Free NEC Tickets, Life Update, and Word of the Year

New Year Resolutions are SO Last Year.

Happy New Year to you all!

I hope 2022 brings you everything you wished for. 

Adapting to the Unexpected 

If you caught my recent video My Caravan, My Sanctuary, you will know that things haven’t quite gone to plan this end. I was hoping to spend the first couple of weeks in January making a 2022 Winter Edition of How to Hebrides, seeking out the best that the islands can offer to an off-season motorhomer or caravanner.

But life is, of course, what happens when you make other plans. Right now I am in the Airstream in the South East of England. 

At the time of writing, my brother has been in the Intensive Care Unit of a London Hospital for over four weeks. On 16th December, when he was admitted to ICU, it became apparent that this would be a long slog, and I figured out that bringing the caravan down as a place to retreat to would give me some meaningful solace during a very stressful and wearing time. I have to say, it was absolutely the right thing to do. 

Thank you to ALL NHS workers. You are all amazing.

Why Resolutions are so last year

How many of us are Resolution Weary? Tired of making the same old rash promises every 1st January only to break them within a fortnight when the novelty wears off? It would seem that a lot of us are very much over making a New Years Resolution. 

Instead of a resolution, why not just choose one word as a theme or a mantra for the coming year? A word or a theme is far, far less restrictive than a resolution, it’s far easier to remember, and it’s flexible enough to apply to many aspects of your life. 

My best friend, soulmate, and adopted Twin Shanna has already discussed this topic in a recent post to her newsletter Life: Examined. She has chosen the word consistency.

Another woman I very much admire, despite our frequently opposing objectives, is the incredible marketing trainer Teresa Heath-Wareing. She has chosen the word unstoppable. In a recent post she suggested a few other words to consider, my favourites being growth, peace, calm, direction, acceptance, grace, abundant, kindness, joy, patience, integrity, flow, inspire, gratitude, focus, connection, and courage.

For reasons personal to me, I have chosen the word forgiveness. I have enough to carry on my shoulders at the moment, and anything I can do to ease the burden has got to be worth a go. 

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The Caravan Camping and Motorhome Show at the NEC - TICKET GIVEAWAY

To end on a happy and positive note, I’m thrilled to tell you that the lovely people organising the Caravan and Motorhome Show at Birmingham’s NEC have invited me along for a few days to talk to anyone who will listen about various subjects such as touring Scotland and the Outer Hebrides, choosing between a camper van or motorhome or caravan, and taking your dog abroad post-Brexit. Some of the talks will be on the main stage, some will be smaller and more intimate talks. There will also be the opportunity for one-to-one conversation when I’m on the Camper Van Advice stand.

The show takes place from Tuesday 22nd to Sunday 27th February 2022 inclusive.

I’m very excited to meet as many of you lovely people as possible, so it you are attending the show on the Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday, please pop along and say hello! More details will be available nearer the time, but in the meantime why not try and grab yourself some FREE TICKETS? 

I have TEN pairs of free tickets to give away, each pair valid for one day. 

All you have to do is subscribe to this newsletter if you don’t already, and leave a comment saying why you want to win free tickets. You need to submit your comment before midnight on Saturday 29th January 2022.

The ten winners will be chosen thus: 

Three winners will be chosen personally by me to say thank you to the three who have, in my opinion, supported us the most over the past few years. 

The remaining seven winners will be drawn by random selection during a Live Broadcast on my YouTube Channel on Sunday 30th January 2022. 

If you don’t win, don’t worry. EVERYONE who enters will be offered discounted tickets to the show by means of a code which I will publish in this newsletter after the draw on 30th January. . 

It’s wonderful to have a little something to offer back to you all for your kindness and support. 

In the meantime, get commenting and tell me why you want those tickets! Obviously please don’t enter if you won’t be able to use the tickets. While you’re at it, do share your Word of the Year if you have one, I’d love to know what you’ve chosen.

Good luck - and see you at the show!

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Favourite YouTube Channel of the Month

Image Credit CrazyTroll.no

As we all know, there are many, many wonderful caravan and motorhome YouTube channels out there. Once in a while I’ll watch a travelogue or review that hits me right between the eyes. I’m not talking about how many views the video has had or how big the channel is, I’m talking about an exceptionally high standard of production, an engaging subject, and entertainment value that rivals a terrestrial TV channel.

Olga and Dmitry live in Norway and document their travels with their gorgeous Eriba Rockabilly on their channel Crazy Troll - Travel Norway.

The video that was SO good that I watched it twice was their amazing trip along the Sognefjord to the largest glacier in Europe, Justeldasbreen. The story, the presentation, the cinematography, and of course the jaw-dropping scenery along the way makes this a video so good, it makes me wish I could produce something as good myself.

I know I said that I won’t be doing any more long-distance trips with Dougal for the time being, but having watched this video about visiting Norway, I’m now seriously tempted.

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How to Support Streamlining

There are two ways you can support me and this newsletter:

1. If you wish, you can show your support for what I do through Buy Me a Coffee. Although I’ll probably end up buying tea. Or snacks for Dougal.

I understand that not everyone who would like to will be in a position to support in this way, and that’s absolutely fine! My content is available to everyone, regardless of their circumstances.

2. Most importantly, please subscribe and share Streamlining with those who you think will enjoy it,