Brigit

About the area: Located in Reading, Berkshire, Brigit is on the edge of many local countryside adventures. The nearest attraction is the Chiltern Hills, over half of which have been designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, stretching across the counties of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, and Bedfordshire. The North Wessex Downs and The Cotswolds are also less than an hour away. Reading has a substantial train network with easy, fast access from London and many airports (e.g. Heathrow, Gatwick). Brigit lives in Caversham and is parked on a quiet residential street. Description of Beds: Brigit has a fixed double bed which sleeps up to two people. Description of Seating: There are 3 belted seats in the front (including the driver). Description of Electrical Setup: Brigit is designed to be off-grid with 2 leisure batteries (one located under the passenger seat and the other in the rear boot of the van) providing up to 350 AH battery power. There is an inverter and split relay charge, meaning the batteries get charged whilst being driven. The 300w solar panel on the roof of the van also boosts the charge of the batteries when the sun is out. There are 4 plug and USB points in the van that work through leisure batteries and 2 plug and USB points which can be used when the van is hooked up at a campsite. There is also a battery protector and voltmeter display which shows the total voltage of the power combined. Parking: If you drive to collect Brigit, you are welcome to leave your car in her normal spot (there are no parking restrictions). Cooking Equipment: Brigit has 3 gas hobs and a multi-level oven inside the kitchen area. She has everything you could need to cook up a feast, including 2 traditional metal camping mugs, 2 cups, 2 melamine bowls, 2 large melamine dining plates, 2 small melamine plates, cutlery for 4, a chopping board, a kettle, a wok, a small frying pan, large and small saucepan, oven trays and a colander. There are 3 wooden cooking spoons, 1 serving spoon, 1 potato masher, 1 set of tongs, 3 sharp knives, a tin opener, corkscrew/bottle opener and tiny grater! Brigit also has a coffee french press, jug water filter, washing up bowl, and small dustpan and brush. Water and Sanitation: Brigit has a toilet located in the main living area of the van, easily accessed under the seat by the sliding door. It is a Porta Potti design that is removable and needs emptying roughly every 2 weeks depending on usage. An outdoor shower is located on the rear door and can be used along with a gas bottle from the boot to provide hot water. There are two water tanks located in the boot. The 25 litre tank is pumped to the shower and the 55 litre tank is directed to the kitchen sink via a pump. Both are filled with standard drinking water and need to be filled using the hose provided in the boot. Audio Equipment: Brigit has a Bluetooth adapter available (Roav) which connects to a radio frequency, so you can play your own music while driving. Type of Heating: Brigit has a diesel heater and fuel is supplied from her main diesel tank with a fuel line. Pet Information: Brigit is pet friendly and open to all animals. We politely request that you bring your own blankets to cover the seats and beds (if they are going on them) and that pets are washed and dried before coming into the van. Any hair/mud from pets must be removed before the van is returned. Conversion Story: Brigit began life as a panel van for an events company before the owner discovered her in Leamington Spa in 2020. She was converted with lots of help and expertise from friends and family during the Covid lockdown era- a grounding and purposeful way to move through those times! Her design draws on knowledge and inspiration from the Quirky Camper’s book, blogs and videos, YouTube and Pinterest. Brigit’s cladded interior gives the warm feel of a log cabin while her green, white and brown colours bring a fresh, spacious quality that’s ideal for relaxation. The bohemian coat hanger was hand-picked by the owner from a local vintage store, giving Brigit a unique style, (along with the vibrant doorknobs), while the solid oak bookshelf and worktop make her feel like a home. The name ‘Brigit’ is inspired by the owner’s heritage and connection with Celtic mythology. About the Owner: As someone with a flexible portfolio career in arts and wellbeing, who has always loved to travel, it was only a matter of time before the dream of a campervan started to become a reality. I always imagined a campervan lifestyle to offer a place of creativity, cosiness and a gateway to adventure- my experiences have been just that! Brigit has taken me up to the north coast of Scotland for hikes and wild swims in the mountains and lochs, south to Cornwall for surfing and trail runs along the cliffs, and over to Ireland, visiting faraway relatives and soaking up traditional folk music. She has also been a haven for meditation and reflection, her journeys weaving many songs and insights along the way. I am excited to see where she takes me (and you!) next.