Van Life, How I Find Park Ups, Avoid The Dreaded Knock & Stay Safe
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- Опубликовано: 8 фев 2025
- Hi :) I'm Cat, and together with my Miniature Dachshund, Violet, or 'Miss V', as she's also known, we're sharing our life in our 2006 Renault Master.
A big thank you to everyone who has subscribed, and to everyone who watches the channel. I'm blown away by the response to my vlogs, and I'm so grateful to you all.
Wishing you all a fantastic day ❤️
#dachshund #ukvanlife #vanlife #Renaultmaster #female
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Great video Cat full of common sense advice the audio while driving was excellent I think its the first time you used the earbuds microphone keep safe both of you and keep going 😊😊
Great video good advice content like this will defo up your subs take care
@@mprior7201 Thank you 😊 have a great weekend ♥️
Really sound advice, especially the spray paint! Enjoy your freedom and travels 🌻
@everoberts8565 Thank you 😊 I'm yet to need it but it is a great colour 😂 I hope you're having a great day ❤️
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I thought I recognised that car park. My MIL lives just around the corner 😆 x
@@gingergill7896 👍😊♥️
Better than being homeless lovely. Take care an enjoy your travels xx good luck an God bless xx
Great informative video Cat👍
@@thevikingcraftsman Thank you 😊 I hope you're having a lovely day ❤️
Great vid i like your attitude Willing to stand up for yourself but not looking for confrontation. If i see your van i won't come and say hello just incase I get a green face 😅😅
great vid kat good afternoon have a great day and weekendxx
@@adam-d3m5y Thank you 😊 I hope you're having a lovely day ❤️
Morning cat miss v good vlog it's funny how when we live in a van we seem to do the same things and know where to park and keep distance from other vans, well sensible people anyways , always find a place to stay it's easy when you been on the road for a long time need more people on the road like you stay safe take care be good ❤
@Travellingrobbo 😊❤️ Not as many instagram shots out the back of the van like I've seen on other peoples videos, but this is my way most of the time. Take care and have a great weekend ♥️
@Vanlife_With_Miss_V ❤️
Superb advice, thank you so much 👍🏾
@@lilyoreilly3648 You're welcome 😊 I hope you're having a nice day ♥️
Thanks for your explanation about how and where should we park the car safely...
Really good work best for information interesting
Regards Rob
@RobertSmith-fv3ux Thank you, have a great weekend ♥️
Really good video Cat. Great for someone who's just starting out with a van. Some really good advice regarding safety and not becoming a nuisance. Until it's pointed out, you wouldn't necessarily think of industrial estates for overnight parking.
I''ve thought it for a while, but the place where you were at the beginning of the vlog is somewhere you park quite regularly. It's residential and you are sure to have been noticed. I know you move every day, but by parking there so often, are you breaking your own rules?
Please don't get angry and set Violet on me😂❤️
@matthewvaughan6327 I think I've only ever parked there a maximum of four times in the last 12 months, so no, I'm not breaking my own rules. And as far as not being noticed, people can see me quite clearly, I'm not 'stealth' in any way, and I do move on from any sleeping place early so that I'm not in anyone's way. Saying that, if I paid for parking, after the four free hours, I would be entitled to stay all day, as would anyone else, although I've never stayed past 8am at that particular spot, as it gets busy, and Violet doesn't like the noise. I hope that answers your comment :) have a great weekend ♥️
@Vanlife_With_Miss_V fair enough. It feels as if you've parked there quite a lot judging by the amount of times I've noticed the buildings in the background.
Playing devil's advocate, someone who lived there could say "There's a woman in a campervan that parks up all night, exercises her dog, talks loudly to her phone😉, then starts the engine early in the morning to drive off which wakes me up."
You can see, as you mentioned in today's video, how a resident could take offence.
I didn't realise you didn't park there regularly, so it's not an issue though.❤️
@matthewvaughan6327 Easy mistake to make. A lot of the buildings around Chelmsford do look similar I guess, but yea, I would never do that. And honestly there's people that leave way earlier than me and wake us up. I don't miss that from living in property, at least this way I can chose where I sleep accordingly, that's another reason I've only used this car park on the odd occasion.
@Vanlife_With_Miss_V Sorry, it looked like the same park up. I'm glad you're not angry. I would rather have a proper conversation than just typing 'Great video Cat' in every comment.
