Hi Ruth it’s only me - I just wanted to say a quick hello and to say I’ve absolutely loved your channel this year your content is great and you’re filming is amazing - thank you for all your kind words this year to me on a personal level. It means such a lot - I hope you have a great Christmas and a great New Year. Sending loads of love and hugs ~ Xxx Xxx
Hi Ruth, the gas vents should be on the bottom and venting outside, thus any gas leaks will vent out and not into the van. Make sure you keep the regular off when not using.
Good morning Ruth, I wanted to say that I have been living vicariously through your videos the last eight months. Normally I spend a lot of time in the forests in the Southern US but I have been very ill so your videos have really kept my spirits up. I should be back out myself in a few months but until then I will enjoy your videos of your adventures !
A really nice campervan you bought and fixed up for your travels so you can make videos for us. The battery system and the electrical connections are superb together with the solar panel on the roof. You can use power for many things. The heater is certainly nice to have in the mornings. Good that you were able to get the connectors of the diesel lines fixed.
To compute consumption (MPG) : fill the fuel tank, reset your trip meter, drive until next fuel stop, fill the fuel tank, record the fuel volume (gallons) on the pump, record the trip reading (miles). consumption is miles divided by gallons.
For keeping myself clean, i use about three gallons of warm water, with a flannel, per am. I always wash hands during the day, i also put clean shorts and T shirt before getting in to bed! I use a launderette at least every month and have about ten T shirts!
Great video update Ruth. My proposed use of the Bluetti AC200P would be the ultimate Christmas camping companion! It’s not just a power station; it would be our festive lifeline. Imagine this: powering a string of twinkling fairy lights around the tent, keeping the mulled wine warm and ensuring the Christmas playlist never skips a beat. I could even pre-heat my sleeping bag with a heated blanket-talk about cozy! Who says you can’t have a merry Christmas camping with all mod cons, Wi-Fi and a fully charged phone, even in the middle of nowhere?
That's a great campervan you have and everything is so functional. I bought a 68 plate VW T6 Transporter panel van in 2019 and converted it myself. In March, I decided the traditional rock n roll bed and kitchen wasn't suiting me and almost sold the van. I have completely revamped the layout now and put a pull-out bed in. Much more light now. I don't have a pop-top or a high roof but I fitted a wee skylight on the roof which also gives me a lot more light and I can squeezed my head out of that. You have given me the idea to create a wee video which I will post showing my campervan layout. I see you have made a wee impression on the bottle of Old Pultney since last week 🤣🤣
@ruthaisling All over Scotland..every lighthouse you could think of, they were there. Also had 2 uncles in the same employ. A very tough life, but some remarkable stories from them.
I like the simplicity of your van build, all necessities but not to much to go wrong , the foot pump for the water is brilliant, well done good job, thank you for the tour.🙏
No van should be without a whisky cabinet. Love it. The simple van life set up with every conceivable bit of tech you can imagine. Keep the adventures coming Ruth. Smashing TH-cam :0)
Thanks for sharing your van setup. I don't think I'll ever do this given my work schedule so I'll travel vicariously through you! The bluettis seem like they would be useful for day trips, if i ever do get one. For now, I'll keep to my small powerbank. Hope you have a great holiday and new year, and can't wait to see where your travels will bring us next year!
Ruth, it’s so amazing, as to how you have optimized the usage of every inch of space in your van. It’s pure genius. Each of your videos are engaging and fascinating to watch whatever topic you cover. Thank you again for all the effort that is needed to create the videos by you. Look forward to each of them. Wishing you a Merry and awesome Christmas and a fantastic new year !! Happy Exploring.
I would use the AC2A to power the Christmas lights on my roof so that Santa knows where to land his sleigh. I would then use it to power my air fryer to cook him a big festive lunch. PS, really informative video by the way. Merry Christmas
Oil.. It really is the thing that keeps it alive, the second is the cooling system.. I have found running the best quality fluids will increase a vehicles longevity.. That being said replacing the oil on time is a good thing.. My truck is approaching 400,000 miles and 25 years..
That was a great update, Ruth! Ernie is vital to your lifestyle, so it's always important to focus on his health. Thanks for a fantastic year and Merry Christmas to you and yours.!
Hi, I would use the AC2A on my upcoming trip. I am looking into getting my own van for next summer, so I am hiring a van for the weekend in January to make sure it is what I want to do before fully committing. The AC2A and Bluetti in general are what I have been looking into getting if I got a van. So getting one now would massively help me and ready me for my upcoming trip. Watching informative videos like these help push me into wanting my own van and creating adventures and memories to last a lifetime. Thanks for inspiring me and merry Christmas.
So cool love watching the journey! I have a LWB vito which im hoping to retire as a work vehicle in the next year or so and turn into a full time camper project. Lots of great ideas to draw inspiration from!
Merry Christmas Ruth! That van is a reliable vehicle and a cozy home away from home. You’ve made great improvements on it to enhance your comfort and extend its life. Looks so nice inside. I love the string lights. Cozy, cozy, cozy. Cheers! Bob (Portland, OR)
The Bluetti is fantastic to run additional appliances like portable ovens, blenders,coffee machines without tapping into your vans battery or 240 system. The portability and power storage of a Bluetti charger gives you total independence with all the home comforts giving it a unique purpose beyond standard home backup or camping use.
Hi Ruth just wanted to say have a wonderful Christmas and happy new year and thanks again for taking me around with you on your journeys and keep them coming ❤
10:45 Your Van has a Smiley 😊😁 personality as do you..❤ not in the UK so I can't enter, but I have a great idea 💡 power my guitar amp so I can play for the cows in the pasture.... behind my house my extension cord is only 100 ft...and it's about a 5acre stretch to the pasture gate..
