Vehicle choices, and collecting engines

Sometimes friends ask us why we need to own a VW Transporter van, surely a normal car is sufficient? Mostly these are people who rarely travel further than 20 miles from home. Also, if any of them had owned a van themselves they would understand just how vital it is for:

• Filling with camping gear for a week in Scotland + large dog
• Being able to see over hedgerows, and the car in front in traffic jams
• Using to collect car engines, bonnets, and other sundry large items
• Room for a double sofa bed mattress for in-van sleeping
• Taking 3 months worth of garden rubbish to the tip
• Moving house

This weekend it will be collecting two Imp engines won on eBay for a bargain (one Imp Sport, one standard 875cc), as well as carrying gear for us to camp for a night in the Peak District, plus dog of course.

What do you mean, "camping? but it's October!"   We camped for 2 weeks in Scotland in November once; it rained for 12 out of 14 days, so I'm sure we'll manage...