Life on THE ROAD

Three women share their experiences of freedom and independence in a camper van

- CATHERINE LARNER

'Van life is a part-time job!'

Teri-Anne Autumn, 40, is from the Isle of Man. She and her husband, Sam, 30, create travel content, and their home is their van.

I've been on the move since my first backpacking trip when I was 20, and I haven't stopped exploring since. Switzerland, Norway and Hawaii are among my favourite places. After many years in hostels and working ski seasons, van life felt the next logical step. I pitched the idea to my husband, Sam, now 30, and his eyes lit up!

We spent three years saving and designing the van. If we were going to be living in it, we had to get it right.

In 2022 we bought an empty, secondhand Mercedes Sprinter. We wanted the biggest vehicle that was the smallest!

We needed as much living space as possible but also wanted to be able to navigate mountains and small European roads, to park anywhere and not be limited to campsites.

We had to fit all our belongings, skis, snowboards and climbing gear into this one multifunctional space. And we had to work out how to stop pipes freezing when temperatures drop to minus 30.

We weren't prepared for how time-consuming van life is. We are constantly checking if we have enough electricity, water and gas, and figuring out where to park each night. Van life is a part-time job.

Since Brexit, we can't spend more than 90 in 180 days in Europe, so we or spend big chunks of time back in Britain with loved ones.