Merle Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 We are considering running to the warmer winters of the Med for 3 or 4 months of winter sun, and wonder what the reality of living in a motorhome is like. I know our motorhome is not ideal in as much as we do not have a permanent bed, though the benches make 2 singles without moving cushions around, but under no illusion that it will be a PIA making the beds every day for weeks on end. My real question is how do you cope with laundry, doctors, insurances, home security, all the mundane stuff that must remain. We would most likely stay on sites, OH doesn't fancy wildcamping to any degree. So, what is the reality of it all, rose colured glasses aside? Merle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJay Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 Met a couple a few years ago in Spain., who had been on the site for 12years. They had a very large "Couch" size Mh, they had gone home and bought back the car, Quad bike, and also had a caravan on the next pitch, for when family came. Also had Two giant fridge/freezers, out side the van. Guess they came back to Uk occasionally' I believe they came back for Xmas!! If you are on medication , that could be a problem, this is what restricts our travels PJay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 Down in spain at at the moment and many we speak to have been here years..one in particular 16 yearsand not an isolated case :-S weather wonderful and cost of living cheap. If staying put on a site (cheap and good) weather so good most living is outside, so a decent sized awning a good idea. We have just tried it for 6 weeks this time but next year coming back for 3 months at least.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 You want to join motorhome365 lots of hint's and tips on there ;-).................We hope to join the gypo's next year in our old banger :D.....................only managing a month, 6 weeks at the moment 3 times a year ;-)...... But if your heading to the sun like we do.......then you'll probably find you live outside more......and the camper is just a bedroom ;-) I should try it first..... before you bother changing the van :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merle Posted April 21, 2012 Author Share Posted April 21, 2012 Thank you PJ and Judge, it seems as though we are faily well set up. No immediate health issues (other than getting old aches and pains) 3.5mtr Fiamma, sat dish, solar panel, etc. It certainly is food for serious thought, still working full time at present although I am past the dreaded 65 they tell me ( I reckon I'm 55 and the birth certificate is a typo) so yes it's very tempting. Judge, you say sites are good and cheap, could you give a few more details please, ehu? roomy? noisy? any chance of adults only (I'm a miserable old s..) DavePelmetman you triped while I was struggling with my wordprotester, I have no intention of changing the Winnie (Autocruise Wentworth) hence some of my apprehension re the bed, but as outdoor living is the norm I gess not so much of a problem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 Spanish site pitches tend to quite close together but quite adequate ;-)................and they don't tend to suffer from the regimentation gene like the CC...........facilities vary from site to site..........but in general quite good.....value for money is much better than CC especially with the ACIS card.....ie this year 16 euros for an all singing all dancing site with indoor swimming pool, onsite restaurants etc etc..........food in Spain we found cheaper than UK & France unless you have to buy HP sauce, Tetley teabags etc...eating out at lunch time a bargain.. As for kids.........they're out of season.........and apart from public holidays you don't see em :-D.............and if you do they tend to be better behaved than the homegrown variety ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merle Posted April 21, 2012 Author Share Posted April 21, 2012 Well behaved kids, now there's a noveltyI like the idea even more now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Momma Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 There are a lot of Fulltimers and Long Termers on the www.motorhome365.co.uk forum. You do not have to be a member to view the threads although neither does it cost anything to join as a member !! If you intend to stay on sites for periods over 90 nights then you can get some good nightly pitch rates £10-£11pn with EHU. Try looking at the Camping La Manga website to give you some idea of rates. They decrease the longer period you stay. Also had the Eurocamp Independent Email recently that indicates that lots of French sites are offering 3 weeks for the price of 2. Using Aires are a good cheap way of touring, some are Free (with and without facilities e.g. Chemical Disposal, Grey Waste, Fresh Water, EHU) and others cost a few Euro's. They are located all over France in rural areas as well as villages, towns and cities. You can even stay on some larger Supermarkets car parks overnight if wanting to split a journey. Stay off the toll roads, they are expensive !! I have an Autotrail Comanche which is twin axle and 8.7 metres long and have just returned from France, I had no problems on the 'N' or main 'D' roads. Last time I went to Spain, a couple of years ago, I travelled on the Motorway virtually all the way from Madrid to Valencia which was Toll Free. Also do not discount Portugal, which was hotter than Southern Spain this winter :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 A up Eric 8-)......................don't often find you over here on the dark side now days? :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Momma Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 