Ocean Spirit
Eating Ice Cream, skimming stones.
Top Poster
VIP Member
I asked myself a few questions recently to understand how on earth I ended up with a California Ocean…
What do I need to commute?
Cycling the 22 miles each way daily in all seasons is a bit much to ask for most people I’d guess including me. But not wishing to be on a motorbike either maybe a BMW I3 would be ideal.
How often do I take a break camping or renting a cottage etc?
Pretty much once a year to a destination we’ve flown to and I find insulation far too satisfying to holiday in tents. I love the idea of camping but don’t much like the practicality.
How much am I comfortable with spending on my transport?
A fair bit less than a brand new California ocean costs.
So far then, what the blazers am I doing owning one?
A whole load of bits an pieces have pulled me in I suppose.
I am always drawn to things with a cult status for a start. Don’t get me wrong they don’t burn so hard that I adopt them all but I love to see a scooter craze, I love to see a Harley ride out and yes the many genres of VW in mass at club meets. But that alone would not make me fork out a fortune to own a Camper van.
The older I get the more I realise that I haven’t appreciated the sights around the British Isles or European destination anywhere near enough and I’m pretty rubbish at planning too far ahead so a touch of last minute possibility coming to fruition is an inspiration.
My Daughter is 11 years old and I also figure that the more getaways we can have together before she decides to do things her way the better and genuinely, having a vehicle with the ability to get away parked on the drive means we will take the opportunity far more often.
Although I love a bit of luxury like space, the California is luxury. But it’s luxury as far as the idea of camping goes with it’s fridge, hob, heater, beds, blinds, lights, chairs and tables and all the fact that goes where ever we do makes it 5 star luxury….and there are 2 adults, 1 child and a smallish Cockerpoo so not too bad on space.
On that note, regardless of a BMW I3 being a good fit I can still commute in this with no issues, I can park in plenty of places where I could in a car and its running costs don't worry me either.
On top of that lot ,we added a dog to the family about 18 months ago and it became clear pretty quickly that jetting off abroad was going to be stressful for him and then in turn us as a family by leaving him behind. But hang on…what about those european destinations I ‘d like to explore? well he can come too! That holidays sorted including visists to family far a field.
Suddenly the usage we are planning to get out of this slice of luxury offsets the cost to a degree that makes it a far more comfortable purchase.
I’d hate to tow anything and pitch it in one place and pretty much everything about the california's size on the move rules it in and a motorhome out.
I know a fair few people with some cacophony of van and I never heard any real grumbles about the weather and space spoiling the trip they just had and nobody I know that bought one ever got bored or found the idea being better than the reality.
On top of all this it seemed a long time since I was this interested in an idea. But over the last 3 years it’s something that wouldn’t go away. I never pushed the idea but it just kept finding a way back into the forefront of my mind. The versatility of the van for my running and cycling hobbies etc while out and about. Seeing hoards of them in places where I wanted to be but didn’t want to stop to try to find somewhere to eat or grab a cuppa kept bringing back the idea.
So we hired one just to get the idea out of my head. proving that this vehicle would not take my gear, would not offer enough space and would be no better than camping.
The hired T6 was an instant hit before we even slept in it which turned out to be just as successful.
So when we got home and looked at the figures, I felt we couldn’t lose even if I woke up one day without the passion for all I have just mentioned.
Roughly 4 months in with only 1 spring day in all that time and day trips, commutes and a long week end away have all been brilliant. It is a pleasure and for me it is a luxury.
No looking back.
What do I need to commute?
Cycling the 22 miles each way daily in all seasons is a bit much to ask for most people I’d guess including me. But not wishing to be on a motorbike either maybe a BMW I3 would be ideal.
How often do I take a break camping or renting a cottage etc?
Pretty much once a year to a destination we’ve flown to and I find insulation far too satisfying to holiday in tents. I love the idea of camping but don’t much like the practicality.
How much am I comfortable with spending on my transport?
A fair bit less than a brand new California ocean costs.
So far then, what the blazers am I doing owning one?
A whole load of bits an pieces have pulled me in I suppose.
I am always drawn to things with a cult status for a start. Don’t get me wrong they don’t burn so hard that I adopt them all but I love to see a scooter craze, I love to see a Harley ride out and yes the many genres of VW in mass at club meets. But that alone would not make me fork out a fortune to own a Camper van.
The older I get the more I realise that I haven’t appreciated the sights around the British Isles or European destination anywhere near enough and I’m pretty rubbish at planning too far ahead so a touch of last minute possibility coming to fruition is an inspiration.
My Daughter is 11 years old and I also figure that the more getaways we can have together before she decides to do things her way the better and genuinely, having a vehicle with the ability to get away parked on the drive means we will take the opportunity far more often.
Although I love a bit of luxury like space, the California is luxury. But it’s luxury as far as the idea of camping goes with it’s fridge, hob, heater, beds, blinds, lights, chairs and tables and all the fact that goes where ever we do makes it 5 star luxury….and there are 2 adults, 1 child and a smallish Cockerpoo so not too bad on space.
On that note, regardless of a BMW I3 being a good fit I can still commute in this with no issues, I can park in plenty of places where I could in a car and its running costs don't worry me either.
On top of that lot ,we added a dog to the family about 18 months ago and it became clear pretty quickly that jetting off abroad was going to be stressful for him and then in turn us as a family by leaving him behind. But hang on…what about those european destinations I ‘d like to explore? well he can come too! That holidays sorted including visists to family far a field.
Suddenly the usage we are planning to get out of this slice of luxury offsets the cost to a degree that makes it a far more comfortable purchase.
I’d hate to tow anything and pitch it in one place and pretty much everything about the california's size on the move rules it in and a motorhome out.
I know a fair few people with some cacophony of van and I never heard any real grumbles about the weather and space spoiling the trip they just had and nobody I know that bought one ever got bored or found the idea being better than the reality.
On top of all this it seemed a long time since I was this interested in an idea. But over the last 3 years it’s something that wouldn’t go away. I never pushed the idea but it just kept finding a way back into the forefront of my mind. The versatility of the van for my running and cycling hobbies etc while out and about. Seeing hoards of them in places where I wanted to be but didn’t want to stop to try to find somewhere to eat or grab a cuppa kept bringing back the idea.
So we hired one just to get the idea out of my head. proving that this vehicle would not take my gear, would not offer enough space and would be no better than camping.
The hired T6 was an instant hit before we even slept in it which turned out to be just as successful.
So when we got home and looked at the figures, I felt we couldn’t lose even if I woke up one day without the passion for all I have just mentioned.
Roughly 4 months in with only 1 spring day in all that time and day trips, commutes and a long week end away have all been brilliant. It is a pleasure and for me it is a luxury.
No looking back.
Last edited:
No euphemisms please.
