'MY VW CAMPER VAN IS A HOME FROM HOME'

When I was a child, I went camping with my family in Sidmouth, Devon, and I have memories of it going horribly wrong. One night the wind blew our tent away as we slept!

It's a different story now I've got a VW California camper van. My husband [record executive Steve Morton] and I bought it a few years ago - it's now our home from home, with a portable table and chairs, lots of storage, and a gas cooker. When it's sunny, we pack our bags and head to our favourite spot, Studland Bay in Dorset, for a long weekend. Our kids (India, 17, Jude, 10, Cassius, eight, and Coco Lux, 10 months) love the adventure and it's great being so spontaneous.

Our most recent visit to Studland was last summer. As we pulled into the Wareham Forest campsite, all the strains of the week lifted from my shoulders. We set up the awning and I added my personal touches - lots of cushions, blankets, cosy lighting and hanging lanterns.

We spent the days on Studland Beach, which is part of the National Trust, playing games and cooking sausages on the barbecue. In the afternoon, we bundled into The Beach Cafe for piles of sandwiches and crisps.

At night, as the kids snuggled up inside the van watching a DVD, Steve and I sat outside under the awning, playing cards and drinking Jack Daniel's with ice from the van's fridge. As we sat looking at the stars, we couldn't stop smiling - we'd had a great weekend and hardly spent anything. It's true that the best things in life come for free. Well, almost!

• Pitches at the five-star Wareham Forest Tourist Park cost from £9.50 per night (visit Warehamforest.co.uk).

• To read about more adventures in a VW California, visit Vwescape.co.uk.

PHOTOGRAPHY: SCOPE BEAUTY, ANTHONY ONG, ACPSYNDICATION.COM, REX, ALPHA

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