Hey there Ruth , as always i love your videos, Thanks for sharing your van setup, I have a VW t5 campervan 2004, water cooler flange seal just split so water pouring out so yes older vans do wear out so your not alone, just a thought, you can put black out curtains up that's quick to close and would add to your privacy, looking at the ones you have made don't seem to go right to the edges but i could be wrong and if your happy that's fine but just look at your van from the outside on a dark night when the inside is lit up and seer what you think? keep safe, enjoy.
Great video Ruth, love what you have done to the van, the AC2a looks like it would be perfect for my iPad Pro on my road trips, cant live without it, just copy files from iPhone to iPad for editing.
Thanks for the update tour. I'm in the process of converting my Land Rover ex-ambulance so interesting to see how it all works for you. Thanks for all the videos. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Hi Ruth. I love how you've kitted out your van. Your videos are always interesting and educational, and i look forward to seeing the new ones each week. I hope you have a happy Christmas 🎄
Ruth, I went to the NorthLink Ferry site yesterday to check on our 2025 reservation (In the past, I've had United Airlines change my reservation without my knowledge). There on the link to Shetland trips was not only your blog but a story of 10 reasons to visit Shetland. Upon clicking that link, there was a photo of a woman standing on a Shetland beach and that woman was YOU!
Great vehicle catch up video,interesting to know how you get your power,and of course the all important diesel heating,I will be investing in one for my 1997 hiace campervan this spring,have a happy Christmas and new year ,keep up the good work.
Hi Ruth. I have just discovered your channel. I would use an AC2A to illuminate the house number at the end of our driveway so the delivery drivers have no excuse for saying they couldn't find us in these dark evenings! I might even throw in some Christmas lights to cheer them up.
Another very interesting video Ruth. Thanks for providing us with so many ideas for future trips to Scotland - I always look forward to your videos dropping as they have become a welcome part of my viewing routine. Have a very Merry Christmas and looking forward to watching your travels in the New Year 😊🥃
I live on a 57ft steel narrowboat, i rely on my solid fuel stove, not the Webasto, im 78 amd not young and fit! When you are young you need a top Q sleeping bag which will outlive you! I had little sleerp last night due to fierce storm. So had four hours this afternoon, i once had a boat with a tiny stove, i had it running in the coldest weathetr also had a spirit lamp. Big thing is to keep VENTILATED
Amazing video, very informative, educational and filled with good ideas of making the most of a small space. I would use the Bluetti AC2A to firstly keep all my families devices charged over the festive period (need to keep everyone happy!) Then I’m sure it would have enough power left to pull double duty powering the air fryer to cook those pigs in blankets and keep the kettle boiling so everyone is supplied with tea and coffee!
Merry Christmas Ruth, and all the other viewers too. I'd use the power station to power a low powered cooker as I've had 3 power cuts in December, and nobody wants that at Christmas
Hi Ruth great show again , hopefully see you about in D&G. I would like the battery to use with my van camper, but also for short distance overnight camping trips with my daughter. Cheers.
Good job Ruth, I wish I had done something similar when I was younger, Merry Christmas, and I am looking forward to seeing more of your travels next year.
Toyota is the best. You got everything you need, off grid power, water, cooking, refrigeration, internet. You’ve got it all in a mobile package, and you can use the vehicle as a normal vehicle, no need to rent a storage space if you decide to live normally for a while. You are true to your Scottish heritage, and that's so cool to see that kind of loyalty. A whisky drinker too! A Scotch whisky drinker.
What a great prize to be in with winning. We would use the bluetti battery when exploring as a family. We have recently started to get out and about in Scotland. Your videos have helped us to form itinerary’s to places we hadn’t considered before. Having the battery would make the experience more enjoyable due to its practicality and functionality.
Thanks Ruth ,you have certainly made your van safer and more comfortable to meet your needs over the last year. Thank you for all you video’s this year which I have certainly enjoyed. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. ❤
Hi Ruth, love your videos. I cannot afford a campervan, but love travelling, so decided to go car camping, I’m retired. I am hoping to go to Scotland next year. I haven’t been to Scotland yet. I’m originally from South Africa, still trying to aclimatise to the English cold. Been here 24 years. I love watching your travels and would also like to go around the distilleries. I do like a good whiskey. Anyway you keep the videos coming and may see you on the road soon. 🌹
So much whiskey Ernie is like a travelling distillery 😊 The AC2A would be good for charging toys during christmas 😊 Merry Christmas and I look forward to your videos in 2025 !👍
MPG: fill the tank, reset trip meter, do a bit of distance, you won't get a good idea under 100 miles in my opinion... then fill the tank again and divide the liters used by 4.54 ∆ to bring the liters to gallons, then simply divide the miles on the trip meter by the number you got when you divided the liters used to fill the second time ∆ and hey presto! M PG!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Good informative video. You show that you don’t need all the mod cons in the van, there are ways and means. I know some motorway service stations have showers. 🏴🏴🚐🌹❤️
You remind me of my half Scottish American girlfriend, and you vaguely look like her. I enjoy your adventurous spirit. I also like your accent. Happy holidays!😊
Merry xmas Ruth, I simply love your vids and it gets me a strong desire getting back to Scotland in my Camper Van or Defender the next year Easter Holidays.
