55. A one-night campervan trip in London

Рет қаралды 38,978

Күн бұрын

A few weeks ago, I popped down to London in the campervan for a very quick meet with Lorna of @lornajaneadventures and this is the account of that trip.
If you liked the video and wish to leave me a tip, thank you!
www.ko-fi.com/davidjohns
Lorna's video is at • Living in a Campervan ...
Campsite was www.visitleevalley.org.uk/lee...
Tools & Parts used for the campervan build:
Portable toilet: geni.us/Van_Toilet
Sink unit: geni.us/Van_SinkHob
Heater unit: geni.us/Van_PropexHS2000
Fridge: geni.us/Van_CoolFreezeCDF26
Inverter: geni.us/Van_Inverter
Charger: geni.us/Van_MainsCharger
Solar Controller: geni.us/Van_SolarMPPT
Gas Alarm: geni.us/Van_GasAlarm
DeWalt jigsaw: geni.us/Van_DeWaltJigsaw
DeWalt drill: geni.us/Van_DeWaltDrill
DeWalt mitre saw: geni.us/Van_DeWaltMitreSaw
DeWalt circular saw: geni.us/Van_DeWaltCircSaw
Web www.vandemonium.co.uk
Twitter / vandemoniumuk
Instagram: / vandemoniumuk
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Пікірлер: 219

@janbiedermann1398 2 жыл бұрын

What a masterpiece!!!!... this guy is truly BBC-trained.... !!!!!

@Vandemonium 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. Not BBC trained though, I worked for ITV

@piratesalleycats2290 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this little vignette. It’s always fun to enjoy a glimpse into one of your van getaways, especially with Lorna.

@TheFudgeChicken 2 жыл бұрын

"An appropriate level of grievance." That's a t-shirt.

@paisleyjane9606 2 жыл бұрын

I really enjoy this friendship.

@simonba9944 2 жыл бұрын

I enjoyed that. Thank you both and the geese too of course. 😃

@JISJ1964 2 жыл бұрын

David, I love these films that you and the other boaters do together, it´s like the famous film "Little Dorrit" where one for six hours sat and watched the story from two angles. Each time you meet up for a cooperation is simple feast.

@Fuzzy_Spork 2 жыл бұрын

As an American I love seeing the driving footage and scenery around the UK. Also, I eat instant noodles for breakfast all the time! *high fives Lorna*

@JoshScott19 2 жыл бұрын

Your channels are my favorite! Both the boat and the van!

@Vandemonium 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@GreyMannShed 2 жыл бұрын

I have to admit to being creased up with laughter at the "bawdy banter" bit :-) A very pleasant video, thank you

@kathyowens9901 2 жыл бұрын

You were a gonggoozler! I love it! Lovely trip meeting up with Lorna, always enjoy it and what a lovely meal!

@mattevans-koch9353 2 жыл бұрын

Wonderful video David. Always enjoy your trips and the narration that comes along with it. Good to see Lorna again. She is a nice camping buddy. Have a great week ahead.

@inspector1794 2 жыл бұрын

An enjoyable few minutes, thanks for taking us along.

@oceana9294 2 жыл бұрын

Enjoyed your vlog today, left me with smiles. Thanks for "reporting in" so that we know that you are healthy and busy and enjoying life.

@carycoombe3380 2 жыл бұрын

A tip for using showers in campgrounds: shower before going to bed. You avoid queuing for showers like at the busy times. Plus, you go to bed clean of all the "campy stuff" you have acquired during the day. Best of all, you get to sleep in because you don't have to get up and go have a shower.

@Vandemonium 2 жыл бұрын

Mmm, I hate not being washed when I get up in the mornings though

@penneynoss9552 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you David, for sharing this trip with us. A day out visiting with friends, in a different environment, makes life worth living.💕

@chrisuk5247 2 жыл бұрын

Lovely video and nice to catch up with Lorna, she's a lovely girl. Super noodles for breakfast are healthier than the donuts she had last time.

@dennisporter753 2 жыл бұрын

Nice to see Loma again. Glad you got to spend time visiting her.. Cheers David..

