Campers gone☹️

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!finished camping!after over 40 years!Time to call it a day.Advertised camper on EBay Wednesday night!sold it Thursday morning.collected today☹️!Never kept a log but have had many happy holidays and weekend breaks.Problems with my parents (98 & 101) made our decision to sell .Will miss it but life moves on😊
 

irnbru

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I can only imagine what you are going through with very elderly parents.

Maybe in a few yrs you will return to motorhoming but in the meantime don’t forget to take care of yourself too. All the best for the future.
 

Riverbankannie

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I am sort of glad, reading these threads of coping with elderly parents, that ours are long gone. All 4 were born between 1908 and 1912. The eldest being my Mum who lived to 93 and died in 2002, long before we both retired. Now we have to wish our children can live their lives without worrying about us.
 
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When we sold ours earlier this year there were a few weeks of 'have we done the right thing?'. But looking at prices and the cost of living, along with holidays we've taken since (and have coming up), we know it was the correct decision at the time.

I still look at motorhomes on the road and wonder what adventures they're going on, and I still look at PVCs as I drive past local dealers. So, who knows, we might be back on the road in a few years if things change.

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Puddleduck

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robrace My heart goes out to you. We are in a similar position but our van has been a lifeline for us with my Dad being so poorly for so long before he died and now my Mum going the same way. We found a nice farm CL where we could park up at short notice part way between the hospital and my Mum's house.

I have a special medical diet and Mum isn't very good with cross contamination issues so if I eat at Mum's I am always seriously ill myself. We live 100 miles away from Mum and I am now finding day trips to sort issues very difficult although the cost of travel is also becoming difficult.

Once Mum has gone (she is 91 and struggling) we will have to decide if we are keeping the van - or having a big trip and then selling or keeping it as the grandsons love to come away with us and it is very useful when we go to see our own children. Since covid it has hardly had it's wheels turned except for planned and emergency care trips. :(
 
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Must say, with age creeping on and France sort of changing a lot now, if my van was worth much I would also be thinking of selling but as it's worth very little it will stay where it is, before we went this year I had been saying it was my last trip, but really enjoyed it so we will have to wait and see what next year brings.
 

Greasy Chap Butty

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Thanks for all the replies!Yes you are right never say never!managed to get a few weeks away in September in France which was great!but decided then it would probably be our last trip!We’ll see😊
You'll have plenty of other trips, in other ways.
You've got to do what's best for you all round.
 
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I'm not quite sure why Covid should feature in reasons for selling. In 2020 I managed over forty nights and last year over sixty. Even with lockdowns and restrictions, it was still possible to get reasonable use from one's van. It wasn't until this year that I resumed foreign touring although many did go last year.
 
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Must say, with age creeping on and France sort of changing a lot now, if my van was worth much I would also be thinking of selling but as it's worth very little it will stay where it is, before we went this year I had been saying it was my last trip, but really enjoyed it so we will have to wait and see what next year brings.
I'm much the same chaser . I'm 77 and have toured solo for 20 years. I've travelled (only in) Europe extensively in my current m/h which only cost me 13 grand of spare cash 11 years ago so it owes me nothing.

RH side.jpg


If I sold it I wouldn't have any other use for the money. Maybe it's my age but much of the past summer was too hot for me as I'm not comfortable in temps continuously above about 27deg.
I've never felt the need to 'get away' as I like my village, have local family and friends and several other time-consuming hobbies. It's in my drive always ready to go and convenient as transport and accommodation to go to specific places or events.

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We wouldn’t part with ours at the moment but I think that the inflated prices in today’s market might put the thought in some heads.
 
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I'm much the same chaser . I'm 77 and have toured solo for 20 years. I've travelled (only in) Europe extensively in my current m/h which only cost me 13 grand of spare cash 11 years ago so it owes me nothing.

View attachment 682650

If I sold it I wouldn't have any other use for the money. Maybe it's my age but much of the past summer was too hot for me as I'm not comfortable in temps continuously above about 27deg.
I've never felt the need to 'get away' as I like my village, have local family and friends and several other time-consuming hobbies. It's in my drive always ready to go and convenient as transport and accommodation to go to specific places or events.
That's almost us exactly, lived in this village all my life, even for most of it in the same house I was born in, and have loved every minute .
Nice to go away but always glad when I see Stoke on the m1 sign.
 

Chris

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That’s a shame.

Hopefully in the future you can return to the fold.

I have been vanless for 4 years now.
 
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Due to dog and family limitations we have only taken a week each month since the spring and with age creeping up ( Sunset Strip ), selling the motorhome has crossed my mind more than once but even though not used enough it is still a regular break in our own little house that we look forward to and enjoy.
 
