Van life intrigues you and makes you dream? Discover the adventures of Margaux, Mathieu and Sunny: their Combi WV!
Literary translation of the English-speaking expression “Vanlife”, life in van envelopes a whole universe: that of an alternative way of life whose word of order is freedom. Whether in Volkswagen combi or by car, regardless of the model used. Vanlife is above all a way of living, a state of mind. Be free to move with his desires, to sleep every night in a different place.
Today we will discover more about this way of travelling – or even living – through the testimony of Margaux and Mathieu . Originally from the Landes, this young couple decided to enlarge the family by realizing a common dream: embarking on an adventure in a landscaped vehicle. Through their testimony, they share their experiences, their advice and anecdotes with Sunny, their Combi WV.
How did your adventure start? Why did you choose this project?
Margaux: “ Since then, Mathieu has always dreamed of having a combi. When he went for a walk Biarritz with his parents, he saw all these surfers with their colorful vans rusted by salt, their surfboards... and he said that one day he would have one too. »
“ Then Mathieu gave me this dream a few years later, when we really talked about it in the summer of 2017. I was quickly involved in this project, so we started looking for our future house on wheels. The dream was to find a combi T2, the mythical van of the roadtrip, adventure, surfing and freedom. »
This feeling of freedom and dream was incredible!
“ After 2 months of intensive research, rythmated with hopes and despairs (laughs), Sunny’s announcement is over. At first, it’s hard to believe it, it’s in great condition for its price. Finally, the owner informs us that we are the first to contact him. He agrees to keep it to us, and the next weekend we are on our way to pick it up in the southeast, next toAix-en-Provence ! »
Photo credit: Margaux & Mathieu
“ When we left with, we were the happiest in the world. Mathieu found his little name in the suite: Sunny, for its orange color that we see at sunrise and sunset. So we made our first little road trip on the way back, to bring Sunny home! This feeling of freedom and dream was incredible. »
Why did you choose the vehicle fitted out in the absence of other ways to travel?
M: “ Since it starts from a dream, the choice of this trip was made naturally. It was more obvious than a big reflection. The idea of walking around with his little house everywhere we liked. The potential for improvisation that this mode of travel also offers. Indeed, traveling like that, no need to book anything. This gives the freedom to leave any time, anywhere and for any duration. Also, we are forced to live with the strict minimum, and we like it. »
Run the sound of cars for birds, shopping malls for forests...
“ We also love to find outdoor spots to get away from the city. Run the noise of cars for birds, shopping centres for forests. »
“ However, we do not close the door to other travel modes, many attract us. One day we may want to travel differently. Never say! »
Why don't you live completely in your combi yet? What still holds you?
M: “ The project is to go to Europe with our combination. We have been talking about it for two years now. The aim is to prepare the trip well to avoid leaving on a head shot. So we set aside to get the solid kidneys. Also, we look at our reflection on the possibilities of earning money on the road. »
“ Of course, the money we put aside is going to be used to travel, but we also want to work to avoid getting too much on-reserve and really keep it that in an emergency. As a result, our decision was to be patient, which is why we have not yet left. »
“ At the base, we planned to leave late 2020 or early 2021. But Mr. Covid decided otherwise... So we wait wisely for him to leave us alone to leave! »
How do you understand, how are you going to organize the shifting your life to 100% in your combi?
M: “ I think we're ready. Of course there is a little apprehension, it will be a new life, a new adventure! But after 2 years of reflection, research, questions, the moment approaches. And we can't wait! »
Leave our CDIs, our belongings, and all that belongs to us will only be in our little Sunny!
“ Finally, living 100% in our combi will not be something eternal, it will be the time of our road trip. On the other hand, we really wish to leave this sedentary life behind us: to leave our CDI, our home, and everything that belongs to us will only be in our little Sunny. »
Photo credit: Margaux & Mathieu
“ After this trip, our life will not be the same. It’s not a chance that we find ourselves in a place, in the city, and that we do a job every day that we don’t like. »
What are your projects? How are you going to support your needs as future “nomads”?
M: “ The departure for Europe is scheduled for March 2022 if everything goes better by then. To be able to leave, we put money aside. But we also hold a blog, " having fun “The adventurers’ blog and committed projects, since 2016, will continue to develop during the trip. »
“ Also, we will do freelance missions in communication and digital marketing. And then, why don't you work a little on the spot doing some small jobs! »
Do you have any doubts or fears about this way of life?
M: “ It is a way of travel and a way of life that has spread much over the last few years, and I would say that our fear is that we are not accepted everywhere. More and more countries have restrictions on wild camping, and prohibit nights in the middle of nature for people travelling in vans. It can complicate the trip and prevent you from enjoying certain destinations... »
A galleyless adventure is not an adventure, or too monotonous!
