van life - A Van Life Thing

19/10/2025 / 0 Comments

Working Full-Time from a Camper Conversion | How I Choose Safe, Easy Park-Ups Each Night

Forget the Instagram version. No Alpine sunsets, no drone footage, no artfully arranged coffee cups on clifftops. This week I’m proving you can live this lifestyle without constantly chasing new postcodes.

My job’s in Fife, I’m based around Dundee, and most nights I’m parked somewhere between the two. It’s van life’s quieter cousin — less wanderlust, more routine. Think sodium streetlights instead of campfires, the smell of the Tay instead of pine forests, and Tesco car parks instead of wild meadows.

But here’s the thing: this is where van life actually pays off. Not in the highlight reel moments, but in ordinary Tuesday nights that just work.

So instead of chasing scenery, I built a circuit — a loop of spots I know like the back of my hand. Here’s how that week unfolded.

06/09/2025 / 0 Comments

Troubleshooting Common Chinese Diesel Heater Error: A No-Nonsense Guide

If you’ve got a Chinese diesel heater in your van, chances are it’s been a game-changer for keeping warm during those chilly nights on the road. But like all budget-friendly kit, they can throw a wobbly from time to time. When they do, you’re usually met with an ominous E-code flashing on your controller and a heater that stubbornly refuses to fire up.

Instead of panicking (or cursing while shivering in your sleeping bag), let’s break down the most common errors and how to actually fix them. I’ve been through most of these myself over the past few winters, so this comes from real-world van life experience.

The Root Cause Reality Check

Before we dive into specific codes, here’s the truth about Chinese diesel heaters: 90% of faults come down to four things – dodgy battery voltage, poor wiring connections, blocked airflow, or fuel system issues. Keep that in mind as we go through each error.

22/07/2025 / 0 Comments

Can You Really Live in a Van Without an Address? Here’s What Works in 2025

So you’re ready to hit the road and start living the van life dream. But one major question pops up fast: what do you do without a fixed address? From receiving mail to renewing your driving licence, not having a permanent home can seem tricky—but it’s totally doable.

Here’s a breakdown of what actually works in 2025 for full-time vanlifers navigating life without a fixed address.

12/07/2025 / 2 Comments

Felixstowe Van Parking Ban: New 2025 Restrictions

TL;DR: The new Felixstowe van parking ban came into effect July 7th, 2025, targeting campervans and motorhomes on the seafront. While not a complete ban, the Felixstowe van parking ban makes overnight stays significantly more challenging.

05/05/2025 / 0 Comments

Greece’s Caravan Crackdown: New Law Sparks Outcry and Raises Questions for Van Lifers

A sweeping update to Greece’s camping regulations has ignited fierce debate, as authorities begin aggressively enforcing Law 5170/2025 – the nation’s strictest clampdown on motorhomes and caravans in nearly 50 years, but is it really killing VanLife?

While wild camping has been technically illegal since 1976, the newly implemented Article 27 closes longstanding loopholes that once afforded nomadic travelers some flexibility. The changes, effective since January 2025 but only now drawing widespread attention after high-profile fines, signal a dramatic shift in Greece’s approach to alternative tourism.

23/04/2025 / 0 Comments

Scotland’s Opening Up – £10 Park-Ups Are a Game-Changer for Vanlifers

Finding campervan overnight parking in Scotland just got a lot simpler — and far more affordable. Thanks to Forestry and Land Scotland’s Stay the Night scheme, there are now around 50 forest car parks where self-contained vans can legally stop overnight for just £10 a night, or £40 for a week. That’s a big deal if you’ve ever been caught between “no overnight parking” signs and overpriced sites.

It’s a real step forward for affordable, responsible van life. These sites are dotted across the country, so whether you’re hugging the North Coast 500 or just meandering through the Highlands, it adds a bit of freedom to your trip. It also supports local councils and businesses, rather than some of the big faceless campsite chains, which is a nice bonus.

My tip? Mix it up—use these spots to cover your essentials and save a bit of cash, then treat yourself to a wild spot with a view when the weather’s right. Scotland’s always had the scenery—now it’s starting to have the infrastructure to match. Cheers to that.

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