Prof John L

[Dustydog]

Congratulations Prof.
200 thank you. B) :cheer:
Well done with all your words and pearls of wisdom over many years.
Have you ever thought of becoming a Woosie :silly:

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello and Thank you Dusty, my old canine contributor.

Yes 200 thank you's and 7300 posts 7301 with this one!

I think it quite ironic that this milestone has coincided quite closely with some fairly major health issues for us. As a result a caravan is no longer parked at my house.

We have had great times and found many new and long term friends, many memorable caravan holidays over the years including our honeymoon, and those with our growing children. The last caravan holiday we had was near Sandringham. Incidentally I can really recommend a visit to the Queen's house and estate there.

I have been involved with Caravanning for over 50 years, and for 20 of them I worked for one of the major appliance manufacturers to the industry. During that time I helped to assemble, test and later design products that many of you will have used. B) Whilst there I also extended my scope and qualifications, allowing me to leave that employ 15 years ago, and taking up Quality Assurance consultancy. I still have contact with a number of players in the field, and that is one reason why I value my anonymity so much. I fear that becoming involved with group like the Woosie's is likely to compromise that sensitive position. Incidentally Parksy is fully aware of my links, and if he would be onto me like a tonne of leaky caravans if he saw me abusing that position. :evil:

I have always tried to offer the benefit of my experience, qualifications and logic to the forum, and at times I know that I have been controversial for questioning many of the traditions that caravanning have long held, I have always questioned the reliance on traditions, they need to be examined and only used if they can be substantiated as being the most appropriate method. Unfortunately traditions are too often used as an excuse for not thinking. Being slightly immodest I do believe there are now more, better informed caravanners out there. But there's still lots more that can be done. :side:

I still intend maintain a close interest in the field and to contribute to the forum. Further I am in discussions with a university graduate setting up a project about caravan outfit matching, something of an extension to the work that Bailey and Bath University have looked at. :cheer:

I think I should graciously decline your offer of application to the neo ancient and venerable order of Woosie. I'm not sure that with my current qualifications and emeritus Professorship I could achieve the high level of Woosiness required. :dry:

 

[Parksy]

Hi Prof, I'm sorry to read that poor health has brought about a halt to your active caravanning.
200 well deserved votes of thanks from fellow forumites, plus the gratitude of many who didn't notice the 'Thank You' button is testament to your valued contributions to this forum so I will add my thanks to the many others that you have received since the new software enabled us to express our thanks electronically.
We are fortunate that you have continued to offer very good advice and reassurance to both novice caravanners and long serving forumites, even when others have disagreed with your advice which is usually proven to be absolutely correct.
I'm not a Woosie myself, moddy impartiality may appear to be compromised had I accepted my invitation to become a member of that worthy band of brothers and sisters, but I'm certain that if you ever decided to visit a Woosiefest for a bite to eat and a drink you would be received as an honoured guest.
I completely understand and respect your reasons for remaining anonymously familiar to us who frequent the forum however so when I attend the forthcoming Woosiefest I will propose a toast to you with a vote of thanks for 'The Prof' and a wish for an improvement of your health situation.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Thank you Parksy,

Perhaps I have given the wrong impression, its not my health as much as my wife, who has multiple serious health issues, Last week it was three visits to the hospital, and this week so far its been two visits to the GP and an investigation at the hospital tomorrow. - and so it goes on..... But thanks anyway

I shall raise a glass to the Lords and Ladies of Woosie and suck an Uncle Joe's Mint Ball- - Enjoy

 

[JamesH]

I would like to add my “Thank You” to Prof John because I have read with interest many of his replies to other people which have been of interest and/or applicable to me although I did not originate the topic. Thanks also to Parksy, as I for one have never noticed the `Thank You` button. My guess is that you could probably double the 200 figure if all the people like me were included.

 

[Gagakev]

Hello and Thank you Dusty, my old canine contributor.

Yes 200 thank you's and 7300 posts 7301 with this one!

