should i or shouldnt i..??
- Thread starter daisymini
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caspar
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We were nearly forced into it during a torrid time a few years ago, but avoided it - enforced full timing is not the same as voluntary. We daren't be without something now, just in case and once the children are all through education, we may well consider it.
I live with two significant disabilities, and yet find few things prohibitive. There's much better advice on previous threads, but you have nothing to lose. You can always go back to a rented house within a week or two.
Good luck whatever you decide.
I live with two significant disabilities, and yet find few things prohibitive. There's much better advice on previous threads, but you have nothing to lose. You can always go back to a rented house within a week or two.
Good luck whatever you decide.
n brown
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life is very short,get in there,and if it kills you,at least it's on your terms
scenictraveller
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for me ive always wanted a pet dog border terrier,but how i live now,
means it would be stuck at home all day or stuck at work in the back of a van,thats no life for a dog,or pet unless it was a wasp :idea:
your idea comes to me alot but with 25 yrs service in local authority im hoping to get redundance and sent packing,probably never happen.
so i have to make my own mind updo i or dont i just throw it in and go for it..money issues hold me back,
i think how will i pay for fuel and food, except shoot it, catch it, flaten it.
jobs im a plasterer to trade and a bma building management assistant.. postie.. MAIL ROOM person i.e i spend 9k a month on mail at my work using machines.
to just walk away is something ive thought about,my pension is safe as its locked when i leave council service.
just unsure.
ST
means it would be stuck at home all day or stuck at work in the back of a van,thats no life for a dog,or pet unless it was a wasp :idea:
your idea comes to me alot but with 25 yrs service in local authority im hoping to get redundance and sent packing,probably never happen.
so i have to make my own mind updo i or dont i just throw it in and go for it..money issues hold me back,
i think how will i pay for fuel and food, except shoot it, catch it, flaten it.
jobs im a plasterer to trade and a bma building management assistant.. postie.. MAIL ROOM person i.e i spend 9k a month on mail at my work using machines.
to just walk away is something ive thought about,my pension is safe as its locked when i leave council service.
just unsure.
ST
scampa
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Only you can decide what to do in the end of course Daisymini, but I get the impression that you've already made your mind up and just need a final push! As has been said, if you go for it, then find after a while that it's not for you, what would you have lost that you couldn't go back to pretty easily?
You have an idea of what you're capable of, and what your limitations are, so as long as you feel you can do it, I too would say give it a try. You have family around the country to fall back on if need be, and plenty of friends on here who can offer advice and help when needed.
What would be useful would be for someone to write a "how to" guide to fulltiming, with advice, tips, problems and how to overcome them, and plenty of real-life examples and experiences to give someone like you an insight in what to expect. It could even be a group effort! Any volunteers??
You have an idea of what you're capable of, and what your limitations are, so as long as you feel you can do it, I too would say give it a try. You have family around the country to fall back on if need be, and plenty of friends on here who can offer advice and help when needed.
What would be useful would be for someone to write a "how to" guide to fulltiming, with advice, tips, problems and how to overcome them, and plenty of real-life examples and experiences to give someone like you an insight in what to expect. It could even be a group effort! Any volunteers??
Bushtrekker
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Full timing.
I'd love to do it, but my wife wouldn't go for it. All her friends are here and so is one of my daughters, with the other one making noises about coming home. You would really need something the size of Kimbowbills van at least, but probably not much bigger, as you wouldn't get around. Belong on the road permanently is good as a concept, but you have to be independent and dedicated, like Channa and Rubbertramp. I've enjoyed the time I've spent in the van this week, but am also enjoying having the house to myself this evening so I can crack on with plans without having to listen to someone else's choice of music or TV.
I also think weather plays a big part in making it work, as to me the attraction would be skipping the English winter, although this year it will probably be dry and sunny tomake up for the summer. Spending time in the van on my own this week has made me think about what I would want in the ideal vehicle, which wouldn't be cheap to buy or run, as I'm used to permanent four wheel drive and would also want to be able to get off grid as often as possible, which means being self sufficient in power and having enough water capacity, not to mention a big bog!!!
Anyway, I can dream of winning the lottery and getting what I want, as we all do, but would we do what we want if we won? Possibly not, because I would want to buy a house in Dorset to save time travelling down, although it does make as good base for fulltiming, as does Kent, because of the proximity of the ferry ports. Oh well, I can dream, but in the meantime I need to give serious thought to fitting a second leisure battery...
