In the summer of 2013, Mike Hudson, a twentysomething electronic-systems engineer, decided to quit his job in Sheffield and go travelling. Yet rather than book a ticket to Thailand, Hudson chose to upcycle a £2,500, 10-year-old LDV Convoy van into a studio flat on wheels.

After five months of labour – during which Hudson repaired the rust holes on the van floor, then built and installed, using “common materials found in DIY and home shops”, a kitchen, a pressurised water supply and extendible bed, and fitted an enviable on-board music system – he crossed the Channel in March 2014.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Fitting the boiler flue … Photograph: Mike Hudson

Since then, Hudson has drawn remarkable number of followers to his site, Vandog Traveller (25,000 in January alone), which describes the van’s conversion and the fun he has had because of it. In a little under a year, he has spotted bears in the Romanian mountains, surfed on the Portuguese coast, swum in the Danube, taken in the sights from the rooftops of Bucharest, raved hard at festivals and free parties in Spain, Hungary and Switzerland, and celebrated Christmas with his family, who flew out to meet him in Athens.

“I’m not sure what the nicest part has been,” Hudson says from his current location, an off-grid community in the Greece hinterland. “Nice, as in nature? Then probably Spain, Austria and Romania, in the mountains.”

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Mike Hudson’s van in Austria Photograph: Mike Hudson

Van life is not without its hardships, however. “After the conversion I had £4,500 left from my savings,” he explains. “I do many things to make it last as long as possible.” Hudson has learnt to cut his own hair, sew his torn clothes, and shave in the van’s wing mirror. Certain modern conveniences have been easy to forgo. “Mostly little things like a toaster and other gadgets you realise are unnecessary,” he says. Others have been more difficult to shoulder. “Marmite,” says Hudson. “I really miss Marmite.”

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Brew time … the van’s kitchen hob. Photograph: Mike Hudson

Now on the south-eastern edge of Europe, he admits he would love to cross into Turkey, only “I just don’t have the money for insurance, fuel and visas.”

Instead, he plans to remain in Europe. “There are loads of places I’m looking forward to.”

How long could he remain on the road? “I don’t know, I really like this,” he says. “I feel like there’s so much more to do. I know everything is temporary, but I’m just trying to do this for as long as I want.”

Facebook Twitter Pinterest The van in northern Spain … Photograph: Mike Hudson

And would he recommend converting an old banger and striking out for similar territory to anyone with lesser DIY skills?

“Well, I’d never recommend someone doesn’t do something just because they have little experience.” Hudson says. “Anyone can do this.” Those with a little cash in the bank and wanderlust in the heart should check the vehicle small ads now.