Hi From Steve At Brick To Rubber.

 Please remember these notes  are mostly unedited  ramblings

Wednesday, 27 May 2015
Hi From Steve At Brick To Rubber.
Hello All
First of all My Name Is Steve Sometimes Known As Flyboy,Bomber or bandanna Steve.
At the time of creating the forum I'm still living in bricks and mortar in the Northwich area of Cheshire. very close to Anderton boat lift the canal network and the river weaver Beautiful part of the country to live! so why give it up to live in a motorhome. Well I'm getting on for a youngish 60 years old now having lived on my own for 35 years and having a few heart attacks along the way.
 I got round to thinking do i really want to keep looking at the same four walls for the rest of my days do i hell as like. I love being out doors walking, riding motor bikes, sea fishing, fly fishing. I have been round the coast line on a motorbike sleeping rough in bus stops, over farmers gates,on canal and river banks, campsites think you get the drift. So got to thinking no family to tie me down sell up buy a motorhome or a canal boat and bog off as i already have a self build motor home and a member of the wildingcamping.co.uk forum the best and most helpful forum you're find to date so i thought go for it. I intend to live in the self build that i have now for at least 12 months this is to find out some of the downsides to being in a confined area. First of which will allow me to plan out my next van i think with being by myself i have one or two advantages over others in respect to the van layout more living space bigger shower room and i should be able to Optimise storage space. The things i feel will be important to me with the layout of the van would be
 1. fixed bed small double Transverse with storage garage underneath. Or a drop down bed they seem to be the fashion now.
 2 room to move in living area.
3 space in the shower / toilet room.
.4 Good worktop space in the kitchen along with full size sink and cooker
5. Good storage  Space full length cupboards / wardrobe
6. Bright and  cheerful  Decor inside if  your living in the van full time 365 days per year i would really like it to feel and look like a home.


It has took me a good few years to realise that i have a lonely life being stuck in a house  which i only live in one room and very rarely get any fulfilment from owning a nice house.
After suffering a heart attack while out one day on mothers day while riding one of my Motorbikes I was resuscitated by a fire engine team that where returning to base after an early morning call out in other words they saved my life !  Now after a shock like that It got me thinking what do i really want out of life. I have been given a second chance You might not  be so Lucky so please don't leave it till its to late GET ON WITH IT NOW !!!.
 The answer was easy  I have aways been Nomadic and i cope very well being on my own So what do i want.
This was to be left alone and do what i want IE: travel this wonderful country that i live in and fly fish / sea fish as much as possible still only being under sixty years old would still have to do some form of work.

Now I'M THINKING.
If i sell all my possessions and the house i would if i was careful enough have enough money to allow me to live the way i wish
I was already in the process of having the house done up a little which used up what little saving i had. New windows,Kitchen,central heating and new shower room.
After a lot of research about living on the road and also about living on a narrow boat ( i have a camper / motor home now ) i will make use of the camper for the first year to see if i can cope full time on the road.
I Managed to get hold of the web address livingontheroad.co.uk to which i will build a web site in order to earn some money along the way.

STILL THINKING!
Now after months of sleepless nights with everything going over and over in my head I sat up in bed and thought OK decision time. Picked up a coin heads i will make a start on my plans first thing in the morning tails i will still go ahead but waylay it for a little longer. One Toss of the coin only up she goes down she comes bingo HEADS.
By nine o'clock i was outside one of the estate agents in town job done the For sale sign was outside the house within 24 hours.
Now the hard work starts Getting rid of things you have collected throughout your life was going to be hard.
After i sold one of my best motorbikes the one i had my heart attack on a big Yamaha V Star 1100cc this was one of nine all taxed and up and running on the road the rest was easy only because my passion for wanting to be free of every day life and restriction is so strong.
 I,m willing to sell my soul to get it.
Got rid of everything accept for my fishing gear whats life without fishing! Got to be a bit selfish sometimes eh!.

The Next Step.
This will be to work out the monthly / yearly cost of living in the van so while my house is up for sale i will live in the van full time.
Why not if i cannot cope now i will not cope when the house is sold anyway i have been in the van now for 7 months full time.
 Only going back to the house to do a little work on the computer and a bit of dusting Must say i took to it like a duck to water i have been keeping a record of my spending while in the van Food, Drink, Gas, and Fuel while i know that the mileage covered now is well sort of any true readings as I'm staying very close to base within a 15 mile radius it still allows me to get a ball park figure.
I Have estimated: the cost of my needs for living in a van and these will differ for others that are thinking of taking up this life style.
 ((YES,)) is ongoing costs which effect me now as I'm living in the van
(( Allowance Made)) will come into effect when full time status is achieved.

Food         yes                   
Alcohol      yes
Diesel      yes
Repairs/mot     yes
Campsites  allowance made
Other Travel  allowance made
Phones/Internet     yes
Tours etc     allowance made
Overnight stops     allowance made
Clothes & Laundry (washing)  yes   
Supplies      yes
LPG (Cooking)      yes
Heating (Bio Fuel) yes
Tolls      allowance made
Other Miscellaneous      yes
Parking      allowance made
Van Tax and Insurance yes
Clothing,bedding (replacing) yes

It is not practical  for me to enter any figures or show the costs as these will be different for each person or couple.
This is by no means a full list other items like well being, having to travel back to Doctors, etc:
Emergencies and the like all have to be taken into account.Also you will need to take into account replacing the van in years to come.
And my needs may be less or more than your needs.

 i,am willing to sell my soul it get it. 

"This is a free country.
Lets use the privilege.
Lets not abuse the privilege.
Lets not loose the privilege.
Lets all grow up and tidy up."
quote Stephen p Sheldon 2015

Be Well Be Nice Be Happy .

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