Prospective retirement

[Hardy Boy]

The Brompton Bike Steve is remarkable for its size, it folds really compact and easy to carry about, they do one in Titanium that only weighs just over 7kg.  They also do electric Brompton.

Two nights camping at the side of the river Thames last week Steve, Chertsey, took my Brompton on the train, not much cycling to do and my Bromton was the workhorse for me.  Cost, because i was a Bikepacker, £27 for two nights in London.

If you don't fancy Cycling Steve, how about one of these, iv'e seen people using these more regular now, kepps you off the ground and will fit to any roof rack i should imagine?  You could tour the Country with one?

https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/19611994/oex-vertex-lite-130-roof-tent-19611994

https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/16618550/oex-vertex-lite-roof-tent-16618550  This one is more for smaller cars and Compatible with almost any vehicle (with roof bars attached)

Chertsey Caravan and Camping

https://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/campsites/uk/surrey/chertsey/chertsey-camping-and-caravanning-club-site/

[Steve_uk]

Two nights camping at the side of the river Thames last week Steve, Chertsey, took my Brompton on the train, not much cycling to do and my Bromton was the workhorse for me.  Cost, because i was a Bikepacker, £27 for two nights in London.

If you don't fancy Cycling Steve, how about one of these, iv'e seen people using these more regular now, kepps you off the ground and will fit to any roof rack i should imagine?  You could tour the Country with one?

https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/19611994/oex-vertex-lite-130-roof-tent-19611994

https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/16618550/oex-vertex-lite-roof-tent-16618550  This one is more for smaller cars and Compatible with almost any vehicle (with roof bars attached)

Chertsey Caravan and Camping

https://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/campsites/uk/surrey/chertsey/chertsey-camping-and-caravanning-club-site/

Camping is not really me, Hardy Boy. It may be because I'm used to a rain-sodden climate and recall such trips in my schooldays. I'm also increasingly worried about being a victim of crime, especially with the increase in population numbers, the knife crime and the prevalence of drug use. I think I'd prefer a centrally-heated hotel and a warm bed at the end of any day excursion.

[Steve_uk]

Does anybody have any experience of Caithness and the Wick area? https://youtu.be/LltP5f8PIy8

I've been told Nairn is worth seeing. https://youtu.be/x_r5xGZW3Q8

[ngb1066]

Does anybody have any experience of Caithness and the Wick area? https://youtu.be/LltP5f8PIy8

I've been told Nairn is worth seeing. https://youtu.be/x_r5xGZW3Q8

Wick is a pleasant small town and the surrounding area is attractive.  It is less harsh and rugged than Sutherland.

[Steve_uk]

Wick is a pleasant small town and the surrounding area is attractive.  It is less harsh and rugged than Sutherland.

Thank you ngb1066. Are the locals welcoming or would I be viewed as a Sassenach?

[ngb1066]

Thank you ngb1066. Are the locals welcoming or would I be viewed as a Sassenach?

The locals are generally reasonably welcoming.  I do not live there but my parents did for a number of years and I know Caithness and Sutherland quite well. 

[Hardy Boy]

The locals are generally reasonably welcoming.  I do not live there but my parents did for a number of years and I know Caithness and Sutherland quite well.

It’s part of the North Coast 500 isn’t it NGB, my friend went last year with his Motorhome, he said it was great scenery,  the only thing he didn’t like was the narrow roads, but his Van is rather big.

[ngb1066]

It’s part of the North Coast 500 isn’t it NGB, my friend went last year with his Motorhome, he said it was great scenery,  the only thing he didn’t like was the narrow roads, but his Van is rather big.

Some of the roads are single track with passing places but the main roads are fine.

[ILB]

Go to Ballluisch ( spelling sorry) which is a stone throw away from Glencoe. You will not be disappointed.

Although don't drive some of the rugged roads in a 3.5t mercedes kWb van!

[Steve_uk]

Go to Ballluisch ( spelling sorry) which is a stone throw away from Glencoe. You will not be disappointed.

Although don't drive some of the rugged roads in a 3.5t mercedes kWb van!

I do worry about some of these remote places for permanent residency rather than just a vacation. I do like to attend the odd classical piano concert, go to the cinema occasionally and pick food from a well-stocked supermarket. https://youtu.be/3J4Y1qPR0kU

[ILB]

I do worry about some of these remote places for permanent residency rather than just a vacation. I do like to attend the odd classical piano concert, go to the cinema occasionally and pick food from a well-stocked supermarket. https://youtu.be/3J4Y1qPR0kU

There is a  supermarket at fort William ( Morrisons or Tesco ) and a Co-op in near distance.

After being a city boy all my life the peace and tranquility of such an area gives me such a high I can't imagine otherwise. If possible I'd up sticks and move tomorrow.

It's the simple things in life. Having a morning coffee and walking the dog surrounded by beautiful scenery.

Beautiful place.

[Hardy Boy]

There is a  supermarket at fort William ( Morrisons or Tesco ) and a Co-op in near distance.

After being a city boy all my life the peace and tranquility of such an area gives me such a high I can't imagine otherwise. If possible I'd up sticks and move tomorrow.

It's the simple things in life. Having a morning coffee and walking the dog surrounded by beautiful scenery.

Beautiful place.

I couldn't have put it better ILB,  the Peak district does this for me.  I'd spend everyday of my life up there if i could.

[Jane]

I couldn't have put it better ILB,  the Peak district does this for me.  I'd spend everyday of my life up there if i could.

The Suffolk countryside is the same. Wonderful skies. Wide vistas as far as the eye can see. Quiet country lanes. A coastline to die for...............but don't tell anyone. It's a secret we want to keep!

[Steve_uk]

I have drawn up a longlist of retirement destinations, though only a few have thus far made the shortlist. One of these is Salinas, Ecuador. One flies to Guayaquil, entrepôt for Class A drugs serving the West (a debate for another time) and further vitiated by related gang violence and nefarious street activity. Salinas itself is an unspoiled coastal resort catering for locals rather than tourists, which is why it has maintained its charm.

See what you make of it here: https://youtu.be/rwdOFs6Ad4g

[Steve_uk]

It's so sad. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0jjv3k10yqo