A couple who spent £30,000 transforming their van into a home-on-wheels has shared the reality of life on the road.
When Niamh Hasner and her boyfriend, Ciarán O Mahony decided they wanted to ditch traditional living and travel the world, they knew they had some work on their hands.
But the couple, now aged 28 and 29, soon found themselves “inseparable” and say it is like “living in a small apartment with your best friend.”
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Now, advising other couples to do the same, they say it has made their relationship stronger.
“We had tried the lifestyle before in an old work van, barely insulated and used it for weekends so we could travel,” Niamh, from Ireland, told Luxury Travel Daily.
“But we knew we wanted to invest in something that we could use full-time, in the working week, too.”
Ciarán, who owns an energy retrofits company, and Niamh, who works for him, decided they wanted to convert their van into the perfect abode.
But it wasn’t easy.
Niamh said: “In Ireland, it is hard to do a van conversion — the materials we wanted were only available in the UK, and most wouldn’t ship to Ireland, so we had to adapt some designs.
“But overall, we had done so much research that we knew what layout and electrical system we wanted.
“We also wanted to try and finish the van within seven weeks.
“But that was while also working full-time, meaning we had to be out in the van every night and weekend, working at it.”
They also realised the van they were originally converting wasn’t big enough and had to buy a 2019 Mercedes Sprinter MWB for £20,000.
Renovating it cost about £9,000.
Niamh said: “We did the whole renovation by ourselves.
“We also installed solar and a good electrical system, as well as a slide-out table so the space felt more open, and a big fridge for our food, if we were away from a town for a few days.
“We insulated the van really well, so we rarely have to turn on our heater, and if we do, it keeps the heat until the morning.”
Niamh said living in close quarters has strengthened their relationship.
She said: “We definitely spend more quality time together, we’re always planning trips around being in the countryside in the middle of nowhere.
“And often there are services, so we end up chatting and playing card games for hours.
“It’s like travelling in a tiny apartment with your best friend.
“We’ve also learnt so much.
“Ciarán has taught me how to wire and make ceilings and set lino – endless skills that if we ever did another van build or were working on our home I could do myself.
“We definitely love travelling and the holiday feeling from the van means it feels like you’re in another country even though you might only be 30 minutes from your house.”
Their favourite places so far have been the West Cork coast, Kerry and the Isle of Syke.
Next, they plan on leaving the UK and travelling to Norway.
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