@pinchyh 2 жыл бұрын

All the youtube boaty people are like one big extended family, I like it

@clearprop 2 жыл бұрын

Always a pleasure to see 'Vandemonium' pop up in the notifications. Interesting to watch Lorna's 'take', too. Thanks, David. 👍😁

@nancydwyer4583 2 жыл бұрын

Nancy's guy Frank here... loved seeing the Pub menu. That was a real treat... I read everything that I could and dreamed of eating lots of things. Visits to Pubs, various attractions, even grocery stores I find very interesting. I do a lot of comparing to what I find in various parts of the USA where we live, to what I can see on your videos of the UK. Always enjoy your interaction with Lorna also, I should add we watch her offerings too. Thank you, please do more of this type of thing.

@stuartgibson9432 2 жыл бұрын

I used to stay at that campsite a lot in the nineties. One summer evening I was plugging in my landline when I felt something cold on the back of my leg (I was wearing shorts). I turned around and saw it was a fox who danced around like a dog wanting to play fetch the ball. I mentioned this to the site warden who said that the fox often visited the site and behaved like a dog.

@Vandemonium 2 жыл бұрын

Perhaps it was a goose dressed as a fox

@stuartgibson9432 2 жыл бұрын

@@Vandemonium No. It was a fox who tried to Goose me.

@om617yota8 2 жыл бұрын

I was going "ehhh" on the shower block description and the lack of the divider, until you said it was clean! Clean = many, many other sins forgiven.

@mosesa2305 2 жыл бұрын

Nice video, thanks for taking us along on your trip.

@CP140405 2 жыл бұрын

I think you would enjoy a camping trip out here on Canada's West Coast. The contrast between our Provincial/National Parks campgrounds and the campgrounds I've seen in your videos is remarkable.

@0HARE 2 жыл бұрын

A nice park, and an interesting outing. Your subtle humor is quite charming. Happy Camping

@Vandemonium 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you kindly!

@marilynnreiter7221 2 жыл бұрын

You are great together. Always fun even when not doing much. But Lorna's breakfasts are always sweet only.

@michaelpilling9659 2 жыл бұрын

That was very nice David. Lovely to see Lorna again

@peterhadfield873 2 жыл бұрын

Nice to see you back with the wife :-)

@JohnSmith-oj3fh 2 жыл бұрын

The chinwag chillin' looked blissful.

@shirleylynch7529 2 жыл бұрын

That was most enjoyable. Ducks and gooses a bit wary. Great vlog thank you

@StephenArbo 2 жыл бұрын

Always good to have one of your vlogs its always fun and entertaining....thank you !

@michaelsolo8141 2 жыл бұрын

Would love to see more of your campervan and maybe your cooking skills......don't get me wrong , loving the journeys and videos.....but I'd personally like to see some cooking, some gadgetry from the van, some interaction with fellow campers maybe. Love your soothing calming voice and style though , please keep the vids coming....very enjoyable

@Vandemonium 2 жыл бұрын

Ah, I have no cooking skills. There will be a video soon with lots of other campervanners

@michaelsolo8141 2 жыл бұрын

@@Vandemonium looking forward to it. Really enjoy your vids, keep them coming 👍🏻

@dawndietz4654 2 жыл бұрын

It’s always good to camp with friends ❤️. It’s great to take a break and get away🌿

@Paul_C83 2 жыл бұрын

What a coincidence... I'm in bed at 11pm with pancakes, vanilla ice cream and maple syrup while watching this lovely video.

@oldsteam3618 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks . Good to see you and an old friend out and about. OUT. PS be well David.

@davidpiper3652 2 жыл бұрын

The shower trick is to put the clothes in one of those zip-up suit protectors that go on a hanger.

@Vandemonium 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, I take them in a plastic bag but it would nice if the floor area stayed dry there too

@ruthconstantino6861 2 жыл бұрын

Fun episode 😊, please keep 'em coming. Thanks!

@JohnRogersWalks 2 жыл бұрын

Wonderful to see you in my neck of the woods David

@colblimp 2 жыл бұрын

Fab video. I'm so envious of you with that van...

@thomasfrench2012 2 ай бұрын

I always enjoy the videos when you meet up with LJ. Perhaps this Summer you two can team up again?

@Vandemonium 2 ай бұрын

Possibly!

@kathlucy603 2 жыл бұрын

Oh David, only you can make fun commentary of traffic delays & the simplest of things. So corny but enjoyable!

