Chasing Sunsets and Seagulls: My Latest Cornwall Campervan Adventure

By John – Drone pilot, campervan crusader, and master of avoiding seagull attacks

Day 1: From Stafford to Tintagel – Vanilla Hits the Road

I waved goodbye to Staffordshire (and Monty, my mum’s working cocker spaniel, who looked deeply betrayed) and pointed Vanilla — my trusty VW T6.1 — towards the rugged edges of Cornwall.

After the standard HGV-driver snack run (two sausage rolls and a can of Monster), I rolled into Tintagel, where the cliffs look like they’ve been carved by angry wizards. I found a cliff-top campsite with a view so stunning it made my AirPods fall out in disbelief.

The DJI Mavic 2 Pro took its first flight of the trip, capturing waves crashing like a 90s rave beat against dramatic rocks — while a confused rambler below waved at it like it was the Google Earth camera.

Day 2: Pasty Perfection and Pub Therapy

I hit Port Isaac early, dodging narrow roads designed by sadistic pixies. Armed with my Canon EOS 70D, I snapped some lovely street shots, a few crusty locals, and an absolutely textbook fishing

I rewarded myself with a steak pasty the size of Monty and a pint of Rattler cider — which, let’s be honest, comes with a built-in hangover. Somehow ended up in a pub called The Drunken Lobster (or something like that — cider fog is real) where the locals were arguing about which seagull is the most aggressive.

Day 3: St Ives and the Golden Hour Glory

If heaven had a beach, it would look like St Ives on a windless evening. I parked Vanilla up like she was in a Cornish car ad, brewed a coffee on the hob, and got the drone ready.

The flight was magic. Golden hour light, pastel skies, seagulls that (mostly) behaved, and drone footage that could probably make the Visit Cornwall Instagram cry tears of joy.

Day 4: Goodbye Cornwall, Hello Nostalgia

The final leg of the journey saw me hugging the coast back home. Pulled into a quiet layby near Bedruthan Steps, made one last brew, and just watched the sea for a while. Vanilla was looking weathered and noble — like a salty old sea dog that runs on diesel.

I didn’t want to leave. But Staffordshire doesn’t insult itself, and Monty needed a walk.

The Gear I Used

• Campervan: VW T6.1 (Vanilla)

• Drone: DJI Mavic 2 Pro

• Camera: Canon EOS 70D

• Edit Software: Final Cut Pro & Lightroom

• Music Playlist: Depeche Mode, Underworld, and the sweet sound of seagulls screaming

Gallery

Coming Soon: Full-resolution drone shots, Canon stills, and maybe even a short video edit.

Visit johnsdrones.net/gallery — or subscribe for updates when the shots go live!

Fancy a Trip Like This?

Feel free to message me with questions about routes, campsites, gear, or pubs that serve the strongest Rattler per square inch. Or just follow my travels for more campervan chaos and coastal adventures.

See you on the next road. And bring pasties. Always bring pasties.