It's true - time flies when your having fun!
I had to have a good talk with myself and have certainly changed my out look on life and got myself back on track.
My Lands End to John O'Groats and back again challenge is less than two weeks away now and this has kept me focused and busy.
I find it hard to believe that it was last summer that I started to think about the challenge. A lot can happen in that short period of time as I found out!
You can follow me at www.fatblokestravels.blogspot.com and on facebook to get a blow by blow of my trip! My facebook link is just over on the right so please feel free to add me.
All quiet here on site, the field is still a bit damp, and as I have no desire to chew up the field I'm still parking at the entrance and walking up to the caravan.
Had the coldest morning of the year only a couple of days ago, -4! Went to bed with it being mild and woke thinking the power must be off as it was bloody freezing.
I have it cool during the night, but with the sudden drop in temperature it was a chilly start to the day. Thankfully it takes the time to boil a kettle to get it roasty warm again. Try doing that in a house!
Now just to warn you that I may not blog for a couple of weeks as my challenge is taking up so much of my time, so as I said you can see how Im doing via my other blog and facebook
till later..............
Tuesday, 25 March 2014
Monday, 17 March 2014
Be Careful What You Wish For!
A couple of years ago now on a visit to a Caravan show, I think it was at the NEC, we met up with D and T who were thinking about full timing but due to various commitments at the time were not in a position to do anything about it.
So it was great to hear from them again yesterday, not only are they now full timing, but have spent 6 months in Spain and are now getting ready to take up positions as wardens on a site back here in the UK!
Just goes to show that if you want something bad enough you can make it happen.
I wish them both luck in their role as wardens, not an easy task at all. In fact a lot more difficult than most people think!
It is always great to hear stories like that, just proves what I have always thought, that you either embrace this lifestyle or absolutely hate it!
Till later..........
So it was great to hear from them again yesterday, not only are they now full timing, but have spent 6 months in Spain and are now getting ready to take up positions as wardens on a site back here in the UK!
Just goes to show that if you want something bad enough you can make it happen.
I wish them both luck in their role as wardens, not an easy task at all. In fact a lot more difficult than most people think!
It is always great to hear stories like that, just proves what I have always thought, that you either embrace this lifestyle or absolutely hate it!
Till later..........
Sunday, 16 March 2014
What A Day!
It all started off well with brilliant sunshine, it truly is wonderful to lift the blinds and have the sun shining through your window as you drink your first coffee of the day!
Into Lymington to get my hair cut as I was beginning to look like something from the "Land Time Forgot" film!
A bit of a wait, so breakfast sat out in the sunshine at The Angel Inn. Now over a year ago I went there and had breakfast and thought it was rubbish, but new owners a refurbishment and was hoping for something better.
Sadly not, over priced and all though the quality was good both my sausages were undercooked, in fact still very pink in the middle. The coffee was also tasteless. At over £11.00 I would of been better off walking to the top of town and entering in Witherspoons.
Well you live and learn. Had my hair cut and then I wanted to go to the camping shop "GoOutdoors" in Southampton. I wanted to get some more compression tops, ended up buying tops and a sweatshirt, insect repellant, and two water bottles. I can never go in that shop and buy just the item I want, I always end up with a bag full of gear!
Headed back towards Totton, popped into Asda when a guy shouted out of his window, "your rear is looking flat mate"! Indeed it was, so pulled into the garage, to see if putting some air into it would sort it out. No, definitely a puncture.
OK, bottle jack out, lets get the spare wheel off the back door. Held on with 3 bolts, first 2 came off ok, then the last one which used to be a locking nut bloody rounded off!
Time to call the AA!
30 mins later and a jolly bloke turned up, managed to snap the bolt off then used a screw thread to wind onto the remaining stud which got the bolt off! Phew!
Changed the tyre and all was well. Looking at the flat tyre I counted 6 nails and an assortment of cuts, splits and even a couple of holes where something had gone into the tyre and come out again!
New Tyres it is then as they wont be repaired!
Back on site, I managed to get the Paj up to the caravan, the first time this year! The ground is still a little soft, but no problems and not churning the field up.