@patriotu.s.a6846 2 жыл бұрын

Love your van outings!!!🤗

@robertlalor8090 2 жыл бұрын

Goosie McGooseface!!! Nice one :)

@JCDiamond 2 жыл бұрын

What fun this must have been! Nothing wrong with noodles for breakfast!

@philgray1023 2 жыл бұрын

My thoughts entirely, but why no olives and chilli sauce. They do add the finishing touches.

@joann5157 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for taking us along on this trip. You are very right about the motorway traffic. I was anxious just watching.

@FerroequinologistofColorado 2 жыл бұрын

Another wonderful vlog!

@christinae30 2 жыл бұрын

That waffle & icecream dessert... 👏👏

@Vandemonium 2 жыл бұрын

It was delicious

@drscopeify 2 жыл бұрын

Fun video! The showers remind me of military style showers where I would place clothes in a bag and hang it from the shower head.

@Barbiloulou 2 жыл бұрын

Long comment, sorry. Actually comment plus suggested vlog. Loved this slice of actual camper-van life, plus good chat with a friend. I think there are lots of viewers like me who would love to know more about YOU. Maybe a vlog Q&A of "A week in the life" of a camper-vanner who actually lives on a boat, but doesn't go anywhere on it. Do you really just stay parked on a permanent mooring? Where and what do you eat? % cooking on boat/van versus eating out? Entertainment? Visitors? Other hobbies we've not seen? You've made friends at your mooring? Shopping? Do you think this is common, wanting to stop cruising after a few to several years? That happened to us, sort of, fulltime RVing across the USA. Discovered a great place and wanted to stay there (Mexico). I think that would happen to me every few miles on the canals there, from your photography. I've loved whatever you're doing, keep'em coming.

@scoscar 2 жыл бұрын

Great video David. Please keep the content coming. 👌

@lynmoore8355 2 жыл бұрын

This is why my hubby say...... the two things he doens't miss about living in the the UK, the M25 and then the weather..................

@ilox11 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the quick-trip video. Nice to be able to duck down and catch up with the lovely Lorna. I did enjoy the chat between the two of you on Lorna's video about the regulations for the Low Emission vehicles. A whole new world, something we don't have any sign of in little old Adelaide. I thought that dessert was scrumptious and thanks for the quick shot of it. What's next on your travel plans?

@Vandemonium 2 жыл бұрын

No plans as such but two further videos to come from little jaunts I’ve done in the last few weeks

@adrianhydephotography 2 жыл бұрын

Fantastic video and narration David

@philgray1023 2 жыл бұрын

Nice to share your trip without having to put up with geese and assorted discarded rubbish. I found the brand new showers in one of Sydney's most exclusive yacht clubs were exactly like that but slightly smaller. I'd be telling the Commodore a thing or two if I was a member, but I'm not.

@robertstarckhiggins1080 2 жыл бұрын

i was born and raised in London and i am heartbroken how rundown it has become.... nice to have bumped into you at Stratford David , i was a bit disappointed at the lack of traders but a nice break none the less.....

@duncangrainge 2 жыл бұрын

Same for me. I took my wife and kids back to my childhood home in south London a couple of years ago. I spoke glowingly about the road and houses as I remember in the 70’s. When we got there it was awful. The once well maintained houses and gardens just really run down and uncared for / unloved.

@catherineatkins7908 2 жыл бұрын

So nice to see Lorna again. Do you know how she is doing with the course she was thinking of taking? It’s good to see friends even if only for a short time.

@Vandemonium 2 жыл бұрын

I don’t, probably best to post that on her video (link in the video description)

@markgruenberg6277 2 жыл бұрын

Somehow never thought of British highways as being as bad as they are here in the United States. Thanks for sharing your experience.

@Vandemonium 2 жыл бұрын

They can be pretty bad

@cyberi4a 2 жыл бұрын

The toilet planters reminded me of growing up with a toilet planter in our back yard. Had a sink planter also.

@familyw5661 2 жыл бұрын

These videos make me want a van! im not sure there good for me LOL keep it up David Love the videos.

@horstszibulski19 2 жыл бұрын

As long as a Transit connect is in the video, it's a good one... :-D Thx for taking us with you! :-D

@agriben7591 2 жыл бұрын

well its nice to here from lorna its been ages since i herd from her maybe lorna was teaching the goose to be the securty gard on the site haha

@MrSheckstr 2 жыл бұрын

That’s just how long that team meeting went

@garethlewis3647 2 жыл бұрын

Very nice story following most of the the bleak news that we have to absorb these days!

