Please tell me if I am stupid

Ken · 7th June 2009, 18:37

I am having a funny five minutes and to be honest this is probably a pipedream but I would like to know others views on doing something that 12 months ago I would have not even considered.

I am thinking about taking a year out and driving around the coast of England, Wales and Scotland. I am wondering about buying a motorhome and selling it when we return. We have worked out the costings and it would be affordable for us so there are no worries there. We are thinking of doing it because neither of us are getting any younger and its something we have always wanted to do. This would be a big step and we know all the pitfalls like living in a confined space, parking the van and servicing/breakdowns etc. Its around 10500 miles and along the coast road for about 95% of the way. On average its about 30 miles a day but we would probably drive for 100 miles and stay for two or three days in one spot. We have hired a van quite a few times and enjoyed it but the longest we have done that is three weeks and this would be for around a year or possibly even longer if we decided we were enjoying it. I know this is something that is done quite often by some people and they go to Europe and Asia but we are an ordinary stay at home couple without the adventurous side that some have so we have decided the uk is better for us and could if needed get home quickly. We are thinking of doing it starting July next year which will give us time to get things sorted at home and will mean we start and end in the summer. We would be in Scotland for the winter which is what we are aiming for and would have a base up there to take the winter months out if we wanted or needed to because of the weather.

Well am I daft, should I be certified? As I said this is probably a pipe dream and I being me will find a thousand reasons not to do it but at the moment and for the past few months it seems to make sense

Have anyone else on here done it and enjoyed it, ended up divorced or hated it?

I am very interested in others opinions I have asked on motor caravan forums and getting the usual 'yes go for it' type of replies but I would also be interested of getting the views of people I know and trust so what better forum to ask on :lol:

I know I will get some replies taking the mick but I am also interested in serious replies as well

Thanks for any help you can give me. This is not a mid life crisis as mid life was 20 years ago

Ken :lol:

Bernard LPG · 7th June 2009, 18:49

Do it. Life's too short not to do the things that you want to.

stocktake · 7th June 2009, 19:13

If you have taken everything in to account Ken then you just have to do it but only you can decide if you can sacrifice the home comforts that you take for granted. ( Always hated the chemical toilet myself.), love my big TV and my comfy bed.

Pay particular attention to the plans you make if one of you is not so well, not being negative but nothing worse that being ill and a long way from home.

House keeper? sorted at home, if you decide to rent out, and why not? then you have to be prepared to not come home early.

If you are happy you have covered all aspects I think it would be a superb adventure, why not book tickets for shows and events around the country well in advance at best rates, best seats ( Edinburgh Festival etc). nice to be able to look forward to a show before you arrive all prebooked.

You could always book the odd night in a luxury hotel as a treat as well

sworks · 7th June 2009, 19:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by stocktake

If you have taken everything in to account Ken then you just have to do it but only you can decide if you can sacrifice the home comforts that you take for granted. ( Always hated the chemical toilet myself.), love my big TV and my comfy bed.

Pay particular attention to the plans you make if one of you is not so well, not being negative but nothing worse that being ill and a long way from home.

House keeper? sorted at home, if you decide to rent out, and why not? then you have to be prepared to not come home early.

If you are happy you have covered all aspects I think it would be a superb adventure, why not book tickets for shows and events around the country well in advance at best rates, best seats ( Edinburgh Festival etc). nice to be able to look forward to a show before you arrive all prebooked.

You could always book the odd night in a luxury hotel as a treat as well

Dave's reply pretty much covers everything, go for it Ken!

Rabett_Rover · 7th June 2009, 19:20

It sounds a superb idea Ken. Go for it!

podge · 7th June 2009, 20:00

Life can be a big "what if "for some folk, so go for it Ken,our time on this super planet is too short.We have just returned from Norfolk,we have never been there....shame on us! the North Norfolk Coast is a wonderful place...we are going back again as soon as we can.I will post some pictures.Some freinds of ours did a similar thing to your planned venture in a boat a few years ago........they loved it.Good Luck.P.

billnick · 7th June 2009, 18:56

Hi Ken, Life is to short, don't think about it, just do it:lol:, my cousin who is 65 has a canal boat and goes away for 4 months at a time and loves it.

regards bill.

Ragman · 7th June 2009, 18:56

Do it, if all goes pear shaped you can call it quits but a really doubt it will, I cycled from John O'Groat to Lands End and an considering doing it the other way round in 2012 - 20 years after the original trip. If it is something you want to do, then do it, it is far better to do it and have some ups and downs along the way than not do it and then regret it.

Having an ambition and working to fulfil it is something many never get the chance (or have the imagination) to do - if you have the chance and the ambition then do it regardless of what the doom and gloom mongers will say.

That's my two pence worth over!

windrush · 7th June 2009, 19:04

Go for it Ken I am sure that knowing you that you will enjoy every minute come the ups and downs I am still caravanning at 76 going on 77 its a good life

Jürgen · 7th June 2009, 18:59

Ken, if you already did it for three weeks and did not start to hate it yet, I would give it a try. If it should turn out to be not enjoyable anymore some time during the long journey, you will have the option to end it sooner than planned. But I doubt it, as there are so many interesting places to see. :lol:

