The last time, the van project didn’t go as planned. I’ve already written about this great learning experience earlier. The plan to spend the summer in my self-built van was, and still is, in effect. It was time to start Plan B.

I had to say goodbye to my first van, the very broken Tapsa. After much contemplation, I concluded that my skills and finances weren't enough to repair it from the ground up. Even if I managed to fix Tapsa to a livable and drivable condition, I would be in trouble, especially if (when) it broke down during summer trips, leaving me alone in the middle of nowhere.

Tapsa found a new home. It was picked up on a trailer and taken into what seemed to be good and capable hands.

As summer approaches rapidly—although you wouldn’t guess it from the weather, as the ground is still covered in white snow—it was time to move on after Tapsa transitioned to greener pastures. With the first van, I learned a lot about the qualities that would be good to have. The internet is certainly full of tips and advice for buying a van and converting it into a camper, but I learn through experience. And usually the hard way. Just like this time.

With the help of friends and other wonderful people, a new van, a Ford Transit, was found. Since every van should have a name, mine was christened Bertta during the search. The name was meant to reflect the van's character: large and sturdy, yet relatively gentle and reliable.

Bertta was driven home from Rovaniemi a week ago. I started working on it right away that evening.

For my first task, I removed the partition wall between the cab and the cargo area because I preferred having a unified space that I could separate into distinct areas with a curtain if needed. Despite the three front seats, I can still squeeze into the back area, which is convenient on the road. There's no need to go outside to access the living space during heavy rain.

The removal of the partition wall went according to the classic plan. "This will be easy to take off—just a few big bolts and screws, half an hour and it’ll be done," I thought one bright evening as I started the job. After ten bolts, I realized that the last ones were, for some strange reason, underneath the side panel and out of reach. I tried different tools, twisting and turning the walls, but eventually had to admit that I had to remove the entire side wall to get the cab partition wall off. Instead of half an hour, the job took a little over three, but the bright nights are perfect for such tinkering.

I had already made extensive plans for Tapsa’s furnishings, but now I had to start the same process from scratch with Bertta’s dimensions. The relatively straight side walls and high ceiling allow for a lot of possibilities, so in addition to a bed, I might also be able to fit in a small workspace or dining table. At the same time, I’ll get to test my carpentry skills; before this, I hadn’t built anything at all.

Over the weekend, my friend and I got Bertta’s electrical system up and running. In a previous post, I mentioned how I plan to use a leisure battery to power the van, allowing me to charge the batteries of my camera, computer, and phone while on the road. In addition, the refrigerator requires some power, but otherwise, I need very little electricity. I couldn't have managed this without help. I've learned a lot and now know more about electrical engineering than I ever could have imagined, but practical assistance was truly essential. Thank you <3

The electrical center was built in a plastic box, which houses my inverter, a second battery, the main switch, and fuses. The box is easily accessible under the bed in the van, right behind the driver's seat. It may not be pretty, but for my first DIY electrical project, it’s quite decent.

A few pieces of wire and electrical components (note my fancy terminology) are still missing, but I believe I can manage the rest myself.

I carried the furniture inside right after cleaning and have been rearranging it in different ways in my empty van. I've spent many evenings sitting on the bare floor, mentally sketching out possible furnishing options. There’s still a lot to do: securing the furniture, making small modifications, connecting the gas to the stove and ensuring its safety, sewing blackout curtains for the windows, and finally, moving in. However, the interior is starting to take shape, and it already feels quite cozy.

My remote northern location complicates the progress of such projects. It can be difficult to find supplies, especially since the village hardware store burned to the ground last autumn. However, kudos to the diverse little businesses in the municipality, where I can find surprisingly varied supplies, and the assistance is always exceptionally warm and friendly. I can march into the village auto parts store to ask about an electrical component I'm not entirely sure about, one that I've sketched out with a pencil on the corner of a piece of paper. I leave home with just the right part and thorough installation instructions. Wonderful!

All my free time over the past few weeks has been completely consumed by the van project. Adventures and trips have taken a back seat as I work to get Bertta livable by the beginning of June. Everything takes surprisingly much time, more than I thought. Almost everything is new to me, but it’s wonderful to learn and realize that what initially seems complex is ultimately just a series of smaller, solvable problems. It’s like assembling a puzzle.

Now, I’m heading back to finalize Bertta’s interior and will march into the village shop to ask what supplies I need to build the bench. It’s lovely to have you here following my activities and adventures 🤗

♥: Sanna