Forager lives full time VanLife and only works 2 days a week!! | Interview and TOUR
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 มิ.ย. 2024
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In this video, we speak to Matty, aka 'The Woodland Nomad'. Matty lives full time in his van... a van that is a dream for any nature lover, looking for a cosy, rustic, reclaimed wooden cabin feel, fitted with a little log burner to keep him warm on those cold nights.
Matty has done such an amazing job of kitting out this van, with impressive little details that bring the outside, inside.
So stick around for the full tour... you don't want to miss it!!!
Matty talks about why he chose the Van Life, and how it is the perfect lifestyle to fuel his hobbies of the outdoors, as well allow him to pursue his passion of foraging for wild food and herbs, not only does he have drying racks in his van to dry out his herbs... he has an apothecary under the bed! That we can only imagine will get bigger!
His love for foraging has found him a great following on social media, where he shares tips and tricks from the knowledge and experience he has gained from collecting mushrooms to finding herbs that can heal. So make sure to check him out in the links below.
Matty talks about the costs of living the way he does, and how it enables him to only work 2 days a week as a graphic designer, his van is kitted out to the max, with an impressive solar system that provides him with more than enough electricity to use all year round!
Thanks to Matty aka 'The Woodland Nomad' for chatting with us and giving us a tour of his home on wheels.
Don't forget to check out the links below to follow Matty's vanlife journey.
instagram: / the.woodland.nomad
youtube: youtube.com/@TheWoodlandNomad...
tiktok:
/ thewoodlandnomad
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His story is a lot like mine. Almost 4 years full time and solo, I still work and when Covid happened a lot of us (brokers) started working from home. I’m An insurance broker. My kids were both married and had children of their own and I sold my house. After 26 years of living there, a completely different lifestyle happened to me. It helps me control my stress being in nature is like a natural remedy. I do feel very happy. No regrets. I am now 65. Good video!
My lovely Nephew! Proud Auntie here
Hey V 😁 ♥
@@TheWoodlandNomadHey Matty - Where's your TikTok account gone - I couldn't find it the other day?
@@TheWoodlandNomadI subscribe because I love your cabin on wheels 🤩
@@suzie_lovescats thank you so much 😁 🙏
What a loveable guy. He's living life on his terms and that's admirable!
What a charming young man! He sounds so happy and free, fair play to him doing what he wants. I couldn't do it personally but love hearing how other people are achieving their dreams, good for him!
Thank you 🙏 I hope you're working towards your dreams too ☺
@@TheWoodlandNomad Already doing so, in my dream Job :)
@@jonathanbarron8311 glad to hear it mate, happy living! 😁
I'm 63 , I've lived in house's then narrow boat's then a motorhome and then vans which I wouldn't change for anything,is all you need is the money for a van and Bob's your Aunty 😊
Total respect, I live in my car 24/7 and help people around the country at no cost, I live my life, foraging, giving and living free by showing people life can be good on a minimal budget xx
hi tim
@@qy-exotic7717 Hi Exotic, peace and love, hope your well ✌️
I know mate, I'm the same. Good on ya. I think I'm leaving in spring next year. Good luck on your journey .
what do you do for a living if i may ask? living in my caravan atm and staying in the same place but looking for something to be on the road aswell
probably youtube@@TheJZBaller
After a relationship breakdown due to my ex having extra curricular activities I have been forced into full time van life to be able stay close to my two young daughters!
Van life is something I have wanted to do for years and this has been my perfect opportunity!
Working full time as a HGV driver throughout the week and then making the most of the van at weekends!
I started with a empty long wheel base Sprinter and fitted it out myself,never done this before and like myself the build is a bit rough and ready but it’s all good for me!
The cost of living now is just getting beyond reasonable and living this lifestyle cost peanuts!
I have spent years living in wagons so van life is a very easy transition!
If anyone reading this can make van life work for them but isn’t sure or is worried to take the leap!
