Motorhome Life in Derry: Dentists, Babysitting & The Joy of Free Parking

Ah, motorhome life in Derry. Instagram will show you golden sunsets over the Peace Bridge and latte art at the Craft Village. My reality? A sourdough bread ambush in Whitehead that snapped my dental bridge clean out, and an emergency dentist appointment that turned Bishop Street into my personal overnight park-up.

Free Parking, Free Stress

Turns out parking beside Derry’s historic walls isn’t just scenic, it’s practical. One side of Bishop Street is one-hour free parking, the other side is free all day. Naturally, those spots are busier than a Lidl bakery at 8am, so we rocked up late evening and scored. Woke up, strolled three minutes to the dentist, job done. Honestly, my motorhome has saved me more dental stress than BUPA ever could.

Mrs. M met me after at The Sandwich Company, where she had Coke Zero because coffee is only acceptable to her in candle form. I had scones. We’re very refined people.

The Babysitter Uber Service

If you watched my YouTube video you’ll know I’ve been running a family Uber service out of the van. First, my son Leon flew into Belfast so I could drive him and his Mum (my ex-wife Linda) to the docks with his dog, Juno. Then my daughter Demi needed a lift to the docks for a Glasgow trip. Later that same day, back to the airport for Mrs. M and Gemma’s return flight from Poland. At this point, I should just stick an “Uber XL” sticker on the van and be done with it.

Meanwhile, Reuben (the wee man) kept me on my toes with teething, eczema itch, and a strict anti-sleep policy. I’ve basically lived on paracetamol and sarcasm this week.

Ju Jitsu: Folding Clothes with People Still Wearing Them

Forget Benone or Binevenagh. This week’s real adventure happened on the mats at Team Torres in Limavady. Under the invite of an old mate, Matt Brown, I stepped into my first Ju Jitsu class. Matt’s story is something else — addiction nearly wrecked him, but he pulled himself back through the gym and martial arts. You can catch more of his journey on his TikTok.

So there I was, Tuesday night, being gently strangled by another beginner in a rear naked choke. We spent an hour folding clothes with people still wearing them and trying not to tap out too quickly. The next morning? I woke up feeling 70. Every joint protested. But I’ll be back next Tuesday, zimmer frame or not.

Guinness, Paint Fumes & Parenting Hacks

In between taxi shifts, getting beat up and dental anguish, I pretended to be a grown-up and finished painting the kitchen. Mrs. M took on cabinets, I did walls. All while dodging nap times and drying schedules so Reuben wouldn’t turn us into a Fail Army clip.

We rewarded ourselves with a night in Buncrana — Swan Park and The Lake of Shadows hotel. Guinness for me, strawberry daiquiri mocktails for Mrs. M Not quite Instagram-worthy #vanlife, but it’ll do.