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gil
Downsizer Moderator
Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 18411
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Mrs R
Joined: 15 Aug 2008
Posts: 7202
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 Posted: Sun Jan 10, 10 10:57 am Post subject: |
 
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I'd second the thoughts for a campervan/motorhome rather than a gypsy caravan - if you're going to do this you have to maintain a wee element of realism, and a vehicle = work.
I lived in a tent for a while, on my own, with the dog. If you are on your own, but want that element of safety, why not stay on campsites, that's what I did. You are still paying 'rent' but there's no council tax, gas etc on top of that - the campsite owners are there to look over you and maintain your showers, toilets, washing machines and you could have electric hook-up if you wanted to aswell.
You can pick a dog friendly site too - a dog is prohibitive in getting live-in farmwork as I found out, unless of course it's a trained gundog or sheepdog etc. You also need experience to do farmwork, as a woman particularly it's incredibly hard to get your foot in the door if you don't come from that background.
I live in a static now, not really as a choice thing, it's just until the chalet for the office is built and we can get on with the dwelling log cabin. I don't mind it though at all - it was glorious over summer...and not bad now either! A good stove is essential of course (ours is windy smithy and highly recommended, by us and the dog who cannot be pried away from it!), and with the judicious removal of doors and a splash of cream paint and new curtains, it feels every bit as good and spacious and modern as the high-end apartments I used to look after in Manchester! Except we have all the outside space too.
Go for it! Being single is the ideal time to do it as partners will probably hold you back. ocne you're 'out there' partners will accept you as you ARE.
Last edited by Mrs R on Sun Jan 10, 10 10:58 am; edited 1 time in total |
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cinders
Joined: 04 Jun 2007
Posts: 2437
Location: norfolk The daft old bat club
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AnnaD
Joined: 12 Jun 2007
Posts: 2777
Location: Edinburgh
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Brownbear
Joined: 28 May 2007
Posts: 14929
Location: South West
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Cobnut
Joined: 29 Aug 2008
Posts: 475
Location: North Herefordshire
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| Posted: Sun Jan 10, 10 11:41 am Post subject: |
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My scouting around the old threads did suggest that caravanning is pretty miserable (cold and damp) in the winter, but not so bad if it’s well insulated, ventilated and there’s a wood burner in it like the one I fancy. But I couldn’t find much on the day to day practicalities such as the ease of finding suitable places to park it (I’d like to keep rural as much as possible) or washing myself. Peeing wouldn’t be a problem as I’ve done the funnel and empty bottle thing in a tent and have had to wash from buckets for the odd day here and there when getting bathrooms put in. Pooing anywhere other than in a bathroom would be a new experience though and is something that’s a bit daunting TBH, as is the whole monthly period issue.
I wonder how people cope long term and what washing methods they’ve found the best. There was something on “Victorian Farm” recently where the lady had a bath of sorts in a shallow tub (with a sheet draped in it?) in her bedroom which I’d like to know more about.
Sourcing water is one of my main concerns though as it’s so heavy to move and I can’t say I’ve ever seen a “public tap”.
I suppose I’m thinking worse case scenario where I can’t settle anywhere with any facilities so have to go completely wild, but I would be looking at working for food and a shower at least some of the time, or paying for a corner of a field and a shower twice a week to wash my hair.
| Nat S wrote: |
If you are on your own, but want that element of safety, why not stay on campsites, that's what I did.
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That’s definitely a consideration especially in the beginning until I gain confidence. May I ask how much it cost you per month to stay on a site? The research I’ve done into them does suggest they have a 1 month maximum stay, and they close in winter, so did you have to move around every 4 weeks, and what did you do in the winter?
| Nat S wrote: |
You can pick a dog friendly site too - a dog is prohibitive in getting live-in farmwork as I found out, unless of course it's a trained gundog or sheepdog etc. You also need experience to do farmwork, as a woman particularly it's incredibly hard to get your foot in the door if you don't come from that background.
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I had a feeling the dog would significantly reduce my options but I can see why. I wouldn’t mind working on places that didn’t have animals though, although my experience is only in dogs (I was a kennel maid years ago and am into pet dog training), chickens, forestry (I have a chainsaw but not the license but I prefer using hand tools anyway), horses, gardening, and (if I get my degree) environmental management. I can also build a basic HTML website from scratch too if that was needed. |
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lettucewoman
Joined: 26 Sep 2006
Posts: 7834
Location: Tiptoe in the Forest!!
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Rob R
Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York
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| Posted: Sun Jan 10, 10 11:57 am Post subject: |
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The stove is fantastic- it provides all our heating and cooking, but of course you need to have outdoor storage for the wood, but it does keep you warm chopping it  I guess if you've got some wood then sourcing fuel won't be an alien concept to you but the logistics of it need thinking about, particularly if you're on your own. Windy Smithy's ovens are definitely recommended- so much more versatile than a normal hotplate one.
Living in a caravan has its advantages- in summer you can use the outdoor space much better and in winter it is much easier to heat than a conventional home. You need to be a wash up as you go along person, as you don't have the room to store dirty pots (or have a big sink). By taking out the old gas fire and cooker we have combined the heating and cooking into the main living space which leaves extra room in the kitchen.
Having a platform outside the door and 'proper' steps certainly makes it easier getting in & out and prevents that horrible hip jarring step down. We ran out of light nights and dry days for me to put the roof on it, but come Spring that's wat I'm going to do so that boots can be taken off and left out there.
Having freezer space elsewhere is also useful, but it depends what kind of things you eat- meat and dairy can be bought/obtained seasonally and stored, and summer/autumn produce can also be made to last longer without having the bulk of it in the caravan.
It was nice last summer but the winter hasn't been nearly as bad as I was expecting, although the heating was something I experienced when I went to pick my call ducks up a few years ago- it was a really horrible wet & windy night as I knocked on his caravan door, but as soon as I opened it the wave of heat hit me and I realised that caravan living could be better than a house! And then at the next farm south from here their elderly parents live in a caravan in the yard quite happily so I guessed if someone in their seventies can do it it can't be that bad! |
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Bulgarianlily
Joined: 01 Jun 2008
Posts: 1667
Location: South West Mountains of Bulgaria
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Bulgarianlily
Joined: 01 Jun 2008
Posts: 1667
Location: South West Mountains of Bulgaria
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Brownbear
Joined: 28 May 2007
Posts: 14929
Location: South West
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Rob R
Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York
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T.G
Joined: 13 Sep 2009
Posts: 7280
Location: Somewhere you're not
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Mrs R
Joined: 15 Aug 2008
Posts: 7202
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T.G
Joined: 13 Sep 2009
Posts: 7280
Location: Somewhere you're not
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