From Punk to Panels: Story of Music, Work, and Wanderlust

Pete's journey has been shaped by his love for music, particularly punk rock, and his career designing electrical control panels for various industries. Despite a contrast between his passion and profession, Pete was successful throughout his career, gaining upmost respect from clients and colleagues alike. In 45 years of marriage, he raised a family, and now enjoys the company of grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Pete's love for adventure has taken him world-wide, from North America to exotic landscapes of Borneo. Currently, though he and his wife have redirected their time in exploring the UK, in their camper van and caravan.

1. Who are you, and what is your background?

Hiya, I'm Pete Weston - I’m 67 now and am semi-retired from my job as an electrical engineer designing electrical control panels, used in a variety of different industries, I’m currently, working 3 days a week - 2 from home and 1 at the office.

A love of music I got from my older brother set the main theme of my hobbies/interests, along with an appreciation of all the arts, with the birth of punk rock also having a big influence on me. It was a strange mix with the job I did,  so I had to be focused getting the job done right to win over the clients and colleagues, who were always a bit wary of the kid with the weird hair and clothes.

I’m still married after 45 years with 2 children, 5 grand children and 1 great grand child so far.

I’ve also holidayed and travelled a lot of the world, lots throughout North America and to the extremes of Borneo. I loved it but now I have cut back on the international trips and decided to focus just on the UK. We bought a camper van first that we loved but soon realised that a van is just a bed at night, so we bought a 2 berth caravan, that we could enjoy a bit more comfort and space. Our aim is to get away in the van 2/3 times a month and get a few of the smaller festivals in.

I have a Mutt Razor Back motorbike that I don't get out on as much as I'd like to, but it's great fun.

2. How did you come across Jackery, and could you share what motivated your initial purchase of a Jackery product?

Probably 3 or so years ago when looking for a small power supply the name came to my attention, but ended up with another unit which is useful as a DC power supply, but the AC aspect is poor. Then when looking for a power supply to act as a generator replacement, I watched loads of YouTube best 10 then narrowed it down until I saw a video of a guy comparing his top 3 and the Jackery came out top, so I purchased one.

3. What do you enjoy doing, and how has Jackery helped you?

We have a Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro with a soft case and a Solar Saga 200W solar panel with 5 meter connection cable.

We use it for the following:

a) To have a power supply in the changing room end of our small caravan to save running messy cables through the living area of the caravan. We can run the dehumidifier to cut down on moisture problems in the most prone areas, charge battery items and heat the changing room up with our portable heater and also to dry wet clothes.

b) To use in our long garden for tools, and to power lights and audio units while chilling in the garden, or for use around our fire pit and barbecue area.

c) Camping on non-electric pitches and gives us more flexibility, on the campsite..

d). Giving us a back-up source for electricity at home during power outages, or a means of using power tools when the main house powers off.

I absolutely love going on caravan trips, exploring new places and enjoying the freedom of the road. The Jackery has been a great addition to our adventures. It's useful for powering our essential gadgets and appliances and its reliability as a back-up power source gives us peace of mind, allowing us to focus on enjoying our journey and the beauty of nature, without worrying about running out of power.

4. What kind of vehicle do you have? And what is your favourite memory from out on your adventures?

Our adventures are powered by our stylish Mercedes convertible, which pulls our cosy Bailey Pursuit 400-2 Caravan. This combination is perfect for our travel needs, offering both comfort and mobility. One of our most cherished memories is camping under the stars in a secluded forest, with the gentle hum of nature around us. It was a magical experience where we felt completely at one with nature - a moment of pure tranquility and freedom.

5. What is your lifestyle like? And is there any goal you would hope to achieve?

Our lifestyle is all about embracing the spirit of adventure and making the most of our time in the caravan, regardless of the weather. We're constantly seeking new destinations and experiences. Our goal is to explore every hidden gem our country has to offer, creating unforgettable memories along the way.

6. Would you like to share some of your unforgettable adventures with us?

As big fans of The Clash and Joe Strummer, my wife Caz and I have attended numerous Joe Strummer celebration events across the UK. One memorable experience took us on an impromptu journey to Joe's favourite bar near San Jose in Almeria, Spain. Hearing about its significance in Joe's life, we set out to find it. It's called Bar Jo but not after Joe Strummer, the bar held sentimental value, as it was where a wake was held in his honour. Accommodation was scarce, so we settled for a nearby campsite called Escullos. Despite the language barrier and remote location, our adventure was filled with anticipation as we waited for the bar to open at dusk, accompanied by friends eager to share the experience.

After spotting a sign for the bar at the end of a rugged track, we embarked on our journey, surrounded by tall cacti and scrub. Despite the desolate surroundings, faint lights and music assured us we were on the right path. We reached a car park and followed a side path to what felt like a Pirate's Oasis - a sprawling area filled with unique buildings and colourful decorations. Meeting Jo, the owner, we shared our pilgrimage to Joe Strummer, and he warmly welcomed us, sharing stories of his time with Joe and serving us his favourite drink at the bar. As the night progressed, locals joined us, and the music shifted to The Clash and Joe’s tunes. Eventually, fuelled by all-day drinking, we decided to head back to our campsite, using lighter flames to guide our way in the darkness. Despite the adventure, it left us with fond memories and a desire to return.

7. What do you love about Jackery?

The Jackery product has impressed us with its solid design and functionality. It's not just a piece of equipment; it's a well-crafted piece of gear that seamlessly integrates into our travel lifestyle. It's clear that a lot of thought went into its design, making it a dependable companion for all our adventures.

8. What is one feature you wish Jackery could have?

Might sound a bit crazy, but what about a way to put some charge in via a manual method, like a dynamo? Perhaps a bit of a simplification but I do think that a manual input would make a good emergency back up to get some power if there's no sun, and you could do with a cuppa or a phone charge. More than that, what about a mini wind generator or a tube to drop in the river  flow that houses a propeller and generator, like the old bike dynamo but waterproof - but would these be too inefficient?

Here's a suggestion though on the carry cases, access to plug in mains/12V/solar would be great so you could charge it in the case.