Hi Ruth, your video takes me back about thirty years when i worked for a company here in Northern Ireland that converted vans into motor caravans. I can remember fitting all those gizmos your van has... PS.. your battery give away.. hhmmm id use it to power my fridge so my tins of Guinness are nice and cool...yeeoooo.. Merry Christmas and a happy new year
Hi Ruth Thank you for your interesting video about your van Ernie. You mentioned at the start that you fitted the most the most important “accessory” a carbon monoxide detector. In the 1970’s my brother had a small boat which he took away to the coast on a particularly cold Easter. He used a calor gas heater to keep warm but had no carbon monoxide detector. One night he used the heater and it cost him his life. Carbon Monoxide has no taste no smell. But it might give one a head ache. That night he just went to sleep and never woke up. I think it attacks the haemoglobin in the blood. He was just 27 years old. Put this message out there - Thanks
Hi Ruth. Happy Christmas. I would use the Bluetti battery to power a little wine fridge in my off-grid she-shed (and power Christmas lights) to escape to with my Christmas reading book - lovely! After Christmas, however, I would give it to my very elderly parents. They lost power at their house in Yorkshire three times last year, and they have been worried this weekend, what with the stormy winds hitting the county, especially as my dad is dependent on the stair lift. Having an emergency power supply would set their minds at rest. All the best. Really great and informative video as ever. Xx
Hello Ruth. Thoroughly enjoyed seeing how your van “works” even though I have seen the contents individually. Happy Christmas and a very successful and guid New Year. Slainte ❤️
Hi Ruth, thanks for taking the time to make such a great van tour video. I've been researching battery packs for some time now. As an armature wood worker, my dream is to load my small wood turning lathe into the back of my car and drive to a beautiful, remote location. When inspiration hits me, I can quickly set up the lathe with the battery pack and turn a bowl, or a pen, or what ever, right there and then. My battery pack research is based around the "energy density" of the battery pack. My lathe is just over 300 watts, so the AC2A would give me about 40 mins of machine time from a full charge, which is just about enough time to work on a small item. Have an amazing Christmas time. Take care, Steve
Ruth, I love your videos and seeing parts of Scotland that we haven't visited. My husband, a musician and priest who does disaster relief in the US, and I travel with his work or music gigs. While on the road, I tend bring all my gear - writing, photography, video content creation. My goal by the end of this year is to travel abroad again and around the US making a vlog. I carry a little battery for my materials but it only powers my laptop for about two hours. I"m curious about the Bluetti. I think it would be a huge help as we head out on yet another gig for my husband and I try to finish up my book. Hopefully one day we can go to some of the sites we haven't seen in Scotland. We've been to Iona, Mull, Inverness and cities. We'd love spend longer times, doing something like you do.
Found this super interesting Ruth! I would love a van for trips away but with 6 of us it would mean some ingenious design and not something on our radio just yet but maybe one day. The bluetti sounds amazing! Have considered one for our camping trips I bet it would be super helpful, I wonder if it would be enough to power a family of 6 camping? Maybe cook a whole Christmas dinner using its power 😍 What a great giveaway xxxx Have a wonderful Christmas Ruth and look forward to 2025 videos from you xxx
Hi Ruth A few comments. I think you definitely have a very practical van. In many ways I think you are better off with the old diesel van. The extra running cost is more than compensated by the lack of complexity in the exhaust. The new systems are only environmentally friendly when new. As they age, they have very expensive repairs that can only be fixed by the dealer. I feel it costs as much in repairing the exhaust as it costs in fuel and AdBlue. I run a spreadsheet and record the miles and fuel quantity every time I fill up. Short runs in the winter are definitely more fuel hungry than long summer runs. A result that is not surprising ! Having the Bluetti to be independent of the van battery is definitely the correct solution. Working on electronics for years needless to say I built my own equivalent. Of less benefit to you, having Starlink, is the ability to roam onto other people’s WiFi as part of having Broadband at home (or M&D’s broadband). If you have BT at home, you can log on to EE WiFi parked in the street outside any house that also has BT broadband. I guess there are other similar network arrangements. Where you go there are no houses to park outside of so Starlink is it ! Wishing you a Happy Christmas and many adventures in 2025.
Thank you Ruth I really lover your channel and the entertaining/educational nature of your videos. I hope you have a healthy and very Merry Christmas and a great New Year. Best wishes from Ontario, Canada.
Cool video and van, Ruth. I love those Bluetti’s. I go hiking a lot in the winter so perhaps that wee one could boil a kettle at the top of a Munro and I could fill a hot water bottle! 😂😂
Another project that I could use the Bluetti powerbank for is to plug in my laptop to build a program to count how many times you say the word "van" in this video.😉
Husband is in the audience - really nice update on your van. Pop up Wandering Jeepsy’s TH-cam channel for a look. She is a solo lady that was living and traveling in a jeep. She sold her old one and was given a newer model. If you can find her tour of how she fixed up her jeep maybe you can pick up some ideas. You do not live in your van full time so your needs are different. Still, Sarah has some neat features. I love your folding ladder. ❤
Thank you Ruth, very interesting and thorough, I hope you have a nice Christmas, and look forward to following your adventures next year. Best Wishes. Andrew.
Yay Ernie! I do like Toyotas. I have a 2006 Toyota Sienna CE (base model US Toyota minivan -- I don't think that there is an exact equivalent in the UK), 6-cylinder gasoline engine, and it has *216,000* miles on it of just general use. I have been (slowly) converting it to a camping van -- and you have inspired me in many ways. But it's definitely not as large or spacious as Ernie!
