Hi,
Just a couple more questions
How fit are you? Have you done a lot of walking or riding before?
Have you spent any appreciable time on your own before
It can really take it out of you both physically and mentally until you get used to it.
I wouldn't recommend just quitting your job but would suggest starting small at first, a couple of nights in a backyard then a weekend or 2 at a small campsite as far as you can from other people and build up your experience.
Also join
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/forum.php
There are some very knowledgeable people on there and you can arrange some meet ups to get some experience.
I also know there have been some people on here that arranged some meets but I can't find the posts.
I think it is a great idea what you are planing but don't want you to quit your job and find after a couple of days you hate it
You do not mention wild camping in your original post but I presume on the budget you mentioned you would have to. I agree with dgardner about getting fit and putting in some practise with your kit and seeing how far you can cycle loaded up with your gear or walking with loaded rucksack if thats what you choose.
I automaticly thought you would be reasonably fit when you thought about doing something like this.maybe you are so don't offence.
Its certainly not to be taken lightly but I would not discourage you from doing it but common sense and a certain amount of planning is a must.
If you choose wild camping the best piece of advice I would give is to arrive late and leave early and leave as you find....Good luck
------------- It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.
hey-i'm reasonably fit, job is a postie so have to walk a lot every day. i wouldn't plan to wild camp every day i would be happy to find a cheap site or even stay in a hostel some nights. it would be tempting to wild camp somewhere like scotland where it is allowed, would help with the budget!
From my own experience in days gone buy I preferred a tent every time. If you run out of cash you still have somewhere to sleep, obviously wild camping. The problem is weight..you are more fortunate today with regards to lightweight materials.
You tent can weight sub 2 kg, sleeping bag similar weight but at a cost. You then have cooking equip and all the other essential gear plus clothing etc but it is still alot to carry.
On the other hand if you go down the hostel route you can carry less but at a cost finacially. That is the reason I did odd jobs when I backpacked Europe. purely to boost my funds and I was wild camping most nights, roughly 4-5 nights out of 7. I had a great time and didn't mind doing the odd jobs as it was a means to an end.. I also mixed with the locals through working and made freinds and some times got invited to there homes for dinner etc..saving on funds again...lol
------------- It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.
Def go for it. When I was 22 I walked away from everything for a couple of months (June and July). I took a very small pony and walked across southern England. The pony carried my tent and gear.
Wild camping, not necessarily necessary. I never knew where I would be staying each night, I simply knocked on farmer's doors and asked if I could camp in one of their fields. I never met with hostility. If they couldn't put me up for one reason or another they rang round their neighbours to help me out, and everyone was very caring and friendly. It may have helped that I was a young, small female and they were worried for my safety, who knows? I think that if you are polite and friendly and you don't mind mucking in, you usually get it back with interest.
Cost - I lived on bread and cheese, tins of corned beef and crisps - you can do that when you are young! I had the best time of my life, met some great people and my small tranny radio gave me a lifelong love of radio over t.v.
Job. Years ago it was a lot easier to walk back into one, so career break option might be worth asking about, but shouldn't influence your decision, at least it wouldn't influence my decision if I were in your shoes.
If you've got a minute, google "Where's Wallace" and check out a remarkable lad who's just finished his own adventure.
If you go for it, keep a diary and let us know about it when you get back?
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: long term backpacking-tight budget
