Who are you?
Liz (writer) and Bill (baker), aged 41 and 50.
What kind of vanlifer are you? Full-time? Part-time? Weekend warrior?
Part-time since COVID.
What kind of van do you have?
1997 Fiat Ducato, medium wheel base conversion.
Does your van have a name?
Of course! She’s called Dixie The Backwards Van.
How long have you been on the road?
It’s been just over 3 years since we have moved home from abroad and into the van.
Where are you based?
In County Mayo, on the very west coast of Ireland.
What is the favorite thing about your van?
Everything 🙂 She’s well insulated and smartly designed!
If you could go back in time and redo your build or change anything about your build, what would it be?
A bigger kitchen with more worktop space.
What do you do for work?
We didn’t work while full-timing. Just saved enough to take an extended trip.
50+ Mobile and Remote Jobs to Earn Money From Virtually Anywhere
There are so many ways to work remotely from home, or from the comfort of your camper van. Hell, you can even be a digital
Favorite type of place to sleep overnight?
By the coast, lakeside or any water. Nothing beats the sound of the waves!
Overnight Parking and Stealth Camping While Vandwelling
Where do vanlifers sleep? A comprehensive guide to finding a place to park and sleep for free on the road.
Worst thing that happened to you while living in a van?
The night the doors froze shut!
How do you overcome that?
Breathing into the locks and making sure it didn’t happen again!
What's the best thing about vanlife?
Baking bread on the campfire at sunset, listening to the rolling waves.
Biggest lesson learned while living in a van?
Keep an open mind, travel can change your perspective and always be prepared!
Favorite thing about your van?
The gas cooker and the cassette toilet!
Most useful item/essential item in your van?
USB headlamp, coffee flask and pocket solar phone chargers.
Best Van Life Essentials – A Holiday Gift Guide
When trading a stationary home for one on wheels, some sacrifice is inevitable. Though a van may not have all of the comforts of a
Best advice you'd give to an aspiring vanlifer?
Slow down, explore in regions not following routes and take time to speak to everybody you meet.
Do you currently or have you thought about traveling as a couple?
Yes, it was a bumpy start but once you find your rhythm van life is great for a relationship!
With kids?
Nope.
With pets?
Nope.
Favorite (easy to make) vanlife meal?
We call it “The Van Sandwich” – nut butter, banana, flax and chia seeds on brown bread.
Any regrets about vanlife?
Our only regret is not starting out sooner.
Where can we follow your journey?
thebackwardsvan.com and on Facebook and Instagram
Interested in filling out these Q&A’s for vanfocused? Click the button below and send us an email!