@@ruthaisling -- I live in Maryland (USA), in a suburban area between Washington D.C. and Baltimore -- but a few hours drive west from here are the Appalachian mountains of West Virginia and western Maryland, very scenic, nice rivers and historic trains, and older towns -- a much slower pace of life than where I live. Pretty decent campgrounds and parks as well -- so I hope to go on extended weekends to camp and shoot photos (mostly on film) and might post vlogs of my adventures on TH-cam (see -- you have inspired me in that as well!). I grew up camping a lot with my family in various size camping trailers and then a motorhome, so I enjoy camping very much, but I'd prefer being inside of something a little more sturdy than a tent! Thank you so much for not just sharing your adventures (in Ernie), but a lot of the 'back story' of Ernie itself, as well as your drives, routes and planning!!!
Nice van conversion Ruth, It really has all you need to travel and sleep and cook in it. I would love to do this as it would save money on a motel. At the moment I own an Older SUV, which is still going strong . Interesting video thanks
Hi Ruth, Merry Christmas and a great New Year! We love you and ur Videos. We are moving to Scotland in a few months and ur videos have been great. Keep them coming 0:10
What a lovely year-end review! Thanks for all the drone shots of Ernie tooling down the road in all sorts of remote locations. I too am a dedicated Toyota driver. I had a '97 Rav4 that lasted 20 years and 320,003 miles, which is not unusual. It got about 22mpg when new and was still getting over 20 at the end. I hope you enjoy many more years and miles with Ernie! ... In the US we calculate gas mileage as "mpg" (miles per gallon), in Canada where I attended graduate school, it's "L/100km" (litres per 100 kilometers). What system is used in Scotland? ...Have a wonderful holiday Ruth and best wishes for a brilliant 2025!
I would use the AC2A for busking or Christmas music jam somewhere outside, somewhere remote... also this coild be a great help for recording live music videos outside where cables are not an option and batteries usually discharge too quick before you get the "happy with" take ;)
Hi Ruth, I would love you to consider me and my three children as worthy recipients of the Bluetti AC2A. We would take it to a Bothy over the Christmas period (Probably Dubs Bothy ☺️) and rig up a load of sparkly fairy lights inside to turn it into a mini winter wonderland. It will be great to see the faces of other walkers that might drop by. Have a lovely Christmas, great videos by the way. Nick x
Hi Ruth it’s only me - I just wanted to say a quick hello and to say I’ve absolutely loved your channel this year your content is great and you’re filming is amazing - thank you for all your kind words this year to me on a personal level. It means such a lot - I hope you have a great Christmas and a great New Year. Sending loads of love and hugs ~ Xxx Xxx
Hi Louise, I always look forward to reading your comments! I hope you have an amazing Christmas and New Year too when it comes! ❤️
Thanks for all the great content Ruth. Have a great Christmas holiday.
Thanks Duncan! You too!
Hi Ruth, the gas vents should be on the bottom and venting outside, thus any gas leaks will vent out and not into the van. Make sure you keep the regular off when not using.
Thanks Mick, I always turn it off when I’ve finished using the gas
And the reason why, is that propane is heavier than air… merry xmas from Germany
Good morning Ruth, I wanted to say that I have been living vicariously through your videos the last eight months. Normally I spend a lot of time in the forests in the Southern US but I have been very ill so your videos have really kept my spirits up. I should be back out myself in a few months but until then I will enjoy your videos of your adventures !
I wish you a speedy recovery David! Have a lovely Christmas and New Year! ❤
Very tidy Ruth. No space is wasted and nothing flew out of the cabinets as you opened them! Looking forward to more adventures in '25.
Thanks for the tour, everything in Ernie is so well organised and thought out.
Your other camper project at 20:02 is gorgeous as well.
A really nice campervan you bought and fixed up for your travels so you can make videos for us.
The battery system and the electrical connections are superb together with the solar panel on the roof.
You can use power for many things.
The heater is certainly nice to have in the mornings.
Good that you were able to get the connectors of the diesel lines fixed.
Thanks Jan! I’m very happy with the van now!
To compute consumption (MPG) : fill the fuel tank, reset your trip meter, drive until next fuel stop, fill the fuel tank, record the fuel volume (gallons) on the pump, record the trip reading (miles). consumption is miles divided by gallons.
Thanks for the advice!
For keeping myself clean, i use about three gallons of warm water, with a flannel, per am. I always wash hands during the day, i also put clean shorts and T shirt before getting in to bed! I use a launderette at least every month and have about ten T shirts!
Great video update Ruth. My proposed use of the Bluetti AC200P would be the ultimate Christmas camping companion! It’s not just a power station; it would be our festive lifeline. Imagine this: powering a string of twinkling fairy lights around the tent, keeping the mulled wine warm and ensuring the Christmas playlist never skips a beat. I could even pre-heat my sleeping bag with a heated blanket-talk about cozy! Who says you can’t have a merry Christmas camping with all mod cons, Wi-Fi and a fully charged phone, even in the middle of nowhere?
That's a great campervan you have and everything is so functional. I bought a 68 plate VW T6 Transporter panel van in 2019 and converted it myself. In March, I decided the traditional rock n roll bed and kitchen wasn't suiting me and almost sold the van. I have completely revamped the layout now and put a pull-out bed in. Much more light now. I don't have a pop-top or a high roof but I fitted a wee skylight on the roof which also gives me a lot more light and I can squeezed my head out of that. You have given me the idea to create a wee video which I will post showing my campervan layout. I see you have made a wee impression on the bottle of Old Pultney since last week 🤣🤣
Sounds great, it’s amazing what small changes can do to your comfort levels in the van!
