I like The Urban Motorhome - he always talks about how he finds park ups considerately and that mean he never has had a problem or anyone knock on him etc.

You are an opinionated sort of chap but many of your opinions are (in my view) correct. I DO watch some vanlife/countryside/camping/climbing/walking KZfaq channels but increasingly avoid some. I HATE the thumbnails which are clickbait - the videos are mostly poor and I avoid them. I think you can only make money on KZfaq if you have LOTS of followers. If you have 250K+ followers you may be in a different world and you could obviously have enough of them who are prepared to pay via Patreon or "buying a coffee" to make a living. For smaller channels, probably not. The product-placement adverts are only vaguely useful if you were thinking about buying that sort of product BUT we know they are reading a provided script and they can hardly say "I liked features A, B and C from this product but features D & E were unreliable and feature F failed completely. It doesn't offer good value for money..." There is nothing wrong with people no longer able to do certain things (eg for reasons of age or disability) watching younger people undertaking the trips the watcher can't, and you could follow their adventures on KZfaq instead. Carry on with the rant, though. You are (and your wife) entertaining.

Your noise issues are called Misophonia. It's far more common than you think. There is quite a lot of information online so at least you know you're not the only one. Loving the podcasts, at least you're honest and say things how they are. Cheers Graeme.

some interesting points, example bob wells in the USA does i believe have good content, but your comments on the drama is spot on, also the cult of you tube with young couples doing yoga with perfect bodies, also some people are unwell and need a distraction, is it any worse say than being obsessed with pop stars, movie stars, sex symbols, its all symbolic of an emptiness and lack of connection with self and the natural world, sort like an addiction one must pull out of and then begin the journey of self reflection, and the escape from the real life problems. or apathy, I started to watch a certain well know Van you tuber, who`s lets say extremely confident, his early stuff was great, guy pulls himself out of debt yada yada, 5 years later, its all of what you mention drama repeat .. and big ego omlordie ..!!! sad really, or funny. i only follow a handful of people, thats a hard way to make money for sure.

Would be great if you included links to the CCTV, as a big thread of the video? Thanks

I don't know if vanlifers are a bad THING. But they sure as heck are BAD at faking it all.. I have swampland for sale by the way. Tiny planet was the only truthful REAL vanlifer that ever was. I've seen nothing else yet to this day.

Think you should ch ange the podcast name to ‘just moans’ 😄 however I do share your views on many of these subjects lol

When you having guests on??

I prefer to follow authentic KZfaq accounts that actually show real life, or add humour, or are educational. Everything else is just crap… especially the click bait ones.

Van life festivals are my idea of hell!

Well said Chris - 100% agree with everything

Can KZfaq viewers really have too much of watching constant Powerbank and Electric Bike reviews on Vanlife videos?, or hearing about how a Van Lifer can cook a Thousand and One different meals on his Ridge Monkey? I prefer watching Van Life videos that have real substance, showing us some of the fantastic places they visit, giving the viewers ideas that they might replicate themselves......not various supermarkets they "dare" to stealth camp in, I've got news for them.....No-One, not a single One, who is working in those supermarkets at night filling shelves gives a toss if you are parked in the carpark outside. And don't get me going on KZfaqrs who go to great lengths to deliberately park in places that clearly state "No overnight parking`', just find somewhere else.

Ha ha I could have guessed the titles of van life vlogs , top 5, it’s absurd, all for clicks, I’ve Un subbed to most now, all repetitive crap , great podcast btw

Enjoying these podcasts very much.

I am the same regarding eating and slurping tea or Coffee. My dad was big on table manners and would belt your knuckles with his knife if you made a noise etc.

