Vanilla: My Campervan, My Freedom (and Absolute Dream Machine)

April 2024. A month that changed everything. I, John Nickolls—former Royal Navy man, HGV whisperer, and drone enthusiast extraordinaire—made a monumental decision: I bought a VW T6.1 campervan. Her name? Vanilla. Understated in name, outrageous in execution. Think of her as the James Bond of campervans. If Bond ever fancied a cuppa and a bacon sandwich with a drone parked nearby.

She was already fitted out to an exceptionally high standard when I clapped eyes on her at Leighton Vans in Rotherham. She shimmered like a freshly waxed Audi in a Midlands car park. I knew then and there—this was the one. And after her specialist finishing touches courtesy of Rock n Roll Campers in Consett, Vanilla transformed from “impressive van” to “rolling sanctuary of dreams.”

Fit-Out and Features (Brace Yourself)

Vanilla isn’t just fitted out. She’s loaded. She boasts:

• A microwave (ding!)

• A fridge (cold things go in here, including cider)

• A 2-ring gas hob (spaghetti bolognese? No problem.)

• A toaster (for toast... and crumpets!)

• A kettle (for tea, coffee, and occasional soup)

• An air fryer (yes, really)

• A Cadac BBQ (meat me outside, how 'bout that?)

Everything has a home. Everything works. Everything makes me want to cook something just because I can.

The Webasto diesel heater? A revelation. It’s like having a Swedish spa in Stafford. Cold night? Flick a switch. Toasty.

Comfort and Sleep (Hotel Who?)

I’ve slept in hotels. Premier Inns, the odd Travelodge, even a dodgy B&B in Hull. None of them compare to the Rock n Roll bed in Vanilla, especially with the Duvalay mattress topper. I sleep like a brick in a hammock. Peaceful. Dreamy. No strangers banging on doors or industrial-strength extractor fans keeping me awake.

Connectivity and Tech (Now We’re Talking)

Vanilla has Wi-Fi. Not the “sometimes works if you stand on one leg” kind. Proper, powerful Wi-Fi. I can upload 4K drone footage from a field while boiling an egg.

And then there’s the cinema: a Nebula Capsule 3 Laser projector that beams onto a 50” screen in the pop-top. Yes, you read that correctly. Fifty. Inches. I’ve watched Villa games, edited drone reels, and even re-watched Top Gun: Maverick in Dolby-van-o-rama.

Come nightfall, the BioLite 500 kicks in with ambient glow. It’s like being on a Scandi design set, only better because I’m in my PJs.

The Essentials (AKA “The Throne”)

Vanilla includes a Thetford Porta Potti. It’s compact, it’s discreet, and it means I don’t have to sprint to a public toilet in Crocs. Game. Changer.

Extra Space: The Vango Extension

The Vango Faro Air III inflatable awning is what I call “the conservatory”. Adds space. Adds luxury. Adds somewhere to take your shoes off when they’ve been in something questionable on Cannock Chase.

Where We’ve Been (And Where She Shined)

Since our first trip together, Vanilla has seen some sights:

• CamperJam – me, my brother David, and a lot of very nice vans

• Dubbed Out Festival in Cheshire – where Vanilla was practically a celebrity

• Cornwall – Tintagel to Looe with pasties and footage aplenty

• The Highlands of Scotland – where Vanilla held her own against wind, rain, and midges

• The Peak District, North Yorkshire Moors, Somerset, and Northamptonshire – Vanilla took them all in her stride, like a true touring champion

Wherever we went, she turned heads, cooked breakfasts, charged drones, and provided shelter from the storm—both literal and metaphorical.

Why Vanilla Matters

Vanilla isn’t just a van. She’s my mobile HQ. My studio. My kitchen. My escape.

She gives me freedom, comfort, and tech support all in one. She lets me shoot what I want, where I want, and still be back in bed with a brew by 10pm.

She’s more than metal and mechanics—she’s part of who I am now.

Stay tuned. More trips to come. More footage to share. And many more reasons to love life on the road with Vanilla.

Aha!– John Nickolls