Ruth, anything you post is so beautifully Scottish 🏴
I utterly adore your channel 👌
Thanks Andrew, lots of lighthouse shots in this video! 😂
@@ruthaisling You're an absolute shining light upon our country 🏴
You amaze me...both of my grandfathers were lighthouse keepers x
@@andrewmaccallum2367 Where were they lighthouse keepers?
@ruthaisling All over Scotland..every lighthouse you could think of, they were there.
Also had 2 uncles in the same employ.
A very tough life, but some remarkable stories from them.
I like the simplicity of your van build, all necessities but not to much to go wrong , the foot pump for the water is brilliant, well done good job, thank you for the tour.🙏
Yeah the foot pump was a great addition!
No van should be without a whisky cabinet. Love it. The simple van life set up with every conceivable bit of tech you can imagine. Keep the adventures coming Ruth. Smashing TH-cam :0)
Thanks for sharing your van setup. I don't think I'll ever do this given my work schedule so I'll travel vicariously through you! The bluettis seem like they would be useful for day trips, if i ever do get one. For now, I'll keep to my small powerbank. Hope you have a great holiday and new year, and can't wait to see where your travels will bring us next year!
Ruth, it’s so amazing, as to how you have optimized the usage of every inch of space in your van. It’s pure genius. Each of your videos are engaging and fascinating to watch whatever topic you cover. Thank you again for all the effort that is needed to create the videos by you. Look forward to each of them. Wishing you a Merry and awesome Christmas and a fantastic new year !! Happy Exploring.
Thanks so much!
I would use the AC2A to power the Christmas lights on my roof so that Santa knows where to land his sleigh.
I would then use it to power my air fryer to cook him a big festive lunch.
PS, really informative video by the way. Merry Christmas
Haha love it 😂
3:08 : a high roof for a wee Ruth 🍺😁👌
😂
Oil.. It really is the thing that keeps it alive, the second is the cooling system.. I have found running the best quality fluids will increase a vehicles longevity.. That being said replacing the oil on time is a good thing.. My truck is approaching 400,000 miles and 25 years..
Wow fantastic long life! Hope Ernie will be the same, thanks for the advice about the fluids
Merry Christmas, Ruth. Thank you for all the videos. Much appreciated.🙂🎄🎅🏻
Thanks Brian! ❤
The van is really nice. Standing up is a plus. It looks like you have everything you need.
It’s a good wee van!
Thanks for the tour, Ruth. Your van is nicely set-up.
Thanks Curt!
@@ruthaisling 😊
That was a great update, Ruth! Ernie is vital to your lifestyle, so it's always important to focus on his health. Thanks for a fantastic year and Merry Christmas to you and yours.!
Thanks Stewart, Merry Christmas to you too!
Hi,
I would use the AC2A on my upcoming trip.
I am looking into getting my own van for next summer, so I am hiring a van for the weekend in January to make sure it is what I want to do before fully committing.
The AC2A and Bluetti in general are what I have been looking into getting if I got a van. So getting one now would massively help me and ready me for my upcoming trip.
Watching informative videos like these help push me into wanting my own van and creating adventures and memories to last a lifetime.
Thanks for inspiring me and merry Christmas.
So cool love watching the journey! I have a LWB vito which im hoping to retire as a work vehicle in the next year or so and turn into a full time camper project. Lots of great ideas to draw inspiration from!
Merry Christmas Ruth! That van is a reliable vehicle and a cozy home away from home. You’ve made great improvements on it to enhance your comfort and extend its life. Looks so nice inside. I love the string lights. Cozy, cozy, cozy. Cheers!
Bob (Portland, OR)
Thanks Bob! I’m so happy with Ernie boy
The Bluetti is fantastic to run additional appliances like portable ovens, blenders,coffee machines without tapping into your vans battery or 240 system.
The portability and power storage of a Bluetti charger gives you total independence with all the home comforts giving it a unique purpose beyond standard home backup or camping use.
Hi Ruth just wanted to say have a wonderful Christmas and happy new year and thanks again for taking me around with you on your journeys and keep them coming ❤
Thanks so much for watching the videos!
Pozdr z Polski, świetny kanał YT dzięki któremu zwiedziłem ulubioną Szkocję zwłaszcza w miejscach nieoczywistych lecąc do rodziny
Merry Christmas Ruth hope you have a lovely time. Take care and stay safe.
Thank you! You too!
10:45 Your Van has a Smiley 😊😁 personality as do you..❤ not in the UK so I can't enter, but I have a great idea 💡 power my guitar amp so I can play for the cows in the pasture.... behind my house my extension cord is only 100 ft...and it's about a 5acre stretch to the pasture gate..
That reminds me of the story of the Japanese farmers who massage their cows
Hey there Ruth , as always i love your videos, Thanks for sharing your van setup, I have a VW t5 campervan 2004, water cooler flange seal just split so water pouring out so yes older vans do wear out so your not alone, just a thought, you can put black out curtains up that's quick to close and would add to your privacy, looking at the ones you have made don't seem to go right to the edges but i could be wrong and if your happy that's fine but just look at your van from the outside on a dark night when the inside is lit up and seer what you think? keep safe, enjoy.
Great video Ruth, love what you have done to the van, the AC2a looks like it would be perfect for my iPad Pro on my road trips, cant live without it, just copy files from iPhone to iPad for editing.
