A Night in the Van

May 22, 2021

Some years ago at a time when traveling around the world was still a thing, we made this road trip around Iceland in a rented camper van. That trip was really memorable and would deserve so much more description. We enjoyed it so much that three months later we would buy a small van - a Renault Kangoo Maxi - to convert it into our own camper. The construction process was a journey by itself as well. In the end it would have little to do with the fancy Volkswagen Westfalia but it would look like us, discrete and unpretentious.

For some time now the van has been exploring the European roads from Tarifa point up to the North Cape. It even had its tiny share of public coverage [1]. Since the beginning we kept a tradition consisting in recording in a notebook every night spent in the van. Just a few words capturing the place and the general atmosphere. Seven years later the tradition still goes on and I thought I would pick some random entries and post them here.

Night #1:

First night onboard: Mittlach (Vosges, France) - on the way to the camping area - rainy weather.


How did I ended in the Vosges for my first night? I wanted some mountains, the closest possible to Paris and on top of this I had never been in that area.

Night #2:

Close to Lac Noir (Orbey, Vosges) - calm - in the morning I went for a jogging in the surrounding mountains.

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Night #34:

Prize for the most adventurous 4x4 Kangoo trick. Along the road 7 heading for Bergen, going across mountains split between lakes and tundra-style short vegetation. On one side of the road, some non-drivable slope leads to some flat area, where the Kangoo will spend a peaceful night under heavy rain. But scary moment going down back on the road! Had to go out at night to the bathroom under the rain.

van034

Night #111:

On the way to Cape Cavalleria Lighthouse. Next to the cliff. Strong wind blowing and a very big storm is announced. Quite warm temperature at night. Cala Viola de Llevant.

van111

References:

1.↑ Com passen les vacances els professionals de la BioRegió? (https://www.biocat.cat/ca/reportatges/com-passen-les-vacances-els-professionals-bioregio)


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