Ex-Ghyll

Description of Beds: Ghyll sleeps up to four people, with beds suitable for three adults and one camp bed suitable for a child up to 70kg. There is a large queen/king fixed bed at the rear (a bit bigger than a queen but not quite a king), a single bunk beneath suitable for children or an adult and the option of an additional cab bunk camp bed in the cab which can take a child or teenager up to 70kg. Description of Seating: Two belted seats in the front with headrests (including driver) and two further belted seats directly behind. All have three-point belts. All three passenger seats are suitable for a child car seat using the belt (NB. the seats do not have Isofix fittings). The front seats swivel to face the belted rear seats and create the dining area. Description of Electrical Setup: Ghyll is fully off grid with a 175W solar panel and a 200Ah lithium leisure battery. The 50-amp Renogy alternator will charge the battery when driving in no time, meaning you always arrive with a fully charged battery (a 50amp charger will recharger batteries at 50 amps per hour, so if the battery is ¾ full it will take just one hour of driving to fully recharge). The main lighting is provided by eight dimmable ceiling spotlights positioned throughout the van which are controlled by one central touch switch. There are also five flexible ‘gooseneck’ spotlights in the beds, kitchen and dining area which are also dimmable and are perfect for lighting specific areas and for reading. There are five wall-mounted USB chargers and each ‘gooseneck’ light also includes a USB point, bringing the total to ten USB charge points. Three are three 240v plugs for when Ghyll is attached to a shore power hook-up. The three plug sockets are positioned conveniently around the van, including right next to the wall-mounted vanity mirror for hairdryers and any other styling accessories. About the area: Ghyll lives on a quiet residential street in Marple – Stockport, a 2-minute drive or a 10-minute walk from the nearest station (Marple station) which connects directly to Manchester Piccadilly. We are a 20-minute drive from Stockport station and a 20 – 40-minute drive from Manchester airport (depending on traffic). Marple sits on the doorstep of the Peak District and is perfectly situated as a launch pad to explore the picturesque dales and valleys. Alternatively, cruise along the motorway to easily access Yorkshire, North Wales or the Lake District. If you’re up for a longer road trip it is just a few hours north to hit Scotland. Ghyll couldn’t be better situated for vanlife adventures. Parking: If you drive to collect Ghyll, you are welcome to leave your car in his spot on our private off-street drive. Alternatively, there is plenty of free parking on the street. Cooking Equipment: Ghyll has a well-equipped, spacious kitchen so you can cook the perfect vanlife meal for all the family. The kitchen has a double gas hob, an electric fridge with a freezer compartment and a Belfast sink with running water. It has been designed to be highly flexible and to provide the largest prepping surface possible. There is a fixed kitchen top for chopping and prepping but if you’re in need of more simply slide out the cutlery drawer and attach the extra wooden top to extend the counter, if you’re still short of space you can convert the Belfast sink into even more additional worktop area. Ghyll has a large saute/frying pan for stews, stir frys, fry-ups and everything in between, a saucepan and steamer for pasta, rice and vegetables, a crepe pan, a colander, and a kettle. There are several chopping boards, a jug with measures on the side (handy) and a handy Joseph draining board (who doesn’t like Joseph?!). We include ceramic mugs for teas and coffee, there are water tumblers, or they double as stemless wine glasses for the evening. We also include everything required for an evening meal – ceramic plates and side plates and the same stuff for the kids. The cutlery drawer has everything you could need on a camping trip and more – sharp knives, cutlery for four and other bits and pieces like mashers, slotted spoons and spatulas. There’s also a cafetiere and we include some tea bags, sugar and a few other cooking bits and pieces to get you started as well as cleaning supplies and tea towels. There’s also a little spirit level to make sure the van is parked on the flat. Water and Sanitation: There is a 70-litre refillable freshwater tank, situated under the lower bunk bed, which provides running water to the kitchen sink. There is a 50-litre waste tank located under the van. The toilet is available as an extra. It is a portable chemical toilet that comes with a privacy tent. Even if spending all your time on campsites it can be a very convenient comfort - especially for those night-time trips with the kids. If you do decide to take it we ask that it comes back empty and clean inside and out. Audio Equipment: Ghyll has a DAB radio and CD player in the cab. USB plug-in and bluetooth are both available too so you can play your own music. There is also a portable BOSE blue-tooth speaker available as an optional extra. Type of Heating: A gas-fired blown-air heater supplied from the same refillable underslung gas tank as the cooker. The heater makes the van warm and cosy in no time and has a thermostat that automatically turns it on and off to keep it at the right temperature. Extra Information: Ghyll has poplar cladding throughout and the fittings are constructed from ply. The floor is made from cork which is light and highly durable. Ghyll is well-ventilated thanks to the hi-tech ceiling fan above the kitchen. The fan system allows the van temperature to be set and will activate automatically to extract warm air from the van when the temperature is reached – even when left parked and locked. The ventilation is highly effective and will keep Ghyll at a moderate temperature even on the hottest of days. Conversion Story: Ghyll began life as a logistics vehicle for a fleet company, which provided the perfect van for a conversion… young and with only motorway miles on the clock rather than the engine-busting start-stop of a delivery or builder’s van. It also means Ghyll has been diligently serviced, keeping the engine sparkling and in tip-top condition. Martin (Ghyll’s co-owner) has long dreamed of owning a van and has been working on the designs in his head since childhood – the end product has fewer lasers beams and more poplar cladding than he anticipated back then, but nonetheless, it is a dream come true. With the help of Corrinne (Martin’s better half), Ghyll has been designed as the ultimate cross of luxury and practicality. They set out to create a van design that could accommodate a family of four comfortably but also include a large garage and storage for all the optional extras family holidays include. Inside, they have created a spacious and flowing feel to Ghyll with minimal clutter and plenty of headroom. They have achieved it with top-class workmanship from Bowland Camper Conversions.