Managed to empty the Paj out and get most of the gear stowed away in the caravan, still a bit more to do, but no rush. I can use the back seats in the Paj now!
I then removed my leg shield extensions off my Honda C90 and the basket from the front as I'm not sure if they would approve of those modifications as it is in for it's MOT this week. Well, that is once I have booked it!
So although a pain to get a puncture, I still managed to get a bit done today, so a good day helped by all this glorious sunshine. Let's hope it stays like this for my trip!
Till later.............
Into Lymington to get my hair cut as I was beginning to look like something from the "Land Time Forgot" film!
A bit of a wait, so breakfast sat out in the sunshine at The Angel Inn. Now over a year ago I went there and had breakfast and thought it was rubbish, but new owners a refurbishment and was hoping for something better.
Sadly not, over priced and all though the quality was good both my sausages were undercooked, in fact still very pink in the middle. The coffee was also tasteless. At over £11.00 I would of been better off walking to the top of town and entering in Witherspoons.
Well you live and learn. Had my hair cut and then I wanted to go to the camping shop "GoOutdoors" in Southampton. I wanted to get some more compression tops, ended up buying tops and a sweatshirt, insect repellant, and two water bottles. I can never go in that shop and buy just the item I want, I always end up with a bag full of gear!
Headed back towards Totton, popped into Asda when a guy shouted out of his window, "your rear is looking flat mate"! Indeed it was, so pulled into the garage, to see if putting some air into it would sort it out. No, definitely a puncture.
OK, bottle jack out, lets get the spare wheel off the back door. Held on with 3 bolts, first 2 came off ok, then the last one which used to be a locking nut bloody rounded off!
Time to call the AA!
30 mins later and a jolly bloke turned up, managed to snap the bolt off then used a screw thread to wind onto the remaining stud which got the bolt off! Phew!
Changed the tyre and all was well. Looking at the flat tyre I counted 6 nails and an assortment of cuts, splits and even a couple of holes where something had gone into the tyre and come out again!
New Tyres it is then as they wont be repaired!
Back on site, I managed to get the Paj up to the caravan, the first time this year! The ground is still a little soft, but no problems and not churning the field up.
Managed to empty the Paj out and get most of the gear stowed away in the caravan, still a bit more to do, but no rush. I can use the back seats in the Paj now!
I then removed my leg shield extensions off my Honda C90 and the basket from the front as I'm not sure if they would approve of those modifications as it is in for it's MOT this week. Well, that is once I have booked it!
So although a pain to get a puncture, I still managed to get a bit done today, so a good day helped by all this glorious sunshine. Let's hope it stays like this for my trip!
Till later.............
Saturday, 15 March 2014
Sunday Tomorrow And A Day Off!
Well here is a rare thing or so it feels like it! A day off tomorrow and with that day off I think I am coming down with a cold - sore throat and aching, bloody typical!
I've got loads to do as well. So will just have to get on with it I guess.
Plenty of items turning up at my work for my planned tripped which is rapidly getting closer and closer.
Departure day is April 5th where I head for Lands End to start my 3500 mile journey on my little Honda C90.
To say that I am getting a little apprehensive would be an understatement!
At work we have a map of the UK pinned to the wall, so I will be tracked as I ride around this wonderful country of ours.
So if you want to see where I am and how I am getting on, please feel free to send me a friend request via the facebook link which can be found on the right hand side of this blog.
Good news on the field, it is drying out rapidly, tomorrow I am hoping to get the Paj up to the caravan so I can empty it out! Not sure where it will all be going but I will find a home for it all somewhere, what I can't will be staying in the paj.
Cooking my tea now, so will bid you all good night.
Till later................
I've got loads to do as well. So will just have to get on with it I guess.
Plenty of items turning up at my work for my planned tripped which is rapidly getting closer and closer.
Departure day is April 5th where I head for Lands End to start my 3500 mile journey on my little Honda C90.
To say that I am getting a little apprehensive would be an understatement!
At work we have a map of the UK pinned to the wall, so I will be tracked as I ride around this wonderful country of ours.
So if you want to see where I am and how I am getting on, please feel free to send me a friend request via the facebook link which can be found on the right hand side of this blog.
