Ogre hope it works out for you. If you are confident that people will be living that way perhaps you could write a book on the subject, if you have time.
It could be a future best seller!!
Edd
It could be a future best seller!!
Edd
Thanks Edd.
We are already keeping a day to day diary of our experiences, problems, solutions and aspects of this lifestyle.
It may well turn into a quite amusing and revealing book by the time we're done!!
We are already keeping a day to day diary of our experiences, problems, solutions and aspects of this lifestyle.
It may well turn into a quite amusing and revealing book by the time we're done!!
Fair play to you both,we have done the same & 9 weeks into our new lifestyle we love it.We stopped over night at my wifes sisters in bricks and mortar on boxing day,very nice as it was we were too hot,couldn't sleep for traffic noise and forgot how much noise nieghbours can make.We were glad to get back home to our van.Hope all works out for you both aswell we seem to have the same ways of thinking take care all the best.
Hi Ogre and Kev
I am following your updates with great interest. I have a 26 year old son who considers getting on the property ladder as do many of his contemporaries. They almost feel defeated before they start at the cost of housing, so I can understand your decisions to take alternative action. Keep us informed and best wishes to you both.
Chris
I am following your updates with great interest. I have a 26 year old son who considers getting on the property ladder as do many of his contemporaries. They almost feel defeated before they start at the cost of housing, so I can understand your decisions to take alternative action. Keep us informed and best wishes to you both.
Chris
Good luck to you all.
As for the illness bit, the NHS is a lottery whether you live on the state or otherwise. If you live in your own house it will be used for nursing home fees in the future.
In a year round caravan you are less of a burden to your family if you do drop dead. We have just had a death in the family and it will take considerable effort from my brother to shift all the junk.
Our utilities council tax, water, gas, elec alone around over
As for the illness bit, the NHS is a lottery whether you live on the state or otherwise. If you live in your own house it will be used for nursing home fees in the future.
In a year round caravan you are less of a burden to your family if you do drop dead. We have just had a death in the family and it will take considerable effort from my brother to shift all the junk.
Our utilities council tax, water, gas, elec alone around over
Alex, Chrissy, Kev. Thank You for your messages. Well done Kev on doing the same as us 
I can assure you all that this decision was probably the best thing that we did in 2007 for all the reasons previously outlined. We have NO regrets on having now done it.
Let's face it, if we were to get THAT ill, then I'm sure an ambulance will take us to a local hospital, and we have no concerns about that as we are still working and paying our taxes.
I think, at this early stage, our advice would be this. If you are planning on doing this, then source out the biggest and best equipped caravan you can afford. There are plenty of sensibly priced ones for sale if you look carefully, and negotiate keenly.
Cooking, comfort and heating facilities are important. We have a 23 foot twin-axle 4 berth just for the two of us, and use the back end for sleeping, and we can shut it off. Space is important, as you don't want to be living in a shoe box on top of each other. Put up an awning, and double your space for storage, drying, and all the dirty things that you don't want in the caravan. Buy Scrabble, a portable TV and a Freeview box with a good pole aerial, and you are halfway there.
Don't be put off by the Doom-Mongers. Just go ahead and do it. For every reason they will give you not to do it, I'll give you 10 in favour.
My Wife and I wish you ALL a Very Happy New Year which we hope will bring you all that you wish for. I know WE are going to have the best one that we've had for many many years. Life has taken on a whole new meaning for us again.
I can assure you all that this decision was probably the best thing that we did in 2007 for all the reasons previously outlined. We have NO regrets on having now done it.
Let's face it, if we were to get THAT ill, then I'm sure an ambulance will take us to a local hospital, and we have no concerns about that as we are still working and paying our taxes.
I think, at this early stage, our advice would be this. If you are planning on doing this, then source out the biggest and best equipped caravan you can afford. There are plenty of sensibly priced ones for sale if you look carefully, and negotiate keenly.
