WHERE IT ALL BEGAN - From Roughing It to Comfort

#motohome #campervan #tent #camping
This months vanners collaboration we look back at where we began on our camping journey and the reasons we changed from a small cheap tent to luxury outwell dakota & nevada tents. We also take a look at the caravans we have owned a Coachman VIP 460/2 and a Swift Merlin and then on to our current vehicle. If you have any questions, please leave them below. If you are new here, why not follow our travels by hitting the SUBSCRIBE button, it is FREE to do and helps our little channel grow.

[@vansforthememories]

If you’re interested in our van tour, here’s the link kzbin.info/www/bejne/rWHSamh_YrlmY5Ysi=fMx6kucQGNl2nH5l Please subscribe if not already. Thanks, Em 😎

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Lovely presentation Em 🙂 We love your red van too, it sounds like you have found your absolute favourite leisure vehicle 👍🏻🚐 well done 💙 Trev n Sue

[@vansforthememories]

Hiya Trev n Sue, thank you 😊 yes we love it 🥰 and don’t think we’d cope in a soggy tent these days 😂 Thanks so much, Em 💜

[@ttxela]

We used to love tent camping too 🙂

[@vansforthememories]

They’re great holiday’s especially with the kids, they never forget them. 😄 Em 💜

[@TheBeckwiths]

I remember sleeping in a tent with a stream running through it.😂

[@vansforthememories]

Haha fond memories eh Glyn 😁 Thanks, Em 💜

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Wow, that flood didn't put you off tents!

[@vansforthememories]

😂 All part of the memories we made 😊 Thanks, Em 💜

[@mark-hazelsmotorhomeadventures]

It’s surprising how many people started off with tents . Oh my god all that water pouring down over the kettle and gas hob 😲 the coachman 460 /2 was where we started off

[@vansforthememories]

Haha 😂 Yes we enjoyed the camping in nice weather, not so much in the rain 😂 Oh really?! We loved our coachman 😁 Thanks, Em 💜

[@gallivantinggalantes]

Hi Em, interesting to hear you started by holidaying in tents, then caravans and now your campervan, very interesting to hear how you started out , take care, Julie and Tony x

[@vansforthememories]

Hi Julie & Tony, yes many soggy holiday’s were enjoyed in the tent ⛺️ Not sure I could do that now though 😂 Thanks for watching. Em 💜

[@theadventuresofkennydebbie]

What a great recap. 🖐🏼😀

[@vansforthememories]

Thank you 😊 Em 💜

[@saunteringsapsfords]

Ah yes Em,we started tenting in Tenby in 1987,move eventually to an 11' caravan, then a bit bigger,ended up with our current rig,our 25 year old Autosleepers legend motorhome, had it 10 years this year,but have now also got an old Renault trafic van I have converted to a campervan myself, to give us some options ❤

[@vansforthememories]

I think tenting is a brilliant way to start & you just evolve as you get older 😁 Thanks for watching, Em 💜

[@MaxOConner-zg4gi]

We've had almost the same journey with a variety of tents but we skipped the caravans and went straight to our Fifer Touring L. BVBF Best Van By Far!

[@vansforthememories]

Hi Max, we loved tenting when we were younger & not as creaky 😂 made some wonderful memories with the kids & they enjoyed helping doing the little jobs. 😁 Ohh really a Fifer owner 😎 🤩 They are superb vans! How long have you had it? Thanks so much for the comment, hope you’ll stick around to follow what we get upto. Best wishes, Em 💜

[@tonysutton6559]

I always went camping with my brothers and/or my mates as a youngster (all of the summer holidays camping in the back garden) and we also had a Bedford CA Camper van which ended up passing away one New Year's Eve ( Dad swore blind that no beer was involved but a lot of other swearing was involved). My wife refused to go camping when we were married but the kids nagged her into going away to Bala in a 4 berth tent with a dog (strangely enough in a Ford Galaxy) and refused to sleep in a tent again but I was allowed to get a VW T25 pop top camper. When that went to the big campsite in the sky (after becoming an open top camper thanks to a low branch and an inattentive recovery truck driver) I switched to our current demountable camper on the back of a double cab pick up. This has been all over - Brittany, Normandy, Wales, Kent, Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, the Peak District, Lake District, Cotswolds,Yorkshire, the Scottish mainland and about 90% of the main Scottish islands. I have thought about getting a traditional van conversion like yours but then decided that I like having the option to dump the camper part on the campsite and be able to go into towns in the truck.

[@vansforthememories]

Haha you always have a funny story or two! Omg you’re camper! I bet you were gutted! I really enjoyed camping, but wasn’t keen when it thundered, I’d sleep in the car if that happened 😂 We find we can get into most places without issue in the van, although when places are busy it can be a bit awkward. It sounds like you have the perfect set up that works well for you 😎 Thanks for watching, Em 💜

[@tonysutton6559]

@@vansforthememories A couple of bonuses of having a demounted camper are that we don't have to tidy all our stuff away to go out for the day and that nobody can pinch our pitch while we're off site. On trips like the Scottish island were we rarely stay in the same place for more than a night or two the camper stays on the back and were like all the other camper vanners.

