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Mains hookup, on a budget!

So, as you know, I am not a fan of a full conversion in a van as small as the Bongo. I value the versatility, space and simplicity of my wee van over “all mod cons” type living. Each to their own, of course, but not being one for cooking, or washing up, it suitsContinue reading “Mains hookup, on a budget!”

Two trips, four seasons, Bongo shakedown part two

The second outing of the long weekend, Sunday into Monday, was planned to take in a visit to Ecclefechan to visit some Bongo friends there, then head back up the A74 a bit to Moffat, a historic Borders market town, where there was a Caravan and Camping Club campsite. I had booked the campsite theContinue reading “Two trips, four seasons, Bongo shakedown part two”

Two trips, four seasons, Bongo shakedown part one

Finally, a window of opportunity to shake the van down after so many hours of work, and money spent. I got the chance over a long weekend in early February to properly test my modifications, with two overnight trips, firstly an off-grid solo venture to the Galloway Forest Park, and secondly a trip to aContinue reading “Two trips, four seasons, Bongo shakedown part one”

Number Plate light woes?

So, you are doing a health check round the Bongo, and notice when testing the lights that one of those number plate lights is out. No problem, right? They are only held on with two self tapping screws, and Bingo! – changed bulb and back road legal!! Wrong!! Unfortunately, the self tapping screws as fittedContinue reading “Number Plate light woes?”

Scottish Bongo bash 2019

So, what exactly is a “Bongo Bash”, and just what do they get up to? Well, my curiosity got the better of me, and having joined the Bongo Fury Owners’ Club, I found out that there was a Scottish Bash, at Cannich campsite, near Drumnadrochit, and it was scheduled for when Lorraine was off onContinue reading “Scottish Bongo bash 2019”

Bongos, Brews and Blethers

Ever wondered how many Bongos are out there, what they might look like inside and out, what kind of folks own them and what they use them for? Ever wish you could get a nosey at the layout with a rear conversion, or how big a leisure battery will fit the battery tray? Well, IContinue reading “Bongos, Brews and Blethers”

The Right Stuff?

So, what is the right stuff, then? Well, this is a debate you can have with every campervan enthusiast in the world! The question refers to what do you actually need from your campervan and what do you need with you to make your trip comfortable? I’ll try and explain my reasoning for how IContinue reading “The Right Stuff?”

Ali on the NC 500

The North Coast 500. 6 days / 5 nights. Over 1100 miles. In October. That was the plan, anyway! Since the previous year, when James my older son and I had done a marathon 2-day blast of the NC500 by car, the seed had been sown, and the idea of a campervan to tour ourContinue reading “Ali on the NC 500”

This is VW country, on a quiet night you can hear the Bongos rust!

By the way, I completely disagree with the above statement – it’s reference to an old joke in American car circles, where there is a fierce rivalry between the Ford and Chevy (GM) camps. However, the big difference between the Volkswagen fraternity and the Mazda Bongo owners is that theirs cost considerably more, modern VWsContinue reading “This is VW country, on a quiet night you can hear the Bongos rust!”

Year-round Bongo Adventures? Hopefully!

Having owned the Bongo now for well over a year, and been away as often as possible allowing for life’s other commitments, there were a few modifications I wanted to carry out to make life off-grid just a bit more comfortable. Along with substantial sound-proofing and insulation installed inside the van body, doors and floorContinue reading “Year-round Bongo Adventures? Hopefully!”