“ But otherwise no particular fears, we know that everything will not be pink, but we also go for it. A galleyless adventure is not an adventure, or too monotonous! »
Which countries / places you have already travelled with your car?
M: “ During the weekends, we will discover our region: Basque Country, Landes, Pyrenees,Spain too. In September 2019, one month went to the Portuguese coast and the Spanish north coast. It was our first big road trip, a great memory! »
“ And in September 2020, despite the situation, we left a month too, but this time in BrittanyWe loved it! And unlike his reputation, we had very good time in Brittany... (laughs) »
What is your greatest memory and your biggest galley?
M: “ It's hard to choose, either for the memory or the galery! »
“ I would say that our best memory is the day we bought Sunny and the time we left with it. The smile to the ears, I remember filming the first meters after saying goodbye to the former owner on October 14, 2017. Mathieu, who's driving laughs! It was the beginning of our beautiful adventure! A dream come true! »
Photo credit: Margaux & Mathieu
“ Of course, we've got a lot of our assets, like any vanlifers who respect each other! ? »
“ During our trip to Portugal, we rolled and there... more accelerator. On the bottom side of a national with the cars that were nearby, difficult to do something. We think it's the cable that broke, but we're not too worried because we have the spare part on us. »
“ Finally, we call a convenience store waiting three hours. Knowing that the garages are closed on Saturdays afternoon and Sunday (we were Saturday 14h), no possibility to get us to a garage. After random discussions, he spoke Portuguese and... Portuguese (laughs). It is finally understood that the plan is that it deposits us at its deposit in the industrial zone. He explains to us that a friend of his mechanic will come to repair the van the next morning. In these cases, no choice but to trust... »
More fear than evil but a beautiful anecdote and beautiful encounters!
“ As a result, the next day, while waiting for the garagiste, Mathieu decorates the technical review to try to understand the breakdown. He looks in the engine and there he sees a screw that hangs. And by looking closer, in fact the cable was connected to the engine with this screw, it had just disconnected from the engine! We put him back in place, and it works! »
“ And at the same time the famous mechanic arrives. We explain to him, in Portuguese always... that we managed to solve the problem. He still takes a look, and everything was good. We've been able to leave, 24 hours after we broke down. More fear than evil but a beautiful anecdote and beautiful encounters... »
What do you expect from the future?
M: “ For the future, we hope to be able to start our tour of Europe fast enough! In the meantime, you have to be patient and continue to prepare for the best departure while continuing to travel around us and live some micro adventures. »
We hope that this trip will allow us to develop our blog!
“ When we return, we'd like to find a little cocoon in the middle of nature... why not in the mountains, but still close to the Basque Country. Also, we hope that this trip will allow us to develop our blog to continue working on the return of the trip. In parallel, we'll always do some freelance missions. »
“ Otherwise, it is quite possible that we would take a little more taste of travel, so there should be others that will follow after... Anyway, we'll see. It’s going to happen! »
What advice would you give to those who wish to embark on the adventure at the top?
M: “ That you have to start without hesitating of course! On the networks and when we’re with our combination, we’re often told “you’re lucky, it’s my dream to travel like that! And that is only a decision: to start and do everything so that it becomes reality! »
Photo credit: Margaux & Mathieu
“ We bought Sunny when I just found a job and Mathieu was still a student, so it was a substantial amount for young people like us, but we really did. So we made a loan to buy it and we worked a little bit more next. Anyway, we managed! »
If the test goes well, then start! We only have a life!
“ If you ever have a doubt, it is even better to try before you buy directly a van or any other fitted vehicle. Several rental sites exist (wikicampers that makes renting between people for example), to be able to make a roadtrip during a weekend or more, and to try this way of travel. »
“ It makes you dream like this but there are also a lot of disadvantages (electricity, water, mini surface, find spots where to sleep, mechanical failures, prohibitions...). And if the test goes well, then start! We only have a life! »
Where are you going to start at the big start? What are the destinations where you dream of travelling / living?
M: “ In hoping to be able to leave in March 2022, I think that we would first go to the north of Europe, to spend spring, summer and autumn: England, Ireland and Scotland, then continue with the Netherlands, Denmarkto arrive Sweden and Norway ! Then as soon as winter arrives, either stop and work for a season somewhere, or go south of Europe. »
It is no use to run after destinations. On the contrary, we prefer to take the time to choose and discover them.
“ Our dream to both is to travel in van to United States and Canada. In fact, we thought about this project there, but finally the decision turned to Europe. Also, we dream of going Australia and New Zealand, also in French Polynesiaand in Iceland... There are many destinations where you dream of going in fact... A little like everyone else! »
“ Even if we're probably not going anywhere, it's okay. It is no use to run after destinations. On the contrary, we prefer to take the time to choose and discover them. The choice of the combi was not made by chance. Speed is not our thing. On the road as in life? »
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