I think it quite ironic that this milestone has coincided quite closely with some fairly major health issues for us. As a result a caravan is no longer parked at my house.

We have had great times and found many new and long term friends, many memorable caravan holidays over the years including our honeymoon, and those with our growing children. The last caravan holiday we had was near Sandringham. Incidentally I can really recommend a visit to the Queen's house and estate there.

I have been involved with Caravanning for over 50 years, and for 20 of them I worked for one of the major appliance manufacturers to the industry. During that time I helped to assemble, test and later design products that many of you will have used. B) Whilst there I also extended my scope and qualifications, allowing me to leave that employ 15 years ago, and taking up Quality Assurance consultancy. I still have contact with a number of players in the field, and that is one reason why I value my anonymity so much. I fear that becoming involved with group like the Woosie's is likely to compromise that sensitive position. Incidentally Parksy is fully aware of my links, and if he would be onto me like a tonne of leaky caravans if he saw me abusing that position. :evil:

I have always tried to offer the benefit of my experience, qualifications and logic to the forum, and at times I know that I have been controversial for questioning many of the traditions that caravanning have long held, I have always questioned the reliance on traditions, they need to be examined and only used if they can be substantiated as being the most appropriate method. Unfortunately traditions are too often used as an excuse for not thinking. Being slightly immodest I do believe there are now more, better informed caravanners out there. But there's still lots more that can be done. :side:

I still intend maintain a close interest in the field and to contribute to the forum. Further I am in discussions with a university graduate setting up a project about caravan outfit matching, something of an extension to the work that Bailey and Bath University have looked at. :cheer:

I think I should graciously decline your offer of application to the neo ancient and venerable order of Woosie. I'm not sure that with my current qualifications and emeritus Professorship I could achieve the high level of Woosiness required. :dry:

Hi Prof you are now on 201
Thank you for putting this reply on here, it made interesting reading at least we now know you have some experience and knowledge in this field. :lol:

You say 7300 and now 7301 post, my reading down from your avatar says 8143 so you [strike]are wrong[/strike] have under estimated this time

 

[paws]

Wonderful record, and 200 thank you's
Well done Prof and very many congratulations.
Here's hoping that the medical issues will recede and you will soon be back on 6 wheels ( or even 8 )
Regards
paws

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Prof

I'm very sorry to hear about your wife's medical issues. I hope the experts can resolve her problems Swiftly ( no pun intended) and hopefully free you both up again for a bit more caravanning. I can only boast 37 years of caravanning and must say would be very sad indeed to give it up.
The changes over the years have in the main been excellent in particular room and water heaters , suspensions , hitches and dare I say it motor movers. Sadly we still have leaks!!
I'm not sure how far away from Banbury you are but if you fancied a beer with us at the Woosiefest you Mrs Prof will be most welcome..
Keep up the posts.

 

[RayS]

Congratulations Prof. and sincerely hope your wife will be restored to full heath very soon. I have always valued and enjoyed your contributions even though I may have occasionally not agreed with the totality.

I'm approaching my 50th year of caravanning too and know what a blow it will be to have to give up sooner or later.Apart from the joys of touring and the great people, I've always enjoyed the challenge of adding to/improving the facilities provided while dispairing of the very elementary mistakes and poor quality provided by virtually all makers at some time. Fortunately during my engineering career I was not so constrained about final costs as I'm sure you were when working in the appliance industry but quality was always a major issue (as you would expect in pharmaceuticals and nuclear).

I wish you and your wife well and hope to continue to read your postings for many years.

Ray

 

[colin-yorkshire]

hi Prof, just 3 words, well done mate,
sorry to hear your wife is unwell, in the same boat myself, coincidently is also the reason we gave up with the van, now she is wheel chair bound, hope you can continue to give advice to the members for a long time to come, while the rest of us non combatants gradually fade away as the interest wains with the passing of time.

