WHY!.....Why am I doing this, and how did you feel when you did it?

[596]

As some on here may know I needed a newer compliant vehicle for the LEZ I live in, sold my lovely older van in a couple of days and have ordered a brand new one, deposit paid and I go to get it tomorrow, will go through the handover in fine detail and if happy pay the huge balance.

Having had 4 weeks of no van and responsibility, being able to sweep in and out of the drive with ease, see my hedges and have a healthy bank balance it has been fantastic, a sense of freedom, BUT ALL this will end tomorrow when I bring more stress and worry on myself with a new van to care for and all the associated issues that come with them, especially as we have chosen that worlds leader in sloppy workmanship........Swift. (only for Maxi chassis payload and rear lounge within a reasonable budget)

Although it’s been exciting researching sourcing and having every conceivable option put on the thing I have no excitement about actually owning it or even driving all the way to collect it tomorrow, same for my wife, it’s just a line on a spread sheet to her that has a function for one purpose and that is to take us to the SofF once a year for 6 weeks!

Has anyone else gone through these emotions?

PLEASE give me some tips in how to bond with this huge 8.1mtr plastic monstrosity, I am taking her for a few days on a tour of the north tomorrow, was wondering once I have caressed and slept with her if emotions will change?

Thanks as always ?

 

[M-J]

How big is the exhaust pipe

 

[Paddywack]

How big is the exhaust pipe

I think we all know that although its bigger than yours, one of his first jobs is to get the exhaust changed for a 8 inch pipe he's seen on a neighbour's Vauxhall Nova. And of course he'll be fitting a camera with audio so he can get the benefit of it as he drives along.

 

[simsy56]

I could sweep into my driveway and had a healthy bank balance a couple of years ago as well. Now we have a beautiful holiday home (to us) anywhere in the UK or Europe, or even further, with a never ending list of different vistas, different gardens, woodlands, sea views, mountain views, harbour views, different neighbours frequently, and the journey getting to our next port of call is always a pleasure. Far better than having 'money in the bank'. Enjoy life whilst you can, it won't last.

Craig

 

[carolyn]

Most of us buy motorhome because we love motorhoming so although the process of buying a new one is stressful the excitement more than compensates. You have made it very clear that you hate the whole business of your 6 weeks in South if France which is the only time you use it so it seems unlikely you’ll love something associated with something so dreadful although you do love your immediate family so there is hope!

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[596]

How big is the exhaust pipe

Well at the moment just standard but will making a brand new stainless one as I did for my last van as shown here, I like to get the right tone ?

 

[The Dudess]

I think it took over 12 months for the emotion of loving the van to overtake the stress of having a VERY expensive brand new van and being overly precious about it. On every trip I was worried about other vehicles being too close, the dog marking the upholstery, the husband not being tidy enough or gentle enough with it, scratches from branches, road chips - you name it I worried about it. 2 years on now and I've calmed down and am thoroughly enjoying being out in it without all the stressy thoughts.

 

[M-J]

Do you have your next 12 months travel plan to hand. Would be great if you could post it on here so I can start planning mine around it.

 

[Shrimp]

A new anything is always a worry!
Once it’s had it’s corners knocked off-so to speak-you will find its easier to live with!
When I worked with new & used cars I was told ‘don’t worry it’s only a car’!

 

[596]

I could sweep into my driveway and had a healthy bank balance a couple of years ago as well. Now we have a beautiful holiday home (to us) anywhere in the UK or Europe, or even further, with a never ending list of different vistas, different gardens, woodlands, sea views, mountain views, harbour views, different neighbours frequently, and the journey getting to our next port of call is always a pleasure. Far better than having 'money in the bank'. Enjoy life whilst you can, it won't last.

Craig

I guess the problem I have is that my wife is much younger than me and works extremely hard, money is not the issue it’s time that is precious! Trying to balance our love of boating and the huge investment we have in that together with the annual family commitments in the SofF and the tool required for that (motorhome) is hard, (we give up our prime boating time to sit in a desert in the SofF every year).

I have all the time in the world, she doesn’t, we both love travelling and nature but need more time and that’s running out as we get older, once the outlaws are either dead or give up camping we will be free, being loyal to family can sometimes be very hard, biting my tongue for 6 friggin weeks is not easy I can assure you!

i really feel awful, I should be excited about tomorrow but it’s just like another aggravation to deal with, there are people that would love the opportunity to own a Swift no matter what size or age, we really need to reflect on life and it’s meaning, maybe our long weekend up north will inspire us, I have heard people up there actually live their lives not just exist, they talk to each other as well!