I know !! It's been ages so I thought I would try and catch up with what has been going on, bit of a pointless exercise as things move on so quickly. Good to see that some of the same characters are still around :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotsbob Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 I have friends who have been going to Spain for the last 5 yrs. They go to the Camping & Caravan Club Winter Rally at La Manga which starts in Oct and runs thru' until Easter. Then they head up to Valencia for the last winter rally of the season. That is a good way to 'try' out warmer living. You can go to the winter rallies for as long or short time as you like. We went out a cuple of years ago to La Manga & it was fine - although part of the rally you could do what you wanted when you wanted, and the evening social life was good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowie Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 Hi JudgeMental; So you've been away since end of feb? Are sites reasonably easy to find? not interested in wildcamping, but get impression that the majority of commercial sites are closed over winter. We have talked to friends who spent 8 weeks in Portugal jan/feb this year, great weather but short days. Like the idea of being near a town/village with facilities, our pvc is comfy, but we'd need a bit of space to stretch now and then. This thread is encouraging; going to northern spain in mid may; so will research sites, cheers alan b Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 Merle, well you will be in good company as many miserable old sods down here...In fact everyone we meet seems in very good spirits I guess because of the fantastic weather Sorry but this anti children bias really grates with us, as we love the sound of kids laughter and having fun. we find it life affirming, but you are unlikely to see any children over the winter and only at Easter holidays. with stays of over a week or so rates can be lower then ACSI, our site has warm indoor pool, fully serviced pitches, with TV and free WiFi. have been here 3 weeks and not had heating on... The winds can be high at times and why an awning a good idea, we will come with an awning next year, and may well change van for either a bigger Panel van or back to a dreaded CB, but watching the shenanigans of someone trying to get on a pitch yesterday I doubt we will bother as it all came back to be why we downsized! :-D Snowie, we have only been away from beginning of April, but from people on site who have been here since last October and such, the weather is very reliable, weather north and north/west of Alicante not so reliable! it was snowing the night before we got here? weather northern Spain fine for a late spring, summer visit but very risky during winter! you will not get the good weather unless you come down to the Med coast. yes I am happy living in the panel van, it has all I need, and is comfortable, was in a big swift unit yesterday helping someone with sat nav, and I just saw the acres of space as pointless, a major hindrance and unnecessary, especially on the road! :-D all sites open over the winter down here... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 Oop's :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairweather camper Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 Hi All I am thinking of doing the same next winter and was hoping the issues raised would be answered, but all have been about sites, can anyone answer the other queries, ie: Insurance (home and van), medication, how do you get it for 3/4 months etc. Thanks Val Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 fairweather camper - 2012-04-22 10:59 AM Hi All I am thinking of doing the same next winter and was hoping the issues raised would be answered, but all have been about sites, can anyone answer the other queries, ie: Insurance (home and van), medication, how do you get it for 3/4 months etc. Thanks Val That's a good point Val ;-).................I have to take Ramapril BP tablets and just getting 2 months worth out of our quacks is like getting blood out of a stone *-)...................this time I'm going to ask how much they are to buy over the counter in Spain as I have to the pay full prescription charge anyway.................you never know they might even work out cheaper :D...................If that's the case I'll buy a years worth and smuggle them back to Blighty (lol) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Momma Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 The Insurance aspect will depend on whether you are intending to be a Fulltimer or Long Termer ? I guess because you mention the house Insurance that you will just be going for extended trips and then returning to your house ? If this is the case then Insurance for the van should be no problem, you just need to ensure that your Insurer allows for the amount of time that you want to be away e.g. Comfort allow 8 months in any one Insurance year, Safeguard state 365 days European cover. As for your house Insurance, this is a different matter, any periuod away that extends longer than 30 consecutive days will undoubtedly incur an additional cost, but you should ask your insurer (you will need some idea of how long you expect to leave the house vacant at any one time). Medication depends on how well you get on with your GP. Some will only provide 3 months worth of repeat prescriptions at one time, others 6 months. You can always plan ahead by getting your normal repeats early so that you build up a stock. Dependent on what the medication is, in Spain (unlike the UK) they sell many medications over the counter at Pharmacies. May be an idea to research what the Spanish equivalent would be of your current medication. Anti-Biotics are available over the counter without prescription. