whatever the weather, a good nights sleep is a must

Take extra blankets, who knows what you will find when travelling the UK.

The sanna has A perfect area for carrying duvelays

These are quite large, with the underlays hiding behind seats when not needed

First the underlays

Unwrapping the duvalays

A Pillow can be stored in side the large bags

All made up for a cosy night

This is our preferred layout, sleeping the other way around is ok on the left but the right is shorter and seat has to lean forward to miss steering wheel

Duvalays in place, extra cushions are used as well

Double bed layout

Only takes a few moments to move from singles layout but does need some contortions to get out at night

Another view of Double layout

leaves Enough room to fall out of bed through the side door

Every trip is a learning experience; here are some more tips

Beds, bedding and quiet nights

Sleeping in a Van:

Travelling in a van brings joy and adventure, but getting a good night's sleep can be more challenging than expected. Here are some tips to help you organise your sleeping area into a cozy haven of rest.

We all know the benefits of a good night's sleep: better mood, improved memory, and overall health. While travelling in a van, getting enough daylight and staying active during the day can help regulate your sleep-wake cycle.

Tips for a Good Night's Sleep in Your Van:

1.  Create a Comfortable Sleeping Area: Ensure your sleeping area is quiet and clutter-free. Store things away at night to create a peaceful environment.

2.  Ventilation is Key: Make sure your van has good ventilation to keep the air fresh and cool.

3.  Temperature Control: Keep your sleeping area cool with enough blankets to stay warm when needed. Use curtains or an eye mask to block out early morning light, and earplugs if there's noise outside (or inside!).

4.  Thermomats Blinds: These blinds stick to the inside of the glass with suction cups. The outer layer reflects sunlight, keeping your van cool during the day, while the inner layers provide insulation to keep warmth in at night. They're easy to put up and take down, and they help keep the interior dark and comfortable.

Bedding Solutions:

We found our van seats to be great for sitting, but not so much for sleeping. After trying various options, we discovered that the Duvalay (www.duvalay.co.uk  ) duvet system offers the best freedom of movement and temperature control. They can be joined together to make a double bed when needed. However, the 5cm comfort Duvalay was too bulky for van storage, and the 2.5cm compact version didn't provide enough support on its own.

Our solution? An additional 2.5cm memory foam topper from Slothie (www.slothie.co.uk), placed under each Duvalay, created a wonderfully supportive sleeping base. They are easier to transport in the van and tuck easily behind the seats with the other bedding once you are set up.

While the Duvalay kept us very warm in the subzero Scottish January temperatures, you may want to carry an extra blanket just in case and for providing extra warmth when star gazing. For the summer months, we switch to a summer single quilt on top of the 2 toppers: the Duvalay one very easy to remove from its duvet cover.