‘We always go on the spec’

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Anja and Regar Knapen prefer to go wild camping with their five sons and three dogs. With their converted library bus from 1973, they can stand free for a month.

“As soon as Regar and I say we’re going on holiday again, the eldest three are ready to throw their cuddly toys, toys and bedding on the bus. They often sleep in it the nights before departure. And when we come home after a holiday, they always want to camp in the garden for a few more nights. Nowhere do they sleep better than in the camper. We bought this bus about ten years ago, when we were still just the two of us and had wild plans for long journeys. Not much has come of that.

Library bus

Originally, this library bus drove through villages and suburbs so that people could borrow and return books. A camper had already been made of it when we purchased it, but that installation was no longer good. We completely emptied the bus and converted it ourselves into our ideal family camper.

With a large kitchen and sitting area for all of us, on board we also have a shower and toilet. For our five sons Rejdar (6.5), Thoryn (5), Huxley (4), Arlhan (2.5) and Jherte (1) I built beds in the back, we sleep above them. The furnishings are made of wood and robust, which is a must with five sons climbing all over the place. The outside is not finished yet, we are working on it bit by bit.

Place of interest

We are quite a sight, with a bus that is 11 meters long, 2.5 meters wide and over 3 meters high. And when we go on a long trip, there is still a trailer with a car on it. Because once we’re somewhere, I don’t just move the camper from its place. For shopping and trips we take a Citroën Dyane with a double sofa, we just fit in there.

Regar and I both have our truck licenses, but he’s behind the wheel most of the time. The most beautiful part we ever drove was a pass between France and Spain. We crossed it at night, the view of the lights of the surrounding villages was fairytale. No one else was driving at all and that was a good thing, that road was so narrow.

Self-sufficient

Traveling this way slows down and gives peace of mind. You shouldn’t be in a hurry when you go out with such a bus. In the summer we often slowly descend to Southern Europe. We always go on spec and are rarely on campsites.

“With 400 liters of water on board and solar panels on the roof, we are self-sufficient for a month”

We don’t really like calling to see if there is room and having to wait for the barrier to open before you can leave. We prefer to be free, in nature or on a special motorhome pitch. With four hundred liters of water on board, a waste water tank, large refrigerator and serious solar panels on the roof, we are self-sufficient for a month.

Screenless

Regar and I think driving is fantastic, especially for the children that is a necessary evil. They enjoy themselves along the way with cars, games and each other. We do not have a TV on board and we never take screens with us.

“They have a great time on the road while we never take screens with us”

During my last maternity leave we were away for two months and drove all the way to the south of Portugal. There we visited friends whom we had met on a previous trip and who also travel on a large bus. We attracted a lot of attention when we stood on the beach with two buses in a row.

In the middle of Portugal, the nature reserves are fantastic for driving and walking. I thought Almeida – which is close to the Spanish border – was a beautiful fortified town. The camper place there has a view of the fire station and the boys were especially impressed by that since Regar is with the volunteer fire brigade in the village where we live.

Read also – Southern Europe with children: ‘We walked straight onto the beach from the van’ >

Remarkable

On the way there we usually stop at Condé-surl’Escaut, which is located near a beautiful nature park just across the French border. And if possible, we visit Farmer Sam. This is a farm campsite run by Dutch people, which is an hour and a half’s drive from Paris, in Bois-Girault.

The simplicity of this place appeals to us, we like to walk through the woods nearby, the children play endlessly in the stables and sit around the campfire in the evening. It’s a funny sight when the door opens and five blond boys and three dogs come bouncing out. Other campers like to chat with us, want to know where we come from and prefer to look around our van. We just like that.

The children naturally prefer to play in the water and on a beach. That’s totally fine, it’s their holiday too. We always alternate walking tours and trips with playing at the camper or at a lake. We have already gone to Lac de Vassivière a few times, which is located in the middle of France near a large reservoir. You can go for a nice walk there and there is a nice castle on the island in the lake.

The only drawback of that place is that you have to drive 45 minutes to the supermarket. We take that into account when we go that way, before we put the camper down we fill the fridge completely. Then we can all move forward together.”

Doing

By the mountains

We like to walk in the surroundings of Lake Annecy. From there you can enter the French Alps in various places and the view is different everywhere.

Noble

On an island in the middle of Lake Vassivière is a small castle. Nice place to go with kids. Activities are organized regularly.

Gondola tour

Caves of Le Gouffre de Padirac in the Lot, with a gondola you sail over an underground river through the different rooms of the cave. Very impressive!

gouffre-de-padirac.com

To see

Rock to cave

Carvoeiro is a beautiful white town on top of a rock. There are several beaches between the cliffs. Tip: follow the wooden walkway from the center to the rock formations and sea caves of Algar Seco.

Hidden gem

Faia Brava is an impressive nature reserve in the north of Portugal. Many rare animals live there and it is a beautiful area for walking. It is freely accessible and is a nature campsite. Also an option: a safari tour or vulture excursion.

naturaiberica.nl/faia-brava

To sleep

Laid back

Farmer Sam and Marieke’s family campsite is located in the Loire Valley. There is a casual, relaxed atmosphere here and the surroundings are fantastic.

bois-girault.com

Water and green

Between the beach and the marina of Lake Vassivière is a quiet motorhome with a view of the water and the woods. One of our favorite places.

Trees everywhere

The camper place at Condé-sur-l’Escaut is also on our list of favourites. On the water and surrounded by forests. This place is just across the French border and is therefore ideal for the outward and / or return journey. We always find our camper pitches on campercontact.com

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