Cooking, comfort and heating facilities are important. We have a 23 foot twin-axle 4 berth just for the two of us, and use the back end for sleeping, and we can shut it off. Space is important, as you don't want to be living in a shoe box on top of each other. Put up an awning, and double your space for storage, drying, and all the dirty things that you don't want in the caravan. Buy Scrabble, a portable TV and a Freeview box with a good pole aerial, and you are halfway there.
Don't be put off by the Doom-Mongers. Just go ahead and do it. For every reason they will give you not to do it, I'll give you 10 in favour.
My Wife and I wish you ALL a Very Happy New Year which we hope will bring you all that you wish for. I know WE are going to have the best one that we've had for many many years. Life has taken on a whole new meaning for us again.
As we stand no chance either and have been living in the caravan since January 2006, we are now considering purchasing a larger caravan similar to a 720 Hobby as they offer a bit more room, i.e. similar to what traqvellers use as 50000 travellers cannot be wrong.
As we seldom move it, there is no problem with towing. However if we do not go down this route we will be considering a second cheap basic caravan to enable us to pursue our hobby on weekends as we are not too sure about living in a tent on weekends in this climate.
As we seldom move it, there is no problem with towing. However if we do not go down this route we will be considering a second cheap basic caravan to enable us to pursue our hobby on weekends as we are not too sure about living in a tent on weekends in this climate.
Hi Ogre
Being of a practical nature my question is how do you cope with things like washing, ironing, bathing etc., or does your site have facilities for these? Also how do you solve the problem of damp towels? Also, NO DISHWASHER!!! (I've only had one for twelve months but I sure would miss it now!)
Being of a practical nature my question is how do you cope with things like washing, ironing, bathing etc., or does your site have facilities for these? Also how do you solve the problem of damp towels? Also, NO DISHWASHER!!! (I've only had one for twelve months but I sure would miss it now!)
Hi again Chrissy. Happy Noo Year.
We have clothes washing facilities on site, and use them. Coin operated, and no different to paying for it at home through your electricity bill.
Showers and bath are again on site and part of our pitch rental.
A quick hot shower, and a jog back to the caravan at 7am before work is really invigorating....especially in December! Not for the faint hearted, but I'm used to it now.
We DO have a shower in the caravan, but don't use it to avoid bringing loads of condensation and steam into the caravan. Our last caravan was wrecked by water fom the shower which caused terminal damage.
Towels dry out amazingly well in the awning. We have a DeLonghi Gas heater out there, and once heated, the awning's like an oven. Keeps the condensation and possible damp out of the caravan you see.
Dishwasher!! Clutches head in horror.......Yes, we DO have a dishwasher. It's a well known model by the name of "Marigolds"!! Never goes wrong, and is very cheap to run with the addition of a little Fairy Liquid.
Keeps my hands lovely too!!
We have clothes washing facilities on site, and use them. Coin operated, and no different to paying for it at home through your electricity bill.
Showers and bath are again on site and part of our pitch rental.
A quick hot shower, and a jog back to the caravan at 7am before work is really invigorating....especially in December! Not for the faint hearted, but I'm used to it now.
We DO have a shower in the caravan, but don't use it to avoid bringing loads of condensation and steam into the caravan. Our last caravan was wrecked by water fom the shower which caused terminal damage.
Towels dry out amazingly well in the awning. We have a DeLonghi Gas heater out there, and once heated, the awning's like an oven. Keeps the condensation and possible damp out of the caravan you see.
Dishwasher!! Clutches head in horror.......Yes, we DO have a dishwasher. It's a well known model by the name of "Marigolds"!! Never goes wrong, and is very cheap to run with the addition of a little Fairy Liquid.
Keeps my hands lovely too!!
'for hands that do dishes to be soft as your face ---etc. etc.!!
Sounds like all good stuff to me Ogre - keep enjoying!
Chris
Sounds like all good stuff to me Ogre - keep enjoying!
