Finding the right spot - my campervan Gene on our first campervan trip of the season.

Myself and 3 friends (Lisa, Kath and Rachel) decided to go on an April camping trip when the sun was shining and it felt like proper summer. We hadn’t even got out of Brighton before I made the first mistake which was nearly leaving one of the girls at the petrol station. Rachel decided at the last minute that she was going to come, but my brain didn’t seem to compute this information and still thought she wasn’t coming even though she was in the back of the van…

So when we stopped to get petrol she went and bought some provisions and I got back in, thought we were all there and drove off, leaving her wondering what she’d done to upset me. Anyway, I realised when the other two shrieked ‘What about Rachel!’. After much hilarity we all continued our adventure, with Rach safely in the back, to find Pleasant Rise Farm in Alfriston set amongst the hills and the woods and 10 mins walk from the village shop.

Myself and 3 friends (Lisa, Kath and Rachel).

Remember:

• toilet roll
• knives, forkes, plates, glasses
• matches
• tin foil
• raincoat
• warm socks
• camera
• toothpaste
• water carrier
• wellies
• marmite

Finding the right spot

Things to consider when deciding where to park up:

1. Where are the toilets?
2. Is the van in the thoroughfare of the campsite. i.e. will the van be in danger of becoming a shelter for people to urinate behind, on the way back from the local pub?
3. Who else is around who might either be potentially fun or potentially annoying.
4. Make sure there’s an escape route in case the field catches on fire.

Get to know the area

Have a little explore of the campsite and surrounding area. Do you know where’s the nearest pub is? Is there a tuck shop? (midnight snacks and bacon)… Check out the neighbours. Is there a fire pit to sing around and toast marshmallows on. That kind of thing. . .

AND Finally …

Reward the exploration with a plastic glass of Cava

Some Cava champagne to start the evening off.

Well at least start the evening off with something civilised to wash down the vast quantities of pasta and chopped tomatoes which will be consumed over the weekend.

I haven’t quite got round to buying campervan food so at the moment the cupboard is stocked with things that can all be cooked in a pan but don’t necessarily go together – like: beans, marmite, chopped tomatoes, peanut butter, noodles and ketchup.

Think I need to treat myself to a book of campervan cooking to make the experience more authentic.