Our new monthly feature for 2025; Ask us Anything; driven by 3 things; our desire to add value, a massive surge in followers over the last few months, plus we are approaching our 10th year living, working and travelling in Scoobie. Over the years, people have regularly got in touch with questions, so to make this a public feature, means everyone can benefit.
So, on the first Sunday of every month we will post a themed Ask us Anything, where we invite you to pose any burning questions you might have about that particular topic. We don’t intend to show up as experts; we do however want to share our experiences in an attempt to continue supporting our fabulous community.
Whether you are a newbie, old-hand, curious observer, early stage planner or dreamer, then this is the feature for you. If you would prefer to ask us privately, then by all means email or pm us. Of course we also welcome suggestions for future monthly themes too. You let us know what you would like to hear about, and we’ll schedule it. This month’s theme is about the challenges and realities of being fulltime.
Hi Karen & Smiley,
Amazing that you’re hosting a Q&A, but I’m so pleased that you are.
You very recently mentioned
“Toll contracts and ferry discount cards..” relating to your upcoming Nordic & Baltic adventures, can you elaborate on these please, what they’re called and how to get them?
We are hoping to head in that direction soon too and it would be great to save a few pennies when we do.
Love your posts and stories; so informative and inviting…
Best
Karen
Hi Karen, yes in terms of Norway Tolls and Ferry Discount cards, your best bet is to go to http://www.autopassferje.no and sign up for a contract with them for a 40-50% discount on ferries. You can do that online by giving them your mobile number. If it doesn’t work, as it didn’t for us, then just give them a call and they will send you an email where you can provide information this way. They will then ask you to transfer over 2100NOK which is around £150 and any money not spent after your trip, you can get a refund for.
Then with the tolls, depending on your weight – as 3.5T we have gone with Skyttel who are affiliated with Autopass, which makes it easier. And you follow the same process with them. Although this time you have to pay just 200NOK for the Tag which they send to your home address. If for some reason though it doesn’t come in the post, your registration number will automatically captured and charged via VLP recognition. Does that help? Kx
Hi, I was wondering if you had any experience travelling around for a year and needed medications. I have high blood pressure, anxiety meds, etc and don’t know how i will deal with this.
Hi Donna, thanks for getting in touch.
Yes we have had some experience in our 9 years on the road. Back in 2022 Myles went down with a mysterious condition that we had to visit a Moroccan doctor to get diagnosed. The tests were comprehensive and cost no more than €150 so we chose not put it through our insurance. In terms of repeat prescriptions, a doctors surgery will give you between 3-6 months depending on the type of meds. If you explain your circumstances they are generally compassionate. They may even give you a prescription that you can take into an EU pharmacy and they can then honour. We also tend to go to Gibraltar and go into a private clinic for bloods and a prescription for 6 months. So that’s how we get around it. Hope that helps. Kx
Hi both, had no idea you’ve been doing this for so long, it just all looks amazing. I was googling for motorhoming in the uk when I click on your site, I have a question on the uk, I have a disabled daughter, she is 8 and in a wheelchair so want to start closer to home, she likes the outdoors and likes it peaceful so where would you recommend for a motor home novice for starters this summer? Scotland, wales, Cornwall, Devon etc.
Hi Fergal, so glad you found us. What a lovely summer plan you have and I think starting off locally is a great idea. I think if you can find yourself a small campsite that has some good facilities rather than say, a Caravan and Motorhome Club 5 site, it will give you an easier introduction for your daughter with the showers and toilet blocks. You will also be amongst like-minded people who can be an invaluable support. In terms of location, I would love to go straight up to Scotland, although unfortunately you would be battling the midges up there at that time of the year, sadly and that could influence your holiday experience. So my instinct is to head to either Somerset or Devon. Cornwall is undoubtedly beautiful although with narrow roads, again not necessarily a great start to your advantures. There’s a fabulous campsite that I used to go to as a girl in Dulverton, in the heart of the Exmoor National Park. It’s not cheap, although it is a great site that is easy to navigate a wheelchair around and a beautiful village too. Other thoughts are may be Ilfracombe on the coast or Bude, which I know is Cornwall although could be a good option. What about the Lake District that is such a beautiful part of the world and has some gorgeous places to visit and be amongst nature.
I hope that gives you some thoughts to play around with. Keep in touch, we’d love to hear what you are planning. Kx
Hi sorry to bother you but as the EU tighten up the monitoring of border crossing in the near future. I’m ok with the 90/180 stuff (luckily I have an Irish Passport) have have the relevant EU “stuff” should I need to quote them.
However the Vehicle admission limits I’m failing on.
My under standing is that the vehicle is granted a 6 month temporary import (in a year) on crossing into the EU However I also believe that once I leave at an EU border (within the 6 month allowance) I have then discharged my temporary import and when I re-import the vehicle I am granted another 6 months automatically
Is this true?, do you have any experience or reference to this at all
I tried reading article 2446/2015 but it kept tripping the 15amp fuse in my brain!
Thanks for all you great blogs by the way
Jim
Hi Jim. Yes we too have done a lot of research on this, although we can’t find any reference to the 6 month rule for travellers. I think the 6 month vehicle admission is more for people becoming resident, as I understand it. Certainly there are no restrictions that I can find for visitors travelling into a country. Given that you will be visiting different countries on your travels, rather than staying for 6 months in one specific country, then, as I can see, we are fine. If I see anything that changes my opinion, I’ll let you know.