The Real Cost Of Van Life! Will I Make It Through This Camper Van Conversion?

[@christopherpurdue24]

Have a great Christmas Mel Becky Monster, thank you for the hard work on editing and producing these Vlogs appreciated,

[@petehall9827]

Chin up Mel,happens to every van builder,certainly had plenty of times doing mine when you’re just not in the frame of mind to be working on it.Had to pick and choose what jobs I did at those times.

[@gordonlennox4501]

Hi Mel. When I watched you setting up your solar panels and crawling about in your garage I was reminded of the Beatles song "When I'm 64". Probably because I'm 76. However you are absolutely correct at this stage of the build. Get your head down and do one job at a time and don't think about anything else. As the time will pass, you will be amazed at how much you have moved forward. Cheers and Merry Christmas.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you for the encouragement really appreciated means the world merry Christmas 🍻👍

[@KennyRoberts-w3z]

I'll be brutally honest here Mel, I feel that you often go off on a tangent recently with the Vario build, sometimes I feel like you are running out of the drive to actually finish it. Surely electrics and basics first? I'm willing you on to complete this van, but I'm not sure you will.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you I appreciate your support and your words of encouragement 🍻👍

[@peterburgess4637]

if you look at the whole job it becomes overwhelming, best to set targets for the day with the whole picture in mind as the van develops, and even if the days goals aren`t achieved its is still nearer than it was. Merry Christmas Mel. have a good one.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you merry Christmas 🍻👍

[@johnshaw4140]

Merry Christmas Mel , Beccy and Monster

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Merry Christmas 🍻🫶👍

[@timstradling7764]

Keep going Mel, life gets in the way at times, and at this time of year with short days, cr@p weather and perhaps a bit of Seasonal Adjustment Disorder it feels like wading through treacle.😢 Any bit of the build achieved is a step closer to ‘completion’. We all know completion is a myth, but at least its an aiming point to get you rolling where you want to be😊 Happy Christmas to you, Becky and Bob, have a really good one.

[@mentalneil]

Hey Mel and Becky, merry Xmas to you both and monster, have a great one, and a very happy New year, #1

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Same to you my friend 🍻🫶👍

[@stevewalker1224]

Hi Mel, I know what you're saying about the van build, I struggled right near the end of my build when I had to strip out the kitchen area as it wasn't working and I had to restart the whole area. I think I had about 2 months off as I just couldn't be ar$$ed. But I have to agree that this content wasn't worth watching or filming. Honesty Mel mate I hope you find your mojo. Chin up mate

[@jimnyjolly278]

Hard going this time of year in UK, working on your own . I hope soon you will get over the crest of the hill and see the end of the tunnel in your build Mel. Happy Xmas to you and yours in advance.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you and you too 🍻🫶👍

[@lighteningjak]

That wasn`t worth watching sorry but your blogs are getting shorter and boring . You have spent a long time getting subscibers you should not fail then . Since you left the barn you same to have lost intrest in the van build . You need to think of the end result when you are traveling and have a free life .I wish you all the best and a happy christmas .

[@maxv77]

Sadly, I agree. We don't need to see every screw being put in. Kinda get the idea with just the one. I have to skip through this one. As I did with the moving stuff about. I do enough of that myself at home 😂. Weather's crap and cold. Enjoy the Xmas break. Take time out and and reset.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

I’m experimenting with different types of filming thank you for your brutally honest feedback that’s really helpful and I’ll take it all on board Merry Christmas my friend 🍻🫶👍

[@Deiseboi]

After reading some of the comments.. ROME wasn't built in a day..i spent 9 months on my build while working full time...after getting up at 2am driving/ working 9hrs then doing 4hrs on van Monday till Friday ....then Saturdays....its a labour of love IF like mel do it once do it right...

[@dutchglobetrotter6464]

Merry Christmas Mel!

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Same to you!🍻🫶👍

[@davidpatrick1813]

tnx

[@PRESTIGEANDCLASSIC]

Merry Christmas Mel 🎅

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Merry Christmas my friend 🍻🫶👍

[@wayne-world]

You get there Mel 👊👊👊

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you 🙏

[@karlcronin6589]

We hope you and becky have a fabulous christmas and hope twenty five is an exciting year for you, both and more fabulous episodes of the van build and your future trips in this vehicle.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Merry Christmas my friend 🍻🫶👍

[@philcorp1213]

Is it depression day Mel. As much as I appreciate your efforts..it may be worth yourself watching your own video. Learn by what you see. Would you want to watch it ?. Hope things improve for you. I learnt myself. To walk away from a project and revisit when u feel up to it. I'm sure many would agree. You don't have to make videos every week. Just let us know u need a break. NOW is a good to.e to start. Best wishes for Xmas. Phil

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Merry Christmas 🍻🫶👍

[@Newnomads]

I’m just here for that sweet Mel gymnastics action! Let’s see the contortions it is going to take to reach into that AND press hard enough to get the screws in! Diane and I kind of held our breath when the old man jumped/fell out of the back… 😂😂😂 take it easy there!