7th June 2009, 18:37	#1
Ken Busy doing nothing! . Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Hampshire Posts: 6,373 Thanks: 33 Thanked 44 Times in 16 Posts	Please tell me if I am stupid I am having a funny five minutes and to be honest this is probably a pipedream but I would like to know others views on doing something that 12 months ago I would have not even considered. I am thinking about taking a year out and driving around the coast of England, Wales and Scotland. I am wondering about buying a motorhome and selling it when we return. We have worked out the costings and it would be affordable for us so there are no worries there. We are thinking of doing it because neither of us are getting any younger and its something we have always wanted to do. This would be a big step and we know all the pitfalls like living in a confined space, parking the van and servicing/breakdowns etc. Its around 10500 miles and along the coast road for about 95% of the way. On average its about 30 miles a day but we would probably drive for 100 miles and stay for two or three days in one spot. We have hired a van quite a few times and enjoyed it but the longest we have done that is three weeks and this would be for around a year or possibly even longer if we decided we were enjoying it. I know this is something that is done quite often by some people and they go to Europe and Asia but we are an ordinary stay at home couple without the adventurous side that some have so we have decided the uk is better for us and could if needed get home quickly. We are thinking of doing it starting July next year which will give us time to get things sorted at home and will mean we start and end in the summer. We would be in Scotland for the winter which is what we are aiming for and would have a base up there to take the winter months out if we wanted or needed to because of the weather. Well am I daft, should I be certified? As I said this is probably a pipe dream and I being me will find a thousand reasons not to do it but at the moment and for the past few months it seems to make sense Have anyone else on here done it and enjoyed it, ended up divorced or hated it? I am very interested in others opinions I have asked on motor caravan forums and getting the usual 'yes go for it' type of replies but I would also be interested of getting the views of people I know and trust so what better forum to ask on :lol: I know I will get some replies taking the mick but I am also interested in serious replies as well Thanks for any help you can give me. This is not a mid life crisis as mid life was 20 years ago Ken :lol:

7th June 2009, 19:13	#3
stocktake Vis Whiz Rover 75 2.5 auto Saloon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: LEEDS Posts: 20,593 Thanks: 2,057 Thanked 3,056 Times in 1,621 Posts	If you have taken everything in to account Ken then you just have to do it but only you can decide if you can sacrifice the home comforts that you take for granted. ( Always hated the chemical toilet myself.), love my big TV and my comfy bed. Pay particular attention to the plans you make if one of you is not so well, not being negative but nothing worse that being ill and a long way from home. House keeper? sorted at home, if you decide to rent out, and why not? then you have to be prepared to not come home early. If you are happy you have covered all aspects I think it would be a superb adventure, why not book tickets for shows and events around the country well in advance at best rates, best seats ( Edinburgh Festival etc). nice to be able to look forward to a show before you arrive all prebooked. You could always book the odd night in a luxury hotel as a treat as well __________________ Dave... Lost a few stones and a Gall Bladder and part of a bile duct and all of my dignity in the suppository incident

7th June 2009, 20:00	#6
podge I really should get out more....... Rover 75 Tourer CDT CLUB SE Copper Red Mica Dec 01 ....now deceased....replaced by2003 Royal Blue T Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: North Warnborough, Hampshire Posts: 2,398 Thanks: 9 Thanked 69 Times in 20 Posts	Life can be a big "what if "for some folk, so go for it Ken,our time on this super planet is too short.We have just returned from Norfolk,we have never been there....shame on us! the North Norfolk Coast is a wonderful place...we are going back again as soon as we can.I will post some pictures.Some freinds of ours did a similar thing to your planned venture in a boat a few years ago........they loved it.Good Luck.P. __________________ 01 75 CDT Club SE Tourer..."The Rover 75 is a British-built car to be proud of." B.M.Ws loss........OUR GAIN!!!!!!!! http://knowledgerush.com/wiki_image/...arp.300pix.jpg http://farm1.static.flickr.com/167/3...b847e1c5_m.jpg

7th June 2009, 18:56	#8
Ragman This is my second home ZT 260 SE Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Ashington, West Sussex Posts: 3,512 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Do it, if all goes pear shaped you can call it quits but a really doubt it will, I cycled from John O'Groat to Lands End and an considering doing it the other way round in 2012 - 20 years after the original trip. If it is something you want to do, then do it, it is far better to do it and have some ups and downs along the way than not do it and then regret it. Having an ambition and working to fulfil it is something many never get the chance (or have the imagination) to do - if you have the chance and the ambition then do it regardless of what the doom and gloom mongers will say. That's my two pence worth over! __________________ I've learned that no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

7th June 2009, 19:04	#9
windrush This is my second home December 2004 Rover 75 2ltr CDTi Connoisseur SE HL Tourer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Aldershot Posts: 74,464 Thanks: 2,431 Thanked 3,015 Times in 2,347 Posts	*Go for it Ken I am sure that knowing you that you will enjoy every minute come the ups and downs I am still caravanning at 76 going on 77 its a good life* __________________ ][SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] My Pearl Black Beauty Best regards Lilian and Derek Club Member No. 96 / Forum User No. 111 REGISTRATION to the club as a member FREE, FULL MEMBERSHIP is £10 WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

7th June 2009, 18:49	#2
Bernard LPG I really should get out more....... 75 V6 Saloon 2003 LPG MGZT V8 260 LPG Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Evesham Posts: 2,134 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Do it. Life's too short not to do the things that you want to.

7th June 2009, 19:20	#5
Rabett_Rover This is my second home Rover 75 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: - Posts: 5,895 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	It sounds a superb idea Ken. Go for it!

7th June 2009, 18:56	#7
billnick Loves to post ex 75 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Abergele Posts: 445 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi Ken, Life is to short, don't think about it, just do it:lol:, my cousin who is 65 has a canal boat and goes away for 4 months at a time and loves it. regards bill.

7th June 2009, 18:59	#10
Jürgen Posted a thing or two 75 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: N/A Posts: 1,728 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ken, if you already did it for three weeks and did not start to hate it yet, I would give it a try. If it should turn out to be not enjoyable anymore some time during the long journey, you will have the option to end it sooner than planned. But I doubt it, as there are so many interesting places to see. :lol: __________________ Jürgen