11 Years ago today

[Gromett]

I moved into my van as I had sold the bed and last of the furniture out of my house. My Tenants were moving in first thing tomorrow.

Officially I call 1st May my fulltiming anniversary but in reality I moved into my van the day before.

Can't believe it has been 11 years.

 

[CazPaul]

And will you be full timing in another 11 years, it takes a certain mentality/ person/people to do it for 11 years so well done for that.

 

[Gromett]

And will you be full timing in another 11 years, it takes a certain mentality/ person/people to do it for 11 years so well done for that.

I don't see myself coming off the road completely ever. The thought of rattling around in a house, stuck in one place forever doesn't appeal.
Although I have been stationary for a while, hopefully be on the move either this year or next (depending on corona)...

 

[9526]

I moved into my van as I had sold the bed and last of the furniture out of my house. My Tenants were moving in first thing tomorrow.

Officially I call 1st May my fulltiming anniversary but in reality I moved into my van the day before.

Can't believe it has been 11 years.

We are currently waiting in an empty house (bed and 2 camping chairs) to start the next phase of our lives. Will it still happen?

If they lift house moves from the restriction soon, maybe so

If the market crashes and our chain collapses, maybe not

 

[Steve and Denise]

Stuck in one place eh ??

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[TheAleMan]

We was meant to be out of our house and on the road 27th March..a few days after lockdown. How's ya luck aye. Contracts have not been signed so anything can still happen. If the solicitors had pulled their fingers out and acted professionally, we would have been out long before the given date. The incompetence stinks...everything still on hold.

 

[bobandjanie]

Well done Karl, it does take some doing, probably easier on your own with only yourself to worry about, ? we managed two years, but half the time in the caravan in Spain, the other half touring in the camper, so a bit of a break. ?
But even then you have to do your own thing, have some me time and your own space at times. ?

Even now living here we still need to do our own thing, ? I'm really surprised Janie hasn't killed me during this lockdown, ? it's the longest we have been under each others feet in 38 and a half years. Bob.

 

[Nasher]

Congratulations on your anniversary

 

[TheAleMan]

11 years - wow, your doing great..well done.

 

[Silver-Fox]

If they lift house moves from the restriction soon, maybe so

Have they stopped house moves as we’ve seen at least two removal vans at separate locations unloading

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[olley]

Amazing I can't remember what I did yesterday let alone 11 years ago.

 

[Anthea M]

Happy 11 th year as a FLT many more I’m sure .
Is it the same van?

 

[funflair]

Happy 11 th year as a FLT many more I’m sure .
Is it the same van?

Not sure that's quite the abbreviation for a full timer Anthea possibly FuTi.

Martin

 

[Just smiffy]

And do you still have the original tenants..?

 

[Gromett]

Happy 11 th year as a FLT many more I’m sure .
Is it the same van?

3rd van. 1st one last a year, 2nd one was the converted Bus which lasted less than 6 months. Then I moved into my current home a Fiat Ducato panel van which I converted myself.
It is dead on it's wheels and hoping to move into new accomodation as soon as the lockdown is lifted. That one will have to last 10 years as well

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[Gromett]

And do you still have the original tenants..?

Was that for me? If so then no. They lasted a year and did almost £20K of damage. I sold the house and paid the mortage off.
Never looked back.

 

[CazPaul]

3rd van. 1st one last a year, 2nd one was the converted Bus which lasted less than 6 months. Then I moved into my current home a Fiat Ducato panel van which I converted myself.
It is dead on it's wheels and hoping to move into new accomodation as soon as the lockdown is lifted. That one will have to last 10 years as well

What's wrong with it, engine? Bodywork/welding required?

 

[JJ]

Congratulations Karl... 11 years, keep it up... maybe you will catch me up one day (after I go to the big off-site parkup in the sky).



JJ

 

[Anthea M]

Not sure that's quite the abbreviation for a full timer Anthea possibly FuTi.

Martin

Ooh yes sorry .

 

[9526]

Have they stopped house moves as we’ve seen at least two removal vans at separate locations unloading

The law Says you can move, the guidance says you can move into an empty house (which ours is) but both sets of conveyancers are bone idle.