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Hahaha 😝

[@mariogajewski6069]

What else would you be doing😮

[@russellwithey1938]

Mel I'm totally with you after 15 months and X amount of money I'm finally done with building my van , yes I 100% had enough of building it and yes 100% totally had enough of spending money on it , luckily I've got a good mate who going through exactly the same who I burden with my moaning . Its all worth it though at the end even though as your doing it at the time it can get you down . Keep going !!

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you so much for the kind words of encouragement and support I really do appreciate it 🍻🫶👍

[@JonathanCampDesigner]

Mel, go back to your roots! You are trying to create the “ultimate”. Have you lost sight of your motto- “keep it simple”! The key is to go off travelling with your partner. Keep you van simple and modify it on the road to how you want it. Apply the the KISS principle - it worked on your last van. If a project takes too long - it is an indication that you are making it too complicated. The best vans grow with you organically. Get out and use it👍

[@RicJG7]

Nah mate

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Yes! Thank you! Merry Christmas 🍻🫶👍

[@billyhenderson730]

Hi Mel, Been watching you for a while now with the van build. I think you need a break. The last few months have been a wee bit trying and trying to get vlogs put up for us. Your body language is not the same so take some time over the Xmas holiday and recharge we will still be here when you get back and finish the Travel Wagon and find some Treasure. Take Care. 👍

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you and a Merry Christmas my friend 🍻🫶👍

[@chrismcbride2806]

Think you need to put a clear end date to a build, give yourself something drive towards!

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Yeah I’ve set a target 👍

[@dubdaz1]

I thought you’ed planned on leaving room to fit an electric bike in the garage, I cant see how it fits in this configuration?

[@johnhargreaves2647]

Sensed a bit of Discontentment in that Video Mel and that can only make to mistakes being made. Take yourself aside for a couple of days think it out and everything will come flowing back. Not only that i want to see you touring the world in that Vario, chin up kid with you 100%.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you for the words of encouragement really appreciate it we are off on a trip in January Merry Christmas my friend 🍻🫶👍

[@garysmart7132]

Great van mel but what happened to keep it simple 😂😂😂

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Good question!😂🍻👍

[@pdevs1966]

Chin up just think of the adventures, you and becky .....

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you 🍻🫶👍

[@emlyntilley]

Know how you feel , being going in all different directions on van, just when I thought it's almost done, had a massive water leak come through the roof when we had the storm, spent most of yesterday on roof sorting it out

[@kernow..exp.]

Merry Christmas to you both from us down in Cornwall

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Merry Christmas my friend 🍻🫶👍

[@toastiesvanbuild4644]

I was waiting for you to grind into the plywood when you were taking the ends off the screws….😂.. very skill full👏👏

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you I’ve done all this stuff before 😂🤣🫶👍

[@jartotable]

❤ have a great xmas Mel. A few miserable commenters on here but I hope you ignore them.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you! You too! Merry Christmas 🍻🫶👍

[@defendermods9420]

Hi, where do you get or whats the name of the grey board you use please.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Phenolic plywood comes in all sorts of different forms 👍

[@defendermods9420]

@BigVanSmallWorld thank you 😊

[@bjarnepost5913]

Hello from Lolland Denmark xpost Bjarne thanks for workshop video 😊🏞🌅🗽🚍🚐🇬🇧🇩🇰

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Merry Christmas my friend 🍻🫶👍

[@ianwheeler7903]

What is the length of your telescopic ladder Mel ?

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

2.8 meters really hard to get one

[@ianwheeler7903]

@@BigVanSmallWorld Cheers Mel, I thought it had some length 😁

[@travellingjournalist966]

You’ve had some setbacks it’s understandable the build looks and feels daunting, you’ve had a new workshop to set up I know you will finish it mate, Oi where’s my cuppa? Maybe I’ll have to come up for one in the new year haha take care Mel

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Merry Christmas my friend 🍻🫶👍

[@HenryDevine-j5w]

I've been feeling the same Mel I just can't find the energy or enthusiasm to finish our van 😢

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

I feel your pain 🍻🫶

[@HenryDevine-j5w]

@@BigVanSmallWorld ❤️

[@thevikingcraftsman]

Mel, Van builds as you know can easily take hundreds of hours especially when taking two steps back with mechanical stuff first but your doing a proper job and it will be excellent camper👍

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

merry christmas

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you and you 🫶🍻👍

[@DianeNomadz]

It is the short days... it just sucks your energy and inspiration. Maybe you guys need a short break somewhere warm and sunny.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Oh don’t worry we’re right behind you hehe 😜 🍻🫶👍