It’s amazing how difficult it can be in a busy world to get away regular and get some sensible use out of your caravan.
We are a mature couple I am 66 and still working and my new other half is 64 and working part time - we try and get away one weekend a month and a full week in Cornwall - in reality we probably get about 7 or if lucky 8 long weekends and the week in Cornwall.
I wish it was more and every year I promise my self that it will be more but it’s a struggle to do more.
I was wondering how often others get away and what their views on usage are ?
At one stage when I first gave up work we did one a month for about 6 or 7 months of the year. We try to get 2 or 3 weeks away during the summer and a few weekends sometimes meeting up with friends who are still at work. This year, well next week is our first away of the year!! maybe we will get another chance later for a few days.
------------- Just saying
If all is not lost where is it then?
having retired 2 yrs ago we thought we would get away more often than a fortnight in summer and odd weekends - but no - an elderly mother in care and grandparent duties and now covid 19 have put paid this year, however my mother died early on of covid so she no longer dictates when we go - we can manage long weekends as we only look after our grandson mid week and when he is a bit older and dry he can go with us with his mothers permission.We were always using full facility sites but having spent 15 nights with EHU only ( and survived ) the options are getting bigger, the price of insurance makes me want to make more of the van - our last quote had gone up by 50% - reduced to nearly the same as last years when I complained, because we store on a farm with no security apart from a free roaming alsation I had to go with my present insurer.
I am having a custom-converted VW Crafter with its own onboard facilities, and am planning to go away at least once a month if not more frequently.
I have been working part time as a contractor from home since last September 2019 with the occasional on-site visits.
I would say I am in my semi-retirement phase in life. The campervan project becomes a reality as I reached 55 this year, and am able to part-finance it by dipping into my pensions.
With my currently line of work, I can work anywhere as long as I have a decent mobile phone coverage and internet connection.
I am only working at a third of my capacity at the moment with just one contract (I can have up to 3), not by choice, however, it is what it is, and am getting by financially.
Ideally, I would like to work more hours by having another contract.
I was approached recently for a permanent role not far from home by a friend and ex-colleague. I tick all the boxes for the role, and have no doubt that the remuneration package would be sufficiently attractive to tempt me to go back to being a full time employee.
However, it would mean commuting 45min each way, working in an office on site 5 days a week, long hours and very stressful (I know the company).
In addition, I would not be able to get up and go camping with the dog in my van as and when I feel like it.
Hence I decided I am too old for this sh!t and declined, as I want to enjoy camping and life as much as I still can. I did apologise to my friend, and he understands why I declined.
I am looking forward to being a weekday warrior, to go out in my van during the weekdays at least once a month if not more frequently; to be home for the weekend when there is usually a lot to do near home.
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!
My husband is retired but I am not which makes things a bit tricky for us. I am a university lecturer and just got my timetable a few days ago. I’ve been timetabled to teach some part time classes this coming term who have their lectures on Saturdays so we are not going to be able to even have a weekend away throughout the autumn. It’s very frustrating when you really would like to get away but just can’t.
However, on a brighter note, I will just have to keep looking forward to the spring as my teaching this year is very front ended and I am teaching 6 days most weeks until Christmas but most of my classes are finished by mid March so I will have lots of time for long weekends away in the spring.
Owned caravans for 48 years. Been retired 22 years. Normally from March to November we go away for one week in every month, but this year has been aa bit different.
We sometimes have a short mid-week break in spring, weather permitting, two weeks at the end of June/beginning of July, and a week in early September. We'd love to go away more, but our financial circumstances simply won't allow it. We tend not to go away weekends, as most of the summer months I am busy then volunteering on a Heritage Railway, mainly as a guard or diesel driver, and weekends are when the railway is busy.
We keep our caravan at home, it is bought and paid-for, and it costs us nothing when we are not using it apart from maintenance and insurance, which is pennies due to the caravan being quite old.
Because of the financial constraints we never go away in school holidays, or during the colder months, as we want to maximise our enjoyment. We don't like crowds, and we don't like the cold, hence the above.
We finally got our new caravan mid July. Delivery delayed by Covid. We have been out in it in France ever since. Back in early November. We are retired & go caravanning as much as we can.
Quote: Originally posted by Colin21 on 07/9/2020
Ironic isn't it that for some of us that when we had the money we didn't have the time, but now we've got the time we don't have the money.
So true Colin
I will more than likely be in that club when i retire.
In fact it's 10 more years till i am 70, are there going to be any tow cars around that i will be able to afford?
Who knows, but in the meantime, i am going to enjoy this hobby as much as i can mate, while i can!!!!
Quote: Originally posted by Colin21 on 07/9/2020
Isn't it just, Welshwyn. How are you getting on, haven't heard much from you lately?
Oh I'm doing OK. Been around just sitting quietly in the background watching all that's going on around me, but did manage to get the caravan away for a few days week before last, went up to a small site just outside North Walsham in Norfolk.
Quote: Originally posted by Ray Clayton on 07/9/2020
So true Colin
I will more than likely be in that club when i retire.
In fact it's 10 more years till i am 70, are there going to be any tow cars around that i will be able to afford?
Who knows, but in the meantime, i am going to enjoy this hobby as much as i can mate, while i can!!!!
I don't blame you Ray! I have been retired a few years now as I'm 71, and I'm planning on keeping my present tow car for as long as I possibly can. I don't want to give up caravanning because I can't afford a tow car. My X Trail is a lovely car to drive, and as long as I can still get the parts I will keep fixing it up.
Quote: Originally posted by Colin21 on 07/9/2020
Isn't it just, Welshwyn. How are you getting on, haven't heard much from you lately?
Oh I'm doing OK. Been around just sitting quietly in the background watching all that's going on around me, but did manage to get the caravan away for a few days week before last, went up to a small site just outside North Walsham in Norfolk.
We haven't been away at all yet this year, and I'm not sure we will. We usually go to Norfolk once a year as we lived there for 15 years and made friends who we go back to see. That's all been put on hold for now though.
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: Getting away regular
via mobile 06/9/2020 at 6:34pm
