Why I love... My Camper Van

*waves* I'm busy revising for my summer exams at the moment. But, in the spirit of the bank holiday weekend here in the UK, here's a post I originally wrote for Campfire Chic last year...

Last July we made a purchase that has completely changed our camping world - our very first camper van. She's called Freda (everyone gives their cars names right?) and I thought I would share with you why we love her so much...

Don't get me wrong, I am no fair weather camper. For a start I'm British, which means staying in a tent normally means getting wet or cold. Ever seen the TV footage of Glastonbury festival in the mud? Been there, got the t shirt.

While I love the sound of rain drops on canvas, staying in camper van is warm, it is snug, you have proper seats and a proper bed under a proper roof. You can't quite beat snuggling up for the night safe and cosy, knowing the weather can do what it likes outside and you'll be just fine.

This is so important to us. Under Freda's rear seats we have a couple of those plastic boxes that fit under beds and in those we have all the camping essentials: Stove, kitchenwear, lights, the awning, ground sheets, blankets...

We also keep a couple of campsite guide books (if you are camping in the UK, I recommend Cool Camping and All the Aires if you are going to continental Europe), the Good Beer Guide (the definitive guide to the best pubs in Britain) and a couple of road atlases. Then if we fancy an adventure, all we need to do is chuck some some bedding and the food hamper in the van and we can be good to go in about 10 minutes. Plus when you get to your destination, we just park up and we're almost all set.

It's pretty amazing when you can be sitting at your desk at 4pm and then sitting in the Black Mountains in Wales by 6.30pm. Having a camper van means you can be very spontaneous. You just get in and go.

The best thing about having Freda is the overwhelming sense of freedom that she gives us. Every time I see her parked outside our house I am reminded of chance of adventure. Be it a 1000 mile road trip to the south of France or just an overnight jaunt to the coast, the opportunity is always there. There is always something to see, somewhere to go, places to be explored and I'm happy that my camper van reminds me of that every day.

Inspiration: Camper Vans & Caravans

You might have seen me warbling on about it on Twitter, you might have even seen a picture of her already. But we made a very special addition to our household last week...

We bought a camper van! 

You won't believe how excited we are. I genuinely think that this will make a huge enhancement to our lives. The flexibilty and the freedom and the adventures we will be able to have.

Our new girl deserves her own introductory post soon. But, since we made the decision to buy her, I have been collecting ideas and images of how we might make our modern girl feel a bit more homely...

Checks...

Patterned Cushions...

Cosy blankets...

Floral Curtains...

Clashing patterns

A home from home...

...Well a girl can dream can't she?

 All these pictures (and their sources) can be found on my Pinterest page.

Festival Fever: The Best One Pot Breakfast

The Aussie and I are huge fans of breakfast and when you are at a music festival (or camping anywhere) you definitely need a good brekie to fortify you for the day ahead.

This is a bit of a favourite in our house/ tent, it's vegetarian and is perfect for festivals because all you need is one pot and one gas burner.

You will need:

 Free Range eggs (we got these from our campsite in Cornwall - they are all chicken eggs, aren't they amazing?)

Tinned tomatoes, onion, garlic, red pepper (you could also use courgettes, fresh chillis or any dried herbs you have) and some cooking oil (olive oil is my favourite)

Then:

 Chop your onion, garlic and peppers and cook them in the oil until they start to soften...

 Add your tin tomatoes and bring to a simmer...

 Then crack your eggs and add them to the tomato mixture...

Your eggs should cook (they are being poached) in the simmering tomato mixture...

When the eggs are cooked to your liking, dish them up with loads of the sauce. Easy but oh so tasty!

If we have this at home we serve this up with tortillas, but the campsite we stayed at in Cornwall has the most amazing homemade bread in their shop which was perfect for mopping up the sauce.

We also love this with chopped avocado or fresh coriander and loads of Habanero sauce. However, grated cheese would work well and if you are feeling a little delicate from the night before Worcestershire Sauce (or Henderson's Yorkshire Sauce for veggies) on this should sort out your hangover nicely.

The recipe is loosely based on Jamie Oliver's Huevos Rancheros, so is Mexican via Essex and now the Lizard Peninsula.

Tuck in and enjoy!