Motorhome Water Leak Fix: Seals, Sleep & Side Quests in Derry

Ah, the glamorous life of a motorhome dweller. Forget drone shots and perfectly brewed campfire coffee — this week’s highlight was a motorhome water leak fix. Because nothing says romance like damp cloth panels and a Coke Zero cover story.

The Case of the Soggy Panel

It started with Kathy spilling her Coke Zero, or so I thought. When she lifted the throw blanket, we found the cloth panel under the dining table soaking wet, in places no Coke had dared to reach. Cue me, playing detective, tracing a trickle of rainwater sneaking in through the window frame.

The seals looked fine to the eye. To the rain? Not so much. After a failed attempt with a heater and some guttering (that washed off in five minutes of Irish weather), I reapplied a new gutter and, miracle of miracles, the interior stayed dry during the next downpour. Victory, though at the cost of my last camping gas bottles.

Spare Guttering = New Kitchen “Feature”

I had a bit of gutter left, so naturally, I slapped it over the kitchen window. Not for leaks, just for aesthetics. Because if you’re living the vanlife dream, the van should at least look like it’s trying.

Family Time with a Tiny Wrecker

Being stuck parked outside the house meant more time with Reuben, our grandson, who’s now fully committed to his role as a one-man demolition crew. He’s learned to throw things, empty toy boxes, and giggle while doing it. The chaos gene is strong in this one.

Greysteel Fish & Chips = Worth the Stop

Friday night, we rolled north, stopping in Greysteel at a new chip shop. Fish? Crispy perfection. Chips? That rare combo of crunchy and fluffy. Verdict: Chef’s Kiss.

Sleeping on a Listing Ship in Derry

We parked up at St. Columb’s Park. I was so shattered from kitchen painting and Reuben-duty that I skipped the leveling ramps. Rookie mistake. The whole night felt like I was on a listing ship. Bonus points: the gas to the fridge ran out at 04:41. Always 3–4am, never daylight. Out I went, in the rain, in just my boxers. True #VanLife glamour.

Vodafone, SpecSavers & Supervised Internet Browsing

Saturday was a mix of errands. Kathy had a meditation class booked online, except it was actually scheduled for Sunday. She really should be supervised while clicking “Book Now.”

Meanwhile, I upgraded to a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra that I didn’t need but couldn’t refuse. Cue the usual Vodafone lies about how long eSIMs take to activate (spoiler: 12 hours). Couldn’t log into half my apps because no SMS verification = no access.

On the plus side, SpecSavers confirmed my eyesight is surprisingly decent for 53, though my eye muscles are aging (just like the rest of me). Another page ticked off my five-year bus driver license medical. Backup plans are life, folks.

Kathy’s TikTok Fame & Mocktails at Stitch & Weave

That evening, we wandered over to Stitch & Weave. Kathy, who’s been bravely sharing her story of sobriety, grief, and weight loss on TikTok, got recognised — twice. Women approached to thank her for her honesty and courage. Watching my wife inspire others fills me with ridiculous pride (though she still gets roasted for missbooking meditation classes).

We rounded off the night with chicken wings at The Embankment and headed back to the van, fed and slightly damp.

Not Glamorous, But Real

So, no mountain-top sunsets this week. Just damp seals, dodgy sleep angles, and the occasional TikTok fan sighting. But honestly? This is what van life is really made of: fixing leaks, swapping gas bottles at 4 a.m., and still finding little wins along the way.

Things That Keep Us Sane on the Road

• J-Shape Rain Gutter – For when your “perfect” seals aren’t.

• Portable Gas Heater – To dry things out and keep you toasty.

• Levelling Ramps – Unless you enjoy sleeping on the Titanic.

• Waterproof Throw Blankets – Because Coke Zero happens.