Well, the day finally arrived when we took our leave of Oxford. We said goodbye to Phil & Adele, the new managers at Oxford and we wish them and the new assistants a very good season. All the final checks were done on the ‘van and we checked that the trailer was loaded evenly, courtesy of another purchase from Go Outdoors of a ‘nose weight measuring device’.
Our destination was the site at Chipping Norton to see Malc & Ali, our old managers. They will be managing the site for the summer season and are busy getting everything ready for the opening day of 1st April. The rest has done them the world of good (they finished at Oxford on the 31st January) and they’re making themselves at home. Woody has settled in but keeps following Malc around like a lovesick pony!
We went for a stroll from the campsite along a bridleway and were rewarded with some beautiful views. The contrast between here and Oxford is vast, rural vs urban – no contest!
Later that evening we were invited round for a Chinese meal, along with John & Carol (their assistants in previous seasons) who are here on site helping them get ready. It was a lovely night catching up on stories and comparing notes about campers! On coming back to the ‘van we were able to look up to the sky and see the stars as it was a beautiful night, with no street lighting.
About Dean
Angela and I decided that there was more to life than working hard to keep up the payments on the mortgage, to pay the gas, electric, phone bills etc. etc.
SO............
In 2008 we sold our house, I initially took a year off (Unpaid) and Angela handed in her notice!
We bought a motorhome and set off for a year of travelling!
This was the best thing we had done in our lives (Apart from getting married) and we have no regrets.
During the year I managed to secure a redundancy package which felt very strange. Almost sad as I had worked for the same company for 19 years (BT).
It was always our plan to have a whole year off before thinking about the 'W' word.
We began applying to the Camping and Caravanning Club (CCC) for the position of Holiday site assistants in August 2009. After the interview, work experience and induction we were finally given a contract at the CCC site in Inverewe (Scotland).
Our plan is to work through the summer in the UK then head to Europe to overwinter before coming back to work the following summer season.
Hopefully these few words and our blog will inspire others to get off the hamsters wheel and see that there is more to live than having a house and material things.
A cliche I know but this is not a rehearsal, life is too short!!!
Since our first contract in Scotland we have worked a winter contract in Oxford (never again!) not Oxford but a winter contract. Hereford for two years, living in a yurt for one! And Cornwall. In between our working we have also travelled a bit.
Hopefully this website will give you an insight into our alternative lifestyle.
Get out there and live the dream!
nice layout,like the greyhound following the tractor.speak soon frank.