Does any fulltime solo? Forums

gromett

I have finally started telling a few close friends that I am selling up and going fulltime round europe. They all think it is exciting but as I am doing it on my own they think it will be lonely. I am not too concerned as I have friends around Europe, I can keep in touch via email, msn etc. I see there is a good community spirit about.

My question really is, are any of you fulltiming solo, how do you find the social life on sites and aires? I am very self reliant and am as happy on my own as in company so I cannot see it being a problem to be honest.

Cheers

overthehill

Loneliness is an inner state. I am living alone in a country where I don't know anyone and yet I am not lonely, I go out and about there is always someone to chat to, be it out on a dog walk or the swimming pool, or the shops, I was far more lonely when I was living with the wrong person.
I find being on my own means I get the chance to meet some interesting people and enjoy fresh experiences. If you are travelling around this is increased ten fold. Then when I want to be alone I can just shut the door.
It depends on yourself to an extent and where you are - people over here are exceptionally friendly and cheerful, it is impossible to walk past anyone without being greeted.
So - go for it. It will be a great adventure.

Gill

Ericbunny

I am Eric,fulltiming solo.I have no problem being on my own.You meet a lot of people along the way,and if you camp wild and stay for a while people come and pull up ask if your ok.When they find out you are fulltiming they want to know a lot more about it.Now i do have to be in the UK a lot,so i do stay here during the winter as well.Now that is a little harder due to daytime hours being a bit short,the weather windy ect.There are a lot of sites that are open so you can park up and agree a winter fee price.I stayed near Dundee during January/Feb for £200 including hook up,hot showers ect.Mon-Fri the place was empty and you were mostly on your own.Sat&Sun you had company.I am again out in the Highlands of Scotland wildcamping.I just love it.I went to France last summer and it was a lot of fun,but a bit on the hot side.You meet so many people with motorhomes,who find it fasinating your doing fulltime,but when they find out your also on your own theyshake there heads in disbelieve.Do take security abroad serious as on your own you could be at risk.I had no trouble,but then i am over 6 foot and 23 stone.But here in Scotland away from the city centre you can leave your stuff outside.It will be there in the morning.I do get the local bobby popping round for tee,once in a while on his round.But local people leave you alone,and if you wave they will sound there horn or wave.On occasions they will ask if you are ok,but most of the time you are on your own,and no one bothers you.The postbus will stop and pick you up,if you want to get to the vilage for grocery,or pass them a letter and they will post it.I once even stop the refuse collectors,so i could get my rubbish cleared.Not sure they do this on the continent.I have been round the Uk,never had a problem with any local people,but then i take my rubbish away,leave the place as it was.My European experience is limited,because i still work as i travel.But that is a long story,so good luck and let us know how you getting on .If your in Scotland look us up.

Rojamr

can only agree with Gill re it depending on what sort of person you are.

My mum spends several months at a time away in her van on her own. My dad who she had been married to for 40 years died and 6 months later she bought her van (never having had a van or caravan before!). Whilst she is lonely for my dad, she isn't lonely on sites etc and meets lots of new friends along the way.

If you make a little effort, so will other people and if you want time on your own, just close the door.

Good luck and don't let other peoples predjudices put you off. Just because someone else wouldn't do it, doesn't mean you don't have to!

Rachel

overthehill

Rachel, so sorry to hear about your father but it's great to hear that your mum is doing that - good luck to her, and I hope to have the privilege of meeting her on the road sometime!

Gill

kathbroma

can i ask if you sell up to go full time [and i would love to] how do you go on for road tax insurance and do you have to let old age pension know about it also docters thanks kath

Rojamr

Thanks Gill, didn't want to make anyone sad! Her next trip takes her up through the Lakes to Scotland and then back via the Lakes through Wales and over to Dublin May/ June time. She has also had her fringe died purple - she previously had electric blue hair extensions Shocked

.

Hi Kath

My mum hasn't sold up and wouldn't want to either. However, when we go full-timing around Europe next year, we will sell one house (currently being rented out) and rent our own. For my mum at her age, she likes the security or a house. For us, I like the fact that it will give us options later on. There are lots of places that will offer you a postal address - some storage companies offer the facility, or maybe cc club? Post redirection to your campsite can probably be arranged with the warden and can be actioned online with the Post Office. Can't help with doctors though, sorry.

Good luck!

Rachel

Cowly

Hi

As the posts prior to this one have said it so well, as spottydog put it, if you share a house with the wrong person it can be a very lonely life, and when traveling solo, life can be what you make it, I go off solo for around 3 months at a time, and find life far more satisfying, and last year alone met up with 5 people who had sold up and started traveling solo, one guy was on his way from the UK to Egypt, but had no intension of getting there for another 10-12 months, too much to see on the way, and when I travel through the small places in France, I always ask someone where I can stop the night, and have often been told, park in my farm yard, park in the store car park, park in the timber yard and use the toilet, have even been invited for evening meal on a few occasions, at a place last year the 16 year old daughter was learning English, the parents were delighted when I accepted the invitation to dinner, with the daughter translating for a few hours English-French-English, and had a christmas card asking me to go back over for a few days for the daughter to practice her English,

I think spottydog and ericbunny put it very well, if you want frendship you will soon have it, it you wish to be alone, you can be alone,

Go for it and have fun, I wish you all the best,

Colin R...........

gromett

Thanks everyone, I am more than happy with my own company, I live on my own so its not really going to be a lot different. Ben and Lizzie very kindly invited me over to visit on Friday. It was my first time in a motorhome that was in actual use and the visit has convinced me I am doing the right thing. Thanks a lot for a great weekend Ben & Lizzie. I also found my self a new hobby whilst I was there. I am still aching from that by the way. Ben took me climbing and I really enjoyed it. They also took me for a tour of the MCL factory on Saturday morning. It is really impressive. Prior to this visit I thought £250K for a wagon was excessive but having seen the work they do and the quality I have to admit it has been added to my list of things to get.

As for mail, I have made a deal with the landlord of my local. He is going to let me use his address in return for a free holiday in Europe once a year Very Happy

I am in the process of selling everything in my house, which I am going to put on the market on Monday or Tuesday. Retford has a very fast moving house market so I anticipate 4-6 weeks for the sale. I have already sold most of the items in my house to friends. I just have a Saxaphone and Keyboard to get rid of and I'm pretty much ready to go. Not bad considering I only started to think of this plan a week ago Smile

Anyway thanks again everyone for the encouragement. I can't wait to get going.

Karl

Anonymous

Hi Karl

Glad you enjoyed it all. I'm glad that meeting us didn't put you off! Keep us informed of your preparations and let's meet up again when we've both got our new vans Very Happy

Anyone else want a factory tour, give us a shout.

Lizzie