One main issue is even though my wife chose the van on specification, when she saw it in all its glory in real life last Saturday at the NEC show she said “You will never get me driving that monstrosity” ? what is it about women and size, I always thought size doesn’t matter?

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[596]

Do you have your next 12 months travel plan to hand. Would be great if you could post it on here so I can start planning mine around it.

We go nowhere apart from St Tropez for 6 weeks July and August, straight down, park up, wife flies down to Nice collects Avis rental car, comes to site, sit on beach for 6 fffing weeks watching our life tick away, next year will be TEN bloody years, same pitch, same sand on same bloody beach looking at same bloody view, same bloody ponces in same bloody St Tropez, Oh Please! this is winding me up gtg

 

[pagey]

Money not the issue,,,,,, I would have bought an appt and let it out for the other 46 weeks

 

[BreweryDave]

You’re doing it because it’s what other people want you to do.......


That either makes you
1. Kind and generous, or
2. A muppet ?

 

[596]

Money not the issue,,,,,, I would have bought an appt and let it out for the other 46 weeks

Oh been there looked at that, some lovely ones complete with moorings, but oh no, we MUST be in a campsite with the family! There is a whole world out there to explore and I am wasting every friggin summer in the same bloody place with the same bloody people doing the same bloody thing to please my wife because it’s all her bloody family!

You know what, I may just go on my own and explore Europe for 10mths with something different to see each day, maybe someone on the forum would like to come along for company ?

 

[Manic]

I would have kept old van and put it in storage out of LEZ area.
money in bank and clear drive.
But why would you buy a van from a company that does “sloppy craftsmanship”

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[596]

You’re doing it because it’s what other people want you to do.......


That either makes you
1. Kind and generous, or
2. A muppet ?

I’m older and my parents have both died, my wife still has hers and as time is precious to her I never stop her having time with them, it just happens the time is every bloody summer at the same bloody place for 6 bloody weeks, when we bought our first motorhome 9yrs ago for this purpose I never believed they would live so long, I was hoping that van wold see us out but LEZ rules put paid to that, but they keep getting treated in hospital and look fitter than me, I am torn between loyalty to my wife and pure selfishness of doing what I want to do, maybe I should have married an older woman had no sex but more holidays ?

 

[596]

I would have kept old van and put it in storage out of LEZ area.
money in bank and clear drive.
But why would you buy a van from a company that does “sloppy craftsmanship”

Never thought of the storage option but that is exactly what the new owner has done, AND only 3 miles from me! Too late for me should have joined the forum earlier ?. As for Swift it is what it is, it’s a budget mass produced van, the design is good it’s just the sloppy workmanship that is the issue in my eyes, so we bought within our existing budget for a purpose, and this was the ONLY van that we could find so absolutely no other choice, I even flew to Germany to look! Nice vans but out of our budget range for what we needed i.e. Heavy duty chassis with min 1,000kg payload and rear lounge.

 

[BreweryDave]

I’m older and my parents have both died, my wife still has hers and as time is precious to her I never stop her having time with them, it just happens the time is every bloody summer at the same bloody place for 6 bloody weeks, when we bought our first motorhome 9yrs ago for this purpose I never believed they would live so long, I was hoping that van wold see us out but LEZ rules put paid to that, but they keep getting treated in hospital and look fitter than me, I am torn between loyalty to my wife and pure selfishness of doing what I want to do, maybe I should have married an older woman had no sex but more holidays ?

I think you’re a very kind person, Kermit?

 

[Spriddler]

You're evidently a masochist.
Mine's 24 yrs old and cost only twelve grand. It has taken me faultlessly around most of Europe for seven years of my retirement. It's probably still worth 5 grand and owes me nothing. It's merely a tool; transport for adventures. The décor may be like a tart's boudoir but I don't need to 'bond' with it any more than with my dishwasher or lawn mower. No stress. It doesn't 'wind me up'. It's not about what it is, but what I do with it.
It would be the same sunshine, scenery and St Emilion as if I was in a 60 grand 'Pride and Joy'. What's not to like?

 

[Potty]

Leave your wife on the beach with her parents and go off on your own in the MH. You can see a lot of France in 6 weeks. Stop being a doormat, assert yourself.

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[chaser]

We go nowhere apart from St Tropez for 6 weeks July and August, straight down, park up, wife flies down to Nice collects Avis rental car, comes to site, sit on beach for 6 fffing weeks watching our life tick away, next year will be TEN bloody years, same pitch, same sand on same bloody beach looking at same bloody view, same bloody ponces in same bloody St Tropez, Oh Please! this is winding me up gtg

Why don't you sail down there and live on the boat for 6 weeks, then you are all happy.

