My van, affectionately known as Bivvy Bus, has sailed through its MOT!
After spending more than £1,500 recently on mechanical repairs and essential maintenance, including a new battery, four new tyres, a cambelt, water pump, fuel pump, and a full service, some people would probably say I'm throwing good money after bad on a 2014 Peugeot Partner.
But there's method in my madness.
I've owned this van since 2015, so I know it inside out. It's only done 82,000 miles and served as my trusty work van from 2015 until 2019, when I decided to walk away from my long career as a gas engineer. Since then, it's become my utility vehicle for day trips and multi-day outdoor adventures.
Over the last few years, though, Bivvy Bus has been a bit neglected. I've mostly been driving my automatic Kia Sportage because, with osteoarthritis in both knees, it's simply much easier to drive than a manual van. The downside is that the Sportage is thirsty, costs more to tax and insure, doesn't have much load space, and there's no chance of sleeping in it. At this stage, practicality wins over luxury. So yes, Bivvy Bus has been a little forgotten, but with plenty of TLC and a fair bit of money, I'm bringing him back to life. Mechanically, he's now in great shape. Cosmetically, though, he still has one of those common problems that seems to affect so many white Peugeot and Renault vans: peeling paint.
So, what's next?
To begin with, I'll be giving the interior a thorough valet and using it mainly for carrying all my outdoor gear. Once the Sportage is sold, Bivvy Bus will be getting a full roof and bonnet respray, which should have him looking his best again.
Inside, the plan is to keep things simple. I'll fit a cot bed and use collapsible storage boxes alongside the camping gear I already own, creating a practical day van. These days, the trendy term for it is a modular no-build camper conversion. The beauty of that setup is its flexibility. I can strip everything out in minutes whenever I need the van to carry my kayak or larger camping equipment, then set it back up just as easily for a night away. It suits my needs perfectly for now, although I wouldn't be surprised if, over time, Bivvy Bus ends up fully insulated with a fixed bed. There's no rush, though. I'll be taking this project one step at a time because I need to see how my health issues affect my ability to sleep comfortably and function in such a compact camper. For now, though, it's great to have Bivvy Bus back on the road and ready for his next chapter.
This is a rough mock-up of how I’m planning to fit out the Bivvy Bus to get started. Nothing fancy, just simple and practical. I’ll have a cot bed down the right-hand side with storage boxes underneath, and along the left I’ll have a row of collapsible five-door storage boxes, each measuring 52 by 36 by 36 centimetres. Everything else I need, including my sleeping bag, power station, solar panel, lighting, electric compressor fridge and cooking gear, will all come straight from my existing camping setup, so there’s no need to buy everything again.
I’ll also be removing the passenger-side bulkhead and the driver's side grille to open the space up a bit more, and I’ll be insulating the side walls and rear doors to make it more comfortable all year round. At night, I’ll fit thermal blackout blinds to all the windows to help keep the heat in and give me a bit of privacy.
The whole setup can be packed away really quickly, so I can maximise the space for my kayaks and all my other gear whenever I need to.
Once the roof and bonnet have been resprayed, I’ll be fitting a cargo roof tray for some extra storage as well.
To begin with, the van will mainly be used for carrying my gear and as a day van or an overnight stopover when I’m out exploring. It’s not going to be a luxury camper. It will be basic, nothing special, functional and practical... pretty much like me! 🤣
When I was a young lad growing up in the 1960s, life was very different from the world we live in today. I'm not one of those older people who constantly complain about "kids today." Times have changed, and children are growing up in a completely different world from the one I knew.
Back then, I lived in a household of seven people, and everyone had to pull their weight. It didn't matter whether you were an adult or a child; if you were old enough, you had jobs to do.
My day started at 6:30 every morning. Before breakfast, I'd make all the beds, then move on to my other chores. That meant emptying the coal grates, fetching coal from the bunker, and getting both the front and back room fireplaces ready to be lit after school. Once that was done, it was time to dust and run the Hoover around the two rooms.
Just before breakfast, Mum would inspect everything to make sure the jobs had been done properly. There were no shortcuts. If something wasn't up to her standards, you did it again.
Breakfast itself was usually cereal and toast, prepared by one of my brothers before we all headed off to school.
The chores didn't stop there. After school, I'd light the coal fires, help Mum prepare supper, and later in the evening clean everyone's shoes so they were ready for the next day.
To anyone under the age of fifty, that probably sounds quite harsh. Looking back through today's eyes, I can understand why. But honestly, it never felt unusual because that's simply how life was. Every member of the family contributed. We all had responsibilities, and that's what families did.
So why do I look back on those days with such fondness?
Because those daily chores taught me lessons that have stayed with me for the rest of my life.
The biggest lesson Mum ever taught me was that very little in life comes for free. If you want something, you earn it. That work ethic has stayed with me ever since.
She also taught me practical life skills that many people now never get the chance to learn. I learned how to cook, clean, wash clothes and iron them properly. In fact, apart from PE, the subject I enjoyed the most at school was cookery, or Domestic Science as it was called back then, before it became Home Economics.
Anyone who took GCE O-levels during the 1960s or 1970s will probably remember just how strict those practical exams were. You couldn't bluff your way through them.
Some people used to joke that these were "women's chores." Mum never saw it that way, and neither do I. She believed everyone should know how to look after themselves, regardless of whether they were male or female.
Looking back now, I realise what a gift she gave me.
Throughout my adult life, I've never had to rely on anyone else to cook a decent meal, keep a clean home, wash my clothes or iron a shirt. Those are skills I've carried with me for decades, and they're all thanks to my mum.
