BRID TO SCARBOROUGH

 TUESDAY - Walked into Flamborough to get some linguine pasta I had brought the mince meat forget the spaghetti the walk off the farm was long half the time was spent walking to the main road  I used Google maps to get me to the nearest Co-Op , I also needed more dog food just in case we needed more as it happened we didn't any way made it there and back it took me around a hour and half it was warm I bought a bottle of Dr Pepper as well as some Cheese and Jalapeno max crisps .

Helen phoned me just as i was walking up  the dirt road to the camp site When I got back  I had a coffee and a sit down for an hour before walking on the cliffs the opposite way with Helen and the dogs .

The mince beef Bolognese we had for tea was the best ever not sure why but it was I had cheese on top the only thing missing was garlic bread but it was still good .

WEDNESDAY - Woke up had a better sleep cooked breakfast last day we had to be off site for midday washed the pots , emptied the chemical toilet it was not that bad .Took the awning down and the wind barrier. Unplugged the hook up and took the van off the chocks everything parked away the bed unmade and the table put up we headed to Bridlington we ended up leaving Bridlington and going to Scarborough. We had fish and chips in the van by the sea before it started raining .

IT'S UP WITH HELP

 MONDAY - Loaded the van had the fridge running in the house before transferring it to the van .

Had milk , cider , had two packs of smoked ham , salami , chorizo , 12 eggs , bacon , sausage , minced beef , chicken , and other stuff like cheese and tomatoes and mushrooms other tins and condiments and of course tea , coffee and brown sugar and cider only four cans.

We got to the site just after 13.30 we got the dreaded awning out this time with the help of two seasoned van dwellers I asked for help between us we got it up over the roof of the van easy when you know how all secured guideline and straps all pegged it is quite spacious I don't think it was 100% right put we find out later it was right enough that it didn't let any water in when it was rainy and windy later that night and into the morning the awning stood firm which was a good test .

first picture below of the full set up now we know how it goes next time we should manage it on our own fingers crossed .People are usually always helpful when you ask for help and guidance thanks guy's I saw them leave the following day and thanked them both again safe travels . 

Once we was all sorted I took the dogs up to the cliffs to see the sea they are ethe most well behaved dogs going all the way driven to the site not  one whing bark or moan .We did the same walk later on with Helen she was back at base camp making the bed and putting the finishing touches to the van set up .

When I got back I put on tea I just cooked some chips using the air fryer I had a ham sandwich with tiger bread with the chips  it was enough the fridge was running as  we was hooked up to the mains no more warm cider ,We slept length ways instead of across I had my feet on a pillow on top of the fridge which was the same height as the bed I slept not perfect but better than our first night a couple of weeks ago .Every time we go out in it we learn a little bit more it is good fun better than I thought it is relaxing and chilling .Hopefully it stays that way .

HANGING AROUND

 FRIDAY - Received the rear view camera looks ok hopefully it is compatible with my Apple play head unit I bought last week they should be no issues .My car insurance is up for renewal it £187 cheaper than last years quote which is nice to know .Also the hanging table for the van door arrived another purchase by Helen £75 for a piece of plywood two straps and two hooks . Was looking at a van wheel table even more expensive .Camping van  gear so expensive . Break up after this evenings shift a whole nine days off work the weather is changing getting more cooler .

SATURDAY - Waited in the car in Bramley I was watching You Tube and Netflix  videos I was hanging around for four hours whilst Helen did her readings four hours seems like eight. On the way home stopped at the Co-Op garage got a chicken tikka masala curry it was ok I had three flat breads with it ,

SUNDAY - Went to a camping outlet in Ossett Outdoor World Direct we got some biodegradable toilet paper .We went to Xscape  on the way home stopped at Toby Carvery for a pig out  had beef and lamb and all the trimmings I was stuffed .Booked a camp site on the East coast for two nights this  Monday and Tuesday .

WHITE WASHED

 SATURDAY - Went to Go Outdoors in York our second visit also did a trip to M&S bought some stuff for tea I got a bottle and jar of different chili sauces .We went in the car should have took the van don't like the idea of it sitting on the drive too long.

