For Anita, adventure doesn’t need to come with a large campervan or an expensive setup.
After years of camping and exploring with her children, she discovered that a little creativity — and a VW Tiguan — could give her all the freedom she needed.
From her first DIY conversion in a Dacia Stepway, where she clocked up more than 50,000 miles, to her current modular Tiguan setup, Anita has built a way of travelling that allows her to escape at a moment’s notice. Whether it’s heading straight from work to the Peak District, taking her children away for a weekend, or waking beside a remote loch for a sunrise swim, her adventures are all about simplicity, freedom and getting closer to nature.
For this latest Seashell Spirit Story, we caught up with Anita to find out what inspired her ingenious car-camping setup and why wild swimming is such a big part of her adventures!
What inspired you to turn a VW Tiguan into a camper?
I’ve always been outdoorsy and have often gone on adventures taking my kids along camping all over. I then had use of a van for a few years and explored all over in this. Unfortunately a relationship ended and I was there looking at all options. I didn’t want to jump into getting my own van and didn’t really have the funds to get something I wanted. However I didn’t want to loose out on exploring and adventures at all. Initially I converted the smallest car I’ve ever owned, a Dacia Stepway. This was self contained, I had a loo, shower and running tap with sink. I happily travelled over 50,000 miles in this car camping before it died. I then bought the Tiguan and did exactly the same. Being modular I can convert it from camper to family car in less than ten minutes.
What’s your favourite feature of your DIY setup?
I think it has to be the conversion of the Ikea kids kitchen, with the running and draining sink and tap. In the winter I don’t have to leave the car to wash things or get water to boil for a hot bottle or drink!
How much freedom has travelling this way given you?
Lots of freedom. Working as a teacher in an autistic school is challenging but very rewarding. Having a car that can be changed to a self contained camper allows me to take off very last minute. I don’t have to hitch and tow or put up a tent. This allows me to go off last minute whenever I can or wish. Sometimes I finish work and take off to the Peak District from work for the night then get up and go into work the next morning! The car camper is very versatile. I can change the configuration to have a bed in the front so that my daughter can come, or I can create a double bed in the back, or add a driveway awning to allow the boys to come and stay on a site too.
What makes the perfect swimming-and-camping spot?
I’ve been so lucky to stay at so many places on adventures and no single place is the same. For me the dream setup: A secluded place possibly off the beaten track where you can park a few metres from a beautiful loch or river, open the rear doors to a view of the water, have a swim at sunset, cook dinner beside the car, then wake up and jump straight in for a morning swim at sunrise. Taking in natures sights and sounds stress free away from lots of people.
If you could wake up tomorrow anywhere in the UK with your Tiguan, where would you be?
That’s really difficult. I love so many places and Scotland defo has my heart (not just saying that because Seashell is Scottish!) People might think i'm mad but the place I truly feel at home and happy is Glencoe. The place has so much to give and I challenge anyone to not find something for them there. Amazing walks, mountains to climb, stunning views, iconic places, history and lots of wild swimming spots in lochs and waterfalls all around. This place changes throughout the seasons and I love it even driving in the snow in January along Glen Etive road with no second gear. The park up was soo worth it in snow covered mountains and a ice cold dip in the Loch!
Thank you for sharing your Seashell Spirit with us, Anita! Follow the DIY adventures on Instagram here.
Now get off the internet and go outside.
