Van-Tastic Office Van Life

They say most people who want a divorce have been thinking about it for over a year before actually doing it. I’d be interested to see what the stats are for considering a camper van because for us it was three whole years of overthinking. It was eventually ended by one spontaneous, impulsive phone call whilst at the side of Coniston Water! We cannot be the only ones who took far too long before taking the plunge.

Anyway!

We bought ourselves a van, it very much should be called that rather than camper van as it certainly isn’t one of those…yet. The van we have bought is a 7 seater 2020 VW Caddy Max. Whilst stood by the shores of Coniston Water, watching our children paddle away into the distance on a paddle board, hoping we’d taught them how to turn around correctly, we finally got in touch with the seller. Yes, seeing other people in their camper vans made us jealous and question our very purpose in life. The next thing we knew, we were driving all the way to Wakefield to test drive the van. Deposit down, it was ours.

Camper Van Decisions

The decision to buy a van wouldn’t have taken so long had we not needed it to achieve so many different functions. At least that is what we keep telling ourselves. The van needed to be small enough to be a day to day car, large enough to be a working office for me, and spacious enough to be a camper for holiday adventures.

Ones that met the latter were far too large for the former, and at every step it felt as though compromises would have to be made. And really expensive compromises at that. A lot of money for something that was never quite right.

One day we chanced upon a VM Caddy Max and our eyes were opened to the potential. A VM Caddy Max was just the right size for a day to day, just about enough room for a functional office, and with the right modular adaptations it could comfortably make a cosy, compact micro camper.

Not another Camper Van Blog!

I know, there’s plenty out there, however in my research for how to use this micro space as an office I drew digital blanks. Yet people seemed amazed and interested in what we’re venturing to do. It struck me that maybe our journey to discover how to make this into a functional work space could actually be helpful. And if not helpful, it will be rather amusing to watch us bumble through it in our typical, haphazard, make do and mend manner.

The reason I’m pushing for this van office is because I mostly work from home and, quite frankly, working from home is very lonely. PLUS there’s all the distracting housework. Working from home also takes me away from the hustle and bustle of life, I love to see life existing, and although I can work from my garden, I felt trapped in the house. Over the past two years I have also discovered that I work much better when surrounded by nature, I have tried many ways to accomplish this, and I have found solutions, however the northern weather isn’t kind. Many attempts have been completely rained off for weeks. I craved a way to be there no matter the weather.

The Vision

I have one goal, one vision that I’d like to turn into a reality. Once I’ve achieved this I know my office van is complete and the world is my mobile office oyster.

There is a car park next to Ullswater, all there is around it is the lake, fields and mountains. It is peaceful, it is stunning. The shore of the Ullswater lies opposite the car park and is a calm spot for people to swim. My aim is to drive up to that car park, work for the morning and then on my lunch break take a swim. After I’ve dried off I can continue working in the van for the afternoon before taking myself home.

It requires full internet, toilet and brew making facilities in place. PLUS curtains and privacy to change. Travel with me via this blog as I reach this glorious destination.

Initial Steps to a Camper Van Office

They say you should live in a space before you change anything, so that is exactly what I have been doing. Before we bought anything I took the van up to a lay-by spot with a beautiful view that was only five minutes away from my house and worked from it. With the middle seats down, I sat on the back two, placed the laptop on my leg, and slid the doors wide open to admire the view, and work of course.

The result? A back that was on fire. A burning, inflamed back that screamed WHAT DID YOU JUST DO? Lesson learnt.

The first purchases I consequently made were back support and a collapsable table. The back support was actually well over due at home too, sitting on the dining room chairs wasn’t doing me any good for long writing days. Now I have it for the van my home back life has improved too.

With the support and table in place I found myself working comfortably. The great thing about the table is that it has adjustable legs. This is brilliant for a day when the view was best from out of the back of the van. I placed my support on the floor, had the table on the lowest legs, and shielded from the sun by the door I comfortably sat listening to the crickets, drinking in the view and worked away.

As many of the locations I’ve been visiting don’t have access to a loo, I purchased a whizzer. The main driver for this particular purchase, aside from allowing me a comfort break when needed, was because it glowed in the dark! I have yet to see it in action, and I cannot wait!