Meet Clare Colins, one absolutely amazing 60-something who sold her house, paid off her mortgage and got rid of nearly everything she owned to travel Australia in her Mouse House van!
She spent an entire year sleeping every night her van, and then ended up purchasing a little half-acre (which she calls, “Happenstance”) in a rural area where she hopes to create a mini permaculture farm. On the property, where she spends only some of her time when not travelling, she has 16.5 x 13ft. shed house she calls La Shack.
Besides some new timbers necessary to keep it upright, everything else in the La Shack has been either donated, scrounged, repurposed or re-used! Clare is a photographer by trade, so check out some of her artwork below and make sure to tune into the video tour of the van at the end of the post.
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Clare’s Van Life & Her Little Half Acre “Happenstance”
Photos by Clare Collins
This is her office/kitchen area in the van.
Photos by Clare Collins
Room for cooking and a tidy spice rack.
Photos by Clare Collins
Wow! Here’s La Shack at night. What a stunning photo, Clare.
Photos by Clare Collins
A view of La Shack during some fixing-up.
Photos by Clare Collins
Her rural property is idyllic!
Photos by Clare Collins
Her van actually has a real wood door!
Images via Jordan Osmond/YouTube
Just wait until you see what’s under the counter….
Images via Jordan Osmond/YouTube
Her toilet and shower!!
Images via Jordan Osmond/YouTube
What a comfy spot to call home for a year!
Images via Jordan Osmond/YouTube
VIDEO: This Woman’s Stunning Camper Van
Learn More:
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- Photographer Michelle’s West Coast Van Life in Carl
- Virginia’s Solo Van Life Retirement
- My Robin’s Nest: Q&A with Tiny House Retiree
Our big thanks to Clare for sharing! 🙏
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Natalie C. McKee
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So inspiring! Great use of space. I love the pull out table and the leadlight windows. Thanks Clare for sharing your van.
This is very cool. Smart lady. Land is beautiful.
Love your van and especially that great secret door! I also like the glass jar shelving in kitchen. I am 74 and live in a tiny house by myself so I can relate to you. What’s really funny is that I have little mice all over my tiny too. They just seem to look cute in small spaces. I just don’t want any real ones! I also have an RV and love it but have been looking a lot at pintrest at van camping and conversions. Yours really tempts me! Have fun! Susan
Haha yes no real mice!
It’s amazing what you did with so little space. I love it. You really thought about every single detail. 👍🏼
I actually slept every night in the mouse house, my only home, for over 2 years.
Thank you for the lovely comments.
Clare 🤗