When you plan a road trip, it is easy to picture a long journey with several destinations along the way. For Joe and his girlfriend, some of their favourite opportunities to get away are much closer to home. Since buying their Free Spirit campervan, they have been camping almost every weekend, finding nearby places where they can enjoy being outdoors and make good use of their time together.
Summary
Joe’s weekend campervan adventures grew from an existing love of tent camping and practical outdoor living. With a Mercedes Viano equipped for their preferred style of travel, he and his girlfriend have found more opportunities to get away throughout the year. Their experience offers ideas for anyone looking to plan a road trip around a short break, from choosing a nearby campsite to organising the small things that make life easier once you arrive.
From Winter Tent Camping to Regular Campervan Trips
Joe and his girlfriend were already enthusiastic campers before they bought their van. They particularly enjoyed winter camping, appreciating the activity involved in setting up and keeping comfortable when the weather was cooler.
Their campervan gave them another way to enjoy those weekends, building on something they already loved.
“We camp pretty much every weekend, to be fair.”
Having the vehicle has also encouraged them to camp beyond their previous winter preference. They used it through the summer and were looking forward to continuing their trips as the weather turned colder.
For them, choosing a campervan has led to frequent opportunities to get away. Alongside their longer journeys, those ordinary weekends have become an important part of owning it.
Plan a Road Trip Around the Time You Have
Joe’s approach to a weekend away is straightforward: choose somewhere that leaves enough time to enjoy being there.
He and his girlfriend often stay locally, avoiding the need to spend a large part of a short break travelling. Living near Chichester, they have found campsites within reach that suit their preference for space and quieter surroundings.
“So we’ll try and find somewhere local.”
It is a useful starting point when you plan a road trip of your own. Think about when you can leave, when you need to be home and how much driving you actually want to do in between.
A nearby destination can give you more time to settle in and enjoy the campsite. You can still have the pleasure of sleeping somewhere different and spending the weekend outdoors, even if you are within easy reach of home.
Finding Campsites That Suit Their Style
The couple value privacy and enjoy campsites where they have room around them. Joe described finding larger sites locally that remain appealing to them because their facilities are limited and they do not become as busy as some alternatives.
Their campervan has a solar panel, which supports the way they like to camp without electric hook-up. Access to water matters to them, while their own onboard setup allows them to choose the simpler surroundings they enjoy.
This is where knowing your camping preferences helps you plan a road trip. A long list of campsite facilities is only useful if it includes things you want to use.
Consider what makes a stay enjoyable for you, whether that is space, convenient facilities or a particular setting. Then check what each site provides and how that fits with your campervan’s equipment and your everyday needs.
Why Joe Enjoys the Practical Side of Camping
Part of the appeal for Joe is being involved in the everyday tasks that come with outdoor living. He previously lived on a narrowboat near Watford, where keeping water and fuel supplies organised was part of the routine.
Camping has a similar attraction. He enjoys having things to do and the satisfaction of making a small living space work.
He describes wanting to get away for the weekend and “just feel that I’ve used my weekend.”
That helps explain why frequent local trips suit him. The pleasure comes from spending time differently, with practical jobs and outdoor surroundings giving the weekend its own rhythm.
A campervan accommodates that kind of involvement while providing a familiar place to return to. Once you know where your equipment belongs and how you like to arrange things, each trip gives you another opportunity to enjoy using it.
Small Storage Ideas That Make Weekends Easier
As Joe used the campervan, he found a few additions that suited his routine. One was an organiser hanging behind the passenger seat, made up of several smaller zipped bags.
It gives him an accessible place for items such as toiletries and flip-flops, keeping everyday belongings together rather than having to search through larger bags.
“You don’t even have to get in the van to get it, if that makes sense.”
This kind of detail can make a difference when you are getting away regularly. Items you reach for several times a day benefit from a convenient place, while things used less often can stay elsewhere.
Before you plan a road trip, think through an ordinary morning or evening away. Where will you keep your wash kit? Which shoes will you want when you arrive? A little organisation can make those routines easier.
Personal Touches for Comfortable Nights Away
Joe also adapted a mattress topper he already owned to fit the campervan bed, cutting it to size and adding a fitted sheet.
It was a straightforward way to personalise their sleeping setup using something he had available. As with the storage organiser, the idea came from thinking about how they would use the space.
During their summer trips, they also found a small rechargeable fan useful.
“We found a little USB rechargeable fan.”
Joe was enthusiastic about the difference it made to their comfort overnight. These were modest additions, but they earned their place through regular use.
You do not need to decide on every accessory before your first outing. Joe’s experience suggests that using your campervan helps you recognise which small changes would be most useful for the way you travel.
Getting Familiar with the Campervan Close to Home
Their first camping trips after collecting the van were nearby, giving them time to get used to it. Joe later drove to Yorkshire to learn more about how the vehicle felt over longer distances before their journey to Corfu.
Those outings served different purposes. Local stays helped establish their camping routine, while a longer drive gave him more experience on the road.
If you are preparing to plan a road trip in a newly purchased campervan, a short first stay can help you become familiar with the layout and equipment. You can try your usual routines and decide what you would like to bring next time.
Making More of Your Weekends
Joe and his girlfriend have found a pattern that suits them: regular camping, often close to home, with a few personal additions that make their campervan comfortable to use.
Their weekends are a reminder that you can enjoy owning a campervan frequently, even when there is no long holiday in the diary.
If you are ready to plan a road trip of your own, browse our campervans or contact Free Spirit Campervans to discuss your plans. Call 01243 649087 or email info@fscltd.co.uk to arrange a visit near Chichester.
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FAQs
How often do Joe and his girlfriend go camping?
Joe said they camp almost every weekend since buying their campervan. They use it for regular local breaks as well as longer journeys.
Did they camp before buying a campervan?
Yes. They were enthusiastic tent campers and particularly enjoyed camping during winter. Their campervan built on an outdoor lifestyle they already enjoyed.
Why does Joe often choose local campsites?
He wants to spend more of the weekend enjoying the break and less time driving. Nearby campsites allow the couple to get away without a lengthy return journey.
How can I plan a road trip for a short weekend?
Start with the time you have available and how much of it you want to spend travelling. Choose a manageable destination and check that the campsite offers the facilities you need.
What sort of campsites do Joe and his girlfriend prefer?
They enjoy quieter places with space and privacy. Joe described finding local sites with limited facilities that suit their camping preferences.
Why did Joe choose a solar panel for his campervan?
He wanted to support their preference for camping without an electric hook-up. The suitability of any solar setup depends on the equipment, available sunlight and the power being used.
What storage addition has Joe found useful?
He added a hanging organiser behind the passenger seat. Its smaller zipped compartments give him easy access to belongings such as toiletries and flip-flops.
How did Joe personalise the sleeping setup?
He adapted an existing mattress topper to fit the campervan bed and covered it with a fitted sheet. This gave them an additional comfort layer using something he already owned.
Had Joe tried winter camping in the campervan?
At the time of his account, he had used the campervan through summer and was looking forward to colder-weather trips. His previous winter camping experience was with a tent.
Why start with a campsite close to home?
A short local stay gives you time to practise using your campervan and work out how to organise your belongings. Joe began with nearby trips before taking the vehicle on longer journeys.
