energy parts. Solar panels, battery-tobattery charger and shore power options feed the 230Ah Lifepo4 batteries. These in turn feed 12-volt appliances with a 2000w Multi Plus inverter for any 230v re q u i re m e n t s . AM
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TA K E I T O N THE ROAD.
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the_lostvan: Tessa had completed her DIY van build earlier this year and has been enjoying the warmer weather of Portugal and the Canary Islands over the winter. She comissioned this bespoke piece to mark this monumental moment in her life. Original art by @earthartlab made for @the_lostvan
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Nejc V: We love this illustration by artist and vanlifer, Nejc. Who wouldn’t want to pull off the linear road of todays society, to go in search of a different way of life?
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P h o t o s b y B r a d Wa t s o n
S E C U R I T Y
Words by Dietmar Blome @wip_foto_worpswede Photo by @away_heidi
↑ This 2008 Fiat Ducato SWB has a 2.2 turbo engine, has been painted NATO grey, and needs naming. Send Brad your ideas!
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BEST FOR MOTORHOM
The corona pandemic brought an unexpected side effect which the mobile home manufacturers and van builders are pleased about. Their sales have grown by over 40% and buyers of new vehicles are now facing 6-12 month waiting times. And another group is enjoying the boom: professional gangs who specialize in stealing vans.
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Used VW buses and the like currently have hardly any depreciation and can be sold, even as stolen vehicles, at the best prices. There are tons of theft reports of beloved vans on social media, shared in groups on Facebook like VW Bus stolen and Stolen mobile homes/caravans, many of which were supposedly well secured. Steering wheel claw? Cut by professionals with a disk cutter in minutes. Wheel claw? If the wheel nuts are exposed, the thieves will replace the wheel in a few minutes. GPS tracking? With electronic devices the signal can be disturbed or the installation location of the device is discovered and the GPS destroyed.
WHEEL CLAMP COMPLETE COVER
- Needs to cover wheel nuts - Highly visible - Popular choice for motor home owners - £/€ 100+
L e t ’s l o o k a t a f e w o p t i o n s f o r p r o t e c t i n g y o u r v a n . DISCONNECTERS Can be installed in a hidden place between the b a t t e r y a n d t h e i g n i t i o n i n s i d e t h e e n g i n e b a y. T h i s considerably increases the effort required to start the vehicle. Many units come with a remote button so that you can disconnect/connect the battery from range. They are largely inexpensive, priced around the €50 mark.
MOST SECURE!
ALARM SYSTEMS. There are inexpensive systems priced from €50 to €100 that trigger an audible alarm. The sensor inside the vehicle reacts to vibrations, current flow or changes in air pressure when a door or window is opened. More expensive systems also have ultrasonic sensors and radio contact switches that can be attached in many places, e.g. windows. Most inexpensive systems are operated with an a d d i t i o n a l r a d i o k e y, t h e h i g h - q u a l i t y o n e s c a n b e i n t e g r a t e d i n t o t h e f u n c t i o n o f t h e c a r k e y. Amateurs may be put off by the noise of the siren, but professionals may not be. A great solution is a more expensive alarm system that interrupts the power supply to the ignition. S T E E R I N G W H E E L C L AW S A N D C O V E R S Available in different designs, also from cheap and relatively quick to cut, to expensive and fairly secure. For little money you can get the lock that jams from the clutch pedal to the steering wheel. There are very cheap ones from around 30 €, but they can probably be beaten quickly with a diskc u t t e r. F o r t h e b e s t c h a n c e o f s e c u r i t y, t h e u n i t s should at least be made from hardened steel, and as thick as possible. Another option, such as the device from Disklok, covers the entire steering wheel. It is around €200
DISKLOK STEERING WHEEL COVER
- UK’s strongest steering wheel lock - Various sizes - £130 UK, €200 EU - Available in Silver and yellow - Thatcham category 3
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COMPACT
and extremely difficult to beat. A full wheel cover is a little more clumsy to store in your vehicle, but the security offered far outweighs this minor point. WHEEL CLAWS These serve as a good deterrent, but you must not leave the wheel nuts free! Professional and amateur thieves simply jack up the vehicle and swap out with a spare wheel in just a few minutes. A wheel claw needs to cover the wheel nuts. PEDAL LOCKS Quite new to the market but sounds promising, we are interested in this one from KIOWSKI, which is offered by Busstoff.de. This one fits a VW T5 and T6, so be sure to find one that fits your m o d e l o f c a m p e r. T h e p r i c e i s a r o u n d € 2 2 0 . T h e stainless steel lock is simply placed on the pedals. I t b l o c k s t h e a c c e l e r a t o r, c l u t c h a n d b r a k e p e d a l s t o g e t h e r, p r e v e n t i n g t h e v a n f r o m b e i n g d r i v e n away or pushed. The 2.4kg pedal lock does not take up much space when it is dismantled and can b e e a s i l y s t o w e d a w a y u n d e r a s e a t . H o w e v e r, n o lock (padlock) is included in the scope of delivery s o y o u s h o u l d c h o o s e a v e r y h i g h - q u a l i t y, s t a b l e lock. Busstoff recommends the ABUS 98T i / 70, for e x a m p l e . R e m e m b e r, i t m u s t b e a b l e t o w i t h s t a n d a h a n d h e l d d i s c c u t t e r, w h i c h i s p o p u l a r w i t h thieves!
KIOWSKI PEDAL LOCK
- Perfect for VW T5 T6 - Extremely compact - Locks all foot pedals together - Discrete (while camping in the van)
GPS TRANSMITTERS These can help police find a stolen van, maybe. A professional robbery will attempt to electronically disturb the signal or even locate the device, which is then promptly destroyed. If you do decide to install one then make sure it is in a very hidden location, with a permanent source of power and with good reception so it can connect to the satellite. GAS ALARMS These are incredibly important for all wild camping vanlifers. In southern Europe there are frequent cases of narcotic gas robberies. A tube is fed into the camper which is then filled with gas, in order to be able to steal valuables in peace. It has also happened that travellers woke u p o u t s i d e o f t h e i r v a n t h e m o r n i n g a f t e r, h a v i n g been carried out while the thieves do their work! A warning device that reacts to all gases, including narcotic gases, is available for less than € 100. In any case, these are recommended if you have a gas cooker or diesel heater on board. There is probably no optimal protection against theft of your trusty van. A combination of several protective devices is best. As a first measure, you s h o u l d s t i c k a f e w s t i c k e r s “ Wa r n i n g a l a r m s y s t e m ” on the windows, if possible in several languages. A t l e a s t t h a t m i g h t s c a re a m a t e u r s o ff . AM
We and our other readers would be grateful for your advice. How do you protect your beloved home on wheels? Let us know on Instagram @advanturemagazine
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GPS TRACKERS
- Affordable from £/€ 50+ - Easy to install - Track vehicle via smartphone app - “Always on” when wired to 12v system
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