I'd love to do it, but my wife wouldn't go for it. All her friends are here and so is one of my daughters, with the other one making noises about coming home. You would really need something the size of Kimbowbills van at least, but probably not much bigger, as you wouldn't get around. Belong on the road permanently is good as a concept, but you have to be independent and dedicated, like Channa and Rubbertramp. I've enjoyed the time I've spent in the van this week, but am also enjoying having the house to myself this evening so I can crack on with plans without having to listen to someone else's choice of music or TV.
I also think weather plays a big part in making it work, as to me the attraction would be skipping the English winter, although this year it will probably be dry and sunny tomake up for the summer. Spending time in the van on my own this week has made me think about what I would want in the ideal vehicle, which wouldn't be cheap to buy or run, as I'm used to permanent four wheel drive and would also want to be able to get off grid as often as possible, which means being self sufficient in power and having enough water capacity, not to mention a big bog!!!
Anyway, I can dream of winning the lottery and getting what I want, as we all do, but would we do what we want if we won? Possibly not, because I would want to buy a house in Dorset to save time travelling down, although it does make as good base for fulltiming, as does Kent, because of the proximity of the ferry ports. Oh well, I can dream, but in the meantime I need to give serious thought to fitting a second leisure battery...
scenictraveller
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make ur own mind up dasiy
and think ahead if ur getting an income from rent fair doos.
i look at this and think hes a folk player and can afford the fuel bill for that truck
Northern Rail - Taylor Armerding - Music Video by Bill Lloyd - YouTube
me i cant use combs
and think ahead if ur getting an income from rent fair doos.
i look at this and think hes a folk player and can afford the fuel bill for that truck
Northern Rail - Taylor Armerding - Music Video by Bill Lloyd - YouTube
me i cant use combs
scenictraveller
Guest
won 20k off the lottery once
april 2000 5 numbers and the bonus,11 members of a scooter club 20k each we got £20,389 each
but some members hadnt paid there fees for 2 months so they lost out,
but we took the £389 off each persons amount and handed it to the other member who hadent paid.
one guy had just come back from auzz and was skint to be handed £400 for sod all was his godsend.
one member went to a solicitor to get more he lost more nugget..
april 2000 5 numbers and the bonus,11 members of a scooter club 20k each we got £20,389 each
but some members hadnt paid there fees for 2 months so they lost out,
but we took the £389 off each persons amount and handed it to the other member who hadent paid.
one guy had just come back from auzz and was skint to be handed £400 for sod all was his godsend.
one member went to a solicitor to get more he lost more nugget..
scenictraveller
Guest
oh i bought a rover 214 sei and 9 vespas and lambrettas and got a galera ace capri for free..:mad2:
Smaug
Guest
[Devil's advocate mode:]
The big negative for me & SWMBO would be loneliness. Whilst quite happy on our own a lot of the time it would eventually start to bite. You make lots of casual friends & can choose to visit friends & family, but they are not around all the time. That means that you will feel you are missing them when you want to chat something over or need a bit of cheering up.
I have mates when I'm at the boat cos I've been in the same mooring for a while, but with the MH we would be moving on all the time & hat can become unsettling & certainly makes friendships difficult to develop. [/Devil's advocate mode:]
If you can have a strategy for this or some way of dealing with it, or don't give a damn & have no friends anyway! Then great. You'll also need a strategy for mail, & keeping an eye on finances too. Stuff like car tax reminders, insurances, benefit changes, whatever.
The big negative for me & SWMBO would be loneliness. Whilst quite happy on our own a lot of the time it would eventually start to bite. You make lots of casual friends & can choose to visit friends & family, but they are not around all the time. That means that you will feel you are missing them when you want to chat something over or need a bit of cheering up.
I have mates when I'm at the boat cos I've been in the same mooring for a while, but with the MH we would be moving on all the time & hat can become unsettling & certainly makes friendships difficult to develop. [/Devil's advocate mode:]
If you can have a strategy for this or some way of dealing with it, or don't give a damn & have no friends anyway! Then great. You'll also need a strategy for mail, & keeping an eye on finances too. Stuff like car tax reminders, insurances, benefit changes, whatever.
whitevanwoman
Guest
Daisy, I am so pleased for you as you have got so much support here aswell as having a good network of family and friends, so that you know that if you ever found yourself stuck, there are many many folk who would be more than happy to help you out. That should give you huge peace of mind, even though I sense you are the kind of person who will only reluctantly ask for help, once you've had a damn good try at sorting yourself out but have had to grudgingly admit you need some help.
