"Very distantly in all that fog I think there's some hills over there" is possibly the most British phrase ever, at least to a Yank.

I find the lack of Branston Pickle on those sarnies disturbing!

@buggs9950

4 ай бұрын

Ugh. A little black pepper is the way!

@trumpetrider565

4 ай бұрын

We had cheese and tomato sandwiches today with a smidge of salad cream. Very nice.

@bluepeter7612

3 ай бұрын

Indeed so.

After a hard day at work, it is wonderfully delightful to view another of your thoughtful vlogs, David. Your sense of wry humour appeals very much and with a glass of red, shifts my mood to quiet enjoyment. Thank you.

@Vandemonium

4 ай бұрын

Many thanks! 😀

@leedavies3629

4 ай бұрын

Agreed✌

@tracyfun6918

4 ай бұрын

Only a glass lol a bit more is in order lol x

All those beans, who needs a diesel heater!😂

*speech to text* I have been watching your videos for three years now and you are the most British person ever and I love everything about it

@Vandemonium

4 ай бұрын

😀

Lots of things shrink in the cold.

@annepoitrineau5650

4 ай бұрын

be more specific? ;)

@gillhall7590

4 ай бұрын

But not on women 😀

@richardfowler9901

5 күн бұрын

Lol mine has turned into a snail only comes out for a scatter

That weatherstripping issue. As a retired dealership mechanic, I installed or replaced many of these. We always cut them long and then forced it into place when installing. We would distribute the excess over the full range to avoid noticeable buckling of the seal. One other thing that would cause the corners to do this is a window glass that is not full seated. Pushing on the outside corners would reseat the glass. In your case it is most likely the weatherstripping has shrunk, which is normal, hence that cutting it long that we did. You have the right idea of pushing it into place and filling the gap to seal it.

@alanhodgson8443

4 ай бұрын

You are quite right in what you say, many will stretch the seals as they install and then trim off from the rest. It is a good idea to put the trim in a fridge for several hours so it shrinks, measure what you need and add a bit and then ensure that it is encouraged into place.

@ianmarshall8452

4 ай бұрын

Surprised you haven’t put your electric cable in self adhesive trunking

@UberAlphaSirus

4 ай бұрын

Same with double glazing rubber. cut it to long and loose the excess on the striaght runs.

@lindabishop7656

4 ай бұрын

I was going to call it A Gasket.

@DaveAppleton

4 ай бұрын

Also hot days are not advisable for insulation unless needs must because you'll be surprised how much expansion and contraction will happen at different temps.

American viewer here. Man was it trippy watching you drive down the wrong side of the road.

@Retep4565

4 ай бұрын

At least his steering wheel is on the right side.

@stevebarbier5602

4 ай бұрын

We drive on the proper side of the road, it's you lot that drive on the wrong side.....................😄

Id’ve been disappointed if a cheese sandwich hadn’t made an appearance! 😂

@chrispnw2547

4 ай бұрын

Me too!

@briansilver6196

4 ай бұрын

Cheese and onion 👍

@johnb4183

Ай бұрын

Made with toasted bread ?

I drove HGVs for 25 years, sleeping pretty much 5 nights a week in them. Obviously using a night heater, all over Europe and Russia in temps as low as -25c The best tip I can suggest is crack open the two front windows half an inch, this will prevent your windows from steaming up and causing condensation. Also don't ever run the hearer while driving, as the vibrations can damage the fan inside. One final tip, run the heater at least once a month, all year round. Otherwise your pumps and bits inside can seize up. The trim has contracted due the cold weather. A caravan we had did this, and we were told it was due to temperature changes causing it to expand and contract.

@stevecampbell7589

4 ай бұрын

yeah, I do this in my wagon too

@philgray3443

4 ай бұрын

Mine hasn't been started for 7 years. Now I know why it won't start.

I needed that. Of course, here in Canada I’m chuckling at your idea of cold. I’m also a touch envious.

@sianwarwick633

3 ай бұрын

Right ?

What fun. Hot water bottle!! Old fashioned but keeps your feet warm!! 😄

Tip for rice. I use the microwave packs. It says on them that you can also heat them with a little water. What I do though is to heat the tin of chilli, curry or whatever and then add the rice into the mix half-way through and finish heating it all together. It's a double result as you only use 1 pan and you can eat it straight from the pan so no need for a separate plate so no extra washing up!!

@katherinekelly5380

4 ай бұрын

Love this idea ! I don’t think I’ve ever seen microwave packs of rice, is it just in the rice aisle or does it have to be refrigerated?