@@matthewvaughan6327I don't get angry with anyone...I don't think I have the energy, well unless someone steals my cake, then there would be trouble 😂 I enjoy our little chats. Take care lovely ❤️
Very useful video. I'm sure you'd give as good as you got if someone tried to break into your van. V may be small but bet she's a great ankle nipper if need be 😂
@bobbyb7130 😂😂let's say I wouldn't hold back, and I'm not sure V would either, 🐕anything protect her blankey 😂😂
Hi, I'm new to your channel, I have a new panel van waiting for conversion, which should be ready by the end of may 2025. Thanks for video tips. 🙂
Great video ❤
@boatcaradventures thank you 😊 ♥️have a great weekend ♥️
Totally agree! Leave no trace. Don't camp and don't park next to someone when there's a lot of space. Also stay quiet, no loud music and parties etc. And stay nuggled of course LOL 🌻🌼🌷
@RelaxedMode-j7d Oh yea, that's a good one, I hate it when people 'share' their music/noise. Have a great weekend ♥️
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@@KewiCampervan 😊♥️
We are getting our van later this year and I was told that hairspray makes a great pepper spray alternative. We wondered (having totally agreed with your paint spray plan!) ....do you think if in the unlikely event you had to use it, you would get "done" for assault even though you were under serious threat? I'm like you ; I would act without hesitation to protect what is mine.
@maggie_gee I believe as long as it wasn't pre-meditated, like it had another purpose, 'I was going to help paint my nephews toy car with it, bother I'll have to buy some more now' that you'd be fine, they say that about baseball bats, that you should keep a glove and ball with it, but I don't have them, I think if someone's breaking into my home it's fair game. It's unlikely but I'm prepared if the situation arose. All the best with your new van, and have a great weekend ♥️
I looked into it a couple of years ago as I was looking at getting some kind of self defence spray or the like. I believe anything you take or carry with the purpose of using as a weapon even in self defence could potentially get you into trouble. However anything you have to hand so eg a can of hairspray in your van or a large stick on a walk ( I have a walking pole ) would be unlikely to get you into trouble. Unless you admit its purpose was as a weapon.
@andreaPat70 Absolutely, or a steering wheel lock, heavy and necessary in a vehicle for security reasons :)
Deep Heat spray better than paint spray, would even stop Tyson Fury in his tracks.
That’s an important topic for anyone living the van life! Finding good park-up spots and avoiding that dreaded knock can make all the difference in a peaceful night’s rest. 🚐✨ Safe travels!
@earthplants Hopefully it'll help people make more respectful decisions, and everyone can live together peacefully 🤞we can only hope right. Have a lovely weekend ♥️
I'm planning to move from my narrowboat into a van this year, and I would really appreciate your advice about the best vehicle for full time living, if you have time.
The single biggest question on my mind is whether to get a motorhome or a van conversion.
I would sum it up like this: I can live with the extra difficulty of driving and parking a 7 metre MH compared to a van, because I would really, really love the extra width and living space in a MH with a big front lounge.
But I know that MHs are far more conspicuous than vans in urban areas, and what would really bother me is if I get hassled by busybodies, locals, or mischevious kids..
From what I've seen vans blend in much easier in towns, and in a van I wouldn't be worried about hassle from locals.
But with all that said, Darran (the Urban Motorhome on RUclips) has no stress or issues parking his 8 metre MH in residential and urban areas, and he never gets hassled.
So can I ask - for someone like myself who like more living space, but who doesn't want to stand out too much when in urban areas, how would you make the decision? Would you go for the extra space in a MH, or would you always go for a van?
I could live with the small storage in a van compared to a MH, because I could rent a small storage unit for my heavier or bulkier things - like power tools, camp chairs (and even winter clothes and coats could be stored away during the summer months).
I'm asking you this question because I feel you have a similar approach to myself. I can see you like to keep you van free of clutter (as best you can when living on a van), and I want to also do this in my vehicle. I cant live in a vehicle where my only interior space is a chair in 4 square feet of floor.
Almost all the vanlifers I watch have fixed double beds, but I simply cannot give up all that lounging space for a bed- I would rather have a make-up bed, or a drop down bed if I can afford one.
You also leave residential spots in the morning (as I will do most times) in order to avoid the risk of hassle from local busybodies.
My sincere apologies for this huge wall of text, but this is the single biggest unanswered question on my mind about living on the road, and I've been going backwards and forwards on it for months.