Good news on the field, it is drying out rapidly, tomorrow I am hoping to get the Paj up to the caravan so I can empty it out! Not sure where it will all be going but I will find a home for it all somewhere, what I can't will be staying in the paj.
Cooking my tea now, so will bid you all good night.
Till later................
Thursday, 13 March 2014
Spring Has Sprung!
The weather here in the New Forest these last few days has been absolutely glorious!
The sun has managed to burn off the fog during the day, but the Isle of Wight has remained hidden in a thick blanket of whiteness.
The fog horn has been working overtime the last couple of nights, all though once I am inside my caravan it is hard to hear.
I guess living where I do gives me the best of both worlds, sea and forest are on my doorstep! I am spoilt for choice and so I feel very lucky to live in a part of the world that people travel to for their holidays.
My field is drying out nicely due to the sunshine, maybe in a couple of weeks I will be able to drive up to my caravan!
But for the moment it is a walk across the field, which is rather nice when it is not raining.
Tonight the moon is bright but with wisps of fog about, it is casting a strange light, an owl hooted as I got to my caravan, an eerie sound if ever there was one!
I have been contacted by a journalist who has been researching living in a caravan and came across my blog.
One of the questions I was asked was do you find living in a caravan claustrophobic?
A good question from someone who probably has never stayed in a caravan, but for us that spend regular amounts of time in one it rather made me chuckle!
My caravan along with others has mountains of storage space, every bit of space is utilised leaving no space vacant.
I can move around freely, and can double my living space with the awning up! Not only that but when I open my front door I step into a 5 acre field!
This is not meant to mock those who know nothing of caravans, but it does highlight the misconceptions involved in living in a caravan.
With this in mind and after spending some considerable time doing it for real, I think it is now time to seriously consider writing some sort of handbook/guide for those who want to take up this way of living as an alternative to bricks and mortar.
So once my little adventure in April is over and written up I will be concentrating on getting that project up and running.
Well folks, I hope you are all enjoying the sunshine, it certainly seems to put a smile on most peoples faces.
Till later........................
The sun has managed to burn off the fog during the day, but the Isle of Wight has remained hidden in a thick blanket of whiteness.
The fog horn has been working overtime the last couple of nights, all though once I am inside my caravan it is hard to hear.
I guess living where I do gives me the best of both worlds, sea and forest are on my doorstep! I am spoilt for choice and so I feel very lucky to live in a part of the world that people travel to for their holidays.
My field is drying out nicely due to the sunshine, maybe in a couple of weeks I will be able to drive up to my caravan!
But for the moment it is a walk across the field, which is rather nice when it is not raining.
Tonight the moon is bright but with wisps of fog about, it is casting a strange light, an owl hooted as I got to my caravan, an eerie sound if ever there was one!
I have been contacted by a journalist who has been researching living in a caravan and came across my blog.
One of the questions I was asked was do you find living in a caravan claustrophobic?
A good question from someone who probably has never stayed in a caravan, but for us that spend regular amounts of time in one it rather made me chuckle!
My caravan along with others has mountains of storage space, every bit of space is utilised leaving no space vacant.
I can move around freely, and can double my living space with the awning up! Not only that but when I open my front door I step into a 5 acre field!
This is not meant to mock those who know nothing of caravans, but it does highlight the misconceptions involved in living in a caravan.
With this in mind and after spending some considerable time doing it for real, I think it is now time to seriously consider writing some sort of handbook/guide for those who want to take up this way of living as an alternative to bricks and mortar.
So once my little adventure in April is over and written up I will be concentrating on getting that project up and running.
Well folks, I hope you are all enjoying the sunshine, it certainly seems to put a smile on most peoples faces.
Till later........................
Sunday, 9 March 2014
Sunshine!
Sitting here at my table looking out over my field, the birds are singing and the sun is shining. The top half of my caravan door is open, and all though a little fresh, cool clean air must be good for the soul?
Today I intend to keep myself rather busy, both with chores, which when you have only one day off these need to be done or I will run out of work shirts and some time spent riding and working on my bike.
