Toto

About the area: Toto is located in the historical city of Lancaster, perfectly situated in the North West of England to begin your trip. You could decide to explore the stunning Lancashire coastline, head inland into the Forest of Bowland or explore the areas surrounding Pendle Hill and maybe even find some witches. You would also be right on the doorstep of the epic Lake District and only a short drive up the motorway to Scotland, which opens up a whole new set of exciting possibilities. Description of Beds: Toto has a luxurious fixed, double bed with a very comfy mattress. Bedding is included, with sophisticated bed linen, a breathable mattress topper and a wool duvet which keeps you cool in the summer and toasty warm in the winter. There are windows either side of the bed so in the summer if you open these and turn the MaxAir fan on, you get an amazing fresh breeze over the bed to keep you cool. Under the bed, there is a large storage area or ‘garage’. It will easily fit large items such as suitcases and will fit outdoor equipment too. Description of Seating: There are three belted seats in the front including the driver. Toto has plenty of space for two people, however with a bit of imagination, a child could be squeezed in too. However, you would need to provide a child seat and bedding etc. I’m unfortunately not able to rent child seats to you and the front seats are NOT Isofix compliant. Description of Electrical Setup: Toto has a great electrical setup with several different ways to power items. There is a large 310W solar panel on the roof which charges the 440 ah battery. It is also charged whilst you drive, so there is always enough power for your needs. There are 230v sockets in the kitchen, garage and by the side of the bed which also include USB sockets for your phones. Whilst in a campsite you can use the hook-up for extra power. However, Toto is fully off-grid and you really shouldn’t need anything extra. The fridge is very large yet wonderfully energy efficient with a 12v set up, so you can keep things cool all day and night. Parking: We are located in a great spot, close to the M6 and a short walk from Lancaster train station. If you bring your car, you can have Toto’s parking spot whilst you are away on holiday which is right outside of my house on a safe and quiet cul-de-sac. Cooking Equipment: I’m a very keen cook, so it was imperative for any van of mine to be both gorgeous but, more importantly, functional. Travel and food go hand in hand and Toto has a dreamy kitchen with everything you need to enjoy great meals on your travels. There is a gas oven with three hobs, plenty of pots and pans, a large sink with a spray tap, and a washing up bowl and drainer. There are also stylish melamine plates and bowls, glasses, cutlery, cooking tools, two sharp knives, corkscrew, peeler, tin opener, colander, lighter and a beautiful wooden chopping board. For your caffeine needs, there is a kettle, stovetop espresso maker, french press coffee pot and lovely earthenware coffee mugs. I have also included a few essentials such as coffee, tea, hot chocolate, sugar, salt and pepper and some olive oil. There will also be some cleaning supplies, a dustpan and brush, carbon monoxide detector and fire extinguisher. Water and Sanitation: Toto is great for off-grid adventures and you can have all of your home comforts with you whilst you travel. There is a full shower with an extractor fan overhead, which is also great as a wet room to hang swimming gear or damp coats to dry. There is also a ‘Separett’ toilet which works brilliantly and is very easy to empty and keep clean. There is an 80l water tank in the garage which supplies the sink and shower and is heated by the gas boiler. Under the sink, there is a separate, smaller tank for drinking water. Audio Equipment: In addition to the radio in the front of Toto, I have included a portable Bluetooth speaker so you can listen to your music anywhere in the van. Type of Heating: There is a Truma gas heater in the rear of Toto which is very economical and will keep you warm even in the coldest of winter trips. The vents are in the kitchen, either side of the bed and in the garage, under the bed. Pet Information: Clean and tidy pets are welcome, however you must bring blankets, towels and bedding for them and try to keep them off the furniture. Because of the size of the van, I would suggest no more than one pet at a time. Conversion Story: I grew up going on long summer holidays in Europe with five of us squeezed into an orange VW campervan. We had an idyllic time, driving into the mountains, swimming in rivers and having campfires under the stars. One thing I don’t miss about those holidays is having to find a toilet behind a rock or going for days without a proper wash! I was determined that when I grew up and got a van of my own it would have a toilet, a shower and a fixed bed in it. I met Toto and completely fell in love. He used to belong to a florist before being converted by a lovely couple in Cumbria. They’ve done such a good job with the conversion I couldn’t be happier, (he’s my perfect ‘Pinterest’ idea of a campervan). My daughter and I have already been on plenty of mini adventures in Toto, loving every minute, especially when we explored Edinburgh and the stunning coast nearby recently. Plans for the future involve a longer trip to France to visit my parents who live in a canal boat (travelling is definitely in our family).