Hi everybody
We are Jackie (61) children's entertainer, home educator, currently childminder and Martin 67 retired molecular biologist for Smithkline Beecham.
Last child of four leaving home in the summer so we have on a whim - decided to dive in and live the motor home lifestyle dream....
We are going to sell the big house and buy a small flat for our student daughter where we would retain a room for a base. Yesterday we went up in the loft and threw away the artificial Xmas tree which was a start to our decluttering....
This all came about through my skiing obsession and my suggestion to rent a ski pad for the whole season each winter in my retirement. On a hop and skip we extended that to the idea of travelling in a van for the rest of the time.
We are at the very beginning of our plans having only decided a week ago to do this. And only 48 hours ago to go for it this year not next. We've already worn out the wii button watching you tube clips !
Still figuring out basic things like van size - we know we want a loo, shower, and a fixed double bed (above driver's cab?) plus pull out couch for visitors and awning option, further than that open to ideas. We like the idea of being as small and flexible as possible - not a luxurious cruising beast but still comfortable enough and with four seat belts.
Just decided to go to the Peterborough show to meet people and look at vans.
Excited is not the word any more! We are like little children on Xmas eve and are annoying our kids by coming out with random musings like I 'I like the idea of not eating meat in the van' (Ali Kingston's book) or 'shall we carry skis or rent them?' Or 'who can have the cat and the chickens?'
We bought a paper map of Europe but the dog kept walking on it on the floor so all we have vaguely decided is France and Italy this year, Greece next and Spain and Portugal the following......
We are delighted to hear about the existence of aires - what a fab idea!
We were going to take our dog for company and security but our daughter can't bear to lose us all at the same time so may keep him.
I have so many questions but maybe the dog one first - if you did - are you glad you took one? Problems? Secondly how do you dry your clothes?
Maybe I should start new threads with those questions.
I forgot to say Martin was diagnosed with Parkinson's two years ago which is partly driving our haste to get going to make the best of his mobility . He already can't ski or drive any more but we are hoping he can still ride a bike as we want to take two with us. We were former unicyclists and jugglers (which he believes paved off the condition for many years)
We live in Sheringham North norfolk.
Sorry for long rambling intro.
This seems like a fab group and I have just subscribed and have no doubt this will become our life line. Thank god for the internet
- looking forward to chatting with you guys x
We are Jackie (61) children's entertainer, home educator, currently childminder and Martin 67 retired molecular biologist for Smithkline Beecham.
Last child of four leaving home in the summer so we have on a whim - decided to dive in and live the motor home lifestyle dream....
We are going to sell the big house and buy a small flat for our student daughter where we would retain a room for a base. Yesterday we went up in the loft and threw away the artificial Xmas tree which was a start to our decluttering....
This all came about through my skiing obsession and my suggestion to rent a ski pad for the whole season each winter in my retirement. On a hop and skip we extended that to the idea of travelling in a van for the rest of the time.
We are at the very beginning of our plans having only decided a week ago to do this. And only 48 hours ago to go for it this year not next. We've already worn out the wii button watching you tube clips !
Still figuring out basic things like van size - we know we want a loo, shower, and a fixed double bed (above driver's cab?) plus pull out couch for visitors and awning option, further than that open to ideas. We like the idea of being as small and flexible as possible - not a luxurious cruising beast but still comfortable enough and with four seat belts.
Just decided to go to the Peterborough show to meet people and look at vans.
Excited is not the word any more! We are like little children on Xmas eve and are annoying our kids by coming out with random musings like I 'I like the idea of not eating meat in the van' (Ali Kingston's book) or 'shall we carry skis or rent them?' Or 'who can have the cat and the chickens?'
We bought a paper map of Europe but the dog kept walking on it on the floor so all we have vaguely decided is France and Italy this year, Greece next and Spain and Portugal the following......
We are delighted to hear about the existence of aires - what a fab idea!
We were going to take our dog for company and security but our daughter can't bear to lose us all at the same time so may keep him.
I have so many questions but maybe the dog one first - if you did - are you glad you took one? Problems? Secondly how do you dry your clothes?
Maybe I should start new threads with those questions.
I forgot to say Martin was diagnosed with Parkinson's two years ago which is partly driving our haste to get going to make the best of his mobility . He already can't ski or drive any more but we are hoping he can still ride a bike as we want to take two with us. We were former unicyclists and jugglers (which he believes paved off the condition for many years)
We live in Sheringham North norfolk.
Sorry for long rambling intro.
This seems like a fab group and I have just subscribed and have no doubt this will become our life line. Thank god for the internet
- looking forward to chatting with you guys x