A serious case of Camper Craving
Maybe it’s the longer light that’s fuelling the urge.
It’s been particularly strong in the last couple of days. I’ve spent hours online researching the options and poring over specialist magazines, then at night I dream of the wild sites I’ll park in, the prospect of a home and the freedom to roam.
I’ve narrowed the styles down. Again. And tomorrow I’m going to do something about it. Yes, again. My long-suffering friend is coming with me. OK, yet again. But he’s refusing to return to the showrooms we’ve already spent days trawling through, trying the patience of salesmen, asking questions, wearing out the locks on drawers and cupboards and making permanent dents in the upholstery. Well, you need to be sure, don’t you?
Tomorrow it’s somewhere new, with styles I haven’t seen before. I’m so excited I may not sleep tonight.
Campervan, motorhome, RV; no vehicle escapes my attention. Out on the roads I’ve crawled behind the models I’m interested in for mile after mile, holding up the traffic (and often going in a direction I hadn’t intended) while I wonder how it would feel to be driving that machine, what my options would be for an overnight stop and if it’s really as good as camping. I need a home for a while but it has to be small and not too clumsy because it’ll also take the place of my dear little car and permanently packed tent.
As I walked back from the beach in the dark yesterday afternoon I saw a vehicle swing round the harbour and park up at an angle to get the best view of hills and sea and moon. It’s bigger than the van conversion style I want but it was enough to convince me that it’s still an option in January. In Scotland.
The problem is that (until now, at least) common sense kicks in before I sign the cheque and reminds me that I’d be parting with a substantial chunk of my limited resources. I don’t want an old one that’s going to cause me problems so I’m looking at new or almost new. Today’s favoured model is Globecar but I can’t predict what it’ll be after tomorrow.
I wonder if Camper Envy is a medical condition?
It took us three years of research, RV shows and more research until we found our Betsy. Hang in there. I would say the deciding factor should be what do you plan to do with it. Are you going to live in it full time or just use it on weekends and or holidays. ?
Good luck!
Thanks guys; I’m in year two now and still working on it! I haven’t been to an RV show yet but there’s one coming up in Glasgow soon. Watch this space!
Good luck Nancy, We’re just at the start of a similar process but to put something in place in the driveway to house more couch surfers much of the time. The french couple at Christmas were a huge dose of much needed conviviality that benefited us all and if I can’t, at the moment, go to the world then the world might as well come here 🙂
Look forward to making a reservation once you get it sorted Scott x
Best of luck in making your decision. Being out on the road isn’t for everyone but for those of us with wanderlust, it is a great life. 🙂
Thanks. LuAnn. I’m wavering…
It is a big decision.
Perhaps you could hire one for a couple of days. That way you will find the good and bad points. I loved touring Scotland in my hired motor home. Good luck with the selection. Doug
I’ll maybe do that Doug; I don’t expect there’ll be much competition for vans here at the moment! But I see you’re enjoying high temps again. Look forward to hearing about your NZ adventure. Have you any treks planned? N
We will be tramping in NZ but as yet have not picked any particular trail. Loved the photo’s and your observations of the sentinel tree Take care Doug
Its a bit of a worry when my daughter and you are both writing murder novels.
We looked and dreamed for four years before we took the plunge and still we traded our first RV in within three months. We thought we had asked all the right questions but when we were finally in our fifth wheel we realized there were questions we didn’t know to ask. But it was fun looking and we are now enjoying our 5th year in our current fifth year.
Ruth from At Home on the Road
Yes, I’ve already discovered there’s so much to learn – but that’s part of the adventure, isn’t it!
Definitely! Anticipation is a big part of living your dream.
I can so relate to this! I have mine all picked out. Small, maneuverable, all you need. I’ll probably never get it, but I don’t think that is exactly the point. It’s the desire for minimalism and rootlessness which I have had all my life. Compared to buying a house/flat, it’s almost nothing!
Just as well we live on different continents Margaret. I think we would be very bad (ie good) influences on one another!
Ha ha! Too true. But they have airplanes for that!
Your blog looks like a lot of fun 🙂 Annie
Thanks Annie. I love the splash of colour you bring!
It’s a big decision that can come with a big price tag.
Appreciate the words of caution but don’t worry, I’ve been at this stage many times before!
So many things to consider! I’m sure you’ll get what’s right for you.