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.
