Bring it on! | Winter Travels 2019

On the ramps getting prepped for whatever might lay ahead...

Hiace Automatic Transmission/Gearbox, problems & solutions

Hiace automatic transmission sump..

I’m writing this article because it could save you a lot of money, time, stress, and needless disruption when travelling, and get you out of some seemingly mysterious problems single-handedly and back on the road.. 👌🏻

Mist dissolves Time | Espania 2019

‘El Toro’ - King of the Castillo

Return to Villa Garcia | Turbo boost | Espania 2019

This is Villa Garcia, a peaceful spot with an atmosphere all its own..

Success with 12 volt battery recovery!

Rob enjoys coffee & a cigar!

Maintenance Day | Espania 2018/19

Pine woods to every horizon!

The Hiace Mk III | Fitting a Turbo to 2.8D (3L) Hiace Engine

For the past week or so I've been at The workshop in Hipperholme, home of Blood Red Off Road, where I've had all my previous 4WD mods done by Dave.

Travel Preparations | Revolut Travel Money Card

Mid October, and it's coming up to that time of year when I finish working for the season and prepare for my migration south to warmer climes for the winter.

Careless Freedom

'Envy not for once, my noble friend, my careless freedom. Satisfaction can be got wherever there is heart's peace.' Ryokan


We spent an enjoyable afternoon hanging out with Adi, and Mello from Switzerland..

Hiace Camper Van Reversed Passenger Seat Mod | Hiace rear facing front seat

It can be done! and better still - this is a ten minute job! Create more space in your Hiace Camper and a rear facing comfy seat of course..

Toyota Hiace 4WD/2WD Air Intake SNORKELS - Currently Not Available

I've had many enquiries about the air intake breather snorkel on my 4WD Toyota Hiace van..

Beach driving in the West of Ireland

Summer in Ireland | Exploring Donegal on the Wild Atlantic Way

Time for an update about my activities since returning to Ireland back in April. I haven't been posting here, but some of you may have seen my photos on the Hiace Hobo Facebook page..

Parked in a secluded spot on a country road in Ireland

Scoraig Mechanics, A Lesson in Resourcefulness | Changing a Landrover Discovery Gearbox

Here on Scoraig, we rely on a 4WD vehicle a lot - to bring supplies up from the jetty, and to move heavy things around. Our Landrover gearbox had totally given up - the Landrover wouldn't keep moving at all without jumping in and out of gear.. We were starting to get tired of pushing wheelbarrow loads of just about everything up and down the track..

At the workshop in Spain day II - fault diagnosis

I woke up at first light here in Banos de Montemayor, and it was also a little chilly, but not too bad. I was soon up and making coffee and expecting the garage to open pretty soon. By 9am everyone had arrived and they were already getting started with things. It wasn't long until we wheeled the van into the workshop and the two mechanics were continuing to strip down the engine bay to remove the water pump.

Quite a big job as you can see.

Caceres to Banos de Montemayor, Spain

“The word adventure has gotten overused. For me, when everything goes wrong – that’s when adventure starts” -Yvon Chouinard

It was quite a chilly morning in the hills after the heat of the day before. It always seems to get colder just before the dawn. I opted to switch on my Mikuni diesel heater. I don't use it often as its quite hard on the battery although its very effective, but its perfect when I am actually on a trip, driving every day to keep the battery topped up fully. After 10 minutes or so, the van was pleasantly warm inside and I was feeling like getting up.

 After a cup of coffee sitting on the rocks, I got things organised and set my GPS for todays chosen destination of Palencia, a place I've stayed before just within the town, and with some facilities and allocated parking for campers. The ideal place for a last night before the final drive to the ferry. I got on the road and soon I was bouncing along the dusty gravel leaving clouds of it behind me like horses in some spaghetti western..

Hiace Hobo 2.0 | Bodywork repairs

Amazing news today.. My van will be ready to collect by friday! The repairs are all but finished and its looking really good. These pics were sent through to me today...

Hiace Camper bodywork repair pictures | Update on work in Portugal

Hi folks,

I got these photos of my van sent through from the mechanic today. I'm still waiting for the repairs to be completed and asked for some photos. It seems that the main bodywork repairs are done - it just needs painting and assembly now. The first picture shows the drivers side door. It was not closing properly after the accident as the hinges were all crushed in and the door was bent. Looks straightened out ok now. It also looks like he's fixing a small area where there was a bit of rust behind the drivers door around the air intake, that was not caused in the crash..

Thoughts on the New Year..

2014 is here.. I've had several conversations over the holidays about how the turn of the year is a time when people start over, really think deeply about their lives, and sometimes make huge personal decisions and actions that will change their future..

In the philosophy of van life, making the decision to live on the road, takes us beyond this once a year 'taking stock' and releases us into a new world where this is almost a perpetual state of being. Life can be reinvented month to month, week to week, and on a trip, day by day..

It's from this perspective that I'll share with you some recent events in my own life that though challenging, lead me into the new year with anticipation, optimism and a new appreciation of my chosen lifestyle..


You may wonder why the blog has been relatively quiet, yet I'm in a new world, with many beautiful things to experience & camping spots to enjoy. Well, quite some time ago this happened:

2014 plans | Robs 4WD Hiace Camper Van | Winch fitting and Suspension lift

Welcome back!

Well, its coming towards the end of 2013, and the time has come to start planning ahead for adventures in the year to come. I've been working away here in Portugal, saving, and I haven't been covering too many miles, so naturally my mind wanders on to what might be next for me and the Hiace..

Mitsubishi Delica Chamonix 4WD Off-Road Camper Van | Snorkel now available!

I'd like to share with you a very special vehicle I came across on my travels earlier this year, whilst travelling through Yorkshire..