Major panic going on here

JackieO

I don't know where to begin so I'm just going to ramble... if anyone can pick out the important bits and give us some advice then we'd be very very grateful.

We're relatively new to this. We bought an old vintage van last year - toured England and went out every weekend. Loved it so much we decided to buy a bigger, newer van and tour Europe.

We've researched, we've asked questions, we've made (thousands) of lists and we've got a plan (kind of). We plan to leave here on May 1st, travel from Hull to Belgium and then through northern Europe in the summer months and the south in the autumn/winter.

I left work at Christmas to get the house ready to rent. It's been hard work but it's done now and folks are looking round with a view to rent for 6 months initially with an option of a further 6 months. My partner leaves work next week AND SUDDENLY IT'S ALL JUST GOT A BIT TOO MUCH!!!!! (I was doing quite well panic wise up until then)

This week we've done nothing toward our trip and, of course, the pressure of knowing we're going in 4/5 weeks combined with our sudden panic about it all has sent us into meltdown I think. It's all just too much - do you know what I mean?

There's so much still do so. The van needs some minor conversion work and that will have to be done in England and we've got in a state about how we get it done and then there's ALL those questions about what we will need and, more importantly, not need. And the insurance and forwarding mail and whether we need air con and a TV and digital and suspension and GPRS, and a roof vent and a grill and a Bravoska and whether we take melamine plates or china and whether we'll be able to get gas and have the right fittings and where will we empty the toilet and and and....

AND I'm starting to look at the garden and think that I'll miss it too much, and my lovely new shower that was only put in a month ago and my friends, and my son, and the cat (who needs to be fostered for the year)

Argh. One thing we DO know is that we really DO want to go. We have not one doubt that we'll be ok once we set off - it's just the setting off and the steps along the way that have got to us in a big way.

Please can anyone help? Any words of wisdom, experience or humour would be welcomed. We're really struggling here. :/

Thanks

Jackie and Bill

WingPete

Ok, so you are set on going away for good period of time.
Well, as long as you have done some preping, it's easy.
Main things to deal with are, Insurances (for your health, 'van, and house). Don't forget, unoccupied homes need insurers to be told.
Next, get van in usable/livabl;e condition. Bit late to make alterations to base vehicle in time scale, but faults must be fixed soon, here or there.
GPS , air conditioning and air suspension are nice to have but not essentials. Maps, and 12 volt fans do function for most travellers.
TV's are not essential either, take laptop with DVD's, books, playing cards, binoculars, radio/cassette player. They will keep you occupied during bad weather, otherwise you ought to be kept busy seeing where to go and where you should be !!
China plates are good, but so are melamine for daily use.
Don't forget, take minimum, and if found wanting anything, there are shops in Europe that have goods we pay more for. T
hat should be an incentive to depart light.
Keep cooking simple, enjoy local fare and meet the locals.
Bravoska or other special appliances are again, nice to have but not essential. A good deep frying pan can cook many things, might mean planning on what to add to the pan during process of meal preparation, but you are only cooking for two I take it ?
Gas is important. Make sure you have fittings for UK,(calor) France (Camping Gaz) and if going into Spain, Cepsa .
They are all different, so need various adaptors, available in UK dealers of caravan/motorhome accessory shops, or even online via m/home sites.
Make sure you take copies of important documents, like passports, drivers licences, vehicle reg document, insurances etc.
If I have left anything out, others will be here shortly I am sure, to furnish you with enough ideas to make sure you get away and have fun.

ScotJimland

Hi Jackie and Bill..

"calm down dear" Laughing

This is perfectly normal I can assure you, we packed up last year to start our fulltiming "adventure" .. panic, morning sickness, butterflies.. soooo much to do, sooo little time..

The worst time is the night before departure.. panic big time, our house was sold, our 'home' now sat on the street with ALL our worldly possessions.. the day we left was an emotional turmoil.

As we left I didn't look back, there was no 'going back' we had made our bed now we HAD to make it work..
Seven months on and it still feels "odd" not having a "base" but we haven't regretted our decision, in years to come who knows, we may decide to settle but that's the future, today we live for the day..

