Are we mad ?
Comments
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Developing on from this topic, is caravanning/MHoming a means to an end or is it an end in itself? Is the caravan 'the thing' or is it because it lets you do other stuff in different places?
In our case we have been to parts of this country where there are campsites and some fantastic visits. Places that if you were heading for a hotel/cottage type break we may never have considered. There's still a lot of this wonderful country, UK, to explore;
we've dipped our toe in the water in all parts except Northern Ireland, and that's great while that four letter word w**k gets in the way. Longer trips in the motorhome in Europe beckon once that word is in the past tense.0 -
Developing on from this topic, is caravanning/MHoming a means to an end or is it an end in itself? Is the caravan 'the thing' or is it because it lets you do other stuff in different places?
My m/h is purely transport and facilities for me and my Gromit slippers on adventures wherever and whenever we want, at our own pace, without crowds and being herded around, and with freedom and total flexibility.
I cruised in my yacht for more than 20 years which was a similar experience except that with a m/h I don't have pay attention to depths, wind and tides (or pay nearly 4 grand a year for a mooring), but I still stick to tradition when the sun's over the yardarm.
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Developing on from this topic, is caravanning/MHoming a means to an end or is it an end in itself? Is the caravan 'the thing' or is it because it lets you do other stuff in different places?
While we've got our M/H we want to get the best use out of it. Just for once I've booked a cottage for a few days in February. The thought of packing a suitcase, not being able to stop and relax easily for a break en route and taking "stuff" in the car
plus the dogs has thrown me a bit!0 -
Developing on from this topic, is caravanning/MHoming a means to an end or is it an end in itself? Is the caravan 'the thing' or is it because it lets you do other stuff in different places?
While we've got our M/H we want to get the best use out of it. Just for once I've booked a cottage for a few days in February. The thought of packing a suitcase, not being able to stop and relax easily for a break en route and taking "stuff" in the car
plus the dogs has thrown me a bit!.Take the M/V "just in case"
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When I retired I had assumed that 5/6 weeks in the caravan touring Europe a couple of times a year would be the obvious choice. After two or three years we actually found that we didn't want to be away too frequently (grandchildren, social etc.) and it wasn't
that comfortable to be spending so long in a small box. The excitement we felt when planning two weeks on the continent didn't extend to six weeks in the van. The motorhome should give us greater flexibility and rekindle the enthusiasm but now that we have
other types of holiday it will just be an alternative rather than automatic first choice.I think one can plan all sorts of things for your retirement but it doesn't always work out quite as you expected.
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Our caravan is our cottage by the sea, woods, country side and our hotel for holidays and Christmas get away. love it time of year doesn't matter,
The same applies to us. Out all year round, in this country, spending about 260 nights each year since I retired, 14 yrs ago. Hope to do so for at least the same length of time to come.
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Although i am retired due to ill health, my wife still works but we still manage on average 10 nights a month away in the caravan, plus two breaks one of ten days and one of three weeks, we caravan all year around. And we find winter as enjoyable as summer,
less congested sites, great for walking etc. I also find that setting up is part of the break and dont see it as a chore( especially as the reward is usually a glass of wine and lunch)
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Absolutly hitchglitch, many people when finally retiring for numerous reasons will find there plans or expectations changed often not through choice,
...Ours changed so I'm glad we did a lot of vanning when we could, now we're more limited due to family circumstances. So do it while you can!
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Retirement is great. Away weeks at a time rather than long weekends. Being in the caravan brings the freedom to do what we want, when we want, and eat what we like. Yesterday we enjoyed a long walk in crisp, frosty weather and than sat looking out at the
snow fall. Might be living in a 'tin box' but th views are generally good and it's less claustrophobic than a hotel room.0 -
When thinking ahead to our retirement we thought we would spend 6 months travelling each year...April/May/June and September/October/November, but it has worked out more like 3-4 months.
We don't like it too hot, but we do prefer a bit of sunny weather, so November turned out to be too late (for us).
Then other committments get in the way, and there are the grandchildren to visit, things to be done around the house etc etc.
This year we hope to be heading off (abroad) mid April, returning late June. Then we will fit in another 4 weeks in UK in September.
Getting to Europe from here is not cheap, so we prefer to make one long trip.
Caravan is a means of going places we could not otherwise afford to spend so much time visiting, and of always having our own bed to sleep in.
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Used to winter caravan in the days when it was rare to do so in the UK and very few sites were open. Nowadays, doesn't do it for me. Winter is the time for catching up on all the jobs that have been neglected because we spend so much time away between
March and October. Also catching up with non caravanning friends and family. Do try and have a luxury hotel break as well, but not this year as some big jobs being done on the house. Did manage a couple of days prior to Xmas in a country house hotel. Van
being serviced in Feb, then will hit the road in March. But glad to see that some people are not chicken like me,lol.0
we still. used c/van at least two W/ends a month Thurs night to Sun afternoon
