Camping logistics in the rain in a small camper van

A total home in a van

A small camper van has its pluses and it's minuses - the size of a car rather than a bus means it can pretty much go anywhere, park anywhere etc... however when the rain sets in transforming it from a vehicle to a living area to a bedroom for 3 all without either getting out or taking any of our kit out is quite some challenge. Normally we store the BBQ, inflatable canoe/paddles/life jackets, cycle helmets, pannier bags, rucksack, tent etc all under the van. With a flooded or saturated campsite this is not possible...

The roof extends upwards ( to allow 2 to sleep upstairs) however as there are only 3 of us Susan and I are down stairs and Charlie is in his hammock across the front seats

....so a large shelf area half the length of the sleeping space can  be used to transfer all our remaining gear from the boot area to the roof area.

With the campsite partly flooded the option to put anything under the van is a non starter .....so it all needs to go inside...

that's ok  - however there is a need to cook, eat ( at a table),.wash up, juggle the luggage,  not unconsciously elbow a fellow family member in the face whilst extracting a chilled beer from the fridge whilst of course ..... and maintain a level of sanity....all this needs to be done with BBQ, inflatable canoe/paddles/life jackets, cycle helmets, pannier bags, rucksack, tent, clothes for 3, hair straighners and all the other stuff that you need

Finally all needs to be put away to turn the chair into a double bed, clean teeth at sink, go to the toilet ( hidden under the portable seat ) etc.

it can just work in extreme wet weather but its got its time limit before, like any wet weather camping experience, a Hotel is needed.........

Fine dining in van   - Dad, France in 2013

Not so fine dining - Jack in Applecross, Scotland 2011

I can see why some invest in the big camper vans......however time on the drive would be high and all in all perhaps something for when I get old....properly old....
However the rains are long gone now and the need to expertly practice the above routine in the pouring relentless rain will hopefully not return this trip