Remember you are not alone, there are hundreds in not thousands who have had the courage to 'live their dream'.

Sit down together and write down the important 'must do's' then prioritise with a time line.. don't worry about the little things, once you are 'on the road' you will find time and have the opportunity to 'fine tune' .. we have thrown out literally sack loads of things we thought we couldn't live without and also purchased other things we forgot..

Relax, take a big breath, give each other a big hug and go for it.. life is for living not dreaming..

If you need any specific help or advice there are many on hear only too willing to help..

All the best and good luck, keep us up to date..

Jim, Jan and Family

passionwagon

Remember to have a legal short hold rental agreement drawn up by a good estate agent or solicitor . If you do not then you will have great difficulty in getting occupancy back without a long legal and possible court battle. What address are you using to prove UK occupancy mh insurance etc. If you leave it to the rented property occupier be warned as this is the greatest area of identity fraud. Wink

Spacerunner

Might I suggest that you spend the first couple of months in the UK. Then you can acclimatise to full-timing, sort out what kit you do and do not need. And any mods and gas queries can be sorted in slow time. Remember you are supposed to be enjoying this and retirement in itself can be quite stressful. You may be trying to cram in too much too soon when you have the rest of your life to do what you want.

Dazzer

Hi Jackie & Bill

Never full timed (wife wont let me!!) but the way id look at it is the same with everything in life.

Deal with problem 1 before moving onto problem 2 Then
Deal with problem 2 before moving onto problem 3 etc etc etc

The single most important thing to sort is insurance AND breakdown cover. Also make sure your van is in tip top condition. Have you changed the cambelt, fan belt, and other drive belts?? May cost you a few quid but do it NOW before you leave. Prevention is much better than cure, especially when you don't speak the lingo!! Also if your van has air con get it re-gassed before you set off (you'll be glad you did!!)

Only 1 other "must have" spare part id take would be a spare water pump (available off Ebay for about £25-30ish). A m/h without a working water pump is just an expensive tent!!

Good luck with it and keep us up to speed with the mad panic!!!

Dazzer

bigfoot

Some thoughts a bit corny but true.
'A journey of a thousand miles begins with just one step.'
'An inconvenience is only an adventure looked at in the wrong frame of mind.'
Happy trails

quickgetaway

Hi,

I can sympathise with you as I too am a big 'worrier', my best advice would be to drop everything, forget about it for a few days and agree that you will not feel guilty about 'doing nothing' and get yourselves away in your van for a short break, pick a good tranquil site and you should remember why you wanted to go on your adventure in the first place.

John

Duadua

JackieO

You've done all the difficult bits. (I am speaking as someone who hasn't done those difficult bits of course, but never mind).

The rest is much the same for those off for a weekend with uncertain weather, or 5 weeks during the summer.

BUT you will have the time en route to pick up anything and everything, if and when you find you really need something.

I agree re insurance and copy paperwork etc., obviously, and forget all the rest. Be happy with what you have and enjoy it. I am jealous already.

If you only took 2 changes of clothing and no food, you will survive. Shopping is no different wherever you are. If you load up with gadgets now, you may never use them and where will you have space to pick things up as you travel. Go light!

Re clothing: so far I have filled the cupboards each time with far too many clothes etc. and I bet I have only used 10%. Shorts and flip flops rule in warmer climes.

Re food: the best bit is not buying months worth of provisions but to buy fresh things locally as you travel. French bread and pastries, to die for, Italian delicatessens , to die for, etc. Never mind the local beers and wines!

Supermarket shopping in this country has killed our enthusiasm for all things fresh and regional.

I haven't been on big private boats, but I imagine it feels the same when preparing to depart, as for preparing to leave with a MH. You feel there is no way to rectify any mistakes, once you have left. Rubbish. Yes you spend all that time worrying and trying to remember things to take. But once away, well that is the end of worrying.

Take photos of the garden, shower, friends, cat and son and they can travel with you.

Loads of people on here will be "travelling" with you anyway and remember a MHer anywhere will always be happy to help. It's a big club out there.

ENJOY

Duadua