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

[Dizzy]

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

 

[colintfcolintf]

Do it! No good looking back wishing that you had

 

[TrevorH]

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.

 

[pjm-84]

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)

 

[The Pox]

Remember it is better to have great memories than have great plans...

 

[Betsycalifornia]

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.

 

[Dizzy]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Feels like our 150 nights may be a bit higher than likely!

 

[AdamsFamily]

Remember it is better to have great memories than have great plans...

Can I steal that? Sums up life perfectly!!

 

[The Pox]

Can I steal that? Sums up life perfectly!!

Why not. Go for it!

 

[tobyprivett]

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.

 

[Beeechke1]

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

 

[PipPip]

Similar to where we are. I am 54, my wife 50 and I will retire in April 2027. My wife is gradually winding her business down between now and then. We don’t yet have a campervan but will get one later this year when my company car lease ends. We’ve been contemplating the new Multivan Cali Ocean but having seen comments and reviews so far we are leaning towards a nearly new T6.1. We actually do need four wheel drive which definitely pushes us towards a T6.1. The reason we need four wheel drive is that we own a small apartment in a ski resort in France and the drive up can be very very tricky. Over the years we have learned that four wheel drive and proper winter tyres are essential for our needs (got stuck too many times in the past!). We are renting a T6.1 Ocean 4 Motion over the easter weekend. Because we have the ski apartment we expect to use that in retirement between December and March, although may venture over to some other ski resorts in the van. Then the rest of the year we were thinking maybe 50-100 nights between the UK and Europe. We are hoping a Cali Ocean is good for this for the two of us plus our springer. Our kids are 16 and 18 now and have zero interest in campervanning (they will join us for weeks skiing in the apartment though). We are fortunate than Schengen restrictions don’t apply to us as my wife is Czech so we can travel together without restriction in the EU. The kids are dual citizens UK and Czech so are also lucky in that regard. Sometimes I think we might need a bigger van but I can’t really face that idea. We want a van that also serves as our main car. We aren’t big people - I’m 5’9” and my wife 5’5” and we are both fit and healthy and probably fair to say very tidy organised people. I think a Cali will suit us well!