@Lizpennington

4 ай бұрын

​@@katherinekelly5380 in the rice aisle. Lots of different ones.

@liljasere

4 ай бұрын

It a bit expensive but I do this too

@andrewsavill8205

4 ай бұрын

@@katherinekelly5380 they're in the rice aisle. Various makes, I tend to use supermarket own brand as much cheaper than Tilda or Ben's.

@soniadowney7427

3 ай бұрын

​@@katherinekelly5380i love them ..1 min in the microwave

window gasket material but that's what us ungrateful colonists who play with trains call it. Thanks again for a pleasant video to consume.

Now isn't that so much better than the Madness of a Cruise Ship

@lonewolfgeoff

4 ай бұрын

rather not see it in the cut tho 😂😂😂

@nevillemignot1681

4 ай бұрын

'The madness of a cruise ship'.......................... I'm sure that both have their pro's and con's.

I'm no expert on weather stripping but as a man who has taken a cold plunge in a chilly swimming pool I know about shrinkage. 😁

@Vandemonium

4 ай бұрын

😳

@bernadettec6386

4 ай бұрын

🤣

To stop condensation, Get a pair of old socks half fill one with cat litter, tie it up to seal it, then put it into the other sock and leave on the front window,

@SecretSquirrelFun

4 ай бұрын

Now this is the kind of tip that I like. Simple yet practical. Thanks for sharing this 🙂

@I_must_get_a_van

4 ай бұрын

Yes. Thank you for the tip…😃

I just love your videos, David. They really do bring a smile to my life and take me to a planet called "Normality ". Thank you so much. You're a fantastic bloke and I know I join many people who long for the good old values. 🎉

@Vandemonium

2 ай бұрын

😀

Welcome to Sweden to really test the heater, today we only have -18°C but last week it was -43°C, it was mosquito free!

For rice in the van we use Uncle Ben's rice in a bag. Boil in the bag, lift the bag out of the pan of water and let it drain. Open bag and onto the plate. A lot less mess.

Seeing your superb cooking effort, (beans and tinned corn beef) reminded me of your Cruising The Cut video when you made bread - which I still think is THE funniest video KZread!

@sianwarwick633

3 ай бұрын

No. The scones making is genius. You have buy a separate scone pastry cutter

Pre cooked sachets of rice are ideal for camping, put the bag in boiling water and heat up for 5-10 minutes. Alternatively boil in the bag rice as its self straining. Cold feet need goose down slippers, you look a sight, but your feet are warm and you don't go outside in them so who cares!

@richardh8082

4 ай бұрын

Microwave sachet rice. Much easier :)

@steve3231

4 ай бұрын

and you can get small portions of rice veetee 2x125g stir fry or microwave, at most supermarkets.

@G-ra-ha-m

4 ай бұрын

I would avoid keeping cooked rice around for long - isn't that how botulism works?

@daveberry2177

4 ай бұрын

hog roast is better

"Rice is messy". I am amazed you have not discovered the delights of a rice cooker. Produces perfect rice in an easy to wipe out container. But as a fellow electric only van owner, I found it is also a brilliant low power one pot cooker. I have used mine for scrambled eggs, boiled eggs, salmon on rice with veg, bacon and eggs, miso soup and porridge. Probably ok for heating anything tinned as well. Draws a miserly maximum of 300W. Just be sure to get one that has a keep warm function and a non-stick liner. For the two of us I use the Lakeland mini for about £35.

Fun vlog, thanks for bringing us along! I love the running commentary as if it is an Olympic event or a murder mystery! As for your chilly feet… here in far North America where we deal with some serious cold for many months on end, may I suggest something you might really like: re-chargeable boot heater inserts. Do not get put off by the “boot” part. These are generally wafer thin pads that can be charged up via USB then put into shoes, boots or trainers (as I believe you Brits call casual athletic style footwear) and the pads give off a gentle heat for several hours. Alternatively one can get full booties that have permanent wiring in them that are plugged in, charged up, then worn for toasty joy for many hours. Might be just the ticket … a pair for the van and a pair for at home! Think of them as little electric blankets for your feet! They are marvelous! ❤

@sianwarwick633

3 ай бұрын

Wear leggings and sweatpants, if necessary. Jeans are the idiot's way of keeping warm in winter. Looped weave material vs flat weave

David you should have your own comedy show i find your vlogs very amusing and occasionally informative😅

@davidgeorge1281

4 ай бұрын

I think he went full "Partridge" on more than one occasion....😂

Corned beef and baked beans!! In this vlog you have surpass your legendary culinary skills. Ha ha! spellcheck just changed that to baked jeans maybe there's an embryo of an idea there for future trips.