First watched several, they showed the travel the camp site, aires, wild park ups, some specialised in just wild park ups. Gave information on sites, places to visit, accessibility etc. but then it went to found a supermarket, blah blah, videos of going through the tunnel, boarding a ferry, etc. some were good, giving the just three words locations, grid refs, post codes. But then it was what we eat, booze, moaning. Then it was this broke, that broke, then we got sent this, that, and everything else. How we fitted lpg, or lithium, solar. Some then started a cooking section, today Karen we shall cook this on the ridge monkey, which then went to the air fryer. When all want to know is where are the be st places to visit, away from the crowds, good scenery, free, any tips on saving money when using campsites. Some idiots used tactics like partially undressed female companions as thumbnails. Another trend now is we have stopped van life, b ought a house, which by coincidence we are renovating, watch our journey, Following the likes of several US, Canadian KZfaqrs, ie Trent & Allie, Eamon & Bec, The Van Wives. I follow several on Instagram people who don’t have KZfaq channels, why because they don’t sell their souls to product placement, they have a digital business already, which provides income that allows them to travel. One couple I follow are Dutch,great videos, no speech, just information in text of where they are.

It used to be that you would watch utube vids for inspiration, Van building, searching for sites, visiting places etc. Now the content is so crass that you end up watching vids instead of having the radio on whilst actually doing something productive. I culled so many Utubers from my subscription list because they have all fallen into the trap you talk about, product reviews that you cannot trust, Van lifers who are doing more extreme stuff to get viewers, boring get lost.

I clicked on the link its saying £22 not £10 😒

Down the middle Utubers try ‘life’s too short’ nice and calm, no shite and they can be informative without preaching

Again made me laugh , I hate certain noises and people too , I am neurodiverse??? Um Chris , maybe . Hell you made me laugh so damn much .🫶❤️🐾

Completely agree with the eating thing grinds my gears

Only stumbled on your channel as we are considering a GC600 and this morning I needed to de-fluff the dining room chairs as I'm not a podcast fan. I found this funny because unless you are mindless you should be able to spot the rubbish and give it a 👎 Click bate titles deserve a click bate comment and a 👎 Product reviews are another pet hate.... company send expensive item which generates a positive review so other companies send expensive items which can be sold and a 👎 Hopefully the more 👎 will improve content or change my algorithm for the better 😂

Absolutely spot on!

Your right, saturated with same shite , started off with self builds which was ok , but now the vans are done they've got nowt else interesting ta do apart from cac reviews . Even worse when click bait pics of lasses on there with their baps out . To be fair , the outcome of this vsn stuff is the experience and destinations, that's why I like your crack Chris , keep up the good work 👍

Average height for men in Denmark is 180,2 cm. 10 mm lower than you. For women it is 166,7 cm. No requirement on height in the guards, you just have to be fit and between 20 and 30. I do remember there have been height requirements. I do agree, Christiania is overrated, unless you get a guided tour. The citizens sometimes do tours, that very interesting, when you get the history. But Christiania is ending, they got a very good offer from MOD, as far as I know they bought it. What will happen? Anything can happen, Christiania is located in the most valuable area. They could sell it and get very rich. As far as I know, our law about nudism is reversed, like in Germany. You are completely allowed to bathe naked on the beach or such, there has to be a sign saying nudism is not allowed. I live in a coastal town, even nowadays we see nude people on the beach. Ohh yes, we do understand you. All native Danes speak English, mandatory in school from first year. German is also mandatory here, but not so many years as English. So all native Danes also speak at least some German. I speak “baby German”. The grammar is very hard.

Agree, I’ve stopped watching most Van life videos now, useful at the beginning for ideas of type of Van and layouts, but the avoid the click bait now. I just want honesty and insights into the areas. In your case if it wasn’t for KZfaq I would probably have never known about your guides which are brilliant 👍

Spot on, too many people producing the same content, doing the same things, promoting the same products selling a dream that it's all sunshine and roses, you can't fault their work ethic but it's like watching an episode of Coronation Street on repeat. There are a few with USPs out there with adventures further afield than just the NC500 like True Blue Travellers, Our Van Tales etc and another one that I forget the name of that gives valuable information like data driven experiments on things like which way is cheapest to heat your van etc. Question is how do you make original and engaging content when everyone has a go pro and an iPhone now, I think I'm the only person with a van that can't be bothered to make content 🤣

WE ARE HOUSING MILLIONS OF FINANCIAL MIGRANT MEN IN EXPENSIVE HOTELS !!! AND HAVE THE CHEEK TO CHARGE US FOR TRAVELLING ACROSS YOUR OWN COUNTRY!! MIGHT ASWEL ALL GET AN ALDI DINGHY AND JUST ROCK UP ON THE SCOTTISH ISLANDS PROBABLY END UP WITH A FREE HOTEL !!

