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20 March 2018

You Never Know What's Round The Corner

Here's a post to explain why there's been a lack of posts.

As many of you know, three years ago we began planning and organising to begin a life on the road. There was tonnes of stuff we had to do ... buy and import a fifth wheel, find and purchase a suitable towing vehicle, save heaps, get the house ready i.e. store or sell furniture and find a tenant. We did all that and 6 months ago we waved goodbye to Nelson to begin this exciting new gypsy lifestyle.



We loved everything about living on the road. Exploring new places, meeting new people, walking tracks we'd read about, taking loads of photos, I loved the lack of housework and we adored our new found sense of freedom.



The rig and truck didn't miss a beat. Bernie had set everything up to make life a breeze. The washing machine in the shed on the truck meant we could do washing whenever and wherever we wanted. The extra tanks on the truck gave us ample water and when it was time to refill or dump we didn't have to move the rig as well. We could pump the water from the rig's tanks into the truck's tank and just use the truck. Life was sweet!



But then Paddy became unwell again. Really unwell. And out of the blue, our long-term tenant emailed to say she'd bought a house and would be moving out. Throw in a couple of personal circumstances that had sprung up at the same time and it seemed everything was indicating that we head back home.



We'd chatted about traveling back to Nelson over winter to find work (while still living in the rig). We had tickets to go to Warbirds over Wanaka at the end of March which we were really looking forward to so we thought we'd make our way to Nelson in April after Warbirds in Wanaka.

However, sometimes things don't go to plan - and by early February we found ourselves back in Nelson. So it was with mixed emotions that we moved back into our house. Although we were thrilled to be back with our family, there were other feelings in the mix ... we felt deflated, disappointed and quite unsettled. But time rolled on (as it does) and after several weeks, we were both working and life ticked along as before.

Meanwhile Paddy's health had deteriorated, which made us grateful to be back home near our local vet providing his treatment. Being in one place and on our own property made managing an unwell pet that little bit easier. 

Although we're both really keen to get back on the road again, it looks like it might be a couple of years away. We've had many discussions regarding the rig and although we love it, we've come to the realisation (ever so reluctantly) that it's not viable to have it sitting unused for a few years.



So last weekend we listed it on Trademe.  
Now some lucky person/couple will become the owner/s of an amazing unit that's had all its teething problems sorted and is basically only a few months old. 



It deserves to be out there exploring, traveling and being lived in! 



22 comments:

  1. So sorry your lifestyle choice was cut short, for now, and hope the dog is not in pain, and that the trusted vet is performing magic and making Paddy better.

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    1. Thank you. Paddy has his good days and bad days and we're really hoping he'll be back to his old self again soon.

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  2. If I had a partner to help drive your rig I would snap it up but sadly am on my own and would not be confident to drive it myself. Sorry things have changed for you but things may change again and you can take off again. There's always Lotto. Good luck with Paddy.

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    1. Thanks ... one day we'll be back on the road exploring again (when the time is right).

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  3. Very sorry to hear your news as I have loved following your posts and will miss you! What a wonderful time you have had and we hope to hear from you again in a couple of years. Enjoy your family ��

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    1. Thanks Judy - yes, we had an awesome time and we do plan to get back out there again :-)

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  4. I wondered where you had gone and how Paddy was doing so sorry to hear that life has taken that unexpected turn but I'm confident you'll be out there again when the time is right. So very sorry to hear that Paddy is still ill and obviously home is the best place for him. Will miss your posts and photos (even on the news) but Wish you good luck in the future.

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    1. Thanks Lynne. The best place for us at the moment is back home near the vet, to get Paddy back on his feet again. Hopefully in time he will come right. All the best to you too.

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  5. Very, very sad your dream has been delayed, you will come again bigger and brighter I am sure.
    Huge respect that you would do this for your fur baby as we would, hope Paddy is comfortable.
    Look forward to seeing you embark on your next journey, keep the photos rolling in... Good luck.

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    1. Thanks Caro ... I need to get back out and get that camera clicking again - I miss it!

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  6. Certainly missed the constant posts from you and sad to hear that you are selling the rig. Maybe buy a smaller one until the feet start itching again. All the best for the future from Cheryl and I

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    1. Thanks you two ... yip, it was a big (and hard) decision to sell. But, it's meant to be. We're keen to get back into motor-homing again but like you said, it'll most probably be in a smaller bus next time.

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  7. Loved reading your travel stories and seeing your wonderful photos. Stay strong you will get back to doing what you do so well.Kath

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    1. Thanks Kath, I enjoyed writing up blog posts about places we'd seen, it seems weird not having things to research and take photos of.

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  8. I sure hope Paddy is pulling through.
    Good lesson for some of us, RE why it's quite good to rent home instead of selling up completely. Hope to see you on the road one day.

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    1. Thanks Tina, would be great to meet up with you and Gary one day. And like you mentioned, we really are grateful we had our house to move back into.

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  9. Dear Katrina and Bernie, so, so sorry for the delay in fulfilling your dream of life on the road. I agree having Paddy's own vet caring for him is the best medicine, and you are both so committed to your dream that it will be just around the next corner for you. There is a reason for this hiatus in life for you - it may not be immediately apparent, but in time it will be clear.
    Kia Kaha to you both.

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  10. Big hugs Katrina. I hope Paddy becomes well again. How privileged we are to have many choices at each intersection we come to. Some people don't get to try out this lifestyle until they've retired. You've tried it. You've many years ahead. You're both wise and sensible in your choices and you know so much more than you did three years ago. Enjoy every step of your journey, this one too. Looking forward to where it leads you.

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    1. Thanks Carron. I'll keep following your journey enviously.

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  11. Such a shame you have decided to sell your rig, and you are sure to have had long conversations about whether to keep it or not. We enjoy reading your travel blog posts and it was so nice to meet up with you and the dogs recently when we were at Ranfurly.
    Jenny and Robin, Romany Rambler

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    1. Yes, it is a shame that we're selling it - trust me we've had many chats about what the right thing to is. But, it's better being out there being used and enjoyed. Our time will come again (I hope). It was really nice catching up with you and Robin in Otago. Meanwhile, I'll continue enjoying & following your blog. Take care and safe travels xx

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