A bit overcast today but at least it was dry for our planned walk to the lighthouse in Saint-Georges-de Didonne.
Not knowing exactly where it was or how far we were going to go today we made a packed lunch and a couple of flasks of coffee for a break somewhere (hopefully) with a view.
We set off along the boulevard Frederic Garnier once again admiring the lovely architecture on our left and on the right the 2km beach of La Grande Conche. There were not many people around today. Possibly due to the weather or maybe because it was a Friday and the majority of visitors come for the weekend or day trippers.
We eventually found the lighthouse and the added bonus of a bench for us to sit and have our lunch with a view out to sea.
Just before we sat down we noticed a memorial sculpture in front of the bench. It was dedicated to the Royal Marines who took part in operation Frankton (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Frankton) which helped to break the allied blockade. It is one of the most remarkable events of the second world war.
We sat for a while looking out to see thinking about those brave men who sacrificed everything on that night in 1942.
Fully refreshed after our lunch and hot drink we retraced our steps back to the van completing a total of 10 kilometres.
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!
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