Thanks for the update tour. I'm in the process of converting my Land Rover ex-ambulance so interesting to see how it all works for you. Thanks for all the videos. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Wow amazing! All the best with the conversion! ❤
I love hearing this lady's sweet accent, could listen all day to it
ルースさんを知ったのはアーニー号の改造動画でした。それから１年半で快適に過ごせるようになりましたね。これからもルースさんの冒険の相棒として活躍してくれるでしょう。
Well done Ruth, thanks and Merry Christmas
Hi Ruth. I love how you've kitted out your van. Your videos are always interesting and educational, and i look forward to seeing the new ones each week. I hope you have a happy Christmas 🎄
Ruth, I went to the NorthLink Ferry site yesterday to check on our 2025 reservation (In the past, I've had United Airlines change my reservation without my knowledge). There on the link to Shetland trips was not only your blog but a story of 10 reasons to visit Shetland. Upon clicking that link, there was a photo of a woman standing on a Shetland beach and that woman was YOU!
Haha yes! I did some photos and videos with NorthLink earlier in the year when I was in Shetland!
Great vehicle catch up video,interesting to know how you get your power,and of course the all important diesel heating,I will be investing in one for my 1997 hiace campervan this spring,have a happy Christmas and new year ,keep up the good work.
Hi Ruth. I have just discovered your channel. I would use an AC2A to illuminate the house number at the end of our driveway so the delivery drivers have no excuse for saying they couldn't find us in these dark evenings! I might even throw in some Christmas lights to cheer them up.
Another very interesting video Ruth. Thanks for providing us with so many ideas for future trips to Scotland - I always look forward to your videos dropping as they have become a welcome part of my viewing routine. Have a very Merry Christmas and looking forward to watching your travels in the New Year 😊🥃
Glad the Scotland videos are useful!
Is that really 1.5 years I’ve been following your Channel 😮 To be fair it has been an absolute pleasure. Thank You, and have a lovely Christmas 🎄 x
Have a lovely Christmas too!
Merry Xmas! Happy New Year Ruth! 🎄🎁 great job with your van Ernie 🚐 very clean and purposeful! 🧹🛏
Hi Ruth, A very neat setup, Thank you for the tour 😊.
Thanks for watching!
I live on a 57ft steel narrowboat, i rely on my solid fuel stove, not the Webasto, im 78 amd not young and fit!
When you are young you need a top Q sleeping bag which will outlive you! I had little sleerp last night due to fierce storm. So had four hours this afternoon,
i once had a boat with a tiny stove, i had it running in the coldest weathetr also had a spirit lamp. Big thing is to keep VENTILATED
Thanks for the tips!
Thanks for sharing the reality of a camper van - including costs! Love to see how you’ve made things work / what has worked for you.
Glad it was helpful!
Amazing video, very informative, educational and filled with good ideas of making the most of a small space.
I would use the Bluetti AC2A to firstly keep all my families devices charged over the festive period (need to keep everyone happy!)
Then I’m sure it would have enough power left to pull double duty powering the air fryer to cook those pigs in blankets and keep the kettle boiling so everyone is supplied with tea and coffee!
Merry Christmas Ruth, and all the other viewers too. I'd use the power station to power a low powered cooker as I've had 3 power cuts in December, and nobody wants that at Christmas
Hi Ruth great show again , hopefully see you about in D&G. I would like the battery to use with my van camper, but also for short distance overnight camping trips with my daughter. Cheers.
Thanks, Ruth. Great year of content. Have a Merry Christmas, & a good Hogmanay! Cheers to "Ernie-boy" as well.
Thanks Craigy boy
Good job Ruth, I wish I had done something similar when I was younger, Merry Christmas, and I am looking forward to seeing more of your travels next year.
Toyota is the best. You got everything you need, off grid power, water, cooking, refrigeration, internet. You’ve got it all in a mobile package, and you can use the vehicle as a normal vehicle, no need to rent a storage space if you decide to live normally for a while. You are true to your Scottish heritage, and that's so cool to see that kind of loyalty. A whisky drinker too! A Scotch whisky drinker.
Thanks for watching!
What a great prize to be in with winning. We would use the bluetti battery when exploring as a family. We have recently started to get out and about in Scotland. Your videos have helped us to form itinerary’s to places we hadn’t considered before. Having the battery would make the experience more enjoyable due to its practicality and functionality.
Thanks Ruth ,you have certainly made your van safer and more comfortable to meet your needs over the last year.
Thank you for all you video’s this year which I have certainly enjoyed.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. ❤
Thanks! Have a great Christmas and new year too!
It's quite similar to living aboard a sailboat.
Yeah! I would like to try more boat life
Hi Ruth, love your videos. I cannot afford a campervan, but love travelling, so decided to go car camping, I’m retired. I am hoping to go to Scotland next year. I haven’t been to Scotland yet. I’m originally from South Africa, still trying to aclimatise to the English cold. Been here 24 years. I love watching your travels and would also like to go around the distilleries. I do like a good whiskey. Anyway you keep the videos coming and may see you on the road soon. 🌹
So much whiskey Ernie is like a travelling distillery 😊 The AC2A would be good for charging toys during christmas 😊 Merry Christmas and I look forward to your videos in 2025 !👍
MPG: fill the tank, reset trip meter, do a bit of distance, you won't get a good idea under 100 miles in my opinion... then fill the tank again and divide the liters used by 4.54 ∆ to bring the liters to gallons, then simply divide the miles on the trip meter by the number you got when you divided the liters used to fill the second time ∆ and hey presto! M
PG!
Thanks for the advice!