@mickyjb2003 2 жыл бұрын

Those are chips, not fries. Fries are thinner.😂 Ta.

@jimwulstan8592 2 жыл бұрын

For work purposes I made that London/M1 journey many dozens of times. Leaving Rugby at 5 am I would be in the West End by 6-30 am. Sitting in a cafe eating bacon and eggs with toast and cups of tea. I can also recommend an M&S pork pie eaten in Green Park at lunch time. London was/is a wonderful city, and I have very fond memories of the people I worked with, the girls very stylish and classy will tell you to eff-off (in the nicest possible way)

@Vandemonium 2 жыл бұрын

Ugh, early mornings…

@allmylovetolongago7605 2 жыл бұрын

I enjoy the driving footage. I’ve never traveled by car in the UK beyond short taxi trips, mostly in London.

@markwhitcher2138 2 жыл бұрын

looks like fun.

@endeavour2968 2 жыл бұрын

That was a fun little video, and didn’t seem all that bad traffic driving into London Suburbs. With a nice looking site, well maintained!

@robsin2810 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks David.🇦🇺🖖👍

@tomtruesdale6901 2 жыл бұрын

Lovely video with you and Lorna. I also hate driving in cities so I felt your pain.

@Clover12346 2 жыл бұрын

Love your stuff.

@adrianhudson1116 2 жыл бұрын

I've only just been catching up with your posts. I'd like to say I've been busy, but it's not that, its through a tad of ill health. One of the things I relate to is when you mention Italy. I'm 53 now and I've lived and worked in Europe, but never voyaged further. I am content with that and I have always loved the variety of our different countries. But, every year I say to myself, "why haven't I been to Italy?", it's my sort of place and I'd enjoy it. I have dreams of doing a machination of the Victorian Grand Tour by boat and train. If I don't do it, I hope you do something along that sort of theme. Thankyou for all you do.....

@SouthPaw1805 2 жыл бұрын

That forlorn stretch of road by Pickett's Lock is known as Lee Park Way, and used to provide a (short-lived) connection down to what is now Advent Way and thence onto Angel Road (and also into Lower Hall Lane) prior to its widening in the early 1990s. There also used to be a road that took you under the Angel Road viaduct to access the Trading Estate on the South side, with a road adjacent to the towpath that ended with a ramp up onto Angel Road viaduct. Hard to imagine now with the six bridges/viaducts giving a full twelve lanes of traffic crossing the Lee Navigation!

@billycook1468 2 жыл бұрын

What a great title and thumbnail 👍😀

@lockedin60 2 жыл бұрын

You are a brave soul to navigate around the big city motorways within a 48 hour time period. The overnight accommodations looked adequate. I noted you and Laura both breaking out jackets. We are still having 80 degree F or 27 C days. Nights can get down to 13 C but the most glorious thing is the humidity finally lets up. Cheerio and see you on your next adventure. Curious posting two videos in a row within a short period of time!

@Vandemonium 2 жыл бұрын

Haha I know, I had an unusual spate of weekends away so I’ve got another two still to edit!

@Mr.Binks. 2 жыл бұрын

Glad I was sitting down. Got a bit worried when I saw *you* with a salad lol.

@chieromancer 2 жыл бұрын

This might be the first time I've seen you eat a green veg.

@lotsoflavender31 2 жыл бұрын

Chooks … it’s usually chooks in some parks but otherwise native birds. Yep to the shower blocks, some are well thought out with dividers and sometimes curtains but others can be, well … let’s say you wear ya thongs (the foot kind) in the shower and don’t touch the walls. Good vlog guys. Great to compare your parks with our Oz ones.

@Vandemonium 2 жыл бұрын

I must get some flip-flops (“thongs”)

@WingingItBoatingonaBudget 2 жыл бұрын

I went to that there London place ONCE in about 1993 - and that was once too often, I haven't bothered to return since...

@archiebald4717 2 жыл бұрын

Geese have a fearsome reputation, but they are not that bad. Swans are another matter altogether.