@mplsmark222

2 ай бұрын

I think Field Marshal Montgomery would approve.

David thanks for the vid, the issue with the window gasket maybe your van is growing.

@dougwilson4537

4 ай бұрын

🤣 Beautiful observation. Maybe he needs to take the van on longer runs, more often, to keep it trim and fit.😁

Not only is the price right, there are fresh eggs on offer!

Loved the Gordon Ramsay joke. Still chuckling about it. Thanks for the laugh on this cold and snow covered day.

I suspect the window seal has contracted with the cold - if it’s like car trim the metal inside it will contract in the cold.

You are truly the king of video titles i laugh when i see the latest vid, thanks so much for your videos so enjoyable

@Vandemonium

4 ай бұрын

Glad you like them!

You could also use an electric blanket for alternative heating overnight.

@EelingStudios

4 ай бұрын

Dead right! My single lecky blanket draws 30 watts on low, can't think of anything cheaper to keep warm...

@nickvincent3029

4 ай бұрын

@@EelingStudiosTeddy Bear Bedding. Game changer.

Shiny mylar coated bubble wrap is pretty decent for insulation and quite cheap. It also works as a pad to sleep on under a sleeping bag or blanket.

Corn Beef Hash, nothing wrong with that. You just need some good old Smash potato. Lovely video. enjoy

As a last resort, read the destruction manual🤣

Gee that's a strong cup of tea

I loved this episode. You should consider selling your material to Steve Coogan. A win win!

Glad to see that you made it through the night without too much going wrong. That diesel heater seems to be the genuine article. Happy Camping!

Oh, and I put my waffle syrup in a cup(not much) and dip pieces of waffle in. That way I don't end up with syrup all over the plate that I unsuccessfully chase around with waffle pieces. MUCH less waste.

This has made my day David . Just got home from work, couldn't think what to have for a late lunch and behold you are making your legendary cheese sandwich. So I had the same. Thank you 😅

@Vandemonium

4 ай бұрын

Glad to hear it 😀

The way you stated in the video, making the gap of the seal at the bottom of the window larger so you can rearrange the seal back into the corners is the best way to fix your window seal. Sometimes they shrink like that, and sometimes they expand and you get them deforming out of place.

Wow for an older gentleman you sure can make lunch super fast

Another immensely enjoyable video, David. Best wishes.

@Vandemonium

4 ай бұрын

Many thanks!

I have an autoterm and I don’t like using the thermostat because I don’t like it ramping up and down, pumping out cool air and restarting etc. cause I feel the restart uses the most power. I use it via the power settings. Put it on flat out to warm the van up, then lower the settings down to minimum to maintain the temperature. It’s also quieter that way as the fan is slow, the ticking slows right down and it doesn’t wake you up. Just give it a blast to clear it out once the trip is over and the heaters not gonna be used for a while. I’ve found that method uses the least power because it uses minimum power to tick over and maximum power to keep starting up. Try it, you have nothing to lose. It’s also quite fuel efficient ticking over compared to ramping up and down

@Vandemonium

4 ай бұрын

Cheers - I'll have to try to see if I can find that mode!!

I am impressed by your battery, solar and inverter. I am watching my own Victron plugging away with blazing sunshine on the panels, but my old battery is saying, enough already and wants to retire.

As to the window rubber gasket lining, that happens. I had two different VW Camper Vans, and that is a routine thing to replace. Both VW Vans were a 1978 Transporter version (converted to a Camper) and then a 1986 Vanagon.

for the feet I have the same problems , what I discovered is: if I am ready to stay inside then I have socks for inside (cozy ones) and I put on 2 or 3 pairs and it is still cozy and yet so warm that sometimes I didn't realize that my feet were the problem, not the heating.

I love that you did not remember how to work the heater (sounds like what I am like with gadgets). And then left that part in the video. BTW - I have no interest in fishing either. ☮

'Perfecto luncho' - sounds like a spell that I would like to learn to cast anytime, any place.

@sianwarwick633

3 ай бұрын

😅😅🎉

Buy a mini rice cooker! I love mine..quick..simple..easy clean...and finally decent brown rice as well as white...definitely van worthy...

David, there are mountaineering gear suppliers that sell down booties with a substantial footbed for short jaunts in the night. Exquisitely warm, take it from someone who can't live without them on cold winter nights out on the three-season porch! Regardless, enjoying this channel of yours immensely as always. Cheers.

I hope you have a CO2 monitor!! I like your style of videoing - relaxed and somewhat humorous! I dig the tiny kettle!! 20 degrees is a bit high - I would aim for 18.

