Oh dear! We are having to sell the Countryman, having only used it five times over the past 18 months since purchase. We are running out of money, having both been made redundant a couple of years ago, and unable to get jobs, and starting our own business is not going great.
We were going to get a tent, but we are holding back for now as we are considering emigrating to Cyprus sometime - preferably later this year. We went over for a short break in January to do some research, and having spoken to a few expats, it appears we will be able to live there cheaper than here, and I might have a better chance with my photography business as well.
We love the island, having been numerous times over the years. This last holiday in January was the first time I'd been in about 15 years, although hubby went over at the start of 2010 for an interview for a job, which he didn't get.
So, we don't think it's worth spending the money just now, as we won't need a tent in Cyprus. This means no camping holidays for us this year, or ever, for that matter.
Very sad. My husband was made redundant 2 years ago, so I can completely understand your money worries. Luckily for us he now has another job, but it was a very stressful time.
I sincerely hope your luck changes soon, and things work out for you both.
Thanks for your reply. It is very sad, but hopefully we'll come out of it OK. The job situation is dire enough, but we are not youngsters, so it's even more difficult. Hubby gets a small company pension from a previous job, so we have some income, but still eating into our savings. I just hope we can sell the house OK when the time comes.
We might still be poor in Cyprus, but at least it will be warm!
Its sad you have to sell up, but also quite exciting you can have a new life! Which you probably wouldn't have done if you had jobs etc. We just sold our house in a week, we are moving in just over 2 weeks now, so I think the housing market is moving, although you have got to be realistic with pricing,
Well, it's all change again! After selling the Countryman, we invested some of the money in a trip to Cyprus to do a bit more research about moving there. A couple of days after our return, I received an email from a company that had kept my CV on file from a job I applied for back in February, asking me if I was still interested in a job and would I like more information. I said yes, was asked for an interview, asked to go in for a trial day and got the job, all within two weeks of getting back from Cyrus.
So, I started the day after the trial day (which I think was more for my benefit than theirs, anyway!), and I have now been there three weeks. It's a customer relations post for a solar panel company, and although I can see it might be stressful at times, I am so far enjoying it. Although, after two and a half years unemployed, it is a little strange to be setting the alarm again!
We were still thinking that we wouldn't be camping again, but an opportunity of a weekend away, and checking prices on B&Bs, hotels, etc, has convinced us that camping is the way to go, so we have ordered a shiny new Outwell Glendale 5. Only trouble is, we sold a lot of our camping accessories at a car boot sale the other week, so we also have to buy a few more items to replace those! Hey ho.
Reason I baught my caravan in March 2011 (had old van's in the past) was because I had gone through 3 redundancies in 3 years (plus another 2 in the past) and thought it was a good way of getting away on the cheap.
Now working again after a year of 3 day week and then a summer of nothing but on £10k less than I was on so know exactly how you feel.
Chin up though, could be a lot worse, and now enjoying trying to find ways of buying things cheap and one of the reasons I love this site and the poeple on it, lots of great ways of camping and caravanning for not much money :-)
Taffy, good to hear you are now working again. Hope that continues for you.
This job is more pay than my last job, but of course my husband is still unemployed so we are still not as well off as we were when both working. At least it is more than on benefits! We have managed on that for all this time - well with his small pension as well - so I'm sure we will be able to manage a lot better now.
I hope we can get away, as I am on a 3 month probation period, so I will have to check that they allow holidays in that time. Suppose I should have checked before buying the tent!!
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Reluctantly selling Countryman
