Sleeping in MG4 [merged thread]

[Rolfe]

Will there be room for you in the car?

Me, yes. Anyone else, no.

The cool box goes on the (pushed-forwards) passenger seat. If I take the microwave it will go in the passenger footwell, otherwise that's for odd and ends like walking boots and non-perishable food. The big Ikea box with all the gear goes in the nearside rear footwell behind the pushed-forward passenger seat. The flight bag with clothes etc goes in the other rear footwell. This leaves the load bed for the folding table and chair, and the bike. Anything that won't fit elsewhere (airbed, sleeping bag probably) can go around the bike, there's plenty of actual space.

Come night-time, Hilda gets hoofed outside, and I have bought a long security cable that will pass round a tyre to keep her as safe as possible. Then the load bed is free for the airbed and sleeping bag.

 

[Rolfe]

Excellent, I’m definitely seeing a difference with my smaller 1 litre kettle as opposed to the big one or the pot I used last year when camping. I tend to just use the camping induction cooker even at home as I’m harvesting sunshine fairly easily into the power bank.
I’m still considering a tailgate tent but initially I think I’ll carry the tipi tent and perhaps an awning between the car and tent. View attachment 35843
Being a single pole tent with ample guy lines it’s pretty stable in fairly strong winds. Then there’s the roof tent - not sure if I’ll keep or sell it. It really is brilliant in use - comfortable and cool or cosy, whichever suits the weather but I’m not sure about the old arms being able to pack it away now that it would be a good bit higher on the Berlingo than when it was on the MG5, it’s a fair stretch and my frozen shoulder objects.

I thought you were sleeping in the van now?

 

[Archev]

I thought you were sleeping in the van now?

I haven’t yet but that could be the plan.

 

[securespark]

All this talk of kipping in cars reminds me of my very first visit to the Smoke in 1985. This was my first car, my Grandad's 78 AlfaSud. Got there late, bought a kebab and chips, parked up and dozed off with my duvet tucked round me. Got woken up by a very kindly bobby at 06:30 who told me that by rights he ought to book me, but if I shifted now, he'd turn a blind eye! Thanked him profusely and left.

I can't remember where I parked but no doubt now it's a red route in the congestion charge zone...

Even in 1997, while visiting my GF, now Mrs Secure, who lived in Clapham, I found it easy to park in Earls Court outside a chemist to get some painkillers one morning when she was unwell. But now it's a nightmare. That era brings back happy memories because I had a Diesel Montego estate which was fantastic for camping in.

Even central Manchester, where we live now is awful. The council don't help with their scant signs warning of bus lanes that catch hundreds of drivers every year (and of course many £££'s).

I used to do shed loads of delivery driving all over the country in the 90s and it was a breeze compared to today.

It's all relative, of course. My Mum keeps comparing traffic in Stockport today with how it was when she moved in in 1964!

Rant over .....

 

[decrep]

When we moved to Mandurah, in '93, there were no traffic lights. Now we have one on our doorstep and about another 8 just to get out of town onto the freeway.

 

[SueH]

Remember guys, you are part of that traffic!

I fancy heading in the other direction from South coast to 't'North and visiting friends in Yorkshire, Scotland then even further north. I've a portable induction hob as well as kettle, a smallish Decathlon tent which I really must practice pitching (and more importantly packing!) and a fly rod. I need a small stream one too. Tin whistle as well, but I promise not to play The Lass of Patie's Mill etc. anywhere near Archev (or coos)..

I shall leave the Glyndbourne summer season to Rolfe as she obviously glams up better than I do! The winter season is thankfully a lot less demanding on the wardrobe and last time my only problem was forcing myself not to sing along to Don Giovanni!

Interesting thread and I obviously need to look into what to do about those bloomin running lights.