Yes, since last Sunday we are back from New Zealand and I have already been working since Tuesday. But I had to fight quite hard with the jet-leg and I also struggled to get into the daily routine. Every night I’m awake at 3:00 am and can’t sleep anymore. That’s why I’m so tired during the day. Anyhow, I hope I got through it soon.

In New Zealand we have enjoyed our time in a minimalistic and analogue kinda way. Without laptop and low internet connection, lived four weeks in a tiny camper van and we absolutely loved it. The truth is, I miss that van-life already. Soon I will tell you why.

But first I would like to share our first Lennie trip at home into the mountains of Gran Canaria.

We are super happy that we own here on Gran Canaria our Lennie (Toyota Land Cruiser with roof tent). After a few necessary fixes, which Lennie still has ahead, we are already looking forward to realize as soon as possible another overloading trip. Due to the minimalism of what overloading or van-life brings, you finally find the time to disconnect and concentrate on things, which have been already lost in everyday life. Like, instead of watching TV in the evenings, you can watch the sunset and enjoy the beauty of the nature, checkin out the starry sky, listen to the sounds of the wildlife, having good talks or simply read a nice book by the campfire or candlelight.

Before we traveled to New Zealand we already had a few wonderful days in October, when we made our very first overloading-trip to the mountains of Gran Canaria. About that little trip I would like to tell you today.

So sit back and enjoy! I hope I can give you a little time out and and transmit a feeling of freedom to you, as we were also able to experience it on that days.

The roof tent of Front Runner we got just the day before (Friday evening). We were so happy, that it finally arrived and we could set up the tent on Lennie`s roof rack right in time. Because we planned our first overlanding-trip for the next day.

All other things we needed for overnight in the mountains we had already prepared some days ago. That’s why we only needed to load Lennie with all the stuff and to add some food. So we could head up into the mountains in the afternoon. We were so excited about our first night in the tent and how it would work for Nica. Of course, we took her with us, because what’s better for a dog than to spend the whole day in the nature without being on a leash.

Previously we had chosen a place on google map, which should be a little more remote and where we could stay that night safe and quiet.

When we arrived that place, we decided to head on a little further, where we left the main road by taking a small gravel road and finally found this wonderful quiet place. It was the perfect camp site, the ground was even enough, without standing skewed. And it seemed like no one would discover or disturb us here.

Yes, we camped wild! Actually, wild camping is generally prohibited. This has mostly good reasons. Because unfortunately not everyone behaves in a way that doesn’t leave permanent damage to nature. Instead, plants are trampled down, animals are pushed back further from their retreats and in the worst case the previously beautiful landscape is spoiled with tons of plastic waste. But despite the general prohibition, wild camping is often tolerated and in many places in Europe.

But it’s important to treat people, nature and animals with respect. So don't flatten with the car any natural areas like plants, take ALL your garbage back with you - even vegetable waste and toilet paper! It simply does not belong in the ecological cycle of this place. As long as you are aware of your situation and pay close attention to behave respectfully towards nature and people, you will usually not get into trouble when it come to wild camping. So, please, don’t forget!

After we set up the tent for the first time and prepared our bed, which we made it more comfy with additional iso mats. Besides we took our pillows and blanket from home. So it was a super cozy sleeping place.

We quickly placed table and chairs, which we already purchased long time ago, as well from the Front Runner online shop. But since we were not yet fully equipped we also had to borrow some things from friends, like a gas stove and lamp. Last but not least Daniell attached our hammock between tree and car, so our temporary home was quite complete.

Nica watched it all from a safe distance. But as soon as we took out her bed and one of her cuddies, she was happy and after a short time she laid down on her place.

I was in the mood for a coffee and cookies, so I tried out the gas stove, which was only provisionally but worked well. Meanwhile Daniell had adjusted the tent a little bit more and checked if everything fits correctly.

When he was satisfied with everything, we sat down and enjoyed coffee and cookies in that splending environment. We relaxed, enjoyed the peace and quietness, talked about how and where we wanted to spend our future overlanding-trips. Even Nica relaxed and started to snuggle with her teddy, which she always does when she feels comfy.

Later Nica and I went for a walk to explore the surrounding and I found an outstanding place, overlooking the valley, where some mountain villages be seen. It was the perfect place to experience the sunset afterwards.

While Dani was discovering the area with the drone from above, I noticed that Nica has switched into a more happy and younger dog. On our way back to Lennie she was running around, jumping and playing with wood pieces, so our lady dog came back to her youth again. Since she is already 11 years old I’m always grateful for those moments.

When the sun started to set we went all together to that place I discovered before to watch the sunset. We took a bottle of red wine and 2 glasses, seated ourselves on the rocks to enjoy a good glas of red wine and the stunning view during the sunset. I can only say that watching something like this is definitely much better than watching tv.

After the sun was gone we took advantage of the beautiful colors to capture some photos and meanwhile it became quite cold. Of course, we are pretty high up here in the mountains. So you can figured out by the temperatures, which drop rapidly as soon as night falls.

Since we both took our head lamps, it was no problem to cook in the dark. I prepared a one-pot-pasta on the gas stove and Dani helped me with chopping the ingredients, so that our nature candlelight dinner was ready quickly and without any complications. Because of the cold we really enjoyed the warm dinner. It was almost too cold to continue with the red wine. A warm tea would have been the better choice. But we hadn't considered that. But that was no big deal. We had a great time anyway.

When we slowly became tired we have built first Nica a cuddly little bed inside the Lennie with my jacket and a woolen sweater. Then we have climbed up in our roof tent to make us comfortably, too. Daniell even attached a chain of led lights inside the tent, so we had a really nice light.

Although we were quite tired, unfortunately we couldn't sleep properly because we were not used to sleep in nature. That’s why we or I listened to every noise and I really paid attention to Nica because I was a little bit worried about her, sleeping in the car all alone for the first time.

Since we had slept so little, we tried to rest a little longer. So we got up at 09:00 am. We prepared our breakfast and have taken it in the warm morning sun.

Afterwards we cleaned the dishes from yesterday's dinner and today’s breakfast, which took a little longer because of the cold water. Then we got ourselves ready by brushing the teeth and washing our faces with fresh cold water. Some hikers have already passed by in the meantime, so it meant that slowly we won't be alone anymore. Surely some more Sunday hikers will pass by.

But before we left I chilled in the hammock to read my book and Dani already folded in the roof tent.

Around noon we slowly packed up everything and drove back home, because we already got hungry, as we only provided for breakfast.

Overall we were very happy about our first overlanding-trip. And as you can see on the pics, we could enjoy an outstanding environment that helped us to be in harmony with nature and having the motivation to get out of our comfort zone.

My résumé after the first night:

The freedom and unlimited possibilities may be a bit scary at first, but once you're on the road and only do what you really want to do, you'll quickly leave the daily grind behind and learn to love life in a completely different and new way. Only you alone can create every day anew. Today a camping site at the sea and tomorrow in the middle of greenery. This kind of trip opens up new possibilities. So we all should make any effort, that we can continue to have those opportunities.

In this sense, have a great time with unforgettable experiences!

Merry Christmas for you and your families!!!

Katy

Pics by Daniell Bohnhof

Text by Look2 Ocean