All I can say is just go and do it!
thanks for sharing,
Feel like Matty expressed a lot of my own feelings about being out in a van and just in nature. The freedom it gives you and the joy you can hear in his voice. Really inspiring!
I did it for 25 years, with very few problems. If someone hassles you, just wake up 300 miles down the road the next day; as you point out, this is a great freedom. GOOD LUCK, mate.
I'd love to live this life I'm stuck in a house and at 51 Im starting to think this is getting harder for me to get into but I've wanted to do it for many years now
Dave mate, you have to look at it from the point of view that if you don't do it now, you probably never will. If you have a car, sell it and buy a van about the same size as this lads. Then use it as a camper from day one. I've pitched tents in the back of empty vans before now, lol.........
Dave, your thoughts can liberate or imprison you. You decide.
Don't think about it just do it if you just do it don't make excuses just do it . I was thinking about it and I just keeping putting it off making excuses I finally said to hell with it and did it im so glad it's done im so happy it's here I bought a 2002 ford E350 cut away n love it
I am 75 and have lived in a van for 15 years, it's a wonderful life. Go for it.
I always dreamed of a simple life like this. But I got married and remained happy in the bungalow I bought for 30plus years….I got my kicks riding mountain bikes and wild camping near on every weekend….but after all this time, the choice got made for me, my wife decided to leave, we just sold the bungalow…no kids, no hassle, I don’t want a mortgage, or pay rent, so I’ve just put a deposit down on a really nice dream camper, and although I’m keeping my job and staying ‘local’ while ive got family and friends close by, but I can take off and do what I want, where I want. I’m 53. It’s a overwhelming and frightening concept, but 3 months of mental prep and research has made me wish the next 4 weeks away. As a train of thought now…it’s literally a no brainier…..as frank turner the song writer sang, “would someone please explain to me, exactly what’s so great, about saving 50 years away on something that you hate”
Do it…do your research, and do it.
This chap is really inspiring and interesting - he has some wise words! What a beautiful van too - I love it!
Thank you so much, very kind of you to say 🥰
Damn probably the best setup I've seen in campervan
Wow! Thank you so much, I'm flattered!
This channel is the antidote to the increasing stress of life that we’re all sold, it won’t take much more for us to make the leap, thanks guy’s for the great content and keeping the wanderlust dreams alive👌
Thank you for the great comment and watching out videos 😊 glad you're enjoying them. Many more to come!
Wow - talk about seeing positives both in life and people! Refreshingly beautiful to hear someone so young speak such wise words.
Thank you Andy, I really appreciate your kind words ☺ 🍄
Such a lovely guy 😊 this is really refreshing to see people living this way 😊
Not sure if you have one already but as a heating engineer with over 30 years experience having a solid fuel stove fitted in such a small space is worrying so I would highly recommend you fit a battery operated carbon monoxide alarm in your van asap. All the best to you on your journey through life. You’re an inspiration
Thank you for your concern. I have both a smoke alarm and Co2 alarm in the van and check them regularly. Gotta stay safe 🙏
The first solid fuel stove I installed was in my old Dutch barge, I have it raised off the floor with space underneath it , at a pleasant height to sit right in front of. The one downside of installing a stove raised up is that the volume of space below the fire level doesn't really heat up. Heat doesn't travel down.. It can be like a sauna higher up in the space though.
not related to the van, but i left the uk 20yrs ago age 21 and have lived in a bunch of different countries. Ive recently started to really miss Brits (i grew up just south of the scottish border). i miss swearwords being part of 'just talking', i miss the pubs, i miss marks n sparks n boots, i miss greggs corned beef pasties.... but yet i could never see myself moving back. but its time for a visit soon!
100% agree with the having too much possessions can feel like they own you - I love getting rid of stuff and being more minimalistic - great video and the guy seems like a lovely guy you’d love to just sit and have a conversation in the pub with
Excellent! Glad you’re loving Van life man - I know so many unhappy people who work so hard, pay massive mortgages and the bastard interest rates, and don’t have the time or energy to enjoy them. Thankfully Covid has helped a lot reassess their work/life balance. Awesome hearing your story!
