Friday 8th – Monday 11th March 2024

Day 1

Vikki’s birthday! 🎉 We loaded up the car, swung by to collect the campervan, and chucked everything in with a very “we’ll sort it later” energy. On the road by 11:30am.

Drive was pretty uneventful, bar a slightly-too-close encounter with a tractor on a single-track lane. Standard countryside drama.

Lunch stop. Cute pub, sunny beer garden, and a birthday-sized glass of wine on the house for Vikki. Steve tucked into a fish finger sandwich, Vikki had a steak sandwich, and then came the heavenly chocolate pudding with raspberry sorbet.

Arrived at the campsite and set up the van on a prime sea view pitch – slightly soggy, definitely sloping, but thank goodness for wheel wedges.

Took a long walk to Lulworth Cove. Lovely on the way down, hellish on the way back up. Steve attempted backwards walking to ease the incline – shockingly, it did not help.

Van set-up complete with fairy lights, TV, and drinks in hand. Then off to the holiday park pub for dinner, where the food was… well… meh. Steve had neon nachos, Vikki had a salad with a hint of raspberry and a lot of garlic bread. Like, vampires beware.

Back to the van for a nightcap. Heater on, tucked up and ready for our first night sleeping in the roof pod – super snug, super narrow, and solidly in the “interesting” category. Steve headbutted the ceiling more than once.

Day 2

Woke at 8am and yes, we brought the actual coffee machine with us. Priorities. Sat outside with our mugs and a cracking sea view. Slight chill in the air – Vikki sensibly rocking joggers and an Oodie, Steve, less sensibly, in a breezy dressing gown. Bold choice.

Cooked brekkie outdoors like proper campers, Vikki washed up awkwardly with boiled kettle water and minimal coordination.

Showered, prepped, and off to Durdle Door. Hiked down to a quiet little cove with the whole beach to ourselves – rare and glorious. Rain started on the way back, but we smugly returned to the van for coffee, choccie biscuits, and the heater while everyone else got soaked.

Next stop: Portland Island. Parked at Portland Bill in gale-force wind and sideways rain. Casual lunch at the Lobster Pot – crab sandwich and hot choc for Steve, soup and wine for Vikki.

Did some soggy sightseeing then popped to the shops for dinner supplies. Made the rookie error of stashing everything quickly in the car park… cue mysterious crash noise on the drive back. Arrived at the site to find the cupboard wedged shut. After a solid effort, Steve ended up removing the hob and the sink to retrieve the rogue item. Gas smell followed. Cue: only turning on the gas when absolutely necessary.

Dinner totally made up for it – steak, salad, seeded sourdough, red wine, and beer. Vikki accidentally lobbed a mug of hot water onto Steve’s lap, just for fun. Finished with choccies and more drinks.

Evening film: bizarre. Game of Quirkle: classic. Bedtime: slightly less head-bumpy than the night before.

Day 3

8am lie-in (a van luxury), sun was out, coffee outside – glorious. Steve rocked the full “camping chic” look in a dressing gown, woolly hat, and trainers.

Packed up and headed to National Trust’s Kingston Lacy – lovely wander round the house and gardens until the skies opened and we legged it back to the van.

Supplies restocked, then off to campsite #2: Back of Beyond. Set up camp again, had a delicious lunch, and then headed out for a very muddy but satisfying walk. Warmed up with coffee and cake.

Discovered free prosecco in the onsite bar for Vikki for Mother’s Day! Played games, sipped drinks, ate food, and then headed into Bournemouth to see Adam Kay.

Cue a full-on campervan parking hunt – who knew car parks hated tall vehicles so much? Found one eventually, paid the most ridiculous amount (£14.70 for 2 hours!), and caught the show. Short, weird, but enjoyable.

Back to the van for a final drink and one last game of Quirkle to wrap up a fab weekend.

Day 4

7:30 slow start, packed up, returned the van, and waved goodbye to our home on wheels.

Mini Summary:

A birthday weekend packed with seaside strolls, sloping sleep setups, and slightly chaotic van-based living.