 

[Jaws]

I am wasting every friggin summer in the same bloody place with the same bloody people doing the same bloody

And there you have the issue in a nut shell
You see the new motorhome as tying you down, not as a bit of freedom

If you are only using it 6 weeks a year, and during those 6 weeks you are not a happy bunny ( judging by the above comment ), the new van is just part of an underlying problem..I am not a head quack but it seems to me one way of dealing with it all is to get out and use the van more
When we first discussed motorhoming I said to Woman that if the thing was just gonna sit there for weeks and months, it would soon get sold
Before I retired we still went out at least once a fortnight..
I simply drew a circle with a 60 mile radius on a map, and picked somewhere to venture to within that area
Leave on Friday night, back home Sunday evening
To be honest, the destination was not that important ... it was just getting away from the humdrum and work, thereby being able to switch off for a couple of days
To start with Woman was not on board with the process, but within a short time came to realise it was really worth the effort, and we both became addicted to motorhome life

Until you can associate the van with more than a 6 week jaunt that is obviously not the highlight of your year, I do not see how you can ever fall in love with your new acquisition

 

[596]

Why don't you sail down there and live on the boat for 6 weeks, then you are all happy.

I can’t stand the bloody heat!

 

[596]

And there you have the issue in a nut shell
You see the new motorhome as tying you down, not as a bit of freedom

If you are only using it 6 weeks a year, and during those 6 weeks you are not a happy bunny ( judging by the above comment ), the new van is just part of an underlying problem..I am not a head quack but it seems to me one way of dealing with it all is to get out and use the van more
When we first discussed motorhoming I said to Woman that if the thing was just gonna sit there for weeks and months, it would soon get sold
Before I retired we still went out at least once a fortnight..
I simply drew a circle with a 60 mile radius on a map, and picked somewhere to venture to within that area
Leave on Friday night, back home Sunday evening
To be honest, the destination was not that important ... it was just getting away from the humdrum and work, thereby being able to switch off for a couple of days
To start with Woman was not on board with the process, but within a short time came to realise it was really worth the effort, and we both became addicted to motorhome life

Until you can associate the van with more than a 6 week jaunt that is obviously not the highlight of your year, I do not see how you can ever fall in love with your new acquisition

You know what I actually think your dead right, I relate packing the motorhome with hell in a desert, I don’t like heat or foreign food! The other reason is it takes me away from my boat I love, I am paying mooring fees for prime time mooring while sitting on a bloody beach watching boats go past while mine sits on its berth at home, that really pisses me off! We have a 4 mtr rib tender that I have taken down before but it’s so bloody hot I can’t stand it so never took it again.

Maybe this weekend will be the bondage moment, I am going to go in with open eyes, my only issue is my wife says she will never ever drive it, I need to get over that obstacle as well!

 

[SuperMike]

Indeed, why are you doing this ?

You are changing vans because of the LEZ, why. Now I admit to knowing nothing on how the LEZ works, but could you not have paid the charge upon entering and leaving the zone, or would it know you were parked on your drive and charge you every day it was there ?

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[Figaro]

Why don't you sail down there and live on the boat for 6 weeks, then you are all happy

No steadies on a yacht for the afternoon sex sessions
You can imagine the mast swinging

 

[596]

Leave your wife on the beach with her parents and go off on your own in the MH. You can see a lot of France in 6 weeks. Stop being a doormat, assert yourself.

We have an Avis rental car every year for 6 weeks and don’t really use that, the traffic is horrendous down there, we do use bikes but even with electric you are kind of on a bungee as to how far you can go. I am certainly St Tropez’d out, time to man up and just say NO.....perhaps ?

 

[596]

Indeed, why are you doing this ?

You are changing vans because of the LEZ, why. Now I admit to knowing nothing on how the LEZ works, but could you not have paid the charge upon entering and leaving the zone, or would it know you were parked on your drive and charge you every day it was there ?

£100 a day!

 

[596]

No steadies on a yacht for the afternoon sex sessions

I can assure you my boat doesn’t move ??

 

[Jaws]

my wife says she will never ever drive it, I need to get over that obstacle as well!

Maureen does not have a C1, and indeed even when he started out and had a 3.5t Hobby she refused to drive the thing even then

But I love driving, quite happy to bang out a 10 session behind the wheel if needs be, so for me the fact Woman will not drive our bus is nowt but a bonus as far as I am concerned !

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