Well, I’ve had my first outing, just before Christmas to the CCC site in Canterbury Link

Like all camping club sites, it was well managed, with clean and warm loos and showers: and with veteran discount less than £15 a night. Two nights was enough to work out the wrinkles on campervan camping, and what I was going to need. So here’s my observations.

1 The bed. Rock and roll bed is firm. I can see why so many commentators talk about a Duvalay or foam topper; I was quite stiff after their first night, and still so after the second. I’ve sourced a memory foam topper from Dunelm, but I need to get a cover I think. Tried buying one online, but it was for a deep mattress (30 cm rather than 30mm; schoolboy error.). It’s a bit stiff to convert in either direction, so probably needs a bit of silicone grease on the hinges, it’s very new. In sitting position, the seat is quite shallow, so I’m looking to find something to act as a footstool.

2. Warmth. First night was 5deg outside, second was 10deg. I took a 650w oil filled radiator, just to keep a bit of the cold out. Used it on the second day, and useful for background heat. The van comes with a diesel cab heater: lying in bed, and switching on by remote control was brilliant! I didn’t realise there were 5 heat settings, so it got a bit too toasty till I got the hang of it. It’s very efficient and does the heat boost thing in about five minutes. I had our old Outwell Vail double sleeping bag, which I think has lost some of its loft, so first night wasn’t as warm as it might have been. Quite a bit of condensation too: must remember to ventilate a bit.

3. Cooking. I took some basic foodstuffs: packets of veggie beans, some bacon and cheese, and porridge oats. I forgot the coffee, so had to pop down to Waitrose for emergency(!) supplies. The hob was great; the microwave took some getting used to. Having done the usual thing of prodding the control panel in a more or less random manner, all I was getting was a lot of bleeping, so had to resort to reading the instructions. Note to self: remember to set time before using. Also fridge worked well, though I didn’t try making ice.

4. Storage. This is going to take some working out. The top cupboards are both shallower and lower than expected. Also realised there’s a lot of jingling from glass bottles, it sounded like I was being chased by Santa coming up the M2. I have now lined the cupboards with 5mm self adhesive foam to soften the surfaces. At some point I’ll do an update. Generally storage is a challenge, so I’ve now got an Olpro seat-back unit with five pockets. Also a small square pedal bin from The Range that tucks behind the divers seat. Pleased with that one. Clothes, that I’d thought might fit in the top back cupboard, need to go in a hold-all in the large facilities cupboard, with the tambour door, back right. Under the bed needs a bit of rationalising too. Whereas the caravan just swallowed stuff – I filled the shed when I cleared it out – I need to be careful now.

That’s about it for now. More when I think about it.