SUNDAY - Helen had readings all day after she finished we went to Wetherby Whaler for fish and chips should have saved my money they were not the best .Tried the fridge we bought for the van in the 12v outlet in the van it works ok which is good the 12v works of the solar panel .

MONDAY - Went to Ikea bought a magnetic knife rack and three knives for the van they are hung up on the inside of one of the kitchen unit doors , we also bought a cork pin board and some jars for coffee , sugar and tea , we have screwed under the kitchen wall unit .n .

TUESDAY - Washed the van concentrated on the roof loads more dirt came off used the pressure washer to get underneath the solar panel it is looking a lot cleaner that amount of dirt washed off was quite a lot  .. Helen bought two moon chairs for when we are sitting out hopefully they are really comfy they are from Amazon they arrive tomorrow .

COOL

 THURSDAY -Ordered of Amazon an Alpicool camping fridge its 37 litres and it fits in were we want its an ideal size it also matches the décor of the van it arrives tomorrow will check it out indoors see how good it is .

FRIDAY -Went to the local garage to see about if I ordered a Apple Play head unit and a reversing camera they come next week would they fit them both waiting for a price .

Helen ordered a porta toilet and and a bottle of 100% organic non toxic  toilet treatment solution by Solbio as well as a hanging camping table that fits on to the sliding door at a cost of £75 seems to be a bit extortionate pricing on camping and van equipment , she as also ordered another better quality whistling kettle as well as a wooden camping table for use in the van so if we decide to leave the be up we have somewhere to eat off which should go behind my drives seat out of the way.

SATURDAY - Plugged the camping fridge/freezer in at home seems to be running fine temperature dropping quite quickly for the price it seems a very capable unit the lid operates from both side depending on where you position it in the van .Should get a few days supplies in here wont fill it full of water will get a few steaks , bacon , sausages and veggies .

FIRST CAMP

 SUNDAY - We booked on to a campsite near were we live to see how our set up was see what we lacked also to see what was missing and what worked right .

My main concern is the sleeping accommodation. If I can manage to achieve a few hours after getting off  to sleep  should be ok a couple of hours through the day wont be an issue .I only average 5.5 hours a night at home in a king size bed with all the trimmings ,  if I can do this I will be fine .I ended up sleeping for about three hours hopefully this improves I only sleep an average of five hours in my bed at home so I guess this isn't too bad .We tried setting the awning up to no avail we need more advice on this matter the van does not have a C-track we found out the awning has to be thrown over the van we need to get a C-track fitted .

The camp site is fairly new the sink for washing pots was located next to the shower and toilet  container  all new with heated hand dryer very clean and toilet paper and handwash provided .

I walked the dogs went down the lane to the White Horse and Red Lion pubs it was a steady walk taking about an hour .The weather was hot the sun was out .

I cooked burgers for tea with sliced cheese no fires although with the hook up we had 240d/c power and the Ninja air fryer worked fine we had  no potatoes .Cooking outside is great even boiling the kettle is ok it does take longer to boil using the single burner camp stove but we have time its not an issue .

MONDAY - Cooked Spam , eggs and beans for breakfast cooked fine was nice out in the sun in the middle of nature  eating breakfast we was in no rush we packed up and left at midday and left nothing behind including gear and rubbish cant wait for our next trip .

APPROVED

 FRIDAY - Bought some French chic paint the paint Helen bought is not good should have bought the French chic to start with lesson learnt its all done now what was grey is now white .

SATURDAY - Fitted three down lights charge via usb and are remote controlled you can pull them off the fixing and place them wherever you want .We also have a led strip light which will light under the wall cupboards which gives an ambient light .

Started the van it has been stood all week it started first time put another £40 of diesel in the tank before driving to Acaster Malbis to show the van to Helen's parents .We also had the dogs with us the were quite all the way there and all the way back again they are so well behaved they had the seat belts on and were sat behind  our seats .Helen's parents were impressed they liked the van they thought it was clean and tidy they both approved of our purchase .