If the Market crashes, we’ll be staying put and our buyers will be shafted (by their own legal representatives) as they are downsizing and are struggling financially.

We could be out in a days notice, but when that will be is anyone’s guess (we’ve all signed contracts, but not yet exchanged)

We could be fulltiming tomorrow, or never

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[Gromett]

What's wrong with it, engine? Bodywork/welding required?

Bodywork. Needs serious welding where the subframe joins the chassis.

There is rust all over the place which I was prepared to take on and weld myself but structural stuff like that was just more than the van was worth. It is done/dead/deceased.

 

[Gromett]

Congratulations Karl... 11 years, keep it up... maybe you will catch me up one day (after I go to the big off-site parkup in the sky).



JJ

I think you will outlive me JJ. I am a non believer, drinker, smoker, heathen etc... More of an old testament, right wing eye for an eye type than a peace loving pacifist than your good self.
You will outlast me by quite a way I suspect

 

[MANGOFORTH]

I am a non believer, drinker, smoker, heathen etc...

I've either read that incorrectly... Or you're not the man I thought you were... ?

 

[Wagoneer]

I admire everyone who goes full-time, especially really long-time like 11 years - so well done Karl and congratulations

My wife must have a bit of "gypsy" in her genes, as she never wants to return home. I like my home comforts between trips and especially.....a bit of free space to engage in other interests !!!

Full-timing must be quite difficult especially in UK. Your experiences Karl would make an interesting 10 part series in the MHFun mag.....like basic surviving in the face of adversity on a budget. I won't be giving up my bricks and mortar but it could widen my horizons for spending more time exploring life on the road.

 

[JJ]

11 years full timing but a lot of the time on sites...

Me... over 30 years... 95% as a free loading to**er, living on (non residential) side streets.

Karl has done brilliantly though and has all the right love for the van life style...


JJ

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[bobandjanie]

Bodywork. Needs serious welding where the subframe joins the chassis.

There is rust all over the place which I was prepared to take on and weld myself but structural stuff like that was just more than the van was worth. It is done/dead/deceased.

I had a couple of ex electric board bedford ha van's, one I was going to scrap, mate of mine said don't scrap it, I will weld it up it's a good van, ? he wished he never started, I had to go to a mates pub on Sunday afternoon and buy a Co2 bottle off him, as he was determined to get it out of his workshop. ?

I remember watching you doing your body wrapping on that van, I had never seen it being done before, ? that was a while ago. ? Bob.

 

[Bustup15]

Only 9 more to go ?

It was twenty years ago today
Sergeant Pepper taught the band to play,
They've been going in and out of style,
But they're guaranteed to raise the smile

 

[Mark and Mindy]

Well done Karl, it does take some doing, probably easier on your own with only yourself to worry about, ? we managed two years, but half the time in the caravan in Spain, the other half touring in the camper, so a bit of a break. ?
But even then you have to do your own thing, have some me time and your own space at times. ?

Even now living here we still need to do our own thing, ? I'm really surprised Janie hasn't killed me during this lockdown, ? it's the longest we have been under each others feet in 38 and a half years. Bob.

Spare a thought for me....

I don't work (medical issues) and Mark works from home and has been for nearly 2.5 years.

If I never hear those words "is there anything nice for lunch?" again it will be too soon!!!

 

[Carol]

Karl where does the time go I can remember well when you were starting off and having chats with JJ at Stratford on Avon.
I wonder what adventures the next 11 years will bring
?

 

[Gromett]

11 years full timing but a lot of the time on sites...

Me... over 30 years... 95% as a free loading to**er, living on (non residential) side streets.

Karl has done brilliantly though and has all the right love for the van life style...


JJ

It is only in the last few years that I have been using sites heavily. Prior to that it was mainly wild with a lot of industrial estates, side streets and middle of nowhere.

I did start using CL's during the winter to give me reliable electric so I could earn a living. But usually around April I was back out and on the road.

If I had a plot of land like you do JJ I would be using that and not using CL's at all.

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