patterns to fit in with Harvey.
The most noticeable difference between living in the van and living in a house
was the space. When we first saw what a 19-foot vehicle looked like in reality
we realized it was much smaller than we had envisioned - especially as the
bumpers and engine take up about a third of the length of the vehicle. Space
did not end up being an issue with regards to having room for our entire
luggage, as there were loads of cupboards, it was more a question of finding
enough room for us. Height wise, the ceiling in the main thoroughfare from
bed to cockpit was above both our heads, enabling us to move around
comfortably. However, if certain cupboard doors were open - and we were not
paying attention - we did risk mild concussion.
The lowered ceiling above the driver and passenger seats proved a
more damaging hazard in this regard however. Coming forward from the rear
of the van to sit down we faced a large shelf stretching the width of the
vehicle, like a parcel shelf, and just the right height to collide with one's
forehead if you forgot to duck. This happened many a time, right up to our last
day with the van. Pigeons would have learned faster!
The worst incident was when Emma ran into it and directly head butted
it, compacting the bones in her neck and promptly falling down, briefly losing
consciousness. When she had recovered she reported feeling her vertebrae
compact with a noise like someone cracking their knuckles. Either the
'comfort' pack provided with the van should have crash helmets added to it, or
the shelf needs to be wrapped in bubble-wrap. This was a technique applied
to a table by my parents to prevent one of my nieces giving herself a head