Thanks for doing a van tour! So neat, and you’re so awesome. I love your videos!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Good informative video. You show that you don’t need all the mod cons in the van, there are ways and means. I know some motorway service stations have showers. 🏴🏴🚐🌹❤️
You remind me of my half Scottish American girlfriend, and you vaguely look like her. I enjoy your adventurous spirit. I also like your accent. Happy holidays!😊
Love the update, love Ernie! Great content this year, keep it coming!
Merry xmas Ruth, I simply love your vids and it gets me a strong desire getting back to Scotland in my Camper Van or Defender the next year Easter Holidays.
Hi Ruth, your video takes me back about thirty years when i worked for a company here in Northern Ireland that converted vans into motor caravans. I can remember fitting all those gizmos your van has...
PS.. your battery give away.. hhmmm id use it to power my fridge so my tins of Guinness are nice and cool...yeeoooo..
Merry Christmas and a happy new year
That’s awesome. I do not know anything about any stuff like that, but I will probably use it for travel to be good for my first vehicle.
Hi Ruth
Thank you for your interesting video about your van Ernie. You mentioned at the start that you fitted the most the most important “accessory” a carbon monoxide detector.
In the 1970’s my brother had a small boat which he took away to the coast on a particularly cold Easter. He used a calor gas heater to keep warm but had no carbon monoxide detector. One night he used the heater and it cost him his life. Carbon Monoxide has no taste no smell. But it might give one a head ache. That night he just went to sleep and never woke up. I think it attacks the haemoglobin in the blood. He was just 27 years old. Put this message out there - Thanks
I’m so sorry to hear about your brother, that’s so sad 😢
Your van is one of my favorite vans, so much storage and not cluttered at all.
Oh thanks!
A delightful video and lifestyle. Happy Christmas from California
Thank you, have a wonderful Christmas too!
Hi Ruth. Happy Christmas. I would use the Bluetti battery to power a little wine fridge in my off-grid she-shed (and power Christmas lights) to escape to with my Christmas reading book - lovely! After Christmas, however, I would give it to my very elderly parents. They lost power at their house in Yorkshire three times last year, and they have been worried this weekend, what with the stormy winds hitting the county, especially as my dad is dependent on the stair lift. Having an emergency power supply would set their minds at rest. All the best. Really great and informative video as ever. Xx
Great ideas!
Toyota is a great choice. Merry Christmas.
Happy Christmas Ruth. All the best and enjoy. Jonny😎☯️🌱🌹
Thanks Jonny! Same to you!
Merry Christmas Ruth, around about 20 mins Glen Lyon Dam its a great place for photography, there and Glen Coe I visit often, especially in the snow
In the snow it must be amazing!! Is the road still safe to drive on?
@@ruthaisling ive got a Audi quattro, with winter tyres, I just drive easy and ill get pretty much anywhere
That was nice. I watched while having my dinner - a stir fry with sea bass that I aught myself at Loch Tesco.
Terrific van you have, hope the new year brings you good health and happiness .
Thanks, you too!
Watching again. Awesome! Love Toyotas. ❤
Welcome back Curt! 😂
@@ruthaisling 😂 Thanks, Ruth
Hello Ruth. Thoroughly enjoyed seeing how your van “works” even though I have seen the contents individually. Happy Christmas and a very successful and guid New Year. Slainte ❤️
Thank you! You too!
Hi Ruth, thanks for taking the time to make such a great van tour video. I've been researching battery packs for some time now. As an armature wood worker, my dream is to load my small wood turning lathe into the back of my car and drive to a beautiful, remote location. When inspiration hits me, I can quickly set up the lathe with the battery pack and turn a bowl, or a pen, or what ever, right there and then. My battery pack research is based around the "energy density" of the battery pack. My lathe is just over 300 watts, so the AC2A would give me about 40 mins of machine time from a full charge, which is just about enough time to work on a small item. Have an amazing Christmas time. Take care, Steve
Sounds amazing! ❤️
Ruth, I love your videos and seeing parts of Scotland that we haven't visited. My husband, a musician and priest who does disaster relief in the US, and I travel with his work or music gigs. While on the road, I tend bring all my gear - writing, photography, video content creation. My goal by the end of this year is to travel abroad again and around the US making a vlog. I carry a little battery for my materials but it only powers my laptop for about two hours. I"m curious about the Bluetti. I think it would be a huge help as we head out on yet another gig for my husband and I try to finish up my book.
Hopefully one day we can go to some of the sites we haven't seen in Scotland. We've been to Iona, Mull, Inverness and cities. We'd love spend longer times, doing something like you do.
Found this super interesting Ruth! I would love a van for trips away but with 6 of us it would mean some ingenious design and not something on our radio just yet but maybe one day. The bluetti sounds amazing!
Have considered one for our camping trips I bet it would be super helpful, I wonder if it would be enough to power a family of 6 camping?
Maybe cook a whole Christmas dinner using its power 😍 What a great giveaway xxxx
Have a wonderful Christmas Ruth and look forward to 2025 videos from you xxx
Hi Ruth
A few comments.
I think you definitely have a very practical van.
In many ways I think you are better off with the old diesel van. The extra running cost is more than compensated by the lack of complexity in the exhaust. The new systems are only environmentally friendly when new. As they age, they have very expensive repairs that can only be fixed by the dealer. I feel it costs as much in repairing the exhaust as it costs in fuel and AdBlue.
I run a spreadsheet and record the miles and fuel quantity every time I fill up. Short runs in the winter are definitely more fuel hungry than long summer runs. A result that is not surprising !
Having the Bluetti to be independent of the van battery is definitely the correct solution. Working on electronics for years needless to say I built my own equivalent.
