We’ve now been living the ‘Laika Life’ for nearly a year. A wonderful year and an unforgettable year. The Laika Kreos 3008 has been our home on wheels for that whole time. We talk constantly about what it has meant to us, how we feel about our experience and what the future holds and we would like to share some of that with you so just for fun we had a little Q and A session. Neither of us knew the other’s answer before we made our own.
Buzz in the beautiful Gorges du Verdon, France
What’s your favourite thing about Buzz?
J I like waking up in the morning, and looking down through to the front, it always just looks and feels so nice like waking up in a smart hotel everyday.
M I think the comfort inside. Obviously we spend a lot of time in here so it’s a big thing. From the bed to the cab seats and the sofas, it’s all comfortable.
Buzz as the sun goes down in Moustiers St Marie, France
Why do you enjoy motorhome life?
J Because of the flexibility, being able to change course mid stream. To wake up knowing you’re going to see somewhere new and something different every day.
M Because of the freedom to move, be spontaneous but still have all our home comforts with us whatever we decide to do or wherever we go.
Deciding where to go next is all part of the adventure.
What’s the thing that’s surprised you most about motorhoming?
J How easy it is to live in (a motorhome). When you first look at them you think it’s small but it’s so well thought out Laika seem to have thought of everything. You suddenly find how good it is to live without all the usual clutter too.
M How easy it is and how many place there are to stay, and for free too. Also how comfortable it is. I’m not sure about other motorhomes but the Laika we have is just so easy to live in. They seem to have thought of everything!
Stepping out in the morning right in front of the beach at San Remo, Italy
Favourite country visited so far?
J Oh blige! I’m going to have to say Italy because apart from the Ligurian coast which was a bit tricky I loved it and there’s so much more to see, although Portugal has really gripped me as well it’s very laid back and the countryside is stunning. That said how can I discount Spain or France which are both special in their own way.
M That’s impossible to say. Every country has something special and unique about it, there are so many great places. Italy was lovely and we didn’t see enough of it and the food was so good too! I love France for the countryside and rivers, Spain for the mountains and little pueblos blancos, and Portugal has really been special, the Atlantic coast and Duoro especially.
Italy – the best place for beautiful, fresh produce
Which place would you like to go back to?
J That’s really difficult, there are so many. I liked where we were yesterday! Maybe somewhere like Florence. Spend a bit longer and look around more. I think we rushed it. I also loved the Atlantic coast of Portugal, it was just stunning. That’s a really difficult question!
M I’d happily do it all again! Everywhere we’ve been has been a revelation in some way. The scenery and changing landscapes in every single country have been so different. I just wish I could relive the whole time over again really.
One of the many hairpin bends in the Dolomites
What’s your most memorable moment?
J San Rocco, got to be. But also meeting up with Salima and John again in Turin. Meeting fellow travellers and then meeting up again in a different place was great. I also loved the drive up and through the Dolomites especially the run up and down on the second day with over 100 hairpin bends, Buzz handled them so well.
M There are just so many, but one of them absolutely has to be collecting the motorhome at South Downs Motorhome Centre and driving away for the very first time. Everything was completely new to us, it was the very beginning of the adventure and we were so excited and still couldn’t really believe it was happening. At that point though, we really had no idea just how amazing it was going to be.
Buzz Laika in the Carrara marble mountains of Italy.
What have you found the hardest thing?
J To start with it was getting used to the freedom. We were so used to routine, albeit we didn’t like it. It took a while to adjust but I’ve got absolutely no problem with that now! Otherwise, just trying to decide where to go next! It’s also going to be hard to go back and look for a purpose again, I will definitely miss Buzz, though that hasn’t happened yet.
M For me it’s been missing people. Nothing to do with motorhoming particularly, just the fact that we’ve been away for so long. I’m surprised at how I haven’t found living in a compact space hard at all. It just feels like home and I don’t even notice or think about space or lack of it. I like it, it’s cosy.
One of our must haves for the trip – our bikes
Sum up motorhome life in 3 words.
J Fun, adventurous, liberating.
M Fun, eye-opening, liberating.
List your 3 essential items.
J Sucky sweets, kettle, camera, fridge. I know that’s 4 but this is about freedom.
M Bikes, wine, you!
Buzz Laika at the motorhome aire in Monsaraz, Portugal, one of our favourite places.
How will you feel when you have to give Buzz back?
J Bereft and Strange knowing he will be gone, our home for nearly a year but I know someone else will have some great times in him.
M Sad. I will miss him and our adventures together. I don’t really want to think about it too much.
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