Living the "vanlife" day to day

We hope you’ve all had a good start to the new year. For us, 2026 is getting off to a quiet beginning, wandering around the Kalamata area while we wait for our small technical issue to be fixed. It was supposed to be done on January 9, but it was postponed to the 13th because the garage made a mistake and didn’t order the right part 😒. So these days we’re more in “baby steps” mode than “long strides.” Still, it could be worse—it’s not like we’re stuck in Drummondville or Tourcoing, and we manage to fill our days nicely by discovering new, beautiful places.

And we even manage to squeeze in a little swim here and there, despite the rather windy and rainy weather we have these days.

It’s also a good opportunity to devote a small chapter to our everyday life in less than 6 square meters.

First of all, the days fly by at an incredible speed! Even though we don’t go to work every day, our days are still very full—and not just by playing tourist. There’s always something to do, and some everyday tasks take more time than in a regular house.

Food: even though our storage space is limited, we have enough room to stock up for several days. But since we always forget something and prefer fresh products, we stop almost every day to buy something: bread, fruit and vegetables, cheese, etc.

Water: with our 110-liter tank, we can last about five days. And when it’s time to refill, depending on the country we’re in, it can take more or less time. We often find taps at gas stations, but the water isn’t always drinkable, and since we don’t have filters or purifiers—and don’t want to buy bottled water—it can take a while to find a good source. In Greece, it’s extremely easy—pure happiness! But in other places, like Great Britain, it was more complicated. We always managed to find some, but sometimes it took a few hours or required a few detours.

Gas: we use bottled gas for cooking, hot water, and heating. One bottle lasts us about one and a half to two months, depending on how much we use the heater. And when the bottle is empty, things can get challenging. Usually, you exchange an empty bottle for a full one, but the problem is that bottles differ from country to country. So no one wants to take back our French bottle and exchange it for a local one. And even if that were possible, the new bottle probably wouldn’t be accepted in the next country when it’s empty again. We can always buy a new one, but then we’re stuck with the old bottle, and it can be quite expensive depending on where we are. Fortunately, in several countries it’s possible to have your bottle refilled, which we’ve managed to do so far. Sometimes it takes a while to find a place, and when we do, they sometimes have to send the bottle elsewhere to be refilled, meaning we have to come back a few days later to pick it up. Little hassles that need to be managed and that can force us to change our plans—but that’s all part of the journey.

Cooking: we have all the equipment we need to make good meals, and we don’t hold back 😋. But with the limited space, it’s easier if only one person cooks at a time. We take turns, depending on who feels the most inspired that evening.

Of course, we don’t have a dishwasher, so doing the dishes is a two-person job 👫.

Shower and toilet: we have a shower, and our water heater works perfectly! But to save water, we don’t shower every day and try to keep it short 😅. And the quick morning scrub with a washcloth does the job too—especially in winter when it’s not very warm. And with a bit of imagination, we always manage to figure something out 😂.

In any case, no one pinches their nose when we pass them in the street. As for the toilet, we’re also equipped, but our “bathroom” isn’t a completely enclosed space. So for each other’s comfort, when one of us needs to do a “number two,” the other goes for a little walk 😉. It works—except when it’s pouring rain—but so far that hasn’t happened too often.

Driving: the rules are clear: Jérôme drives in the morning, I drive in the afternoon. But when there are tricky maneuvers, there’s no doubt—Jérôme takes the wheel. He’s the “king of parking”!!

And what about our relationship in all of this? Let me reassure you right away—the answer is YES! Yes, we step on each other’s toes; yes, we get on each other’s nerves; and yes, sometimes things get tense in the little mobile house. Given the closeness, that’s pretty normal. Sometimes we can’t even stand ourselves… And the word “privacy” takes on a whole new meaning. We’re together 24/7. We know everything that goes on in each other’s bodies, we touch each other constantly, and the other person is often—if not always—in your way. You have to talk, to speak up, and respect the moments when the other needs to be in their bubble. But that’s sometimes easier said than done, and it’s a daily challenge—especially when the weather is bad for several days in a row 💪. Still, we’re organized, and each of us manages to find a little corner to do what we feel like doing.

Despite everything, if you pass by our rolling home, you’re more likely to hear laughter than the sounds of an argument. Because we laugh—a lot, often, and heartily. First at ourselves, but also at many unique situations that happen to us every day. And above all, we are united in this great and beautiful adventure. We make a great team 👍 and we wake up happy every morning at the idea of starting a new day together, with all its surprises—both good and less good.

And as soon as our little repair is done, it’s of course together that we’ll hit the road again towards Athens!

The map and photos are: here

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Jérôme & Sophie