A bit of shopping, and after that off to my mate's called "Ghosty" who is a plumber, well I use that term loosely, many years ago he was a plumbers mate before he started to drive a bus! His claim to fame so far is that he managed to repair his gas boiler without blowing up his street!
He is in charge of engineering, today will hopefully see the front rack fitted to my bike!
I'm not going to hold my breath though!
So life goes on, all together more positive today, but I'm not kidding myself by thinking I'm out of the woods yet!
Will update this later on to see how much I actually achieve today!
But for now, back to sitting in the sun - Joy!
The engineering went well, in fact much better than I expected as it was dumb and dumber fitting it!
So today has been a good day, helped no doubt by continuous sunshine. I even went in to Lymington on by bike for a quick spin.
Time now to cook my tea, and an evening of chilling out.
Till later...........
Today I intend to keep myself rather busy, both with chores, which when you have only one day off these need to be done or I will run out of work shirts and some time spent riding and working on my bike.
A bit of shopping, and after that off to my mate's called "Ghosty" who is a plumber, well I use that term loosely, many years ago he was a plumbers mate before he started to drive a bus! His claim to fame so far is that he managed to repair his gas boiler without blowing up his street!
He is in charge of engineering, today will hopefully see the front rack fitted to my bike!
I'm not going to hold my breath though!
So life goes on, all together more positive today, but I'm not kidding myself by thinking I'm out of the woods yet!
Will update this later on to see how much I actually achieve today!
But for now, back to sitting in the sun - Joy!
The engineering went well, in fact much better than I expected as it was dumb and dumber fitting it!
So today has been a good day, helped no doubt by continuous sunshine. I even went in to Lymington on by bike for a quick spin.
Time now to cook my tea, and an evening of chilling out.
Till later...........
Wednesday, 5 March 2014
No One Said It Would Be Easy!
Over the years I have had many setbacks and problems, but as my dear sister pointed out to me "It will be ok bruv your a survivor"
Well I guess I am, and after having a dreadful day at work again today, I have to ask myself am I bringing it all on myself?
I guess the answer is yes, in fact I know the answer is yes!
When you are happy and all is well in your world then everything clicks into place doesn't it?
When your unhappy and miserable, problems escalate from being minor to major in a nano second!
So the trick is to be happy, easier said then done but some how I have to turn things around.
It's no good saying tomorrow I will be happy, that just does not work, so instead I am going to try little things that make me happy.
This evening I have just spent 10 minutes staring up at a beautiful star lit night. I am lucky that where I am there is no light pollution. The sky looks magnificent, and I have to be grateful that I can see the stars so clearly. For those 10 minutes I was happy.
Tucked back inside my warm caravan, it is easy to forget there is a world outside. I have almost become a recluse, rarely venturing out after work, rarely? Who am I kidding! Never venturing out after work! This must stop, even if it is only a walk down by the sea for 1/2 an hour.
I have also got into the habit of just working, some would say be grateful of the overtime and money, but what use is that if you are not happy or have time to spend it?
I seem to either work 6 days on the trot with one day off or 13 consecutive days followed by one day off then another 6 at work and so the cycle continues by only having one day off. Since my holiday at the beginning of February I have only had 2 days off! I'm off this Sunday and the following Sunday, but that is all.
Is this good for me? It keeps my mind occupied which up till now I thought was good, but after seeing "M" I think that it may of done me more harm than good! Yes it took my mind off of the situation, but all it did was cover it over, it didn't really deal with it!
All though how I deal with it is still a bit of a mystery!
My trip is time consuming which is good, and gives me something to look forward to, but the only thing that worries me now is what happens when I get back?
I have thought about a new journey, but I can't think about that until this is done and dusted. I may never want to sit on a motorbike again after this, either that or I will pack my belongings into my panniers, sell everything I own and kiss the UK behind for a year or two and bugger off on the bike!
Who knows, maybe that is what this is all about? Pack up and ship out? It could be done, simple enough to do! Who knows!
At this point if you have come to this blog to seek advice on how to live in a caravan, then with this post you are out of luck!
However, scroll back through older posts and you will probably find the info you are looking for, if not email me and ask the question.
Over the last 12 months, I have been very slack in getting back to folk and I apologise for this but I had a few issues to deal with.