Vw have lods of dealers around the uk and here in Ireland, if you have problems with the engine or the normal parts of the vw crafter they will fix it , but unfortunately the dealers no absolutely nothing about the campervan parts of the vehicle, , its crazy , i dont understand why vw dont train people up worldwide to be able to fix the campervan side of things , it turned me off buying a vw camper They have loads of complaints even with the normal california , ie , roof bellows , water pumps , paint issues , electric motor issues with the roof not closing or opening properly , , sadly vw are only interested in profit and cost cutting Great honest review , thank you anf fair play

We were also at Raby Castle on Sunday! Was canny tbf. Potters world is at Lanchester Garden Centre. Great for kids.

Loved this, I live life according to my death bed. Great job thank you both 👍👍❤

Indoctrination

Until 5 years ago, I used to go to scotland 2-3 times every year for holiday and used hotels from time to time even though I had my own motorhome....since then I now take a sleepover ferry to Norway or Sweden.....people are a LOT friendlier and my family and I have not been subjected to ANY abusive behavior towards us, as is so often experienced by the English in scotland.....not going there ever again.....

Loved this vlog! Wish we could afford to travel, both in our 50’s tied to our business 5 days a week and missed loads of breaks away Can’t see a way out to end the daily grind x

I lost my wife of 39 years last summer, we spent our life working like crazy people, we have two great sons and grandsons, we saved like mad for our retirement Motorhome and went without so many things. Basically we went to the NEC last spring, found the van of our dreams, ordered it, then she died suddenly before it was delivered. I'm going to attempt to use the van now it's been delivered, but the whole reason for buying this motorhome was for US to use in our retirement together. I'd advise anyone out there to live your dreams TODAY, and not wait for tomorrow.

Agree with yas a about stuff and possessions, you don't talk about them . Me and our lass met each other and went on a camping trip in my camper I had just build . Risky date but we look back and laugh now , me brushing me teeth outside whilst she was having a bird bath in an old sink basin she brought. Keeper 😅

We didn't have a major event but we did move way outside our comfort zone, I'd been in Germany for 33 yrs(no,not the army),so me and the wife sold the house got rid of most of our stuff got the rest driven over to a storage unit, got the dogs, jumped in our car and campervan and moved to Scotland, it's been pretty much a roller coaster ride for the last 8 months, Tring to get a visa for my wife(rip off),finding and buying a hoose!! and finally doing what we want to do. Life's short, don't wait for a wake up call, don't keep putting it off. ATB Chris.

I have this conversation a lot. I think as kids we are taught you grow up, get married, have kids and the big house and car. This is ingrained in people. It's "normal" but I wish someone hadn't pushed that ideal on me because it's taken until my 40s to realise I didn't want any of that. I wanted to see the world. Only now it's like time is ticking and moving so fast, it has become a race to see everything. If I had my time again I wouldn't have any of that, I would travel

They will screw you for every penny they can, whilst they steal it off you.

Your bright idea is called Europe. Move away from the wet windy northern parts and see far better places, eat far better food for far less money than the miserable north 😂😂😂

Campsites come in all shapes and sizes and what you need depends on your circumstances. Some time ago I needed children friendly sites. Now my perfect site is small, attached to a country pub with sea views, no children, no dogs and no loud adults. (I am a 63 year old with camper van, love travelling and avoid miserable humans) 🤣

The group of friends I often/usually go out with are about 50% motorhome/camper vans and 50% caravans. One of my mates has a caravan, a large motorhome and a campervan conversion (sometimes he uses the 4WD campervan as his tow vehicle for the caravan so if he is visited by family, they can use the van whilst he uses the canpervan). The ulitmate in flexibility.

Additionally we cook in the CARAvan but also (like today) on a BBQ, and sometimes eat out.