“It started with buying a mint -green old -timer camper for the weekends and holidays. Without camper experience or understanding of old cars, but with a need for more time together, being outside and adventure.
House on wheels
In 2022 we traveled through Europe for six months. What was meant as a Once in a lifetime Sabbatical, I liked it so much that we were not finished with it at the end. It was clear to us that we wanted to organize our lives differently. We first tried that in the Netherlands by making other choices. But life as we experienced it continued to go over, so we bought an old fire truck that we converted into a camper. We wanted to create our own place for everyone and it really had to feel cozy. The result is a spacious and cozy house on wheels.
Karlijn: “Life as we experienced it continued to go, so we bought an old fire truck.” © Own image
Anne-Marike sails with her husband through Friesland: ‘You are greeted by everyone’
We have now canceled our jobs and have moved to the truck. This time we want to travel indefinitely and see what life brings us. When we started building, we thought we would stay in Europe, but because of the stories of other families it was going to itch to go further away.
Drive to Oman
We hope to be able to drive to Oman, where I lived as a child. Africa and South America are also high on our list. If the route is not open safely on time, we will adjust our plan. If one of the children no longer wants to go back, but for the time being they love it and have a long list of things they want to see and do.
Karlijn: ‘In the meantime we have canceled our jobs and have moved to the truck’ © Own image
OFF-GRID Life
We actually do a lot of things like at home, but requires everything preparation and planning because we live off-grid. Washing and showering is not possible everywhere, there is not always electricity. Living in this way is cheaper and simpler than we did at home, so we have to work less and take the time for daily tasks and home education. We have few fixed costs, only eat as a nice exception outside the door and make conscious choices about trips.
Karlijn: ‘We actually do a lot of things like at home, but requires everything more preparation and planning because we off-grid’ © Own image
We do almost all tasks together. We like driving in the truck so much that we alternate honestly. We can work well together in maneuvering, but also grumble well on each other in missed turns. Those who do not drive respond to the questions of the children en route and manages the snacks. Douwe takes care of the maintenance of the bus, does the finances and likes to cook.
Clean up
I put out our route and find it a challenge to find the best places. We really do education together. The children are especially responsible for cleaning up their own things. That must also be done in such a small space. Everything has a permanent place, then it remains livable.
Karlijn: ‘We do almost all tasks together’ © Own image
Despite the full days, we now have much more balance and variety in our days. This way Douwe can work remotely in the morning, the children are busy with school and we take a wonderful walk in the afternoon. That gives us what we wanted: time together, be outside and adventure. “
Karlijn: “Despite the full days, we now have much more balance and variety.” © Own image
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