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 Big Momma - 2012-04-22 11:12 AM Medication depends on how well you get on with your GP. Some will only provide 3 months worth of repeat prescriptions at one time, others 6 months. You can always plan ahead by getting your normal repeats early so that you build up a stock. Dependent on what the medication is, in Spain (unlike the UK) they sell many medications over the counter at Pharmacies. May be an idea to research what the Spanish equivalent would be of your current medication. Anti-Biotics are available over the counter without prescription. I am on lots of medication but have done what Momma suggests and I order early and have built up a few months stock, this along with my 2 monthly repeat is enough for my needs. My GP will give me 3 months at a time, and family could even post this out (except for insulin which I can buy down here if needed) If your GP does not play ball...change the GP! Call around local GPs and find which ones will look after your needs, we pay enough national insurance over the years *-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairweather camper Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 Good answers thanks, just remembered we forgot my husbands Thyroxin tablets when we were in France, a couple of years ago, we went to the local hospital, and he gave us a prescription which we took to the pharmacy, and it only cost us 1 euro 65 cents, much cheaper than at home, glad i remembered that, it has put my mind at rest a bit more. Regards Val Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merle Posted April 22, 2012 Author Share Posted April 22, 2012 Thanks guys for all your answers, it's just a question of when for us now, not if. It's great to get the feedback from experienced travellers, thanks all once again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJay Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 I found that one of my prescription pills (Which I was getting low on) Was VERY expensive 95euros! As i get free at home, did not bother Can't remember if it was France or Spain No longer on that one now PJay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 most (not all) NHS tablets are generic, so normally should be widely available. and from converstaions I have had down here in Spain cheaper then at home. Worth checking out before you leave. Your GP should at least be prepared to give you a private prescription above the 3 months that most seem to allow... home insurance is not a concern as wife at home and kids back from Uni occasionally. but will watch this subject with interest as wife thinking of taking redundancy which will free us up to travel more and insurance will then be an issue. *-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 We went down to La Manga to see what it was like and to get info, for we are, like you are thinking of doing, going for a longer period of time. The feedback was invaluable and you can ask questions specific to your needs as not everyone has the same priorities. it is easier to chat and it is surprising what information can be obtained. If you can I would defiantly advise going for a two week trip, it helped us decide it would be the right thing. Laundry the sites are like ours with washing machines did not use the driers as the big yellow hot object was out. Take one of those small rotary washing lines. Some even take their own washing machine as using the machines (although they take big loads) can be expensive if you are on a budget. We also learnt about a Halogen Oven that does a mean roast dinner and an electric hot plate. All used in the awning so make sure your plug is near enough to use or you have an extension cable. Some might not agree with this but we fitted a water filter, to cut out the bottled water buying which again can eat in to your budget and are heavy to carry. Other things you might consider packing, putter for crazy golf, table tennis bats, tennis rackets and the boules (of course). We also had bikes for getting around. I do not think it is something you would regret doing. (lol) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tracker Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 Do just be aware that it can be pretty cold there too, specially in Jan and Feb, and especially at night, so go prepared with reliable heating in the van and some warm clothes and a blanket or two just in case- although clothes are cheap enough in Spain if you need 'em. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Momma Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 I think it is also important to think about hobbies and other interests if you are considering extended touring, in particular extended stays at any particular location. It does of course depend on individual financial situations, but most I think would be working to some sort of budget. It is not like a 2-3 week holiday where the holiday finances probably include regular sightseeing, eating out etc. Extended touring may mean not spending all the time and you would need to have some kind of 'cheap' if not totally cost free activities to prevent boredom and 'cabin fever' setting in. There is usually a social life to be had, whether that be organised events by the site, boules, tennis, wine tasting etc and of course you will almost certainly make lots of new acquaintances to chat to and socialise with. However, worth considering what else you might want to do to fill your time when the novelty of sitting on one's bum in the sun gets a little boring, it does also rain occasionally !! Just a thought :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.