About us

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all” (Helen Keller)

 

Just being alive doesn't guarantee anything. As humans, we like to think of ourselves as something removed from nature. As animals with such intelligence, you would think we would know better. One thing is for certain: the adventure of life will end, so what are you going to do with your bit? Action doesn't guarantee happiness, but nobody was happy without action. 

 

We’re a family of three (plus a very hardworking van) redefining what "home" looks like.

Nathan: The builder, driver/chauffeur, and occasional mechanic.

Whit: Navigator, teacher, and chef

Theo: Our 8-year-old co-pilot, who has learned more about the environment, people, plants and wildlife, with very hands-on experience, than most people will ever experience in a lifetime. 

 

Living in a van wasn't exactly plan A, and it definitely was not meant to be long-term. It was “just while we get ourselves sorted out.” In 2023, life gave us a shove. Between the rising cost of living and an unexpected redundancy, issues with a school that left us with such concerns for Theo's development and safety that we took him out, the traditional "four walls and a roof" started feeling more like a weight than a home. So, we decided to change the weight.

 

We had already got a van after wanting to travel more. This was all spurred on from taking a road trip in a small hatchback to the NC500, which is a story in itself. With everything that had happened, we felt that we didn't have much other option than to give up the brick walls for metal ones in the form of an Iveco Daily, and a set of power tools.

 

We didn't have time to wait for a finished build to start our new life; we moved in and finished the conversion while navigating the road. Today, it’s home for us, our 8-year-old son Theo, and a rotating view of the horizon. We have learned a lot from our journey. A big one, having gone from a large three-bedroom house to a van, we realised that the best things in life aren't material things—they’re the moments we spend together. Our Iveco was mostly converted on the go, proving that you don’t need a perfect start to have a great journey.

 

For Theo, this means that every day is a school trip. He has two very willing teachers, and rather than just reading about things in books or on a screen, he gets to get out there and get hands-on. He gets to talk to the experts, the people who do the jobs and know them inside and out. He gets to learn about what he is actually interested in. And for all of us, every day throws up new questions and opportunities to learn. There is still the “classroom” stuff like English and Maths, but it is guided by his interests and real life. We go to museums, libraries, science centres, farms, historical homes, castles, and space centres, and so much more. 

 

Theo was always such a kind, polite and caring child (and I’m not just saying that because he’s our kid). Then he went to school. This was ok to start with. Then his behaviour started to change, and not in a good way. His manners went first. Then it all started to get worse. Calls from the school and issues with this and that. Then incidents that were real threats to his health and major issues with things he had done. We were now the parents to “the naughty kid” (at least one of them anyway). Since we took him out of school, after plenty of perseverance and patience, we got our Theo back! If vanlife gave us nothing else, it would have been worth it for just that.

 

Building a home while living in it has taught us patience, resourcefulness, and exactly how many literal "bumps in the road" a half-finished kitchen can handle. We’re here to share the reality of van life—the good, the bad, and the sawdust.

It isn't always glamorous, but it is ours.