Chris
Hi,Ogre.You are so right in all you say and all you do is like mirror image it would almost seem like you were on the same site as we.Do you now like us feel more at ease with life and most everyday issues no longer seem to be a big deal?.We have met a few people living the same lifestyle as we now are,and when you listen to what they say it makes you realise that the problems you think you may come up against are solverble.It also makes you appreciate the wonder of nature more,we now hear & see wildlife we never knew was around.We also walk to the recycling centre whereas before we would maybe drive or if the weather was bad throw it in the dustbin and then convince ourselves that was ok coz we pay out council tax.Anyway we love the new way of life we still both go to work and do all the same things that other folk that live their way of life do,even though it seems to give them a buzz when they knock us for living our way.Little do they realise we are thick skinned and only serves to endorse that what we are doing is the right thing,(for us).Bottom line is we are doing on a more regular basis what most carravanners do 2,3,4 or even 5 times a year getting back to basics in the countryside.All the best to you keep in touch,hope all goes well.Kev & Christina.
We are likely to be living full time as of easter this year. We will most likely work as wardens for upto 9 months and then have a 3 month break doing our own thing.
I am quite fed up with the rat race of house ownership and all the demands put upon our finances with utility bills for what can only be described as second rate service at best. Not one of either the utility or health services deliver value for money, but the tax man doesn't mind taking his cut regardless!!
Good luck to anyone who escapes the rat pack and can be self supporting.
The government won't support you wether you be old, infirm or working on the breadline.
Steve Ll
I am quite fed up with the rat race of house ownership and all the demands put upon our finances with utility bills for what can only be described as second rate service at best. Not one of either the utility or health services deliver value for money, but the tax man doesn't mind taking his cut regardless!!
Good luck to anyone who escapes the rat pack and can be self supporting.
The government won't support you wether you be old, infirm or working on the breadline.
Steve Ll
We use the shower in the morning and again in the evening I do not really have a problem with condensation but then the heating is on and the heating in the awning so I guess one cancels out the other.
Us to Steve, though not sure we will be able to manage 9 months a year.
we fininsh as wage slaves mid feb and then a couple of months off before taking up post as wardens for 5 months. can't wait!
Hi All,well we are still here even after the harsh weather we've had up till now.We have no doubt it will get worse before it gets better but hey aint that what life is like?.All we got to do is stay positive and deal with it then smile about it when we get through it.The winter these days is nothin compared to when we were kids so why do people panic so much!!take it in ya stride dress up against the elements keep ya van warm an cosy just like ya would if you lived in bricks an mortar.Caravans are pretty good these days most with all the mod cons so have faith and be determined to succeed.All The Best Kev.
What's happened to this interesting Saga, seems to have gone off the boil.
I hope Mr and Mrs Ogre haven't frozen solid.
Rob
I hope Mr and Mrs Ogre haven't frozen solid.
Rob
hello all, well we are still about, now into our second year, despite the weather so far this year we have never been cold yet since being in the caravan. Its a lot easier and a hell of a lot cheaper to heat than our house ever was.It is a great lifestyle but I am getting worried now as there seem to be a lot of people coming to their senses and and abandoning the rat race for this way of life, will there be enough pitches for us all in the future ha ha. seriously though that 28 day rule is a pain in the ass luckily there are still site owners willing to forget about it most of the time........Mark somewhere near Norwich
Ogre, I will be 70 in April.....
When I got married most of my age had 3 options....
1) Live with Mum & Dad or the inlaws
2) Rent a flat and I don't mean the new build apartments that have been going up lately but sometimes a room and kitchen in a large house.
3) Rent a static caravan, again these used to be available in most localities.
Point I am making is that nobody of our aquaintance ever had a house at first.
By pooling our wages we were able to save a small deposit and finally afford a small new home. No carpet not much furniture but saving and working for these looking back cemented our marriage and we are still together.
Children had to come much later as we both had to continue working.
Point about all this is that you just have to work your way through the ups and downs of life and you will come through OK.
When I got married most of my age had 3 options....
1) Live with Mum & Dad or the inlaws
2) Rent a flat and I don't mean the new build apartments that have been going up lately but sometimes a room and kitchen in a large house.
