Just a little over three months ago, I was getting myself ready for my trip around the UK on my little Honda C90.
With just two weeks before departure I met someone who has completely changed my life!
Since my return I have spent more and more time at her house and obviously less and less time at the caravan!
The caravan is still parked up and I am still paying full pitch fee's on it, but last week I found a place locally to store it securely for just £8.00 per week. With the option of electric hook up for just an extra £2.00 per week.
So this is where the caravan will be hopefully going as paying pitch fee's is a bit daft when I am spending so much time in bricks and mortar!
I must say that being back in bricks and mortar was a little strange. Not having to worry about the water running out whilst having a shower is rather lovely! I don't miss having to collect water via the aqua rolls or 5 litre containers either.
Moving the caravan to storage and not living in it will give me the chance to do some repairs that are required.
The floor for some time has needed attention, the front floor between the seats and also at the foot of the bed have started to de-laminate.
Curable by drilling holes and filling with a type of glue, but impossible to do whilst you are living in it.
A couple of the main lights have given up the ghost and a new water pump will be fitted as the current one is on it's way out.
All these jobs can be done given time.
I have no plans to get rid of the caravan, it will give us a great base to holiday from and perfect for weekends away.
Have I missed the caravan? I guess the only thing I miss is the quiet at night. Living in a field in the country with only owls for company is rather special and unique!
Would I change things? Not at all, I can't remember the last time I was this happy and content.
So for now living in a caravan is at an end.
It has been an emotional journey with many up and downs, 99% of which I have shared with you all.
I run another blog which can be found at www.fatblokestravels.blogspot.com this is where I write about my travels, which I plan to do lot's more of.
This blog, well, not sure where to go from here, I guess as I do the repairs I will update and any trips away. So it will stay active.
Hope you all enjoy the summer with this glorious weather we are having here in the UK.
Till later.....................
Saturday, 21 June 2014
Tuesday, 27 May 2014
Caravan - A Group Of Travellers Journeying Together.
For a while now I have been wondering what this blog is all about. I guess some of you long term readers are wondering the same!
It has changed over the last 18 months from full timing in a caravan to having four walls and a roof, back to the caravan, and now I find myself staying more and more within four walls and a roof once more!
But one definition of a caravan is "A Group Of Travellers Journeying Together". Well, are we not all on a journey we call "Life" and all travelling together on "Life's Journey"? It's just a different interpretation of the same word!
So yes this blog was all about how we lived in a touring caravan, but now it appears to have morphed itself into a blog about my life and my journey with others.
The caravan remains a focal point and I am happy to answer any questions gained from the years spent being slightly nomadic within a geographical area.
This blog however will now be more of a life recording adventure, where everyday observations and events will be noted for all to see.
A good part of it will still be based on camping and the outdoors as this is something that is deep rooted within me.
So keep with me folks, life changes and we either adapt and move on or fall by the wayside.
Till later..................
It has changed over the last 18 months from full timing in a caravan to having four walls and a roof, back to the caravan, and now I find myself staying more and more within four walls and a roof once more!
But one definition of a caravan is "A Group Of Travellers Journeying Together". Well, are we not all on a journey we call "Life" and all travelling together on "Life's Journey"? It's just a different interpretation of the same word!
So yes this blog was all about how we lived in a touring caravan, but now it appears to have morphed itself into a blog about my life and my journey with others.
The caravan remains a focal point and I am happy to answer any questions gained from the years spent being slightly nomadic within a geographical area.
This blog however will now be more of a life recording adventure, where everyday observations and events will be noted for all to see.
A good part of it will still be based on camping and the outdoors as this is something that is deep rooted within me.
So keep with me folks, life changes and we either adapt and move on or fall by the wayside.
Till later..................
Monday, 19 May 2014
Lands End - Dover - John O'Groats - Durness - Lands End Challenge
Well I've been back a few weeks now and all I can say is that after my challenge which you can read at www.fatblokestravels.blogspot.com I still haven't totally recovered!
I came off my motorbike whilst in Glencoe and badly twisted my knee and ankle.
Please go and take a look at the blog it is completely updated with a blow by blow account of the journey I took.
Life here on site is unchanged, peaceful with no other campers yet!
The weekend just gone was spent in a tent camping with friends in the New Forest, weather was brilliant, but I've been bitten half to death! I obviously taste good!
A lot has happened over the last few weeks, Just before I went on my trip I met someone who has completely bowled me over.
During the trip she was always on the end of the phone and a massive support and help to me.
Now that I am back I seem to be spending all my time with her, which I must say is brilliant.
So life for me is good at the moment and I see no reason why it will change.
I have been reading through some of the comments left and it appears that more and more people are taking the plunge and living full time in their caravans. A wise move and as yet I have not heard one horror story of how it all fell apart for them.
A number of questions have been raised, which over the next few weeks I will try to resolve, but with so many people reading the blog these days, the questions are being answered for me which is great!
This blog was set up originally not only as a diary for myself, but as a resource for others to ask daft questions and not feel embarrassed.
To be able to find out more about living like this and to hear from people who are actually doing it rather than from some web sites/forums those who only go away for 2 weeks of the year and think they know everything!
I used to get so frustrated with those types, now I don't even read the forums!
Asking someone about full timing who only goes away 2 weeks of the year is like asking the person who makes you a cup of tea at work how to run a 5 star Michelin restaurant!
So please feel free to ask questions, either directly via the blog, or to me direct at joolsmauro@gmail.com I'm not the worlds greatest at getting back to folk so the blog is probably better!
Anyway a couple of pictures from my epic journey!
I came off my motorbike whilst in Glencoe and badly twisted my knee and ankle.
Please go and take a look at the blog it is completely updated with a blow by blow account of the journey I took.
Life here on site is unchanged, peaceful with no other campers yet!
The weekend just gone was spent in a tent camping with friends in the New Forest, weather was brilliant, but I've been bitten half to death! I obviously taste good!
A lot has happened over the last few weeks, Just before I went on my trip I met someone who has completely bowled me over.
During the trip she was always on the end of the phone and a massive support and help to me.
Now that I am back I seem to be spending all my time with her, which I must say is brilliant.
So life for me is good at the moment and I see no reason why it will change.
I have been reading through some of the comments left and it appears that more and more people are taking the plunge and living full time in their caravans. A wise move and as yet I have not heard one horror story of how it all fell apart for them.
A number of questions have been raised, which over the next few weeks I will try to resolve, but with so many people reading the blog these days, the questions are being answered for me which is great!
This blog was set up originally not only as a diary for myself, but as a resource for others to ask daft questions and not feel embarrassed.
To be able to find out more about living like this and to hear from people who are actually doing it rather than from some web sites/forums those who only go away for 2 weeks of the year and think they know everything!
I used to get so frustrated with those types, now I don't even read the forums!
Asking someone about full timing who only goes away 2 weeks of the year is like asking the person who makes you a cup of tea at work how to run a 5 star Michelin restaurant!
So please feel free to ask questions, either directly via the blog, or to me direct at joolsmauro@gmail.com I'm not the worlds greatest at getting back to folk so the blog is probably better!
Anyway a couple of pictures from my epic journey!
Tuesday, 25 March 2014
Time Flies
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..............
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..............
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................
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