Holiday at last!

[random901]

Well, finally made it to Isle of Wight, despite delaying one day owing to apprehension. Drove camper-van for first time in 6 months. So glad I went. Change of scene, sea air, botanic gardens. Overdid it at one point & got taxi back to base camp. Leg muscles now aching and have had to rest for a few days, but feel positive and refreshed, regained confidence. Dog happy, too. Read many of your misgivings re holidays, but if you can, go for it! Saving money for next excursion (after crumbling chimney sorted out ...)

[123-go]

Sounds like mission accomplished, Random901 😀. Well done for knowing when to take a break-as we always say, “Listen to your body” and enjoy the rest of your time on the IoW.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Good to hear….

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Get the apprehension bit - just struggling to summon up the courage to go away with my small camper! First time alone, first time with this van, and our weather hasn't been my sort of camping - too much of the wet stuff!! I like being outside when camping - why I like it!

[random901 in reply to PMRpro]

The packing and loading up van was worst thing! So much to-ing & froing. Once on the road - magic. Home now, but hoping to go to Dorset coast next. Carry on camping!

[Smithie49 in reply to random901]

With you there. I went away on Sat for one night to test my new micro camper and see if I could use the porta potti (only had room for one leg on my last tiny van!!!!). It worked but, like you, all the prep has tired me.

[random901 in reply to Smithie49]

I took bucket with lid. Suction problems ...

[Animalover65 in reply to PMRpro]

Wish I could come with you PMRpro. 😊

[RT18]

ooh you’re all fuelling my fire! Once my dementia / GCA caring journey is over I have dreams of getting a little camper and taking off into the countryside …..

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to RT18]

Snap, it kept me going through Covid and the last year before OH died - and I did get the camper but winter camping isn't in my blood, YET ...

[random901 in reply to PMRpro]

Definitely need heating. My diesel heating is noisy so use small radiator with electric hook-up. And many blankets under me. Dog helps!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to random901]

Haven't tried the diesel heating - but since all campsites here have and either charge for or include electic in your fees, we have always had tiny low wattage heaters in the pack! Have debated a single electric blanket ...

[Pixix]

we’ve had our first away in our motorhome! I think many don’t realise that it’s also got its downsides…it needs cleaning frequently, filling up with water, gas etc. packing is a lot of exercise & work. I drive it 100% of the time now. It rained nearly every day, heavy, pouring rain. We were in the countryside, so nowhere to go. We came home a day early. It’s sometimes great, & sometimes not…like any other holiday, really! Glad you go away. We have very quiet built in diesel heating, very cheap to run, & after for first three minutes of high fan getting the first heat through it, it’s quiet & cheap!! I use an electric blanket at night & recentky bought an electric throw. I have worsening Raynaud’s disease atm, so having issues with cold weather!! Carry on…the Dorset coast is somewhere we go about twice a year!

[random901 in reply to Pixix]

Raynauds nasty. I get it even in summer if touch iced drink. Electric blanket - great idea! Copious rain got in through skylight so will have to get silicone around edge. Yep, there are downsides. Roll on better weather

van in field

[Pixix in reply to random901]

Lovely! We are thinking of getting a panel van…we currently have a 6.5m large white object, which does have a big bathroom & a drop down electric bed…but does not fit down narrow lanes inEngland!! Yes, Raynauds wasn’t so bad last year, but a new tablet has Raynauds as a side effect, & another new tablet has ‘cold hands & feet’ as a side effect…& I think they are making the Raynauds worse (oh & this awful weather…cold & raining here in the New Forest)! S x

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to random901]

I used to get it walking down the chiller aisle in Sainsburys!

[RT18 in reply to Pixix]

oh your van looks perfect 😍 🥰 just the size I want so I can go sit in a field 🙈🙈

[Pixix in reply to RT18]

Thanks! Yes, it’s ace…my Dad left us some money, &, by then, we’d paid off our mortgage so bought the motorhome. But the weathers been so evil here, it’s pouring again this afternoon, so don’t get away as much! S x

[Gimme]

Since my birdwatching trip to Guatemala in January last year, I lost confidence in my ability to do those kind of trips. I don't have the stamina I need and not able to exercise enough to gain the fitness. That said, I went to Bolivia in November because it was already booked and somehow managed to get by. Evenso, they did me a power of good, even though I did struggle at times.