@Vandemonium 2 жыл бұрын

Swans are nasty

@hellyavard8552 2 жыл бұрын

I enjoyed that especially looking around the campground! Very nice ! Here in Victoria Australia our campground fees have risen extraordinarily they say because of Covid closures!

@Vandemonium 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it!

@mheermance 2 жыл бұрын

I think that was no ordinary goose! He was the voice actor from "Untitled Goose Game".

@jamesdecross1035 2 жыл бұрын

Pickett's Lock, looks more like Lock Pickers'.

@NathanElcoate 2 жыл бұрын

Looks great 👍 Nothing like a little roadtrip and a catch up :)

@Vandemonium 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks 👍

@brianthomsen1163 2 жыл бұрын

Dino DNA!

@MrSheckstr 2 жыл бұрын

A few quick questions and observations….. are most camping grounds in the UK laid out like a parking lot grid ? Maybe it’s just the advantage of my geography but I’m used to camp grounds being meandering gravel roads through the woods with area cut into the wood on either side of the road but with enough space between still filled in with trees and low brush to preserve a lot more privacy. Second thought has to do with your shower dilemma. I use a set of horse/motorcycle saddlebags that hang over the door and allow me to put dirty clothes and shower materials on the wet side then flip it around on the shower door Noodles for breakfast. I like to fry an egg in the same pot I’ve cooked the noodles in and put the egg on top the noodles in my bowl. That’s my regular backpacking camping breakfast

@Vandemonium 2 жыл бұрын

There’s not really the space for huge gaps between the vehicles but certainly there are campsites where things are more spacious (generally, the less formal the site, the more likely you are to have space, I’d say. So the motorhome club sites are like car parks but a farmer’s field will have space)

@joemorganeatmyshortschannel 2 жыл бұрын

beware the cobra chicken lol

@paulc9139 2 жыл бұрын

Someone had a sense of humour when painting the chemical toilet block, "Turdy Brown" seems to fit well , with the buildings use.

@rosssharp9988 2 жыл бұрын

Easy to see why the ancient Romans used geese as 'watchdogs' ('watchavians'?). Can't wait to reacquaint myself with the joys of the M1 & M25 ! Anything is better than I-95 in Massachusetts on a bad winter's day.....

@jabbertwardy 2 жыл бұрын

I need an option to have David Johns' voice narrate my commute 😂

@Vandemonium 2 жыл бұрын

Pay me enough money … 😂😂

@toronado455 2 жыл бұрын

🤣🏆⭐️

@marks-0-0 2 жыл бұрын

David have you done a tour of Lornas Connect? I'm getting more interested in micro campers.

@Vandemonium 2 жыл бұрын

I haven’t but maybe I should!

@kevinbarry3380 2 жыл бұрын

Agree with the slightly unappealing entrance to the country park. Cynthia B

@philipwinter8729 2 жыл бұрын

With that layout of shower you have to make use of your towel to keep your clothes dry!

@remyllebeau77 2 жыл бұрын

Reminds me of the "Untitled Goose game". Looks like a fun trip.

@cbeuck5024 2 жыл бұрын

Having just returned from 10 days in the country I understand your frustration and ire as I returned to traffic lights, bumper to bumper traffic and idiots err fellow road users!! I was able to get off the tarmac ...yes please and drive on dirt roads through stunning farm country - I call it big sky country - cloud formations/crops and abandoned farms ...wish I could paint. And only one or two cars in one and half hours of driving. Bliss....Jan Adelaide

@for.tax.reasons 2 жыл бұрын

Lorna is so brave for trying to befriend a GOOSE 😢

@williamgoddard9927 2 жыл бұрын

David, I like your channels and I follow them all but I would like to see you do documentaries on subjects YOU like on a separate channel. Maybe post once a month or 6 weeks. The docs and stories you have done are great.

@Vandemonium 2 жыл бұрын

Cheers, I am already doing docos on subjects of interest over on my Cruising the Cut channel.

@zapfanzapfan 2 жыл бұрын

That looked like enough calories for a week :-)

@michaelsolo8141 2 жыл бұрын

Another cracking video, well made and edited, love your videos. Do you have a regular upload day or is it randomly put up? Just so I know to look out for them 👍🏻

@Vandemonium 2 жыл бұрын

Entirely random! This channel is very much an ad-hoc hobby for me, not treated as a professional KZfaqr would at all 😂