The Camper Van Chronicles: Cup o' Tea

I love Tea.

While I appreciate the smell of coffee, I never acquired a love for the taste. Tea, like reading and writing, has my heart.

So I've always enjoyed mugs. Tea cups are pretty, but they just don't satisfy like a warm mug, a blanket and a book.

Recently though, with the prospect of buying a Camper van, I've become more particular and my sense of style and desire making things somewhat mine have come into their own. This is my thought process for every Camper we've looked for one;

Carpet on walls, WHY?? Who puts carpet in a shower? Why? Its everywhere else? Did the shower cry out for warmth? Did you  And WOOD. Wood everywhere. Like some horrid foresty gore porn.

So I've been looking into redesigning/decorating an interior of a camper van, and getting really excited about it. And I always get one fixation or another when I reeeeally get into something, and

I've been admiring Enamel Kettles! Enamel seems so sturdy, and I know with a kettle, I wouldn't like the ever destructible electric plug-in.

They're colourful and I feel like it would last so much longer then the plastic ones.

There's always been a metal kettle in the house back home. I just can't think of me not having one, especially on such an adventure, on something that will be home.

I've had fun rummaging around and have a look see at my Etsy finds!

From Right to Left, top to bottom. 1. Tall, Vintage Blue  2. Rosy Rustic Red 3. Pale Blue, And High Quality 4.  Brown Beauty 5. White Floral, Scandinavia  6. Captain America Blue 7. Red with Blue Detail, and Chain 8.  Cream and Cups

Le Pasta Bake

I made a Pasta Bake! After a Frosty New Years in Scotland, and spending the day at my boyfriend's place, I decided that I did not want toast and melted cheese for my breakfast. So After rummaging around on the internet for a few minutes I compiled a bake I'd enjoy. I only thought to take pictures at the end, but I can confirm it was a messy process!

Merry Togetherness

Happy Holidays, whatever you celebrate, wherever you might be. 

Bows up!

Archery. I've loved archery since before it was done by these three awesome folk below!

More or Less Exciting

I like planning. Some people don't but I like the picking things out and organizing them so it will be a good trip, so I don't bring to much, and so I have the right things.

I have a few undertakings a head of me I have to think and plan for. I'm seeing someone named Will, and we've got a few cool places we want to see, plus a few folk coming over to visit me in the spring.

THE PLAN
My plan is to do more out door wilderness stuff. I'm growing more fold of it as I get older. While I have respect the story of Into The Wild, I have no plans to be so foolish, or hopefully I am not that foolish. Up until now, I've been borrowing ones lying about in the hostel, and really I could just abscond with one but someone else might come to this place and someone else might realize how cool camping is and not have the money to just up and buy a sleeping bag for a few days in the woods.

Summer camping Fun Fact: the clothes don't mater, just the walking shoes and the warmth.

Living Over Seas: How To Pack For Home

In two weeks I'll be heading home, though, by the time you see this, I'll have been at home. Its a surprise for my mom and a few other family members. My dad, sister and brother know, as well as my awesome friends who are picking me up.

I haven't been home (Canada) in over a year, and I'm plunging in at the start of December. Its not warm there, and even less so when you head up into the Great White North. But I feel I've learned a fair bit, reading blogs, reading websites and traveling myself to know what exactly to bring for myself when I go back over seas. Ever the over packer, I've broken down that habit, so that when I went to Germany, I had space enough to brig back a beer soaked Dirndl and Stein in just a carry on bag. 

But back to Canada. I came to Scotland with only a 65lt rucksack and a day bag. While both have proven endlessly useful for getting around in Europe and camping (something I did not think I'd be doing here) I'm heading back home. I know the buses, I know the people and I know I won't be walking long distances over cobbled streets. So I'm taking a road block. The only obstacle to this rolling bag in Canada will be a dirt road, and for those I have people with a car and shameless determination. 

I've got limited space though, due to my wild purchasing of Christmas gifts so really I only have 15% of the suitcase left, a carry on bag, and my own person, heading into Canadian Winter weather. 

The largest pieces of clothing I'm going to be wearing are my winter coat and boots. One is a dense/fashionable black wool coat and the boots are fashionable as well. I was going to bring my new/practical hiking boots but I didn't want to subject them to Canada's deep love of road salt. 

My Home List, as you see in my video

Wool Coat

Compressible Vest

Wool Sweater/Jumper

Tops!
- Thermal Top - Purple
- White Zippered jumper
- White tank top
- Black Tank top
- Captain America Top
-

Top
- Thermal Leggings
- Long leggings
- Short Leggings
- 1 Jean

Undergarments
- 12 underpants
- 1 Bra

Extra
- Face cream
- Hair Brush
- Eye Pencil
- Make up

- Hair elastics
- Hair claw
- Headphones

Great White North

I miss Canada. I miss my Canada. I miss the endless forest. I miss the chilled lakes. I miss the sweet smell of snow.