Age Concern

We don't use car parks , we stay on those horrible club sites but go out for the day in it to the open countryside for walks etc .

but I respect we all do things differently 

Sensible observation TW. That's the only way to look at it. There are also some who have only ever run motorhomes and others who will only use caravans. There are adaptions that can be made to both if needed when folks would like to continue using them. At some point it's a decision about whether any of us can continue due our own limitations.

Now who is being economical with the truth when you go on to say that you don't use car parks  

I thought this might be a courteous forum among gentle folk to raise the question of when you think this should be for a fairy fit and active octogenarian or at what age did you make the change and why?

I like your post but as far as I know, I am not a fairy!

i'm lost 

David said that he would be concerned about having to rely on public transport with a motorhome.

You responded 'you don't need to be dependant on public transport when you have a M/H, ours is 6.5m long and 2.1m wide and so far there has never been a place we haven't been able to take it'. Giving the impression that parking was not a problem but then went on to say that you don't use car parks and go out for the day in open country.

I have certainly been to meany places where even parking the X-Trail can be tight on length and turning circle. 

There are always alternatives, Easy. Another car park, another street, even another town but, like Husky, we’ve not had a problem other than trying (stupidly?) to drive through The Valley Of The Rocks at Lynton with the hedges brushing both sides of the van. Your X-Trail would have had the same problem. Parking has not been an issue.

Ah ,I see now, perhaps I should have said "with our type of touring we don't do built up areas ,so don't use carparks"

How easy it is to mislead with the wrong word 

If age has anything to do with changing to a motorhome then I expect its more to do with simplifying life rather than much in the way of physical condition. We would have changed to a motorhome some years before we did but whilst we were working I don't think we could justify the expense for the amount of time we would have been able to use it. We carried on with the caravan for a few years after retirement but eventually got fed up with all the checking before setting off and also worried about whether we would have space to hitch up on the road etc. I would say that driving a motorhome is more physically demanding that driving a car, at least until you get used to it. Although a car and caravan usually translates to a large outfit driving a motorhome is very different depending on size. The smaller the motorhome the easier it will be to take it out for the day. We currently have a larger motorhome which we never take off site. However we plan where we go carefully and there are lots of sites that are either within walking distance of somewhere interesting or a short bus ride away. Lots to think about if you decide to change.

David

No thoughts at all for changing my van for a MH as too many downsides.  I use my van for touring but have he added bonus of being able to use the car in the isolated places we tend to gravitate towards.  For bird watching a car (preferably 4 wheel drive) is essential for me.  If a time comes when towing becomes an issue I will keep a car and use B&B’s