At the end of last week we sold our five year old Bailey motorhome back to our suppling dealer which marks the end of an almost 45 years of touring. It's a decision that has been on the table for a while as we are not using the van sufficiently to warrant keeping it as the costs don't really add up. We are both in our late seventies and our joints are suffering. It looks as if Margaret will have to have a hip replacement at some point in the coming months depending on waiting lists. I am suffering with my knees, particularly the right one and not sure at the moment what action but again a replacement might be needed. So as you can see getting away in the van is somewhat curtailed by not only how we feel but also a stream of appointments! It will be a bit of a wrench but will explore other options and don't discount the possibility of using static accommodation on campsites but that will be part of the mix of things we hope to do. Still can't quite get used the the big hole in the back garden where we kept the motorhome and previous caravans. It will obviously be a bit more difficult to update Caravantravels if we are not using sites or touring but I will leave it up for a while just in case people still find the content useful. I won't desert the forum and will try and contribute if I feel I can add any value. Finally I was dreading the disposal of the motorhome but in the end it all worked out quite smoothly. Our dealer made us a reasonable offer and stuck with the original sum offered and money was in the bank later that day. Interestingly I tried one of those "we buy any motorhome places" which always advertise in magazines but the one I approached wasn't interesting as they had enough stock.
So sorry you have come to the end of your touring career - your reviews and blog were always one of my go-to points of reference.
Very best wishes for the future, wherever and however your travels take you.
Sorry to hear that, hopefully, you and your wife will be able to continue to enjoy camping one way or another.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
That’s a big change, but I hope you can still get away: not just statics, but there are some lovely glamping options now in beautiful locations.
And best wishes for the various joint replacements. In NZ, my sister has been given the exercises to do that she’ll have to do after her hip & knee replacement, so the muscles are in good condition. They don’t think of it as waiting time but as preparation time.
Keep in touch!
We're in a similar position, although a little younger and only 40 years touring in a series of motorhomes and campers. Living in a small village, having a car is pretty well essential and the cost of two vehicles is becoming a burden.
Although air travel is expensive, we now prefer to fly to places outwith the UK and stay in modest hotels. The camper is now confined to UK trips.
We'll keep the van this year and then decide what to do. We won't stop travelling - just the way we do it.
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
Sorry to hear that David. Am 84 and in March had a knee replacement. It did not go well!!!!!!! Still limping about but getting there. Hope to continue caravanning soon. All the best for the future.
Always remember you direction pointers for out first visit of many to Val de Vesle, look out for the silos.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Welcome to the sideline campers.I felt it an admission of old age when our caravan went but soon realised that I could still be pompous from the side lines.
Please keep posting.
David/Margaret Sorry to hear it is time to call it a day for you both and wish you all the best for the future.
I Have been following your adventures ever since your 2010 blog which included Saumur and included your brilliant photography, not to mention your marvellous Caravan Travels
We are in a similar situation so have got the T shirt and it does not fit well
I suppose it's something all of us of advancing years have to contemplate, but sad to hear of it becoming a reality.
Hope your years of touring provide enough good memories to reminisce on to provide some compensation, to paraphrase, better to have toured and retired than never toured at all!
Enjoy your alternative holidays. Personally, my caravan has offered merely alternative accommodation to what I did before, so see no reason why that can't work in reverse, I certainly hope so, for the time when I have to give up the caravan life!
Hope the assorted 'ailments' can be sorted or worked around, certainly know a number of friends 'revitalised' by artificial joints, so wishing all the best on that front.
Sad to hear that you are giving up touring. We are in a similar situation, but as we have a caravan we are considering going seasonal which may be as soon as next year.
Only recently we have started using our sun canopy more frequently and now will only consider the porch awning if staying on a site for a week or longer and then only if the weather looks inclement.
Young Aunty and I wish you all the best and hope you find alternative holidays.
We both realise that the day will come when we can no longer drive. However, we thought, if we are still reasonably able bodied, we would pack a small suitcase each and see how far we could get around the country using our bus passes. That could lead to some interesting trips, just depending how well we can still travel.
We are also in similar position however as we have a caravan we still use it to go away when the grandkids go to the seaside site, the blow up awning is a gods-send We're also considering siting it at some point.
At the moment we use cottages more often, the last time away was to Brown Moor CC where we stayed in the barnhouse, this is one where we'll go again.
We called it a day after 48 years as we never used the campervan much after covid years. We go away for a few days Eastbourne in the car and use are bus pass
Hope you stop on the site as it's nice to read your camping experience over the years
I often go to milton Keynes what a great shopping centre they have
Look after yourself and wife
All the best David and thank you for all your advice and help over the years on this forum.
------------- More adventures in 2026 -
Feb - Steamer Quay CAMC, Totnes
May - Cheddar & Dulverton
June - Lake District
July - Devizes, New Forest & Dorset
September - TBA
Christmas - Ayr, St Ives
New Year - Hillhead CAMC, Brixham
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Retired from Touring
via mobile 04/6/2024 at 9:31pm