 

[paws]

To Colin and the Prof...
Don't either of you "fade away"
we need you both!
Keep the interest going..... Please!
Regards to all
paws

 

[ProfJohnL]

Thank you all for your good wishes. I have passed them onto my wife.

Thank you Gagakev, for pointing out my mistake. Yes the 7300 was not mine but Dustydogs.

Colin, The wheel chair certainly does put a vast change of approach to ones lives, and most caravans simply won't hack it. Don't worry I will be continuing to comment where I feel it appropriate.

 

[Dustydog]

Oh well Prof what's 7300 between friends
I had my knee operation eight weeks ago and used mil disabled buggy. 24 volts , cross country, 12 miles range. Excellent tool. Given it back now before I got too used to it.
Sadly original cost was £1200. We paid £300. Used three times only!
No second hand value. Our one comes apart and fits in the boot.
We tok it to the Lakes last month mainly so mil could get around. I used the crutches. Point is these buggys open up another possible mobility solution,.
So Prof here's to SWMBO getting back to caravanning sooner than later

 

[emmerson]

Oh well Prof what's 7300 between friends
I had my knee operation eight weeks ago and used mil disabled buggy. 24 volts , cross country, 12 miles range. Excellent tool. Given it back now before I got too used to it.
Sadly original cost was £1200. We paid £300. Used three times only!
No second hand value. Our one comes apart and fits in the boot.
We tok it to the Lakes last month mainly so mil could get around. I used the crutches. Point is these buggys open up another possible mobility solution,.
So Prof here's to SWMBO getting back to caravanning sooner than later

Well done Prof, and I'm afraid you are not alone in that health is causing problems. Its an age thing, you know!
But I must endorse DD's remarks re mobility scooters. Herself has two: one little three wheeler which fits in the towcar, and a humongous one which we use in conjunction with our dog van for dog walking.These two things have made Herself's life her own again. Yes we have a wheelchair, but that makes her dependent on me to push it. The scooters give her independence, and the value of that far exceeds the relative pittance we paid for the machines.
Old age has its downside, but it sure as hell beats the alternative!

 

[colin-yorkshire]

Oh well Prof what's 7300 between friends
I had my knee operation eight weeks ago and used mil disabled buggy. 24 volts , cross country, 12 miles range. Excellent tool. Given it back now before I got too used to it.
Sadly original cost was £1200. We paid £300. Used three times only!
No second hand value. Our one comes apart and fits in the boot.
We tok it to the Lakes last month mainly so mil could get around. I used the crutches. Point is these buggys open up another possible mobility solution,.
So Prof here's to SWMBO getting back to caravanning sooner than later

hi DD, I know your comment was aimed at the Prof but if I may interject, the wife has a scooter and a dam fine piece of equipment it is, BUT the problem is when one gets out, while it is true independance is increased it does not solve it all, you cannot take them everywhere, so you still need a chair, caravans are not disabled friendly, how do you get in or get from the seating area to the toilet if you cannot walk, all the equipment is too high even if you get a chair in. afraid it's a no go situation sad but there it is.
in the last 2 years I have had to widen all the doors and move two of them in the house, fit ramps at the back so she can get to the garden get rid of all the obsticles one lives with, have a stair lift fitted, remove the bathroom in favour of a downstairs wet room, lower all the kitchen tops, and raise all the power points, take down all the top cupboards and refit at chair height, just so she can be left on her own for a bit.
a caravan is the last thing one needs,
sorry for going on "bad day" today, just needed to be said caravans and chronic mobility issues don't mix.

 

[Dustydog]

Colin
I couldn't agree more . Sadly in your situation caravans are a no go. I was hoping Mrs Prof's issues were transient and that a buggy , temporarily would give her some mobility.
No problem . Here's to a better day

 

[ProfJohnL]

My wife's medical problems are not for public debate. Suffice to say currently there is no medical probability of improvement.

 

[colin-yorkshire]

yeah enough said, I would just add, good luck everybody, enjoy your van while you have it, we did.
there will come a time when it has to go, and life goes on without it.