Lack of postings

Sorry not been posting anything recently as I have been working on the sister site to this Blog. MicroBudgetSailing.weebly.com. I'm still waiting on job offers and paperwork until we know the outcome of the New Zealand adventure.

That said we did venture out over the last 2 bank holidays to North Wales and have seen a particularly healthy outing of T25's! Very jealous.

This is an old article but a great read! http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-2019717/Camper-van-fans-hitting-open-road.html

On a slightly different note I have always been drawn to the idea of taking a Camper onto the roads of Norway and explore the amazing coastal roads they have, along with the obviously stunning scenery. There are a couple of great articles at Norway on a Budget and Scenic Roads in Norway

Yes this is a real bridge,The Atlantic Road Norway

Haynes Manual

Through the power of ebay I now have the Haynes Build your own How Motorcaravan book for a mere £5. Lets see what it has to say... 

Simple Design of a Camper Part 3

Having been away in New Zealand for the last month I have been looking about at the campers over there and how they use them.

In essence they are simple vans kitted out with just the basics, that is a bed and somewhere to cook. These means that the majority of vehicles can range from people carriers to small vans. This would have been fine for us 10 years ago B.C. (before children) but this would not really help us now with 2 little ones.

So... its back to my fag packet idea (as funds will be limited to start with.)
We would ideally have a van with a fixed roof which would allow the kids to sleep in the roof void while we would use a rock n roll type bed in the bottom. But as this type of van is few and far between at a price we can afford it looks like I'll be buying a van and converting it for our needs.

The vans that are commonly available around the $4000 mark (£2000) are Japanese imports such as the much loved Toyota HiAce and the Mitsubishi L300. So the idea would be that we buy a hard top van and add in some home-made modifications and we sleep the kids in the van and us outside in an awning / tent.

With a budget of around $5000 I'm hoping to make some basic units (see diagrams below) to give us some storage / cooking and washing facilities. My biggest concern is making sure we have secure seating for the kids and there car seats etc, as its mandatory to have seat belts for ALL passengers in NZ, and quite rightly so too!! For the internal fit out www.warehouse.co.nz and www.bunnings.co.nz (NZ B&Q) appear to offer all the things that we would need, obviously www.trademe.co.nz is where I'm sure I'll find the van!

Shopping List

1. VAN: Mitsubishi L300 or similar - $4000
2. Insulation: Insulation material and then panels to size - $100.00
3. Ventilation: Simple ventilation that can be either ON or OFF - $50.00
4. Carpets: For Floor and Walls if needed - $100.00
5. Seating: Relocation of the 2 man 'belted' bench seat for the kids - $200.00
6. Storage: Units made for storage /sink & cooker /wardrobe - $250.00
7. Cooking: Simple single ring camping stove - $50.00
8. Water: Large container in storage unit to take hand pump tap - $100.00
9. Awning: Drive away type awning - $0 - Brining from the UK
10. Extras: Who knows what else well want - $200.00

TOTAL Around $5,000.00 

We also need to add in some money for roof bars for the Kayak and Surfboard as well the bike rack, but again we will be bringing our bike rack from home (as well as the Surf Board!).
  

Amazing what you can do in Power Point!

NZ Camper - Fag packet ideas v01

Here's the first idea for a cheap NZ camper based on a short wheel base van like the Mazda E2000 (seen for NZ$3500 approx £2000) Will probably bring the awing from the UK as I think that will be cheaper here...

Campers in New Zealand!?

Things look like they may well be changing for us, so much so that we may well end up in New Zealand for at least 2 to 3 years!

But on the up side if we are going to be in New Zealand think of the Camper Van opportunities! So now I am investigating how to convert a regular van into something for the family to explore NZ in.

So I've been looking at trademe.co.nz for prices of vans and the types that are available and then using the likes of Camper Van Converstions (http://www.campervanconversion.co.uk/how-to-convert-campervan-or-motorhome) to see how I'd go about it.

Basic layout will be fine as I hope to use a awning like the Outdoor Revolution tent (http://www.tents4less.co.uk/index.php/outdoor-revolution-cayman-xl-motor-home-awning-2014.html?___store=default) , to allow more room and somewhere to sleep for the adults in fair weather.

NZ Here we come - I hope ;o)

As I come up with more ideas and theory's I'll let you know. Anyone with suggestions please post a comment!