Knaus Boxlife 600 MQ. Pebble Adaptations!

 We have now had Pebble for nearly four weeks. Strange how you get a brand new van to your exact specifications, or as near as possible and then set about changing things.

First adaptations involved removing all the surplus equipment.

• Out went the bed boards and padded boards for making the front bed.
• Next the ladder, now resting peacefully in our loft.
• Closely followed by  the cargo nets for the bed on both sides and the fittings.
• The cab carpet also sadly got it's marching orders as it wiggled about a lot and felt unsafe.

With the weight considerably reduced we set about adding back things we felt we needed.

• An additional mobile fridge/freezer in the back. Fits perfectly and we have had an additional 12v and 240v plug point put in.

• A few little hooks in the space that housed the ladder. This proved another useful spot for flat things.
• Loads of small containers in shelf spaces for things like keys and glasses.
• A few lightweight plastic crates for storage under the bed.
• Two soft folding boxes for the wardrobe space. Not quite sure why its designated as a wardrobe, a short jacket just about hangs. Great place for storing other things like shoes though.
• A small really cheap magnifying mirror on the bathroom wall.
• Two mats to keep the muck out
• A new heavy duty mat for the cab which works really well and doesn't wiggle.
• A small fan for really hot weather.
• A couple of small door mats for muddy feet.

Everything else we carry fits in well. All our clothes fall into the back lockers over the bed. We even have empty lockers here, although I'm sure we will fill them. 

The big drawers under the sink are perfect for all the kitchen and eating essentials, including our small induction hob and coffee maker. I did actually find a mini washing up bowl but abandoned it for a rectangular silicon bowl instead, which I bought for the new super gas Cadac cooker. This bowl sits on the worktop without moving, so job done. The only extra is a small plastic fold up box under the table for anything else I want inside the van.

Bedding for our new fixed bed was slightly more challenging to source without spending a fortune. The bed has a foam mattress and foam topper. Lidl came to the rescue with double sheets and duvet covers at "Lidl" prices. A double duvet fits perfectly and a mattress protector, cheap and cheerfully, fits over both foam mattresses and then is covered by the fitted sheet. Job done. The bed is extremely comfy.

Linen duvet and pillow set in a stone colour. Bottom sheet jersey in grey.

Our very cheap magnifying mirror does the job.

Kitchens are always another challenge. We used non stick rubber coated shelf liners to cover the glass tops.

In the corner spot the silicon Soft Soak from Cadac. Made to soak the plates of the gas BBQ on the new Cadac 2 Cook Pro, range, doubles up as a washing up bowl ,with the added bonus that because it is silicon, it sits on the worktop and doesn't move. I usually use site facilities for washing up.

We have been pretty ruthless in getting rid of anything that we don't use. So far it has taken two trips. I suspect that more things will follow, after all we are supposed to be camping.

A  nifty little door mat and of course my bee cushion!!

We are in the process of putting a net curtain in front of the back door, as a privacy screen, bug net. Will report back when finished. We have yet to try the bikes on the new Thule Velo Swing, a job for next week.