Reading Matters: Book Review – Road Life – Win an edition!
By Sebastian Antonio Santabarbra – Published by Frances Lincoln – The Quarto Group
ISBN 978-0-7112-6916-3. £16.99 + pp
‘An inspirational guide to living and travelling on four wheels’
Once hooked into camper-vanning, a continuous yearning to explore, discover and enjoy the outdoors remains in the hearts and minds of campervan/motor home owners. Every day’s adventure is a learning experience, be it geography, history or just meeting people along the highways and byways.
Road Life, is a recently published book penned by seasoned traveller Sebastian Antonio Santabarbra, who was probably writing the chapters in his mind while behind the steering wheel of his appropriately named Movano camper.
Sebastian compiled this travel hard back with a difference, as it’s more of an advisory set of chapters with the help of other like-minded adventurers.
This colourful 192 pager features short, interesting and entertaining anecdotes from 35 inspirational people who have taken to the mobile leisure lifestyle. Camper users from all parts of the world have been gathered together to outline the alluring appeal of the home-from-home van unit. Collectively they highlight the essential tools to bring on board and also list out their famous places and locations visited. Ireland is a popular choice from the North to the South West and West coastlines. Iceland and Norway are mentioned often too!
Interesting to read also is the type of vehicles operated, mostly converted, but from rarely new panel vans, with a few unique variants created from former school buses, to light and heavy duty rigid trucks. Everyday makes and models such as Fiat, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Opel, Nissan and Dodge provided the wheels for the dreams shared and the extremes encountered. Probably the most important information contained within is the wide selection of tips mentioned by each contributor – see list below.
With the onslaught of the global pandemic persuaded a huge number of participants to the campervan and caravan sectors, some testing their toes in the water through rentals initially (the best way to start), with others making the investment in a mobile pursuit unit.
Then, of course, the manner in which the work landscape changed with the home office and virtual online meetings becoming the norm for a couple of years and continuing in many quarters. With a strong WiFi connection, these essential hours of employment can be done remotely (literally), as it were. And what better way in a campervan! Establishing the ultimate work-life balance!
Sebastian covers this area and other segments and topics, such as: Weekend Warriors, Trill-Seekers & Adventurers, Shoestring Travellers, Clearer Living and Off-grid Explorers.
It’s all here, whatever, whenever and wherever to go camper-vanning and as Sebastian eloquently put it – ‘camping in this way is pure pleasure, a way to connect with nature’.
Trailblazers Tips!
- Hire a campervan before purchasing
- Carry additional water
- Fit onboard toilet and portable shower unit
- Buy WiFi
- Install solar panels
- Fit flyscreen on doors and windows and invest in bug slayer
- Don’t forget laptop, camera, portable LED lights and loo roll!
- Bring: Bikes, Rubbish bags, Matches, Outdoor Chairs/Table, Mini-vacuum and cleaning supplies, wash-up liquid and dish clothes, Fairy lights for inside and out, locks, wheel clamp, Belfast sink? Toolbox, with rechargeable drill, saw etc.,
- Cook simple meals
Thanks to the Quarto Group, we have a copy of Road Life to give away!
Just answer this simple question and send on your name, postal address, mobile number by email to editor@fleet.ie
Question – How many ‘inspirational people’ contributed and are featured in the book?