David, my mouth watered at the sight of your cheese sandwiches. The buns were beautiful, English cheese is delightful, and the tomato was perfect. I'm a bit jealous as I've not slept more than 4 or 5 hours for some time.

@daviddun1389

3 ай бұрын

Agreed!

glad you survived the night thanks again

Nice to have been with you all night. It's not only that they are driving on the wrong side of the road, also the eating habits of the English are keeping me on the mainland for the time being. I can always take the night boat when the crisis comes to close.

Tea....What !! No Biscuits!!

So good to see common sense and simple meals. So many “roughing it” videos of people camping with no tents end up making gourmet meals. Nice video, thanks

@nadogrl

4 ай бұрын

Sounds like you’ve been watching Mav.

nice one David. On my victron smart solar, I set the absorb to 13.8v and float to 13.4v for my LifePo4. Once or twice a year I adjust it to take the battery to 14.4v absorb, 13.8v float to give it a full blast. I settled on 13.4v for the float after realising that the battery tends to sit around that if left alone for a while. I need to get one of those heaters for my van and I will have to watch your install video again. What a lovely quiet (at this time of year) camp site that was. HNY ! cheers. Oh, and as you well know, things do shrink in the cold.. hehe :)

Another great video and a perfect lunch.

I have to say, those yummy sandwiches are just crying out for some crunchy lettuce.😊

You could use a tumble dryer tube to move the heater outlet in the van over night

So enjoyable for which I thank you.

Rice is easy with the absorption technique. Twice as much water as rice by volume and heat slowly until all the water absorbed. Lovely fluffy rice, works every time no washing or rinsing. Use basmati though.

I would keep the heater on overnight, just at a lower temperature. The required load of energy to go from slightly uncomfortable to comfortable will be easier in the morning. The idea is to maintain a thermal load in the vehicle you top up.

What a robotic presentation. Mesmerising pedantry. I actually like it!!

I find myself continually wondering what our ginormous 48,000 lb. American Class A diesel pusher would look like in one of those campgrounds. It's embarrassing to even contemplate, if I'm being honest. How uncouth! Another excellent video, David. Something to be savored. Thank you.

@Vandemonium

4 ай бұрын

Probably wouldn't make it around the roads!!

Ran a espar heater in my peterbuilt and was comfy at minus 35f no problems at all.

Yes, trim like that does shrink over time. Installing it as long as possible and using black #M trim adhesive helps. Yes, the lithium batteries are affected by cold. Dumping some heat from your heater would help in very cold weather. Love your overdone 'restrained' British humor. :)

David, I'm of no practical use to you, DIY wise, but I love your films and watch you at breakfast, lunch, and dinner because you bring normality and balance into this mad world. Bless you. Enjoy life and keep bringing joy to us out here please. 🎉

@Vandemonium

3 ай бұрын

Thank you :-)

That video thumbnail made it look like you were in a hospital bed 😂

I was a HGV driver who spent nights out in the wagon. Over the years I got used to the hum of the heater unit and now sleep with a ventilator fan at home! It's very soporific.

wow! @7:03 i thought my tea was dark :-) @8:29 that's not a lake, more like a pond. living beside lake huron, we would call that a puddle :-))

@geoffcampbell7846

4 ай бұрын

Miniature van, Miniature lake. All good in a Miniature world. 😉👋

@davidh4514

4 ай бұрын

That's not dark!

@nadogrl

4 ай бұрын

😂😂😂 Also, a friend used to joke that I would just “wave a tea bag” over my mug…I like it very weak, and nothing added.❤

Hi love your video's (van and narrowboat). May I suggest cutting the cornbeef into cubes and heating in the beans .

Oh it's so good to be on the road again.

David, nice Friday video. Thank you

Wonderful as always

@Vandemonium

2 ай бұрын

Thank you! Cheers!

A very enjoyable and entertaining video David. 👍

The window gasket is too short and has shrunk in the cold weather. All gaskets suffer from "Reversion" that ensures they shrink in length, we used to extrude a nylon cord within small section nitrile rubber window gaskets to reduce reversion. "Tempering" the gaskets by exposing them to multiple cycles of hot/cold and ageing the gaskets will help as well. From a practical standpoint ilength

LiFep04 don't mind bring fully charged, it's the li ion batteries like in EVs and your phone that don't like it 👍 As allways David, an interesting and entertaining video 👌

I use rechargeable usb hand warmers. Chuck them in the bed . Nice warm bottom. Sheet that is. Vid soon. Old George

This video is pure vandemonium

Is anyone else sitting here thinking....😂 "This week on Top Gear!" 😂 I absolutely lost it when he pulled out the beans....lmao....