Going forward, I've decided that I need to be more selective in my choices. I've had a few overnight trips to the coast in Norfolk and Suffolk, so that I didn't have to do the drive twice on the same day. Just a couple of days of sea air has made me feel so much better and even my friend has remarked on how much happier I seem when I get back. I've booked a cottage for 2 weeks in a village by the sea in Northumberland in June. I'm looking forward to some easy flat walks along the beautiful beaches up there. Lots of birds to be seen from the harbour or boat trips to the Farne islands and I can go back tot he cottage for a nap if I need it.

I think you just have to tailor it for your capabilities, but I am convinced that a break does you so much good, and the hard work in preparation is worth it, especially if you are going to spend time out of doors.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Gimme]

Not wanting to rain on your parade - flat the walks may be but at least one way you will walk into the wind. If you are unlucky it will be from the side and there both ways!! So when you go out, plan to use a bus one way if it is an option!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

Even in sunny Dorset - it’s blooming hard work some days walking along the prom against the wind…

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

Or anywhere along the east coast. But the Northumberland coast is extreme!!! I lived up there ... I was colder in Co Durham than I had ever been in Scotland at similar distances from the coast - comes ashore after an awful lot of North Sea.

[Gimme in reply to PMRpro]

lol that made me chuckle, I think you are rather over estimating my current capabilities for walking. I very much doubt that I will be walking far enough to need a bus. My walks are going to be strolls, rather than what I call walking and I have already done a lot of planning. I'm on an FB group for walking up there and I have been making notes of places that I can go where there is a conveniently placed car park for the good spots. I've found a few spots where I can drive to the tops of hills and do some ridge walks inland, so that I can do some moorland walking

Though I'm not too bothered about a bit of wind or rain. I used to spend all my weekends out of doors before I got sick, so I have all the right gear. No such thing as inclement weather, as they say, just incorrect clothing.

Actually, a move up to Northumberland is still on the cards for me. I know it well. I even took a holiday up there in December to see how cold it actually was in the winter and came to the conclusion that it was no worse than anywhere else on the North Sea. If I don't move there, it will be either Suffolk or Norfolk.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Gimme]

It isn't any colder in terms of wind and stuff - but there isn't the same respite of warmth in the summer!! I'm not kidding when I say that 15C and a gale is a not bad summer day up there and it can snow until mid May and from early October.

I don't think it is DISTANCE that will limit you - but the joy (or otherwise) of walking into the teeth of a wind ...

[Gimme in reply to PMRpro]

ach, I'm a tough old bird. I'll have a lovely time.

[random901 in reply to Gimme]

Building up stamina and exercise - yes, it's a vicious circle, isn't it. Do hope you enjoy the Farne islands. Over 40 years since I camped up there - it was glorious! Don't forget the binoculars.

[Gimme in reply to random901]

My binoculars are my most treasured possession.

The binoculars, telescope and camera are the first things that get packed.

I'm more likely to forget my sticks, and that really would be a disaster.

[herdysheep in reply to Gimme]

Whereabouts are you going/have you been? There are buses along the Northumberland coast so walking one way is always possible.

[Gimme in reply to herdysheep]

I've been, just got back yesterday after 2 weeks. I stayed in Beadnell. Had a great time. the weather wasn't brilliant, but not so bad that I couldn't get out every day and I tailored where I went to match the weather conditions. Though I was monitoring the weather down here while I was away, and there really wasn't a lot of difference. I surprised myself in managing to get up onto the Simonside ridge and walking a wee way along the top. That was the worst day, I got almost to the top and was hit by a squall and bombarded by hail stone. All part of the fun! I took some brilliant photos of the weather coming towards me. I managed a pattern of getting out mid morning, walking (more like plodding) for a couple of hours, having a picnic lunch, then sleeping for the rest of the afternoon and either strolling along the beach or down to the point and sitting and watching the seabirds passing. The thing that I enjoy most about being up there is the absolute peace. It was blissful.

[herdysheep in reply to Gimme]

Sounds great and well done for getting onto Simonside ridge - beyond me I fear.

[Gimme in reply to herdysheep]

Well, I surprised myself with that. I had trekking poles and went very slowly. I used the car park that is right at the bottom of Beacon Hill and walked from that direction. I didn't go very far in distance, but just pleased that I managed to get up and back down again safely. If I can build my stamina a bit, I would like another stab at it.