Go for it girl, you may never again get the opportunity. Getting my van 6 months ago has changed my life, I'd never considered living on the road, but it's something I now think about regularly and I am looking at my life and wondering what I can do to make long term changes which would put me in a position to be able to consider it as a viable option.
I have a hidden disability which doesn't affect me much physically other than chronic fatigue & migraines, which mean I need to get plenty of rest, and a dependence on meds and support, which I have to be organised about (ie making sure I order and pick up prescriptions regularly etc) and I am finding that I have a better daily routine in the van than I do at home, I eat better, I sleep well, I stress much less, and I spend more time just "being" and being mindful and enjoying life.
As the NHS's new computerised record systems become more integrated and reliable, you should find that any GP will be able to access your medical records etc online, and all GPs are supposed to treat visitors to the area, regardless of where they are registered.
Live the dream Daisy, follow the sun xx :goodluck:
edit : A disability support dog, trained to your specific needs, is worth thinking about. The companionship and security that a dog gives is something I wouldn't be without, and I don't think I'd wild without the dog.
Go for it girl, you may never again get the opportunity. Getting my van 6 months ago has changed my life, I'd never considered living on the road, but it's something I now think about regularly and I am looking at my life and wondering what I can do to make long term changes which would put me in a position to be able to consider it as a viable option.
I have a hidden disability which doesn't affect me much physically other than chronic fatigue & migraines, which mean I need to get plenty of rest, and a dependence on meds and support, which I have to be organised about (ie making sure I order and pick up prescriptions regularly etc) and I am finding that I have a better daily routine in the van than I do at home, I eat better, I sleep well, I stress much less, and I spend more time just "being" and being mindful and enjoying life.
As the NHS's new computerised record systems become more integrated and reliable, you should find that any GP will be able to access your medical records etc online, and all GPs are supposed to treat visitors to the area, regardless of where they are registered.
Live the dream Daisy, follow the sun xx :goodluck:
edit : A disability support dog, trained to your specific needs, is worth thinking about. The companionship and security that a dog gives is something I wouldn't be without, and I don't think I'd wild without the dog.
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lotusanne
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Wow!!!
Whether you do it or not I admire you so much for even thinking about it!!I knew when we met at the women's meet and you mentioned that you also got extra wine supplies in the van just in case that you were a kindred spirit!!Its exactly what i plan to do when i retire which is still 9 years away but not so far that i cant start thinking about it (already looking at "ideal" vans on ebay!) so some of the replies on here are really intersting for me too. As a few people have said i am sure you would get support on here... you would be welcome to park up outside mine any time and have a bit of house time. I dont know how hard the practical difficulties would be, but you can judge that better than anyone, and i also dont know if things would get harder in the future, but if that is the case all the more reason for giing it a go now. Never say never... and never say forever. You can always change your mind if you dont find it suits you. I am excited for you... and if nothng else whats more fun than dreaming... especially if that involves looking at loads of potential vans!!! xx
Whether you do it or not I admire you so much for even thinking about it!!I knew when we met at the women's meet and you mentioned that you also got extra wine supplies in the van just in case that you were a kindred spirit!!Its exactly what i plan to do when i retire which is still 9 years away but not so far that i cant start thinking about it (already looking at "ideal" vans on ebay!) so some of the replies on here are really intersting for me too. As a few people have said i am sure you would get support on here... you would be welcome to park up outside mine any time and have a bit of house time. I dont know how hard the practical difficulties would be, but you can judge that better than anyone, and i also dont know if things would get harder in the future, but if that is the case all the more reason for giing it a go now. Never say never... and never say forever. You can always change your mind if you dont find it suits you. I am excited for you... and if nothng else whats more fun than dreaming... especially if that involves looking at loads of potential vans!!! xx
Bushtrekker
Guest
Missing friends.
I don't, mainly because I don't have friends that I see on a regular basis, unlike my wife, who has a series of friends from previous jobs that she goes out with regularly. As any of the people I met last week will know, I get on with and find something in common with most people, as long as they don't talk about football! Most of my closest friends, on here and in real life, tend to be women, mainly because my eyes glaze over if people talk football and I know I'm not the only man who feels that. If I was on my own I'd be off tomorrow, but like most people I have ties and the next month is going to be a bit of a trial, as my wife doesn't speak any French, so my schoolboy French has to get us by. This means that more than ever we will be together 24/7 and her Retinitis Pigmentosa will be more of a problem there than here, so I'll be ready to escape to my friends from here in August.