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I'm not quite sure why Covid should feature in reasons for selling. In 2020 I managed over forty nights and last year over sixty. Even with lockdowns and restrictions, it was still possible to get reasonable use from one's van. It wasn't until this year that I resumed foreign touring although many did go last year.
We also use our van when allowed but like many others Covid has taken its toll on us. Were both getting on and have found that following the lockdowns we are no longer able to walk the distances we used to. We have camped in the British Isles and France extensively but only once in Spain in1978 (too hot) and we have enjoyed loads of FUN run outings meeting lots of lovely people that we count as friends since joining in 2014. I am glad that you have not been affected by Covid but we have.

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I keep thinking about selling up, since I retired 2017 we’ve had brexit, covid restrictions now AHC pet passport costs and 90 days plus fuel costs etc.trying to just stay in UK using park4night and britstops but our state pensions only go so far. I’ll see how it goes in the new year.
 

cruiser

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We are in our very late 70s. We will not be selling yet. We have just got back from a 6 week trip around Spain 🇪🇸 and Portugal 🇵🇹. It would have been a 8 week trip but my better half fell and broke both her wrists . And our 32 year old van went like a dream. Now looking forward to next year. Trying to get her out to Morocco 🇲🇦. I think I may lose that. But if not. Back to Portugal 🇵🇹.

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!finished camping!after over 40 years!Time to call it a day.Advertised camper on EBay Wednesday night!sold it Thursday morning.collected today☹️!Never kept a log but have had many happy holidays and weekend breaks.Problems with my parents (98 & 101) made our decision to sell .Will miss it but life moves on😊
Glad you had some great adventures. As we have too!

I think the time to call it a day comes to us all at some stage and those who have chosen to full time may realise how big a mistake they may have made.
 

Linda farley

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Glad you had some great adventures. As we have too!

I think the time to call it a day comes to us all at some stage and those who have chosen to full time may realise how big a mistake they may have made.
Our Moho is a lifeline to our son who lives in northern Spain. We have great trips in Spain and france but the trafic here is a bit daunting. Since I had a stroke 3 years ago my mobility is limited but I love travelling. I’m very little help to hubby though and I can see a day coming when he won’t want to go again.
 
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I am sort of glad, reading these threads of coping with elderly parents, that ours are long gone. All 4 were born between 1908 and 1912. The eldest being my Mum who lived to 93 and died in 2002, long before we both retired. Now we have to wish our children can live their lives without worrying about us.
You'll get over it Annie - life's not too bad as an orphan! Definitely agree with your sentiment about not being a drag on our kids.
 
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We sold our Carthago mid summer having had it from new. Have driven round Europe for many years but Hubby had stroke n heart op and although we carried on regardless for a while I found worrying over him and maintaining a lovely vehicle which was built from the inside out first - was becoming too stressful. Doing all the driving from UK to Portugal made France easier thereafter. But you funsters are right when you say Brexit, Covid, world tipsy tUrey, pet passports etc were tedious for spontaneous planning. I think we had the best times - just looking at weather and booking ferry etc with stopovers en route. Have now bought caravan and feel much more independent, I can get at things albeit under seats. Have just winterised it on my own and don't have to worry about taking it out every so often thru winter. Nor is it glaring at me with insurance, mot, servicing costs to consider. Started with a caravan and four children - hubby worked abroad a lot so it’s like going back in time and they say what goes round….. Keep up your stories and lively banter it’s good in this troubled world.
I shall remain member of this site because you really are such fun people and I can follow your trips with memories of our own. And now when we arrive on a site in the pouring rain you can watch me level up etc from the warmth of your self contained homes. It’s a national pastime for motorhomes. By the way manoeuvring and reversing your vehicles are much easier than lining up between markers with a caravan. But being able to get in the car and go anywhere for anything makes up for it - I sleep easier. And it’s another adventure. Stay safe and be happy.
 
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When we sold ours earlier this year there were a few weeks of 'have we done the right thing?'. But looking at prices and the cost of living, along with holidays we've taken since (and have coming up), we know it was the correct decision at the time.

I still look at motorhomes on the road and wonder what adventures they're going on, and I still look at PVCs as I drive past local dealers. So, who knows, we might be back on the road in a few years if things change.
Never say never , I think we all feel the same about many years spent motorhoming we've certainly had the good years , and the best value for money until 2018 , 2019 till now November 2022 who would have imagined the position we all find ourselves in now , I myself have adopted an attitude of carry on regardless , I'm not saying it's the right thing to do , with the number of years age wise , I may have left , I've changed my motorhome for another younger one , this will be the 10th and last one , more suitable for me and looking forward to the next trip who knows it could be abroad again , I wish ,,,, after I've got all the logistics of reloading it up with all the "minimum" bits and pieces I need , the one I have just part part exchanged , which was a PVc an Autosleeper Kingham , may have suited you , good luck anway . Regards Ron

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