I was surprised to see others there camping in the cold weather. Good economic heater you have.

That was really freezing cold!! Glad that all works well...but nothing like fluffy socks for cold feet!!!😊😊

I could imagen that that place would be quite lovely on a warm summer day just sitting listening to the birds by the lakes :)

Lovely jubbly John is back. I remember when you got your green cushions :) I still enjoy watching you make your gourmet meals. Happy trails to you . Blessings to you and your loved ones.

Great to see it all working. Tip for rice, get a dumpy/soup thermos and boil in the bag/microwave rice. Stick the rice in with some boiling water, stick the top on and leave for 20 mins job done. Now waste of gas or electric and easy to clean up. I have a single burner so this allows be to cook what i am having with it whilst the magic is working.

What I love about you, David, is that the thumbnail image for this video is about as dramatic as I've ever seen on either of your channels. 😄Brilliant video as always and, by the way, I do think you ought to graduate to a nice van-made Croque Monsieur at some point. You know...take your cheese sandwich to the logical next level.

Right now we are longing for the heat of a good 0C/ 32F day! Been hovering around 0F for daytime highs this past week. Keep warm and carry on.

@philgray3443

4 ай бұрын

Could we compromise on this, we have been up to 38°C (100°F) this week and our midnight temperature was 31°C. We could send you some heat, and you send us some cold.

I immensely enjoyed this episode, particularly the cuisine was a delight. In contrast to so many other videos this was very relaxing after a days graft. Top marks 👌

many a cosy night I've had in my camper with the gentle ticking of the diesel heater pump :-)

THAT'S where my fish-net pattern tea-towel went! 🙂 - - Lithium batteries don't like being cold, so lose capacity!

Thank you David for making this episode ! I greatly enjoyed it and learned a few things along the way too ! Cheers From California 😊

You ought to get hold of a "5 season sleeping bag". That will keep the cold away as you sleep, and you can also sit in the sleeping bag as you have your coffee and toast in the morning, before getting into the front and turning the vehicle heating on.

@Vandemonium

4 ай бұрын

Cheers, I have a suitable sleeping bag but prefer sleeping under the duvet

@lecochonbleu

4 ай бұрын

@@Vandemonium Aha. I posted my comment response to the vid title, and before I saw you have a good duvet. These can be as good. However I keep a five season bag with at home (!!) whether for waking, sleeping or both, which is my security in case the power goes off! Even if there is still oil central heating @ home, the system to turn it on relies on the electricity working! So it could be one to keep handy for the minus fives to come if your diesel heater would ever pack in. Watching van life people it seems those little heaters tend to be very reliable, but I'd be failing in my comment purpose if I gave you a false sense of security now! 😂 Of course there's little room in a van to store a large sleeping bag just for emergency. Still there are some small ones. I think Snugpak is a maker - around 23cm x 23. I hope the big freeze living in my head never happens to you. (Though preparation helps any stress living in some part of the head.)

As an Australian, watching where Europeans “camp” is such a quaint experience.

@vamboroolz1612

6 күн бұрын

I have never stayed at these type of sites and hopefully wont be in the future. There is real nature out there, why would you want this sanitised halfway house?

I think one concern you should be aware of with the thermostat mode is that each time it turns on it is probably having to heat up a glow plug of sorts. When it does that it pulls a lot of power from the battery in order to get it hot enough that the diesel will then ignite. In the other mode it only does that when you first turn it on. After that the only power being used is for the fan and pump... which isn't that much. The extra power probably won't be a problem for one overnight. However, if you were staying in it for days on end you could end up running the battery too low if you don't have enough solar, etc to keep topping it off. Just something to be aware of. Personally, I keep mine on nonstop, but on the lowest setting. If it is still too hot I will crack a window and open the ceiling vent. Even running non stop those heaters barely use any fuel. Just remember to run it on high for a few minutes before you shut it down. That helps to burn off soot that may have formed while it was on low. Or so I have been told.

I still don't know why I love your videos. Keep it up! I watch almost everything you upload.

@Vandemonium

4 ай бұрын

Glad you like them!

Yes, a vandemonium video. Been looking forward to one in quite some time.

You looked so cosy David. Well done with dinner. Love corned beef and beans, protein AND fibre, nothing better. Must get the complicated recipe to me asap! Keep exploring the explorable??

Great video and not to bad meals as well....lol!

@Vandemonium

3 ай бұрын

Thank you 😋