Preparing for Winter V

Floss

Sammy, I would suggest a good thermal or foil-lined bedroll & a duvet to put under his sleeping bag, to keep the cold out.
Also carpet pieces underfoot.

mumf

Winter is pretty much prepared here now. This year I have been in and out of hospital,and will continue too as time goes on. When I have felt well I have prepared the woodstove and fuel. Plenty of fuel. Warming us now as I dip in and out of my workshop! I have just replaced a security light,and the veg garden is tidy and we are now eating Winter crops. Pantry is stocked and repairs are being kept done. 

greenbee

I used to live in a static caravan. something to insulate him from the walls when he's sleeping is important - layers underneath him, layers round the edges, layers on top and a hat, socks, thermals and fleecy cotton sweatpants and hoodie to sleep in. 

Working_Mum

sammy_kaye18 said:

We are at a steady 9 degrees here in south wales at the minute. Im not sure what it was when I got up at 7am or when son left to walk to the train station at 6am but there was definitely a chill in the air. 

I am at the minute trying to think ahead for the weekend and wondered if I could pick your brains.
We recently brought and are in the process of converting a van into a motorhome. So far we have a structure for a bench which changes into a bed and we have brought necessities for camping like a small single burner cooking stove, pans, cutlery, plates, cups, kettle, lantern and torch etc. We have a box with things like tea, coffee, sugar etc as well so warm drinks are no problem and have lined the floor with rubber matting so there is a floor in there. 
Well husband works away sometimes and has started to use it to stay in overnight rather than travelling home because it can be a 3hr trip etc and to save on hotel costs etc. He has a decent sleeping bag but Im trying to think of some other things to put in there that will keep him warm when the weather drops. 

- I have just repurposed an old set of curtains and attached magnets to them so they can be hung and removed inside the van to give him privacy and help create a sort of heat trap where he will be staying in the back from the cab. 
- I have a hot water bottle I can give him that he can heat water for and use to put in his sleeping bag to keep him warm. 
- a pillow as well.
Maybe a few meals he could add water to like pot noodle etc to give himself a quick meal.

But can anyone think of anything else I could include?

There is a book available for campervanners called "Britstops" - you pay to buy the most up to date edition and it gives you free sleepovers in various pubs across the UK. It is super easy - they don't charge but there is an expectation that you'll probably eat in the pub. Been really useful for me over the last year. 

He should stock up on fresh water before he sets off as there aren't many places to get water when you're out and about. Does he have a cool box? He can leave it outside the door overnight to keep things cool but the stuff is more secure inside a coolbox.

I have found my Portaloo invaluable when I've been out and about - it's not a huge one and tucks away under the back seat of my campervan. It's meant I've not had to worry about finding a campsite etc.

I'd maybe suggest a chair for sitting outside - it won't be a priority during the autumn and winter months but during Spring and summer it's really lovely to sit somewhere else other than in the van! I bought a spring loaded shower curtain pole and use that to hang things from - so having a good range of hooks and carabiners help keep things available but not cluttering up the inside of the van.

HTH

WorkingMum

flamingo747

A thin fleece hat to sleep in makes a big difference 

Wednesday2000

I tried to clean the radiators yesterday, but they were all almost dust free so maybe I did the hairdryer trick earlier this year and they haven't built back up. I tested the heating last night with all the windows closed and it felt so nice and cosy. I must have slept very soundly as I overslept this morning. I am here with a blanket on my knees at the moment, but I might have the heating again for an hour later tonight. It definitely feels like autumn now. I only wore a jumper with my skirt and boots out on my walk today, but I think I need a jacket or cardigan from now on.

Florenceem

My heating went on last night - turned off when we went to bed. It was 16 when we got up this morning so it went on again.

sammy_kaye18

Floss said:

Sammy, I would suggest a good thermal or foil-lined bedroll & a duvet to put under his sleeping bag, to keep the cold out.
Also carpet pieces underfoot.

We do have a foam flooring type insulation on the floor that is about an inch thick and the bed does not go directly on the floor so there is an air pocket type space underneath him which he uses to store bits and pieces and we just spent some of our winter fund and brought him a decent sleeping bag as he will likely have a few trips like this where he will stay overnight. 
I do have a bedroll which he can use on the bed as well and plenty of blankets to give him the option of layers and he does have a thick onesie upstairs which I may put in for him as well. 
Thanks for the suggestions Floss. 

greenbee said:

I used to live in a static caravan. something to insulate him from the walls when he's sleeping is important - layers underneath him, layers round the edges, layers on top and a hat, socks, thermals and fleecy cotton sweatpants and hoodie to sleep in. 

Yes he has a thick onesie as well as thermals and plenty of hoodies. I do have a large thick fleece as well he can take to either wrap in, lay on or cover his sleeping bag with too. 

Working_Mum said:

There is a book available for campervanners called "Britstops" - you pay to buy the most up to date edition and it gives you free sleepovers in various pubs across the UK. It is super easy - they don't charge but there is an expectation that you'll probably eat in the pub. Been really useful for me over the last year. 

I will have to have a look for that book for him too. Always handy to know of a few places you can duck into if you need to. Also we do have a water carrier that he fills and takes with him so plenty of water on hand. 

flamingo747 said:

A thin fleece hat to sleep in makes a big difference 

Plenty of hats here so will include a few of those as well. 

Thank you all for the suggestions too.
They will all come in handy and I'm going to make up a van box so in the chance that he is ever called away at the last minute, or if for some reason he is stuck and cant get home (traffic, bad weather etc)  - at least he has all the things he needs to make himself comfortable. Usually he is only 20 minutes up the road but on the occassion that he is 1-3hrs away - I think it might be a good idea. 

Plus I will look into the cool box and the portaloo! 

Primrose

 Know you mentioned a sleeping bag but these vans can still get pretty cold at night. I wonder whether sleeping in a skiing jacket & trousers inside the sleeping bag would help keep him extra cosy if he could find a cheap outfit in a charity shop, (althiugh it might make any nightly bathroom visits a little more complicated ! 

A wind up camping lantern?
a cheap battery transistor radio for company?

MrsCD

A head torch to keep hands free in the dark?