The van (as yet unnamed) is back from the garage. Running fine and starting well. Sweeeeeeeet. True they found some rust, true there’s a bit of filler in there, true it needs a bit of TLC (and a whole lot more cash) to get it how I want it. But it’s mine, it’s working and I’m loving it. This T25 will be my third. Air cooled. In white. Don’t ask why I sold the other two if I loved them so much because it’s a long story. But needless to say, I’m back in the saddle and feeling good.

During one of my many moments of self doubt when I was agonising over the pros and cons of owning a van my wife said to me “you wanted a van because it makes you feel free.” I suppose that’s it. You can just take off anywhere (once you’ve got the kids ready) and park anywhere (as long as the police don’t stop you) and you can wake up somewhere new every day (upstairs on your own ‘cos the kids have come down stairs in the night and there’s no room for you) you can stick the kettle on if you fancy a brew (no downside to that ever) and you can sit there in your pants when you’ve just had a great surf. And as long as you don’t try and hit more than 50 mph you’ll be feeling righteous about your carbon footprint too. You’re not flying and you feel free. Job done. (Anyone know where I can get a couple of split pins to hold a Devon roof in place?)