[@Wizardinthewild]

Never did the whole tent thing. You are very brave! Interesting hearing how you got to where you are now. We had a caravan. Much prefer having a camper now. Safe travels both 👍😊

[@vansforthememories]

We had some fun family holidays in the tents ⛺️ Yes camper is a lot easier than the caravan was, although they each have their own pluses & minuses. Thanks, Em 💜

[@scootladychicago]

interesting to learn about your journey, em! it's fun to see how our needs and wants change, but all of it is fun! pats to charlie. cheers! 🛴❤

[@vansforthememories]

Hi Anne, yes, I guess we just evolve over time! I’ll certainly give Charlie a pat. Thanks, Em 💜

[@NBNatureTrailvan]

Just brilliant Em. Absolutely fascinating and some incredible memories! We so wish we had done this sooner too! Safe travels you two.

[@vansforthememories]

😂yes even the bad weather is remembered fondly 😁 Glad you’re both enjoying motorhome life! Hope you’re having fun on Mull 😁 Em 💜

[@NBNatureTrailvan]

@@vansforthememories it was brilliant Em. Absolutely loved it! Now getting soaked in Ardnamurchan. 😃. But still lovin it!!!

[@getawaygeese]

Always interesting your journey - never got on with camping found it hard work

[@vansforthememories]

😂😂 it was a bit! But still fun 🤩 (when it didn’t rain) 😊 Thanks for watching, Em 💜

[@wanderingbychoice]

Hi Em our story is very similar, outwell tent that gre and grew trailer to carry it, both had motorhome/ vw camper and now this, really good to hear your story, hope you and Gary and Charlie are doing ok.. safe travels 👍🚌👊🥰

[@vansforthememories]

Hiya you three! Hope you’re all ok? Ahh yes it’s easy to get carried away with all the Outwell add-ons 🫣 Great quality though aren’t they! Thanks so much, take care. Em 💜

[@wanderingbychoice]

@@vansforthememories we all good Em, outwell imo are the best, loved our Montana.❤️🚌🚌

[@wendysandell]

Great video Em and some lovely memories you all have. ❤

[@vansforthememories]

Glad you enjoyed it, hope you’re both well & thank you. Em 💜

[@wendysandell]

@@vansforthememories yes we are all great thank you xxx

[@motoringmasons]

I loved the tents but I don't miss the putting them up or those downpours.

[@vansforthememories]

Haha exactly our thoughts too ☺️ Thanks, Em 💜

[@DesmondsDonders]

All the best start in tents LOL. Surprised you went to Scotland 🤣🤣 Swift don't make them properly LOL.

[@vansforthememories]

Haha we did indeed, before the NC was even a twinkle 🤩😂 Thanks, Em 💜

[@carolkubicki2455]

Interesting and fun to hear your journey to a campervan. We also started with tents but always small good quality backpacking tents and we skipped the caravan stage!

[@vansforthememories]

Hi Carol 😁 We enjoyed tenting (most of the time) 😂 It served us well as a family 😊 The caravan had its appeal in different ways, but it was a faff 😊 Interesting to hear your past too, do you still use your tent? Thank you for watching me waffle on 🥴😊 Em 💜

[@carolkubicki2455]

The tents went when we downsized to a small flat. I'm not sure I'd like to do it now 😊 Backpacking and staying in a B&B is more my style if we don't take the van. Your chatty style is lovely and not waffle. But i did miss your double act 😊 All those viewers come by choice!

[@vansforthememories]

@@carolkubicki2455 That definitely sounds like my style too 😉 Haha 😂 G had gone for a walk with Donald The Drone 😊 Aww thanks Carol 💜

[@sylviapage8572]

An interesting journey. My son is thinking about buying a tent for family camping holidays because my grandson wants to come camping with us but we just have a 2 berth van. I was thinking about buying a decent awning for them to stay in, I think Mike and Tricia of oot an aboot had something with a bedroom on the wee broon van but my son says he’s happy to buy a tent. We can check out the outwell brand for something suitable. Thanks for sharing. 😃

[@vansforthememories]

Hi Sylvia 😎 That sounds like a good plan, we really rated the Outwell tents & enjoyed our holidays in them 😁 Let me know how you get on. Thanks for watching, Em 💜

[@JPLamoureuxsTravels]

Nice one hun x I’ve still got a garage full of tents lol 😂 x safe travels! ❤

[@vansforthememories]

😂why doesn’t that surprise me 🤣 I bet yours never got flooded as you’d know not to pitch it at the bottom of a hill 🙈🤣 Thanks for commenting, Em 💜 xxx

[@JPLamoureuxsTravels]

@@vansforthememories 😂😂😂 I do love camping! Xx 😘

[@Ian-and-Antonias-Escapades]

We were lucky enough to never experience the kind of weather you endured in your tent. We were impressed it didn't seem to put you off! 😀

[@vansforthememories]

😂 It didn’t, it was good fun despite the flood & we look back with fond memories 😎 Thanks, Em 💜

[@MaxOConner-zg4gi]

We've had almost the same journey with a variety of tents but we skipped the caravans and went straight to our Fifer Touring L. BVBF Best Van By Far!

[@vansforthememories]

Hi Max, tenting was brilliant 🤩 when we weren’t as creaky 🙈 Made some great memories with the kids ☺️ Ohh really a fellow fifer owner 😎 They are superb vans 🤩 how long have you had yours? Thanks for the comment, I hope you’ll follow us on our travels. Best wishes, Em 😂