The older I get, the more I appreciate those early mornings, the coal dust, the polished shoes and the endless list of chores.
At the time, they simply felt like hard work.
Today, they feel like some of the most valuable lessons I ever learned.
Six Months On: How I Finally Learned to Look Forward Instead of Looking Back
"Retirement didn't end my purpose. It simply gave me the freedom to discover a new one."
There is a common belief that retirement is something we all dream about. No more alarm clocks. No more deadlines. No more Monday mornings. Just endless freedom.
The reality, however, is often very different.
I have now been retired for six months, and I can only now honestly say that I have finally put my working life behind me. Looking back, I found myself asking a simple question:
Why did it take me so long to accept retirement?
The answer wasn't straightforward.
When Retirement Isn't Your Choice
One of the biggest reasons was that I didn't retire because I wanted to.
Although I continued working for several years beyond my official retirement age, there came a point when I had no choice but to stop. Severe osteoarthritis in both knees and a worsening lower back condition gradually made it impossible for me to continue carrying out my duties safely.
Giving up work wasn't part of my plan.
It was something my body decided for me.
That loss of choice was perhaps the hardest part of all.
For decades, work had given my days structure, routine and purpose. Like many people, I hadn't realised just how much of my identity was wrapped up in my career until it suddenly disappeared.
"Sometimes the hardest part of retirement isn't leaving work—it's leaving behind the person you thought you were."
Living Alone Changes Everything
As a man living alone and a widower, retirement brought challenges that I hadn't anticipated.
Without someone to share the everyday routine, the silence can feel much louder than you expect. There are no conversations about your day, no shared plans for the evening, and no work colleagues to chat with over a cup of tea.
It would have been very easy to become isolated.
I also found myself confronting something that many people probably think about but rarely admit.
I felt as though I was entering the final chapter of my life.
For the first time, I genuinely felt old.
I questioned my worth and wondered whether my most productive years were behind me. Looking back now, I realise those feelings were part of the adjustment process. Retirement isn't just about leaving a job; it's about redefining who you are.
Rediscovering Purpose
Fortunately, I already had something many new retirees don't.
Hobbies.
I've always enjoyed spending time outdoors. Hiking through the countryside, paddling along peaceful rivers in my kayak and visiting places of historical interest have long been passions of mine.
More recently, I've also discovered fishkeeping, which has opened up an entirely new hobby that combines learning, patience and creativity.
Each hobby gave me something to look forward to.
Each one reminded me that retirement doesn't have to mean slowing down.
In many ways, it simply means changing direction.
My New "Job"
For several years, I've also been creating content on YouTube.
I share my kayaking adventures, camping experiences, outdoor equipment reviews, aquarium projects and the occasional piece of everyday life.
I often joke that YouTube has become my new job.
The difference is that this time, I genuinely enjoy every minute of it.
Do I treat it as a business?
Absolutely not.
If I did, I would probably have gone bankrupt years ago!
Instead, it gives me something far more valuable than an income.
It gives me purpose.
Knowing that someone has found one of my videos helpful or enjoyable reminds me that retirement doesn't mean becoming invisible. We all have knowledge and experience worth sharing, regardless of our age.
"Purpose doesn't disappear when you retire. Sometimes it simply arrives wearing different clothes."
Busier Than Ever
Ironically, I now seem to have less spare time than I did when I was working.
Between kayaking, planning future adventures, maintaining my aquariums, filming videos, editing footage, writing articles and exploring new places, there never seem to be enough days in the week.
That's not a complaint.
It's exactly how I hoped retirement would eventually feel.
Busy.
Creative.
Rewarding.
Looking Forward
Six months ago, I was looking backwards.
Today, I'm looking forwards.
I've learned to appreciate the health I still have rather than focusing on the health I have lost.
Yes, osteoarthritis has changed what I can do.
My back isn't what it once was.
There are activities I simply have to approach differently now.
But there are still countless adventures waiting for me.
As a widower, I know life can sometimes feel lonely. However, I also know that staying active, pursuing hobbies and connecting with people through shared interests has given me a renewed sense of purpose.
Retirement hasn't become the end of my story.
It's simply become the start of a different chapter.
Final Thoughts
If you're approaching retirement—or you're already there and struggling to adjust—my advice is simple.
Give yourself time.
Don't expect everything to fall into place overnight.
Find something that excites you.
Reconnect with old interests or discover entirely new ones.
Stay curious.
Stay active.
Most importantly, remember that your value isn't measured by the job you used to do.
It's measured by the life you continue to build.
Retirement hasn't made me stop living.
If anything, it has reminded me just how much life there is still to enjoy.
David Wilson is the creator of David Wilson Out and About, where he shares his passion for kayaking, hiking, camping, local history, fishkeeping and honest product reviews. Through his videos and articles, he hopes to encourage others to stay active, embrace new hobbies and make the most of every stage of life.
Starting this month, I'll be sharing a monthly Super Thanks appreciation post across my social media whenever there are supporters to recognise.
What is Super Thanks?
Super Thanks is a YouTube feature that allows viewers to support content creators with a one-time contribution on uploaded videos. Think of it as a digital tip jar. It's a simple way to say "thanks" for the time, effort, and passion that goes into creating each video.
To send a Super Thanks, simply click or tap the Thanks button located beneath the video. Choose the contribution amount you'd like to give, and your message will be highlighted in the comments, making it easy for me and everyone else to see your support.
Every Super Thanks directly supports the channel and helps me continue creating the content you enjoy. Whether you watch, like, comment, share, subscribe, or send a Super Thanks, your support truly means a lot. Thank you!
