Sirius

Description of Beds: Sirius has beds for three people. There is a fixed bed above the garage, 180 cm long and the width of a standard double, plus a narrow (47 cm) single bed, that is set up daily across the seating area. This bed could fit a child or a small adult and is also 180cm long. The fixed double bed is on an elevated platform and has about 80 cm head rood from the top of the mattress (slightly more in the area under the large skylight). Description of Seating: The van can take up to three passengers: there are three belted seats, beds for three and seats for three in the main living space. The three belted seats (including the driver's) are located in the cab with headrests and three point belts. The middle seat is the only one suitable for a child car seat using the belt (no isofix fixing). Description of Electrical Setup: Sirius is setup to be fully autonomous with regards to electric supply. It has a 100 Ah Lithium battery, 260W of solar power, solar smart charge controller and a 1000W pure sine inverter. With this setup, and the alternator, Sirius can be used off grid even in the winter. There are 5 standard USB charging points, 2 240V sockets and a 12V car socket in the living quarters, plus another 2 240V sockets and 2 USB charging points in the garage, all of which are fed by the leisure battery. About the area: Sirius lives in a quiet residential street in Bollington, a pretty village at the eastern edge of the Peak District. Lyme Park (Pemberley in the BBC's adaptation of Pride and Prejudice) is half an hour drive away and any part of the Peak District can be reached in no more than one hour. The Lake District and Snowdonia are less than two hours drive away. Parking: While you are away with Sirius, you are welcome to park your vehicle for free in Sirius' place on our drive. If you come by train, Sirius is only a short (5-10 minutes) taxi ride away from Macclesfield train station, which is served by the trains on the London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly line. Cooking Equipment: Sirius is equipped with anything you might need for cooking on its two gas hobs while on holidays (within reason!). There are two pots, two frying pans (also suitable for making toast), a milk jug and a kettle, coffee maker (cafetiere and stovetop espresso), kitchen knives, chopping board, a collection of cooking spoons, ladles, whisk, pasta serving utensils, grater, can opener, corkscrew, milk frother, as well as a colander, washing up bowl, and small dustpan and brush. In addition to the pots and pans, Sirius has a clever Omnia stovetop oven, in which you can cook casseroles, pizza, cakes, or just warm up your croissants. You will have all the necessary crockery and cutlery for a full meal, plus glasses, cups and mugs for three people. Your fresh food and drinks can be kept in the generous 80 L fridge, which contains also a small freezer section. Water and Sanitation: For your comfort, Sirius is equipped with an internal pop-up hot water shower (with a 10 L hot water tank that can also be used for the kitchen sink). The water can be heated with the diesel heater, or in summer, when there is plenty of solar power, with electricity (heating the water takes ~40 minutes and uses ~80% of the leisure battery). You will have plenty of fresh water thanks to the generous 100 L fresh water tank situated in the garage, feeding the sink and the shower with an electric pump. Sirius also has an indoor composting toilet hidden under another bench - this is very simple to use, ecological and easy to maintain! Audio Equipment: In addition to the van's radio and CD player, which is powered through the car battery, Sirius is equipped with a wireless speaker that can be used to play music from your phone. Type of Heating: Thanks to its diesel air heater, Sirius is as comfortable and cosy in winter as it is during the summer. It is fully insulated and has insulated windscreen and cab window covers, which helps keeping the temperature inside just as you like, as well as your privacy during the night. Extra Information: Sirius is thought and designed for enthusiastic adventurers, who want to enjoy the outdoors at any time of the year. It features bright, double glazed windows, an enormous skylight to sleep under the stars, and a MaxxAir fan, which can be kept in use even when it rains. The garage is designed to fit two adult bicycles with the front wheels removed, with enough additional space for a child bike. The rear of the van even has a cold water hose to rinse muddy bikes or sandy feet! In keeping with its nature-loving ethos, Sirius is equipped with containers to allow segregating rubbish for composting and recycling, thus minimizing what is sent to landfill. Conversion Story: Sirius began its life as a well cared for carpenter's van. When we found it, after a long and frustrating hunt, we could not believe our luck and snapped it the very same day it was put up for sale. He was converted in 2021 by Bobil Vans near Bristol. The interior of Sirius is vaguely reminiscent of an old sailing boat: cozy and well organized, with white walls and furniture, and brown laminate floor and stained wood ceiling.