Reflections on our first year
Our long-time dream of a world tour in an expedition vehicle came true in 2018. On the 5th November 2018 we set sail on a ferry to Spain and here we are, one year later in Africa.
The year has passed in a flash! Where did the time go?
Big Bertha
Our truck has not let us down at all in the first year bar a toilet failure in Morocco, prolonged due to parts not being available there and, having had them shipped over, being abandoned in the nightmare that is Moroccan customs. Aside from that, we have performed routine servicing, repaired the front hubs (a known problem on purchase) and replaced the tyres.
Life on the Road
We both really enjoy living in Big Bertha. It is a large truck, and this does sometimes impede our travels – we can’t get to places the smaller 4x4s can. But, the fact we have a small apartment on wheels more than compensates in terms of the ease of long term living on the road. We could not cope with a small 4×4 with roof top tent and outside living (cooking dinner / sitting out etc.) long term.
Experiences
Our first year will live in our memories. Our test trip through Spain, Morocco and Portugal was wonderful. We were reunited with many friends and met new ones on our travels. Dave was really taken by Morocco and would like to return. We then spent the summer readying Big Bertha and ourselves for the African leg before sending Big Bertha by ship to Namibia. To date, our African trip has been exceptional. We have to keep pinching ourselves that we are here!
Finances
We prepared an extensive budget before committing to our adventure. Our first year’s expenses are below our budget, and so we have been able to increase next year’s contingency with the difference. We were careful to overestimate expenses and make very conservative estimates of income. We did make some bad budget assumptions – we have spent more than expected on campsites, but on the other hand, less on fuel. Overall, our budget is in good health. We are lucky that Francine is an accountant.
Reflections
Did we make the right decision to take a sabbatical from work (and income) to travel the world in a truck? Hell yes! Was it the most sensible of decisions? Perhaps not.
But as the saying goes – ‘One Life – Live it!’.
I’m sure you’ll never regret your decision to take off. Only got one life as you say and gotta get on with it. I’m proud of you for doing it!
Thanks Jo. Hi to Bruce!!
Life is not a rehearsal. You get one pass to get it right or wrong and have to go with it.
The year has certainly flown by and I have enjoyed riding with you every step of the way so thanks for sharing.
Accountants? Mine prepared a paper proving I could not afford to run a pushbike. Never listened to him again.
Quite true. I am (was) an accountant, but perhaps not a very good one – as Dave is always fretting over whether we have enough money – and I just say “get on and do it and we’ll find out later”! 🙂
Now THAT’s the sort of Accountant I would get along with.
Too right!
It’s all too easy to say “wait till we retire”.
You never know what’s around the corner, I think what you have done is fantastic!
I’ve enjoyed watching your adventure, can’t wait to see the rest.
Take care, and good luck!
Thank you for your encouraging message Pauline. xx
Great adventure. Takes guts to do what you both have done and are doing . Keep on going. Live life
Love
Carole
Thanks Carole. We are loving it!
Love hearing about all your adventures, especially Africa. Totally agree with your philosophy of ‘ fulfil your dream while you can’. Very inspirational. What’s the plan for 2020?
We love our adventure too! It was a difficult decision to take a sabbatical from work, but you only love once, right? Hi to Roger.
Dave