Thank you so much Brian! I hope more and more people look at the way the world is run and try to make small changes in their lives that bring a bit more time to do the things they love. All we have is time, it's our most valuable possession, it's why we're paid for it after all.
Good on you enjoy life
Lovely guy and great van. I had a camo T4 which I loved. Now have a motorhome after various vans and caravans over many years. Started van life in the 80s and now planning to full time early next year
Incredible 😍 so many adventures, I bet you have some good stories and memories under yer belt 😁
@@TheWoodlandNomad yes Matty and the 9 to 5 is coming to an end early next year and we are going full time! Mind I part time at least 3 days a week anyway. Had to get a motorhome so we are more comfortable. Hope to see you on the road Dave
Second video I’ve watched on this page! What a great guy! Big respect brother you are doing what plenty of us want to do! Stay safe
Thank you so much. I know I intend on living this way for as long as I can. Until maybe one day I can afford a small plot of land to grow some veg 😁
respect matty
OMG.... At last someone else really has to struggle with finding a down side to being in a van...As for the toilet, well bag & bottle it and it was great to hear not one word about getting water...Iv never got stressed about anything but Van life is and has to be the most stress free life ever, some worry about money but get ur self set up and debt free before getting a van and then you will soon realise that money is just a tool and you dont need nowhere near as much as you thought, actually they only thing I worry about is running out of milk for my tea...
Haha it's truly a fantastic lifestyle. I find there's a lot more reward too, like finding water etc, little dopamine hits everyday.
@@TheWoodlandNomad Yes mate it is a fantastic life style,
@@TheWoodlandNomad where in the country are you roughly based, maybe a possible meet up?
@@thenoworriesnomad I'm down near Cornwall at the moment but about to make moves back north for autumn and winter 😁 are you in the England?
@@TheWoodlandNomad Yes mate, I’m in North Oxfordshire
Great video, Matty is such a beautiful soul it is a privilege and honour to call him one of our closest van life friends. Love, peace and good energy ❤️🙏🏻
proper nice van, love the whole interior, especially that little wood stove
We think alike. The reason why I chose vanlife because I don’t like the idea of paying rent especially Im not even there mostly because I work 7 days a week. I rather put my rent money to something I will own and that is why I chose vanlife. In the end, Im so glad I chose this life, vanlife is a blessing in disguise for me.
Great guy. Good energy.
Well done you mate. Like the way you think about life.. Life isn't about Bricks & mortar.
It’s a very sensible way to go… happy travels 😊
What an awesome and inspirational character! Really enjoyed this one!
Thank you, that's very kind of you to say 😊
this is oddly close to what I envisage my van to be, thanks for sharing mate. I'm on my way to living the good life, thanks for the inspo
Good luck on your journey mate 🙏 ☺
Hi Matty, just recently watched this video and thought I'd give a quick mention about the van you've got! I had a Nissan Interstar,6 gear, 08 plate work van for about 7 years and it never missed a beat. I used to travel all over the North East of England and beyond. And that was with huge loads of building materials while driving the tits out of it 😂. I always keep an eye out for them while I'm driving and have noticed that a lot of taxis are using them now! So they must be great work horses. The only issue I had was that the belt snapped a few times but I think this was down to there being no plastic engine guard underneath the engine bay. Yeah so on a personal level I think they're great vans 👍 Hopefully yours will last the 5 years you mentioned. Happy foraging and happy van life
Amazing, sounds like a hell of a van! I wish mine had so few issues 😅 Had an injector go and removing it was troublesome but when it went back in it just kept turning, threaded up the cylinder head. Something to do with the two metal types eroding one another so it's a common issue. That and my gearbox is a bit ropey. Hopefully I can get the box sorted one day and this old beast keeps chugging along 😁 thanks for watching!
