Old Van Chronicles - Interior layout
I have been asked about the interior layout of the 'old girl' by several people, so thought one of the 'Chronicles' could perhaps cover this for those interested. Having looked through my many photos taken over the years I do not have too many of the caravan on site and none at all of the interior layout! So I have taken advantage of a 'rest day' in our two weeks (and a bit!) in the West Country to actually take some photos of it in 'set-up and being used' mode. If I took any while at home on the drive here would be all sorts of 'junk' stored in it!!
Scan through the 5 pictures above and you should see:
1. A view from the front nearside corner looking towards the rear offside corner. Notice the fixed bed layout (my modification) of the front end. This would normally be (and can be fairly easily changed to) two bench seats (single berths) either side of the large table (in storage in the toilet - rear right). The dinette area we use is in the rear offside corner, and this can pull out to a double bed if needed (we used this when the kids were small). Also notice Sarah busying herself writing an article for publication on the laptop! You can also see the timber framing of the roof structure! The high level 'cubby holes' are an addition of mine, the original van just had a shelf running around the van at that level.
2. A view looking forward frrom by the sink. Again you can see the fixed bed layout, which does block off the front cupboard, but we make use of the underbed storage for cake tins, chairs (for outside), and maybe jigsaw boards, if I take one! You can also see the suspended TV shelf I made for watching TV while in bed! However, the TV seems to be on top of the front cupboard in this photo. In fact it moves about depending on which is best suited at the time. It has even been sited in the awning sometimes (when we have that erected).
3. The kitchen and sink unit that I built to replace the original, that sadly wasn't going to meet our needs. I built this in 1987, and with some minor tweaks, oh and a replacement piece of worktop and new hob (the old one went too rusty, gas flame wasn't where it was supposed to be!), this is still pretty much as built all those years ago now! It has seen through our 3 children growing up!
4. The above sink cupboards and 'eye level grill' (well, it is I suppose if you are 4' 11" tall!) on the near side of the van. Looks like I forgot to remove the cloths hung up to dry! ('typical man' I hear some say....)
5. The view from the rear looking forward.
I also have a couple of other phtotos which I will (try to) include to show a couple of other details.
Firstly there is the toilet compartment where the two tables - large for the front, small for the rear dinette - are stored. 
The door of the toilet opens as a bi-fold across the caravan door, so you need to be aware that someone may enter as you are 'doing your business', or you could lock it from the inside .... or just sing loudly!
The wardrobe door 
opens out as a bi-fold to shut off the entire front end of the caravan, should you have the children going to sleep on the front berths.
Just for fun I thought I would add a close up of the suspended shelf I made to put the TV on for watching while in bed! The twin power socket is a recent addition of mine so we don't have a trailing 4-way across the foot of the bed!
Comments
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I agree with the above comments. The inside looks homely and welcoming. I can't stand these vans which look like they have just left the showroom! Caravans are meant to be lived in!
Bob.
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A nice van indeed and not many Paladins left around now. Looks like it has several more years of travelling in it at least.
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I think it is the last of its type left 'on the road' .... but maybe someone else will know different.
I am certainly hoping for a few more years use, although I am keeping an eye on the current 'new' models that might be a few years old if/when the 'old girl' has had enough! (... and by 'old girl' I mean the caravan, not the OH!)
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