F Is For Freedom

A - Z Challenge 2012

F is for Freedom


Most folk tend to live in one place for a given period of time, either through work commitments or family ties, or quite simply because they like the location.


Us on the other hand, like the idea of being able to move around. Mind you we are governed by one major contributing factor, and that's work.


We both work full time, so realistically we have to be able to commute easily. Now some folks idea of commuting can mean that it has to be in walking distance. Mine however is simply decided on how long it's going to take me to get back and forth to work.


The other factor that comes in is the location, what I mean by this is that if the location is perfect, then I would quite happily add on an extra 30 mins to my journey. At the moment we are living right in the heart of the New Forest on the South Coast. 


10 mins drive and I would be in the sea, 5 mins walk and I'm in thick woodland. It takes me roughly an hour to get to work depending on traffic, but as I leave at 0530 there is not a lot of traffic around. 


To me this is absolutely fine, and it also gives us the "Freedom" to live more or less anywhere within a 30 to 40 mile radius of where I work.


We are so lucky to live in this part of the world, the views are breath taking as you cross the chalk downs and valleys, we have the splendid coast line, and the New Forest. People pay lots of money to come on holiday to this part of the world, we live here all the time.


"M" is not too keen on driving that far, she currently has a 30 min journey to work which is ok for her.


We only stay in one place for a maximum of 28 days, why? The rules and regulations state that you can only inhabit a caravan in one place for that period of time, then you must vacate your caravan for a continual 48 hour period.


The caravan can stay in it's location, but you must move out. How this is monitored I have yet to find out. I certainly have not come across the 28 day enforcement officers on my travels! But, we play by the rules, and anyway, there are so many camp sites around our area, why stay in the same place!


In saying this, last winter we stayed at only a couple of sites, that we know and like. They were both close to each other as well. It's not the packing up that is the problem, but towing in icy conditions is not wise!


During last summer, and it will be the same this year, we were on the move constantly, as I think we are planning on doing 8 or 9 vintage rallies this year. These take up a weekend starting off at the end of April and finishing the middle of September.


Living the this way, gives us total "Freedom" to be able to do this, and fit in any work commitments as well. A perfect way for us to live.


If we did not have to work, then the world would be our oyster. Now that I have paid holiday, we were certainly be venturing off for a week or two later on in the year. It costs nothing extra for us to be on holiday than if we stayed here, we are after all, all ready paying site fee's!


Till later.....................