The correct work / life balance 😀
Arrrrr, don't feel any pressure. Enjoy it, take your time. It's an enjoyable watch however long it takes you. ❤️💛💚 Jah bless
O.K This van has a wood stove, loving it!... Wonderful guy great attitude, freedom. 💗
Very good attitude to life.
love the pace and style of your videos - great job.
So worthwhile , this video! thank you
Very cozy arrangement. I started collecting herbs and making tinctures .
What a gent. Loved this.
Nice to see you Matt. What a great advocate for ‘van life’.
Great van and a really positive outlook.
Love your van. Thanks for sharing
Good to see you Matty , hope you are doing well :)
Good on you! I live on a yacht and have the same basic joy and life philosophy
What a great. young man, such a fantastic attitude to life. Thank you very much enjoyed this. 😊
So so inspiring!!!!!!!
One cool dude... thank you sir)
Very nice. Love the entire thing.
Really enjoy watching the content that you put on the channel. A great antidote for the day to day stress of "normal " life.
Too amazing this to watch
Op van. Top bloke. Loads of great ideas. Thanks for sharing
Awesome ❤☺️🌞
Big inspiration
I love this guy
Greta attitude, love the van and the lifestyle
Brilliant just brilliant
Such an interesting guy. Amazing van
Loved this :)
I live fulltime offgrid in my van too. 1 thing I would say is when you mentioned your rear door lock.it scared the hell out of me. If for any reason you have a fire in the front and your in the back, how the hell do you get out?
I have a cut out in my bed base directly above the internal rear door handle, so at any time I can just reach down and open the back door and escape.
The thought of sitting there trapped and burning g alive terrifies me.
I never lock it when I'm in the van and I have the fire on. I only lock it when I leave it unattended for that exact reason.
I was having issues with my rear door handle but I've got a gap under the mattress now so I can easily reach it and open the back doors ☺
Excellent 🎉❤
I really like this guy
Nice one lad I'm currently having to transform a work van for living on a permanent project. I will be utilising some of your suggestions for sure thanks for the video
Nature will always win 👍
Another great video🙌🏻
So nice to hear other people's stories. 🙂
Thank you 😁
Very cool van, I love the style and reclaimed wood, you gave me inspiration my friend. Good luck!
Aw I'm delighted, nothing like the character of reclaimed wood, gets you thinking so creatively. Plus it's nice to ponder on the history of it 😊
What an amazing guy..and van!!!you are definitely living my dream😊
Aww thank you Caroline, you're too kind 😊
Loving this channel❤
These vlogs just keep getting better and better 👍
Thanks Mark! Plenty more coming out... 😊
1 month in me and my little dog in a ldv convey camper van used to live in a brit canel boat so far so good thinking about the winter tho happy days
Awesome stuff buddy 👊😃
Brilliant
Just for info - "Previously known as Nissan NV400, the new Interstar is the company's largest van, a badge-engineered Renault Master, created for the European market."
Crazy, eh...😂 ?
That is freedom being stuck in a house maintening it is like holding us back instead of enjoying outdoors and live simple one day i hope that i can do the same...
What a beautiful soul - love the van
Thank you 🥰
It's 100% your choice the Way You Live doesn't matter what anybody else thinks you do whatever makes you happy.
Smashing interior
Absolutely 💯
Nice work
I'm watching/listening to this whilst washing chanterelles I picked today. He's right, I've got a big house a well paid job and all I want to do is live out of my van and od job about.
Great vlog bud 💪👍
Seemed a really good guy and a top video guys! I’ve sold my property and need to look into a van that will be best for me moving forward. My parkups would be a mix of rural and urban so it’s things I need to think properly about. Thanks guys ….. Smithy
Thanks guys great video, what a nice guy, he has found his way and happy. It suits him but doesn't consume him so that he has resentment towards other people's so called normal lifestyles👍👍👍
No resentment here, this lifestyle isn't for everyone, some people would hate it but I know that it suits me perfectly. Happy new year 🙏
Hello brother just passed your van outside Middleton in teesdale, I'm working at newbiggen in teesdale , good to see you up this way 😊
If your there tomorrow Al say hello
Beautiful. I wish I'd taken my drivers licence now.
