Spring has truly Sprung

In my last blog I wrote about taking to the road by motorhome. This week I feel I must return to the subject as the weather has taken a major turn for the better here in Spain. There can still be days when the wind blows a bit cool, and especially at night when temperatures fall dramatically, but I am absolutely amazed by the number of motorhomes that have suddenly appeared on the road.

I took a slightly long journey during the week and along the way, both going and returning there were stretches of road where there were long convoys of motorhomes of every description, except the big American style luxury bus, because our town roads would be stretched to accommodate them. It seems that everybody and his cousin heard the call at the same time and fired up and set off all at once.

Back in 1963 I did a tour of Europe on a BSA 500 and I thought I was the bee's knees. At camping sites I met so many people in their caravans or motorhomes who were living the life of Reilly. A lot were retired people who said they lived like that year round, just following the sun as best they could.

In researching my last story I was astounded to discover the wide variety of vehicles that serve as the base for some really innovative configurations in luxury and comfort. However, I don't think I would choose the lifestyle as I need more space rather than less. I prefer to live in a country house with some area around the house to put my stuff. Unfortunately I have difficulty throwing stuff away. I'm something of a squirrel. Once every five years I have to make a special effort to get rid of clutter. If its a box and I haven't opened it in the past five years I throw it out without opening it to see what's inside. The thinking being that if I haven't opened it in that period of time it's not important.

Spring has brought out the sun in all its warmth and that makes all the difference. Attitudes change, our spirits rise as we throw off the blanket of Winter. It's so liberating to open the windows to the breeze; to put the electric blanket in its box and to watch the plants grow by the day.

I know how all-important the sun and the warmth are to me so I find it hard to imagine what life must be like living in those parts of the world where the sun does not shine for very long periods. What is the impact on the human outlook on life during such times of living in the dark?

So Spring is truly here and that will be followed by the Summer. Here's hoping we all get to enjoy life to the full and try not to spoil it by driving under the influence and killing our selves and others.

Copyright (c) 2017
Eugene Carmichael

Springtime and Motorhomes

For many of my compatriots in the retirement community, come springtime and they get restless, having been cooped up in the house over the cold months and they want to spread their wings. Time to dust off the home-away-from-home and head for the open road. Freedom calls!

This is a subject that is treated with different outlooks in every major country around the world. The  countries that lend themselves particularly well to life on the road are The United States of America, Canada,  and Australia. This is because of so much open space that allow for the ultimate in large motorhomes to circulate more freely.

However, the tradition of life on the road is particularly valued in Great Britain and Europe, with Europe being the winner in so far as a variety of countries that are accessible from the comfort of the driving cab is concerned.

There exists a wide variety of ways in which to travel the road in your mobile house, governed only by price. First some definitions: A Campervan, (sometimes called a camper, or Caravanette) is usually a smaller version of a Motorhome or Recreational Vehicle (RV). However, it can accommodate two to three people in moderate comfort, and is self driven.

A Caravan is an unpowered version of the same, but because it needs to be towed it requires a car with the power and the weight to be able to haul it up steep inclines and to control it going down the other side.

A Camping Car is a Station Wagon that converts into a full double bed; and then there are many varieties on this theme.

The ultimate in travel in mobile homes can be found in The United States, Canada and Australia where full size busses are used to create pure luxury. Many such models are far better appointed than most fixed homes and apartments.

For approximately $500,000 you could get one of these super road yachts with a floor plan that goes something like this: As you enter the vehicle from the front door that is found in the usual place you pass through the cab which gives the appearance of a spaceship. You are now in the living room with very nicely appointed sofas that double as sleep accommodation. Above the cab is a 32" television; and of course a full music system and as we move down the bus we come to a dining area on one side and across the other side we find a full kitchen with pantry, dishwasher, stove, microwave and oven, refrigerator with ice dispenser, and sink with trash compactor.

There is an electric heater to warm the communal area, as well as air-conditioning and  fans throughout. Next we come to a soundproofed toilet and on the other side of that there is the master bedroom with its own ensuite full bathroom with shower. It too can be equipped with large screen television.

As we pass through the luxurious and sumptuous bedroom we find at the back of the bus ample storage space for linens and extra bunk beds especially for young children.

Under the living space there is room to store all the necessaries, including a small garage for motorcycles and pedal cycles, etc.

Some people simply choose this way of life as a permanent arrangement, having sold the family home in favour of life on the road. The added incentive of being able to cross borders freely in Europe is a powerful lure. 

I have not yet personally given in to the joys of being a constant traveller, albeit living life at a very comfortable level, but it's one of the things on my "To Do Bucket List."

We'll have to wait and see.

Copyright (c) 2017
Eugene Carmichael