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Dougie Brown

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 16, 2007
Posts
960
Location
UK
After eight glorious, exciting and definitely unforgettable years, we have finally hung up our Passport America discount cards, handed over our lovely Winnie to Bill & Jolene (pancakebill) and arrived back home in the UK.

We started off in 2011 after buying the RV, believing we'd be able to zoom round most of America and half of Canada to see it all in two 6-month trips. Well, it didn't seem so big on the map!! ::) After quickly realizing how dumb that idea had been, we settled down to reality and came back for eight 6-month trips, exploring both the US and Canada, seeing some amazing things and of course meeting some amazing people. (We met a few crazies too but they're also part of the memories... :eek:)

We travelled 40,000 miles in the coach and another 38,000 in our trusty '99 Ford Escort toad. We had no major disasters, only a couple of near-disasters, and the rest consisted of some challenges, disappointments, frustrations and incredible joys. So really, just life but on wheels!  We've made several friends for life - real ones, not the virtual sort - and have been privileged to spend time in their homes and meet several of their families.  I know without doubt that the friendships are real and therefore will be facilitated and continued by email/Facebook/forum/chat rather than based virtually on them. For that, Mags and I are grateful.

Technically, I have a whole lot more knowledge now than when we set out, consequently being much more confident in tackling vehicle and domestic stuff. Necessity is indeed the mother of invention!!  Also spending 6 months at a time in a confined space thousands of miles across a big ocean from home was a risk, but it was the making of us. Who would've thunk after 43 years that we could still have a good laugh at ourselves and get on with the business of living our lives to the full? That's the way it went though, and I'm more than grateful for that too.

ANYHOO - I wanted to say a huge thank-you to everyone here on the forum for being accepting, warm and always willing to help. That in turn makes one want to pay it forward and that's good for the soul as well as helping those around us when they need it. The bad news though is that I'm not going away. :-*  Not gonna haunt you, just will pop in for a chat or throw in two cents' worth now & again.

We plan to travel very little in 2019 and enjoy the four seasons here at home, but I am also planning a project on a large dually trailer (wot we like to poshly call a twin-axle caravan...), rebulding it inside to make it our own AND fitting decent water & waste tanks. Most Euro caravans don't have on-board waste tanks (just a small cassette thing for black and a plastic drum outside for grey) and we're spoiled for life now!  So I'm looking forward to finding a caravan & getting all that done and travelling again in Europe, mainly France and Spain where we'll probably spend a couple of months over-wintering on the Mediterranean each year. Oh, and there's our beloved Scotland to rediscover too.❤️

So safe travels and thank you again for letting us visit your two beautiful and diverse countries.

Dougie and Mags
 

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Dougie, I can't believe it's been eight years since you came on the RV Forum as a greenhorn!  Even though I didn't comment much, I followed your adventures and misadventures.  You really did learn a lot!!  Enjoy a bit of a rest and then the rest of your life in your next adventure.  It's been fun having you.  Safe travels!

ArdraF
 
It sounds like you've had some pretty amazing experiences! Don't be a stranger, your knowledge is invaluable to those of us less experienced!
 
We never had the pleasure of meeting you in person but we have many, many forum friends who have had that pleasure.  They all seem to love you two, so we do too!  We have enjoyed following your adventures in the U.S. and are happy to hear you'll continue to contribute to the forum from time to time.  It will be fun to hear of your further adventures in France, Spain and Scotland.  Safe travels and good health to you both!
 
ArdraF said:
Dougie, I can't believe it's been eight years since you came on the RV Forum as a greenhorn!  Even though I didn't comment much, I followed your adventures and misadventures.  You really did learn a lot!!  Enjoy a bit of a rest and then the rest of your life in your next adventure.  It's been fun having you.  Safe travels!

ArdraF

That's kind of you, thank you.  You have indeed contributed in some of my various hours of need!
 
RVMommaTo6 said:
It sounds like you've had some pretty amazing experiences! Don't be a stranger, your knowledge is invaluable to those of us less experienced!

Amanda, we never spoke on the forum since you joined last month but having suitably stalked you now, I'm already excited about your trip - really!! :D  I've just reserved a seat on the coach and will be sticking my nose into your prepping to make sure we're all set next year. Thanks!! xx
 
Tom and Margi said:
We never had the pleasure of meeting you in person but we have many, many forum friends who have had that pleasure.  They all seem to love you two, so we do too!  We have enjoyed following your adventures in the U.S. and are happy to hear you'll continue to contribute to the forum from time to time.  It will be fun to hear of your further adventures in France, Spain and Scotland.  Safe travels and good health to you both!

Thank you Tom and Margi. We've also shared you with friends and feel the same! Safe travels to you too.

Dougie.
 
Dougie Brown said:
Amanda, we never spoke on the forum since you joined last month but having suitably stalked you now, I'm already excited about your trip - really!! :D  I've just reserved a seat on the coach and will be sticking my nose into your prepping to make sure we're all set next year. Thanks!! xx
Lol, stalk away! I spend hours each night working on it and have been loving every minute!
 
I was a great pleasure meeting you and Mags, I speak of you two often and miss you.
 

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catblaster said:
I was a great pleasure meeting you and Mags, I speak of you two often and miss you.

Will, you did us some great kindnesses but most of all, you and Jane are just great people. Mags will tell you we often see someone (or a Deuce-and-a-Half) who remind us of you and we always say we feel we've known you both far longer than the short times you shared your home with us.

You're a trooper mate, you walk like one, live like one, and swear like one ;).  And you also get Brits. Love you guys. 
 
" Well, it didn't seem so big on the map!!" Isn't that the truth! What an adventure, you have realized what most of us can only dream of. All the best in the future and keep in touch.
 
Moving from one adventure to the next, with what sounds like an excellent attitude and outlook; that is indeed 'living life well'! Congratulations on (finally) completing one big trip and moving on to more...
 
I can't believe I've not noticed you before, being a fellow Scot.  Good luck with the caravan conversion, your plan sounds similar to ours. Have fun being at home for the year,  I'm sure it will feel weird!
 
jackiemac said:
I can't believe I've not noticed you before, being a fellow Scot.  Good luck with the caravan conversion, your plan sounds similar to ours. Have fun being at home for the year,  I'm sure it will feel weird!

Jings, crivvens & help ma boab!!?? I never knew you were perfect too!  I used the "B" word in my signature but you were more specific, not that I noticed? Thanks for the good wishes!

Dougie.

PS: We're Edinbuggers. Where do you comfy?
 
Dougie Brown said:
Jings, crivvens & help ma boab!!?? I never knew you were perfect too!  I used the "B" word in my signature but you were more specific, not that I noticed? Thanks for the good wishes!

Dougie.

PS: We're Edinbuggers. Where do you comfy?
Saline near Dunfermline!
 

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