What a beautiful celtic accent. Defo Irish. North, like myself. Long may it be your happiness x
Thank you 😝 I was born in Glasgow but raised in South West Scotland 🏴 😁
Great video Matty. I live in my van full time but I call it my Living van as a Camper van always sounds like ones going Camping. Interesting when you tell strangers you live in a van, the tone quite often changes almost like your something dirty or one of life's takers. And I know we are none of these. And as for the horn tooting, its just them telling us they are sad Bast.. d's. Hope to catch you on the road somewhere. My vans a Sprinter called Kit-Kat. Take care and enjoy life.
SUPERB channel.
Thank you very much! We're glad you're enjoying the videos 😊
As allways a great film
Thanks Rob 😊 glad you enjoyed it
God bless you man...ime gonna do the same thing.
People bibbing horns, is also a show of respect to you and the van , ive looked round and seen the driver with the thumb up.
Aye there's a definite difference between the friendly ones and unfriendly ones. The bibbibibips are nice and friendly, but the horn held down as they drive past at 5am...not so much 🙃
@@TheWoodlandNomad ok fair enough I missed you saying that.
Yaaaaayyyy you caught up with Matty. I've followed him for a few years and we've messaged because I'm interested in his witchcraft 😂, never mind apocryphay Matthew .
Seriously though guys, yet another brilliant video. Really enjoyed the content as per.
I do regret not doing a self build myself but time wasn't on my side.. They are the ultimate in personal choice and putting your stamp on it.
Looking forward to your next one. How do you manage to keep raising the bar 😂.💚
Can't beat a good apothecary 🧙♂️ 😉
@@TheWoodlandNomad Knew I'd spelt it wrong 🫤🤣
@@manconthemove hahaha you had a stab at it, counts all the same 😁
Great video great attitude,if there were more around like this guy it would be a nicer place.I find it funny that if you say I am going around the country for a year and staying in the van other people think it's a great idea,but say you intend living in it full time they laugh at you.We have recently sold house to be back close to family but in the most expensive city in Australia so we straight away bought our van and love being in it but at moment keeping my wife's dad company as he is old and lonely but we know that our only home is on 4 wheels and that is OK with us.Less is more I am starting to realise in life.
I'm 40 and last few years watching van life and more and more want to try full time van life
Just started my van life since May. All I got is my double mattress on floor. But quickly realising it's going to take quite a long time to get it kitted out. I work full time on monthly pay. So doing bits each month. Now it's getting colder at night I'm having issues with condensation. So my next step is to install a roof vent, insulation, and vapour barrier. So far I'm quite happy. But I got a ways to go before it's a home on wheels 😅
I found the comments about other road users being miserable and petty really interesting, I've found that all across the country whether you're in a van, camping, or even just cycling, people do some really strange and sometimes dangerous stuff. Whilst cycling I've had whole roads of traffic pull in to the curb to block me out of spite, and had vehicles trying to purposefully wake me up when camping. I always wondered why people would act like that - and I think Matty really nailed it there, they're just really miserable people (ironically probably stuck in the 9-5 + commute that he was so desperate to escape).
Lovely work and video 😊
Thank you very much!
Very inspiring, Great 👍 video subscribed cheers
Glad you liked it! Thanks for the sub 😎 many more videos coming out soon!
Cool video and cool guy. I really enjoyed this video. Thank you
Thanks Stephen, glad you enjoyed it 😊
Thank you ☺ Liveration did a great job as always 🙏
candles man , candles. Just get them 100h long candles. 30-45 of them and arrange them covered to prevent fire spreading.
Enjoy
Also they sell the deer whistles im not sure if they work but ive heard of em.