We are now at home for a little more than 2 months and Christmas is just around the corner. The return home, to our home, was of course with mixed feelings. On the journey we rented so many different dwellings that we were looking forward to our four walls, especially the bathroom (short distance between the bathroom and bedroom and the floor heating). On the other hand, we were sad that the adventures, the surprises, the last second adjustments, new experiences , were over.
After a week we had brushed, cleaned, repaired and put away all of our clutter. The wooden boxes from the car have been removed and the wood is now used as shelves in the basement (there is enough material to put away). We had a lot of space in the car, so we could pack a cool box and 2 folding bicycles next to 18 farmers boxes. Now you are wondering if we needed all of this material. Certainly NOT! As adults, we have certain prior knowledge when we pack for a short trip, but the children still have little experience. And yet, a trip for 11-12 months needs other preparations and if the material is already around the home, it should be packed, because buying things twice on the trip, makes things expensier. We tried to set priorities before the trip, but that didn't go down so well with the girls. Some stuffed animals and other (in my opinion unnecessary) things from their room had to be packed for the trip. After 11 months on the road, we all have learned that we can actually get by with very little and that material is not that valuable, but our time together is. We have collected everything in the living room that was NEVER touched on the trip.
In Conclusion, we could leave 25% at home. Certain things were used frequently, others were only used for a short time. In the end, Materials that were only used for 1-3 weeks that year should be left at home. For us, it would be the camping gear. If you write down everything that is needed for camping (4 People), you may be better of for those couple weeks to rent. Nowadays you can rent so-called mobile homes on all campsites and these are excellently furnished. So we could be traveling with a smaller car, which will turn out to be cheaper.
On the subject of cheaper, money, budget etc. you have to wait for the next blog entry😊.
On the subject of cheaper, money, budget etc. you have to wait for the next blog entry😊.