So hopefully forgiven, and will try, yes I will honestly, to talk a bit more about caravans and get back to anyone who emails me.
Mind you, this blog has turned into more than just about caravan's. Life, relationships, work - you name it - all discussed on here.
Don't forget my facebook link is on the right, but please do me a favour and message me via facebook and tell me who you are and where you saw me. Stops me thinking your a weirdo!
So a brief bit of caravan talk, my field is slowly after 2 days of no rain to dry out. At the top of the field where I am pitched it is relatively dry. However the bottom of the field is still deep in water which in places is turning into welly loosing mud. So no hope of getting the Paj up to the caravan yet.
However looking on the brightside, there is absolutely no chance of my caravan being nicked unless they pull it out with a tracked vehicle!
Well, off to make some room for the contents of the paj. Just need some organisation in the stacking department. There is probably loads of room under my bed, it just needs to be placed more regimental!
Till later.......................
Well I guess I am, and after having a dreadful day at work again today, I have to ask myself am I bringing it all on myself?
I guess the answer is yes, in fact I know the answer is yes!
When you are happy and all is well in your world then everything clicks into place doesn't it?
When your unhappy and miserable, problems escalate from being minor to major in a nano second!
So the trick is to be happy, easier said then done but some how I have to turn things around.
It's no good saying tomorrow I will be happy, that just does not work, so instead I am going to try little things that make me happy.
This evening I have just spent 10 minutes staring up at a beautiful star lit night. I am lucky that where I am there is no light pollution. The sky looks magnificent, and I have to be grateful that I can see the stars so clearly. For those 10 minutes I was happy.
Tucked back inside my warm caravan, it is easy to forget there is a world outside. I have almost become a recluse, rarely venturing out after work, rarely? Who am I kidding! Never venturing out after work! This must stop, even if it is only a walk down by the sea for 1/2 an hour.
I have also got into the habit of just working, some would say be grateful of the overtime and money, but what use is that if you are not happy or have time to spend it?
I seem to either work 6 days on the trot with one day off or 13 consecutive days followed by one day off then another 6 at work and so the cycle continues by only having one day off. Since my holiday at the beginning of February I have only had 2 days off! I'm off this Sunday and the following Sunday, but that is all.
Is this good for me? It keeps my mind occupied which up till now I thought was good, but after seeing "M" I think that it may of done me more harm than good! Yes it took my mind off of the situation, but all it did was cover it over, it didn't really deal with it!
All though how I deal with it is still a bit of a mystery!
My trip is time consuming which is good, and gives me something to look forward to, but the only thing that worries me now is what happens when I get back?
I have thought about a new journey, but I can't think about that until this is done and dusted. I may never want to sit on a motorbike again after this, either that or I will pack my belongings into my panniers, sell everything I own and kiss the UK behind for a year or two and bugger off on the bike!
Who knows, maybe that is what this is all about? Pack up and ship out? It could be done, simple enough to do! Who knows!
At this point if you have come to this blog to seek advice on how to live in a caravan, then with this post you are out of luck!
However, scroll back through older posts and you will probably find the info you are looking for, if not email me and ask the question.
Over the last 12 months, I have been very slack in getting back to folk and I apologise for this but I had a few issues to deal with.
So hopefully forgiven, and will try, yes I will honestly, to talk a bit more about caravans and get back to anyone who emails me.
Mind you, this blog has turned into more than just about caravan's. Life, relationships, work - you name it - all discussed on here.
Don't forget my facebook link is on the right, but please do me a favour and message me via facebook and tell me who you are and where you saw me. Stops me thinking your a weirdo!
So a brief bit of caravan talk, my field is slowly after 2 days of no rain to dry out. At the top of the field where I am pitched it is relatively dry. However the bottom of the field is still deep in water which in places is turning into welly loosing mud. So no hope of getting the Paj up to the caravan yet.
However looking on the brightside, there is absolutely no chance of my caravan being nicked unless they pull it out with a tracked vehicle!
Well, off to make some room for the contents of the paj. Just need some organisation in the stacking department. There is probably loads of room under my bed, it just needs to be placed more regimental!
Till later.......................
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