So yes - back to the point of my question- would you advise me to get a MH for the extra space and storage etc, or a van so that I can blend in better and not get hassled in urban areas? And as a final thought, I don't expect to spend too much time in urban areas.
@theamateurboater5892 Honesty, I think it's down to personal choice. I've had a couple of motorhomes, both 7.5 meters long, both with a bed above the cab, so tall too. They do come with restrictions, say on a supermarket car park, or some car parks, where you would need to pay for 2 spaces or get fined, as the length takes up 2 bays. I also had a low top, long wheel base, Vauxhall Vivaro van before this one. Great to park anywhere, and it went under height barriers, but that was a self conversion with no windows, and I was broken into cos I believe they thought it was a works van. Nothing was stolen, just a nice big hole hacked in the back door to break in, and then a quick look inside, and they left. I don't think the van looking like a camper or a motorhome is an issue as long as you park thoughtfully. I chose this because it had everything I needed, it also fits in a parking bay if I reverse in, backing onto grass or bushes, its only 5.5 meters I would have liked a seperate bed, but in my price range there wasn't anything I was happy with, and I looked at both motorhomes and van conversations. I'd say find what suits you, don't worry about it being a van or motorhome, just find something you're happy with, and you'll figure it out as you go. I think whether it's a van or a motorhome, if someone has an issue, they'll say something, find something that makes you feel happy and at home, that's what was important to me. Sorry I can't give you a definitive answer, but I hope that it helped at least a little bit. Happy hunting, and have a great weekend ♥️
Thanks a million for such a detailed and considered reply, that is really helpful. It seems as if I dont need to worry too much about a MH causing more hostility than a van, which is great to hear.
The only things I need to consider now are the normal issues- e.g. will I have enough storage space in a van, without it all getting too cluttered?
Am I OK accepting the extra parking hassle of a MH compared to a van, etc.
But I feel now as if I can compare and decide on these issues and reach a good decision based just on logic, rather than worrying about hostility from strangers.
For me that is a step forward, so thanks very much.
Oh, and it was a really good video- thank you!
Well said girlie enjoyed all you monica uk
@royrolfe4338 Thank you, I hope you're having a lovely weekend ❤️
Great video and advice. If only everyone would park respectfully and leave no trace then there would be fewer restrictions. At Walcott seafront in Norfolk near me there currently aren’t any restrictions but locals are calling for them as vans in the summer used it instead of a campsite. The entire road was lined with camper-vans and motor homes. I walked along in the summer and one van had a full size bbq and gas bottle on the main road behind their van with their back doors open taking up a parking space. They were both lying on two sun lounges on the pavement where people were trying to walk. They were definitely not van lifers just holiday makers but people like them really do ruin it for others especially somewhere like here where there are not many places that allow overnight parking. Hope you and miss V stay safe and have a great weekend.
@andreaPat70 Thank you 😊
Oh that's not nice is it😔.. it spoils it for everyone, people who live in vans & motorhomes, and it makes other people uncomfortable too, I don't like that, only looking out for themselves. I always avoid places like that and park well away, or move on to somewhere else.
Take care and have a lovely weekend ♥️
Common sense parking is needed and taking note of any signs restricting overnight parking. 👍😎 Alan
@sandbagsid It's simple really isn't it 😊 I hope you're having a lovely day ❤️
Have you ever had a problem and had to move?
@WifeyEdwards No never, You?
@@Vanlife_With_Miss_V well I have found a couple of spots are questionably mmmm doggy sites, I say this cos there are single men in cars flashing lights. Then walking around my vehicle up close right looking in the windows or up and down past it in the day time I may add. !!Don't laugh but I am a sensible woman of the world and I know it's a public place. But I was straight out of there! Bo**ocks to that!
train yourself with Nunchaku's its small handy and very good self defence. youtube lessons for free available begin first with soft-training nunchakus so you don't hurt yourself hahahah. the baseball bat is too big too heavy and too slow to hit , you have to swing it and they can grab it from you . better take a fork and aim for the face, eyes or neck
@eleonoramarree I'd be using the bat in more of a thrusting motion like morgan from the walking dead 😂 no swinging necessary, using it in the traditional way takes too much space and effort giving the other person too much time 😉
@@Vanlife_With_Miss_V try the practice nunchaku's I think you will love it you can do it while walking the dog