Exploring It Families

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Liz and Craig sold their home and bought an old Hymer motorhome to explore Europe and find a new life abroad with their 2 year old daughter Mabel. What they found along the way was very different from the expectations they set out with. It turned into a deeply personal journey, particularly for Craig who discovered that he couldn't escape from himself. One year in and their van broke, ending their vanlife adventure abruptly. But they packed off and headed to Italy, to an area in Northern Tuscany that had captured their hearts and imaginations, to start a new life abroad.

Craig and I shared similar painful experiences along our van adventures, which connected us online as well as being travelling families at the same time. As such, this episode was in part an opportunity for us all to process the ups and downs of our vanlife experiences. As a dear friend pointed out to me, embarking on such a big life changing journey doesn't take us away from ourselves, and is in fact often an invitation to go deeper into the normal emotional work of life.

Do reach out if you have been impacted by any of what we discussed in this episode.

Episode notes and links: https://babybusadventures.com/new-life-in-italy-after-family-vanlife-adventures-podcast-ep3

Follow on www.instagram.com/exploringitfamilies

Topics we cover in this episode

Why they made their life change
How they came to choose a motorhome to explore Europe
Leaving their old life and why they chose to sell their house
What their original travel plans were and for how long
Where they went in their motorhome - Belgium, Holland, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, and Italy
Details on their motorhome, the living space, and how it worked for them as a family
How they financed their travels and what their budget was
Motorhome maintenance and breakdowns
Challenges of higher costs in Scandinavian countries
Travelling in a motorhome with a 2 year old and what concerns they had for her as an only child
What they wanted to get from their travels, and how their expectations were different
What they thought family van life would be like and what the reality was
Workaways - what they are and why they did them
Highlights from their travels
Challenges that they experienced on their travels - in particular we delve into the difficulties Craig faced
How and why their travels came to an abrupt end
Their move to Italy - why Italy and why Northern Tuscany
What their new home and daily life looks like
How their daughter has adjusted to life in Italy and nursery school
What they do in Italy
Advice for other families on moving to Italy
Lessons learnt from their travels
Would they do anything differently
Dreams for the future - making it work in Italy, maybe buying a place with some land in Italy
Advice for families considering a life change, a van life adventure, or a move abroad

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Natalie and Will sold their house and all their possessions and took their two unschooled daughters Ava and Bonnie on a backpacking adventure around SE Asia. After an unexpected change of direction to their travels, they returned to their hometown in England after only 4 months travelling. Natalie shares openly and honestly the story of why they wanted to change their lives, the challenges of family who disapprove, and the desire to spend more time together as a family.

Natalie and Will are a brave couple who’s “go do it” attitude is inspirational and a must listen for all those hesitating about taking a step closer to their dreams of a different life.

Episode notes and links: https://babybusadventures.com/family-backpacking-adventure-life-change-podcast-ep2

Follow on www.instagram.com/exploringitfamilies

Topics we cover in this episode

Why they made their life change
How they made their life change happen – selling their house, saving money
What their travel plans were and for how long – SE Asia, Australia, NZ
What they hoped to get out of their travels – making family memories, family bucket list, reset, question the lives they felt they’d been told to live/aspire to
Selling all their possession and why they did this
How family and friends reacted to their plans – how to deal with negative reactions
Financing their travels – budget, safety nets
Travel insurance and any other things to budget for when backpacking as a family
How their daughters reacted to the travel plans and how to meet their needs – emergencies, coping strategies, sensory processing disorder
Concerns about uprooting their daughters from their home education friends and groups
Unschooling
Highlights from their travels – seeing orangutans, catching fireflies, visiting a slum in New Dehli, kindness of people
What luggage and items they took in their backpacks
How they handled being without a homebase
Memorable experiences – cockroaches, huge spiders, a fake Airbnb
Travelling ethically – what this means and looks like
Why their travels were cut short and they returned to the UK
Why they didn’t resume their travels after Will’s operation
Buying a motorhome and then settling down in their old hometown – impact of Covid-19 pandemic
What their life currently looks like – renting a house, Will working 9-5, the struggles they have, feels of failure
What they miss about travelling
What they enjoy most about their current lifestyle
Lessons learnt from travelling – using their privilege, climate change, plastic problem
How their travels have inspired their daughters – creating t-shirts to raise money, XR youth assembly, meeting with their MP
Would they do anything differently
Dreams for the future – travel Europe in their campervan, housing co-op
Advice for families considering a life change

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Laura and Carly along with their 10 year old daughter Agnes embarked on a life change to live in a converted van and travel through Europe long term. 18 months into their ‘new life’ they share their story – from how they made their life change to what life looks like for them now living on the road. They talk about how they manage family life in a tiny space, how they travel with their van dog Roy, and the impacts they’ve experienced of being a lesbian couple.

Laura and Carly are an inspiring couple whose love for this alternative lifestyle is truly uplifting.

Episode notes and links: https://babybusadventures.com/fulltime-van-family-exploring-europe-podcast-ep1

Follow me on www.instagram.com/babybusadventures

Topics we cover in this episode

List of topics/themes discussed in the podcast
Why they made their life change
How they made their life change happen – buying their van, jobs/work situation
Removing their daughter from school – life on the road, meeting other families, learning while travelling
Details of their van conversion – challenges of the conversion, converting a van whilst still working
How they finance their travelling lifestyle – move from office to working remotely
Highlights of their travels
How they find living in a tiny home as a family of 3 – getting space,
Challenges they face driving a larger vehicle in Europe – weight, height, garages
Impacts of being a lesbian couple – challenges they’ve faced, how and where they travel
Vanlife with pets – a cat that didn’t like travelling, how to deal with places you can’t take a dog
Breaking down – their experiences, how they handle it, top tips
Low points from their travels – breakdowns, migrants trying to get into their van, intimidating youths, corrupt police
Impacts of Brexit on their travels
What they’ve learnt from their travels
Dreams for the future and settling down
Advice for families considering vanlife or a life change

Exploring It Families: Recent Episodes

Charlie Burton