3) Rent a static caravan, again these used to be available in most localities.
Point I am making is that nobody of our aquaintance ever had a house at first.
By pooling our wages we were able to save a small deposit and finally afford a small new home. No carpet not much furniture but saving and working for these looking back cemented our marriage and we are still together.
Children had to come much later as we both had to continue working.
Point about all this is that you just have to work your way through the ups and downs of life and you will come through OK.
Still very much here, and loving every minute of it!!
Mrs Ogre and I saw the newspaper reports on the increases in Utility bills from these greedy, obscene companies, and the proposed increases in Council Tax, and said.............You're welcome!!
Our little propane gas cylinder has lasted from Nov 28th and is still going strong. Our electricity and water form part of our site fee.
As for flat/house ownership, we've been down those roads. Basically you're a permanent slave to whoever wants your money. If you don't pay your bills, they will take you to court regardless of whether you have the money to pay for them or not. I only wish that I could DEMAND more money year on year from MY employers which is the case with Council Tax and Utility bills. We call it extortion.
The constant demand on a fixed income is unsustainable. Sooner or later you will become unable to meet ever increasing demands.
I've never known so many people in serious debt in my life as now, and most of them are decent people who have simply run out of money, because every single penny they earn is screwed out of them by utility companies, and the state.
These are not irresponsible people. They have tried to make ends meet, but as everybody knows, 10 into 5 gives you a deficit!!
We've been through all the weather has had to throw at us. No worries. We've no regrets and less stress than we've ever had in our lives, and have NO intention of re-entering the rat race.
Keep posting. We enyoy reading about others who have taken the same steps as we have. There will be tens of thousands more of us within the next few years. Of that, we are 150% certain.
All the Best to you all.
Mrs Ogre and I saw the newspaper reports on the increases in Utility bills from these greedy, obscene companies, and the proposed increases in Council Tax, and said.............You're welcome!!
Our little propane gas cylinder has lasted from Nov 28th and is still going strong. Our electricity and water form part of our site fee.
As for flat/house ownership, we've been down those roads. Basically you're a permanent slave to whoever wants your money. If you don't pay your bills, they will take you to court regardless of whether you have the money to pay for them or not. I only wish that I could DEMAND more money year on year from MY employers which is the case with Council Tax and Utility bills. We call it extortion.
The constant demand on a fixed income is unsustainable. Sooner or later you will become unable to meet ever increasing demands.
I've never known so many people in serious debt in my life as now, and most of them are decent people who have simply run out of money, because every single penny they earn is screwed out of them by utility companies, and the state.
These are not irresponsible people. They have tried to make ends meet, but as everybody knows, 10 into 5 gives you a deficit!!
We've been through all the weather has had to throw at us. No worries. We've no regrets and less stress than we've ever had in our lives, and have NO intention of re-entering the rat race.
Keep posting. We enyoy reading about others who have taken the same steps as we have. There will be tens of thousands more of us within the next few years. Of that, we are 150% certain.
All the Best to you all.
Ogre it doesn't matter where you live or how. You obviously work, so don't scrounge off the state, and have the blessing of Mrs Ogre in how you live so you are 99% of the way there. As long as you both are contented sod everyone else.
Hi Ogre
Well hope ya all doin ok we are still here and doin ok,the weather hasn't beaten us yet although we did wonder what field we would wake up in during the gusts of wind the other night but hey ho we are still here.We don't let anyone knock us for our way of living now,we got fed up with listening to the bricks n mortar-ites tellin us.So now when they start we just put em right.We reckon that when our country gets a bit over crowded we will hook up an go overseas should be loads of room coz most of em seem to be over here.Any way take care speak to ya all again.Kev & Christina.
We still going strong altough we had to abandon our winter home due to floods. We moved to another site about 25 miles away. The utility companies are definitely ripping offthe consumer. Their increases are in the region of 5% along with council tax at 5% but our annual salary increase is pegged at inflation index which is 2.5% so every year you get less and less and your spending power is reduced.
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