Planning retirement and mulling just how many nights we might do in the Cali

D

Dizzy

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T6.1 Ocean 204
Been doing some searching and have found a bunch of threads around retirement, sounds like consensus is if you can you should!

Putting that aside we're currently in the planning stage and are mulling over the number of nights we're likely to do in Dizzy over a year. So far we're considering

3 european trips (25+25+14) 64 nights

2 longish uk trips (21 + 21) 42 nights - Scotland, Shetland, Orkney + west islands

2 medium uk (14+14) 28 nights (lakes / SW)

5 ish short ( 5 x 4 ) 20 - dunno whereever we fancy within 200 miles of home.

total 154 nights

We cant make our mind up if this is likely to be even remotely accurate, so far since end of sep last year, weve been out 8 trips, but only 2-3 nights each as we're still working roughly 18 nights. (we just came back from the forest of dean this weekend). We're booked in to do northern spain for 18 nights in may.

Am i going nuts at contemplating 150 nights over the course of a year. Once i have a rough ball park then i can start to work out potential costs when i include ferries, tolls, fuel etc.

TBH if i am not travelling around then i am going to be fishing !

D
 
Since 2016 when we semi-retired and bought our Cali, our ‘target’ has been 70 nights per year. This is a combination of Europe (typically 5 weeks in Spring/early Summer plus Autumn and short break UK). We have found this strikes the right balance between wanderlust and home and family commitments. So, you are really planning to go for it! It is do-able but clearly depends on your circumstances. Have fun whatever you decide.
 
Close to the heart. Said I would retire circa June 2026 a few weeks back in discussion with the fellow company directors. Toying with A class and spending 6months abroad (once I apply for my Irish passport)
 
We retired April 2023, bought the California September that year. 21,000 miles later we have had 120 days roughly away. Would have done more but for an accident our son in law had and we were needed for dog sitting.
 
Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Feels like our 150 nights may be a bit higher than likely!
 
That sounds like a lot of fun! You'll have a great time and after the first few weeks, you will get into a travelling rhythm.
 
Since we both retired, our van use has been (see below) personally I think we would struggle to get 150 nights in around other commitments with family etc. But good luck and nothing wrong with planning big

2021 83 nights
2022 96 nights
2023 102 nights
2024 83 nights
 

VW California Club

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