I don't, mainly because I don't have friends that I see on a regular basis, unlike my wife, who has a series of friends from previous jobs that she goes out with regularly. As any of the people I met last week will know, I get on with and find something in common with most people, as long as they don't talk about football! Most of my closest friends, on here and in real life, tend to be women, mainly because my eyes glaze over if people talk football and I know I'm not the only man who feels that. If I was on my own I'd be off tomorrow, but like most people I have ties and the next month is going to be a bit of a trial, as my wife doesn't speak any French, so my schoolboy French has to get us by. This means that more than ever we will be together 24/7 and her Retinitis Pigmentosa will be more of a problem there than here, so I'll be ready to escape to my friends from here in August.
kimbowbill
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Hi sue
have a look on this thread, you might find some useful info, if its in your heart to do it, do it, knowing you the short time i have and how you just get on with life regardless of your disability, you are an amazing lass and my doors are always open for you and Bailey lol xx
http://www.wildcamping.co.uk/forums...ew-fulltiming-forum.html?highlight=fulltiming
http://www.wildcamping.co.uk/forums...ming-what-pros-cons.html?highlight=fulltiming
http://www.wildcamping.co.uk/forums...ownside-full-timing.html?highlight=fulltiming
you may have read them, there's plenty more info out there
keep us posted what ever you decide
Jen xxxx
have a look on this thread, you might find some useful info, if its in your heart to do it, do it, knowing you the short time i have and how you just get on with life regardless of your disability, you are an amazing lass and my doors are always open for you and Bailey lol xx
http://www.wildcamping.co.uk/forums...ew-fulltiming-forum.html?highlight=fulltiming
http://www.wildcamping.co.uk/forums...ming-what-pros-cons.html?highlight=fulltiming
http://www.wildcamping.co.uk/forums...ownside-full-timing.html?highlight=fulltiming
you may have read them, there's plenty more info out there
keep us posted what ever you decide
Jen xxxx
n brown
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i found that you don't move on every day, course not .sometimes you find a congenial park up with maybe a bit of work and might stay there for a few weeks or so,then this sort of becomes part of your rounds,apple picking or packing in east anglia,bulb factory in holland for a couple months.seasonal work when you can,and rent a house or house sit in portugal,looking after houses by just being in them,for a roof and a bit of dosh.sit in the house and make things to sell on the french markets or english boot fairs etc. trouble is its only when you're doing it that you get to learn how to do it but people pass on tips all the time.
carol
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try it!
Hi Sue been following this thread. Most I spent in my little van was 6 weeks, but was with a partner and a house and job to go back to, which made the experience different I suppose. BUT if it's what you really want to do, go for it! If it doesn't work out move on to plan B or C or whatever. If ever you're over Bradford way there's a spare bed here! Hope we get to meet up again soon - think there's a women's meet in September? Am having hip done in a month's time so will be out of action for a while. Enjoy the search for your perfect van - I spend far too much time on the internet, looking, looking and more looking! xx
Hi Sue been following this thread. Most I spent in my little van was 6 weeks, but was with a partner and a house and job to go back to, which made the experience different I suppose. BUT if it's what you really want to do, go for it! If it doesn't work out move on to plan B or C or whatever. If ever you're over Bradford way there's a spare bed here! Hope we get to meet up again soon - think there's a women's meet in September? Am having hip done in a month's time so will be out of action for a while. Enjoy the search for your perfect van - I spend far too much time on the internet, looking, looking and more looking! xx
Deleted member 9237
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Well I for one Daisy are not happy with you I thought you would be down this way by no in the sun sitting at a beach bar having coffee get a move on girl :wave::lol-049::lol-049::lol-049:
Tbear
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Hi Daisymini,
I have never spent more than 3 weeks in my van in one go so I am not qualified to tell you to go for it but reading this thread. You have a family support network and the girls on here seem to be behind you. Please have a good plan for the winter. Long cold nights can be a bit lonely but you do seem to have the strength of character to pull it off. If it all goes wrong you get to spend more time with your mum but I am guessing if the numbers add up for you, then you have made your mind up.
The very best of luck with your new adventure.
Richard
I have never spent more than 3 weeks in my van in one go so I am not qualified to tell you to go for it but reading this thread. You have a family support network and the girls on here seem to be behind you. Please have a good plan for the winter. Long cold nights can be a bit lonely but you do seem to have the strength of character to pull it off. If it all goes wrong you get to spend more time with your mum but I am guessing if the numbers add up for you, then you have made your mind up.
The very best of luck with your new adventure.
Richard