Of less benefit to you, having Starlink, is the ability to roam onto other people’s WiFi as part of having Broadband at home (or M&D’s broadband). If you have BT at home, you can log on to EE WiFi parked in the street outside any house that also has BT broadband. I guess there are other similar network arrangements. Where you go there are no houses to park outside of so Starlink is it !
Wishing you a Happy Christmas and many adventures in 2025.
Thanks so much Andrew for all these points, I didn't know about the EE WiFi! I must look into that more!
Thank you Ruth I really lover your channel and the entertaining/educational nature of your videos. I hope you have a healthy and very Merry Christmas and a great New Year. Best wishes from Ontario, Canada.
Thanks so much Jeff! Have a great Christmas too!
Great video Ruth asling and happy holidays 🎄 ✨🎁 🫶 🏴
Same to you!
Cool video and van, Ruth. I love those Bluetti’s. I go hiking a lot in the winter so perhaps that wee one could boil a kettle at the top of a Munro and I could fill a hot water bottle! 😂😂
I really like the van its comfy looking without being over the top with bling i hope you get many many years of enjoyment from it.
Thanks!
Rich update. Glad Ernie is working well. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
Wow you’ve got a lot of stuff in there! 😮 Looks like a nice setup though, gives you freedom to go where you like. 👍😃 Hope you have a good Christmas! 🎄
Thanks! Hope you do too!
Another project that I could use the Bluetti powerbank for is to plug in my laptop to build a program to count how many times you say the word "van" in this video.😉
Husband is in the audience - really nice update on your van. Pop up Wandering Jeepsy’s TH-cam channel for a look. She is a solo lady that was living and traveling in a jeep. She sold her old one and was given a newer model. If you can find her tour of how she fixed up her jeep maybe you can pick up some ideas. You do not live in your van full time so your needs are different. Still, Sarah has some neat features. I love your folding ladder. ❤
Thanks for the advice Janet! The folding ladder is great although I was scared to use it at first haha!
Merry Christmas.x
Thank you Ruth, very interesting and thorough, I hope you have a nice Christmas, and look forward to following your adventures next year. Best Wishes. Andrew.
Thanks Andrew!
Yay Ernie! I do like Toyotas. I have a 2006 Toyota Sienna CE (base model US Toyota minivan -- I don't think that there is an exact equivalent in the UK), 6-cylinder gasoline engine, and it has *216,000* miles on it of just general use. I have been (slowly) converting it to a camping van -- and you have inspired me in many ways. But it's definitely not as large or spacious as Ernie!
Amazing! Any plans for your first road trip when it’s fully converted?
@@ruthaisling -- I live in Maryland (USA), in a suburban area between Washington D.C. and Baltimore -- but a few hours drive west from here are the Appalachian mountains of West Virginia and western Maryland, very scenic, nice rivers and historic trains, and older towns -- a much slower pace of life than where I live. Pretty decent campgrounds and parks as well -- so I hope to go on extended weekends to camp and shoot photos (mostly on film) and might post vlogs of my adventures on TH-cam (see -- you have inspired me in that as well!). I grew up camping a lot with my family in various size camping trailers and then a motorhome, so I enjoy camping very much, but I'd prefer being inside of something a little more sturdy than a tent! Thank you so much for not just sharing your adventures (in Ernie), but a lot of the 'back story' of Ernie itself, as well as your drives, routes and planning!!!
Nice van conversion Ruth, It really has all you need to travel and sleep and cook in it. I would love to do this as it would save money on a motel. At the moment I own an Older SUV, which is still going strong . Interesting video thanks
That’s my exact reason for having the van. Accommodation can really add up for extended trips
Great video again and Happy Christmas.
Hi Ruth, Merry Christmas and a great New Year! We love you and ur Videos. We are moving to Scotland in a few months and ur videos have been great. Keep them coming 0:10
Happy Christmas And New Year. Look forward too more adventures next year. Thank for sharing all your journeys and adventures with us .
Thanks Irwin! I hope you have great holidays too!
What a lovely year-end review! Thanks for all the drone shots of Ernie tooling down the road in all sorts of remote locations. I too am a dedicated Toyota driver. I had a '97 Rav4 that lasted 20 years and 320,003 miles, which is not unusual. It got about 22mpg when new and was still getting over 20 at the end. I hope you enjoy many more years and miles with Ernie! ... In the US we calculate gas mileage as "mpg" (miles per gallon), in Canada where I attended graduate school, it's "L/100km" (litres per 100 kilometers). What system is used in Scotland? ...Have a wonderful holiday Ruth and best wishes for a brilliant 2025!
I’ve heard of mpg more but we don’t really use gallons. I’ll need to find out!!
I would use the AC2A for busking or Christmas music jam somewhere outside, somewhere remote... also this coild be a great help for recording live music videos outside where cables are not an option and batteries usually discharge too quick before you get the "happy with" take ;)
Great ideas!
Hi Ruth, I would love you to consider me and my three children as worthy recipients of the Bluetti AC2A.
We would take it to a Bothy over the Christmas period (Probably Dubs Bothy ☺️) and rig up a load of sparkly fairy lights inside to turn it into a mini winter wonderland. It will be great to see the faces of other walkers that might drop by. Have a lovely Christmas, great videos by the way. Nick x
Merry Christmas Ruth. Get plenty of Whisky down you, as if you need telling!!😉🎅
Haha maybe have a few!
Yes, it will have a long life if you take care of it-- and you are, so Ernie will likely be with you for a long time! Cheers! (Love your videos!)
That's the plan!