VAN LIFE TRUCK LIFE END
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- Опубліковано 9 гру 2023
- Our van life truck life has come to an end. Yep, it's happened... after 5.5 years of full-time travel and life on the road, we park up in our tiny home on wheels, for one last time.
In our sixth year of full-time travel, we reflect on our reasons for taking time out and share the highs and lows...
But don't go anywhere just yet, did we mention our truck build challenge?
Subscribe and join us on our truck build journey, where we share our highs and lows.
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all the very best for the build - don't worry too much about vlogging, just find your groove and we will all be here and waiting when you are back - respect to you both - take care xxxx
🙌🙌🙌🙌👍
Hi Leanne and thank you, I think that's exactly what we need to do. It feels a little strange right now and we're definitely out of sorts... but we'll get there and hopefully be on the road relatively soon.
Appreciate all you support 🙏☺
My partner and I have been watching your vlogs for a while now, and you have both inspired us so much! We have now decided that we're going to buy a Sprinter van at the end of this year, to convert, and go exploring with our little dog! Thank you for all of your amazing content
Thanks for the feedback, we really appreciate it! Good luck with your project, we'd love to hear how you get on :)
Phil & Izzy
What a fitting tribute to you both. You’ve come a long way. Here’s to the next 5.5 years of your journey, wherever that may take you both. See you down the road 🙏🏽
Hi Paul, massive catch-up at this end 😁.
Thank you, and yes we've got a little blip before heading off on the next chapter. Already looking forward to catching up with you both 🙏🍷☺
What a great journey (so far). Looking forward to it continuing with new wheels. Thank you for sharing!
Hi and appreciate you taking the time to say so, thank you 🙏😀
Emotion just shows how genuine you are. Seen snippets on insta, hope you are settled into to farm life and the build plan is coming together.
Hi Kev, we're getting there.
Just want to say a big thank you to someone who lives it and understands, you've been there from the start and we appreciate the support.
I'd like to think we can pay you a visit when we've built our new rig and share a beer.
Cheers and have a good Christmas. 🎄 🍷☺
Ooh …. An emotional moment - understandable after everything…… and now I see how 5.5 years could fly by doing this lifestyle…. We’re near to 6 months already. I want to thank you for all your support and advice you’ve both given us - very grateful and I know one day we will meet you both to toast a glass or two or three. I enjoy these chatty videos just as much as the travel ones so hopefully you’ll think about carrying them on in some way or another . Looking forward to what’s ahead for us all. 🎉
Hi Amanda, thank you and our pleasure.
It's been a lot of fun and meeting people like yourself is without question the best part.
Look after the bearded one and we'll speak soon. 🙏😀
Well done all your hard work guys! You've been an awesome inspiration!
Thank you, appreciate you saying so ☺☺🙏
The end of one chapter and start of the next. Get on with it while health still allows and keep doing what you’re doing guys. We will follow your truck build with interest. We’re just starting a sprinter build while our Unimog is stored in Mexico - health issues are delaying our return and you know what they say about idle hands….. 👍
A bit busy at this end so apologies for my late reply.
Thank you, funny enough that's one of the reasons why we sold up & hit the road... we lost a few people (very early fifties) and that was our wake-up call - honestly, we have no regrets.
I sincerely hope you're able to return to Mexico and continue your travels but for now, good luck with the build and remember, we're always up for a catch up 🙏🍷😀 P&I
Never mind Izzy getting emotional......Thank you for your constant updates and info, a valued source (and What3word parkups!), you've been an inspiration for us to embark on a part time version of what you have done, a journey we can't wait to start once retirement gets here. From hummus to composting toilets (what a range) its been fascinating. I'm looking forward to Phils next great "assembly", might try and buy you a red wine on one of our bi-annual pilgrimages to Norfolk? Thank you again, I'm sorry if the invaluable UA-cam has been a bind for you, for us its been fascinating and we thank you. Best wishes.
Hi Martin,
What a lovely message and apologies for my very delayed reply.
Thank you so much for all the support and engagement on the channel throughout.
It'd be great to share a glass (or two) should you venture into the wilds of Norfolk 😀, but for now have a fabulous Christmas and hopefully lots more content to come. 🙏🍷😀
Hi guys, loved being a fly on the wall, sharing your adventures, seeing places I will never get to see otherwise. Looking forward to your build and travels to follow. Enjoy time with family and friends, oh also don’t forget the cook book …. ❤
Hi Julia,
Thank you 😁, we really appreciate your support on the channel. P&I 🙏😀
Completely hear what you're saying about this year being the busiest ever wirh crowds etc. we have felt the same. Good luck with your new truck 👍
Thank you ☺👍🏻
Fantastic update! Wishing you both a wonderful Christmas and exciting times in 2024! ❤ love your videos ❤
Hi Marina, thank you so much, have a lovely Christmas 🍷🙏😀
Great video. I am very jealous of your adventures and really your admire zest for life!
Thanks so much for the many, weekly doses of inspiration. You have been one of my favourite go to you tube truck travels when I am wondering if we will ever finish ours and why I started it it in the first place. It has always been a great Sunday night tonic and helped remind me of our own end goal which I am now delighted to say is ready for delivery back to us so we can start fitting it out. All the best with your own build and next adventures. I will be keeping a keen look out for any build updates.
Hi Julia, thank you so much for your kind words.
Pleased to hear you're nearing the finish line 😀, it'll soo be worth the endless hours and emotional journey 😩😀.
Take care and have a great Christmas 🙏🍷
All the best for your time at home and the new build. Looking forward seeing how it develops. I still have truck envy and that will increase with the new one. We move out of the house at the end of January and Into the motorhome. In many ways you have been an inspiration to us. Hope to see you on the road. Dave n Jo
Hi Dave and Jo,
Thank you, really appreciate all your support on the channel. If you're looking for Christmas pressie idea's ...you could always surprise Jo with Tonka wrapped in a Big Bow 😀👍🏻.
Good luck with the move and always up for a meet with like-minded people. have a great Christmas both 🍷🙏😀
Thanks for sharing your inner thoughts, mirror ours too as we continue this life on the road. Can't wait to follow Tonka2 in its construction. Just make it noticeable so we can find you 😉
Hi Karen, thank you for all the support.
Already looking forward to life back on the road but yes, the small matter of building a truck 😁.
Have a great Christmas and hopefully you'll see us soon 🍷🙏😀
hey guys, thank you for this lovely and honest video. We can identify with so many things you mentioned (family doesn't understand why we need a holiday is a good one, parents getting older - I struggle with that a lot etc.) We haven't met yet, but I sure hope that one day we do! In the meantime, we wish you a lovely Xmas time surrounded by your loved ones and of course an excellent start into 2024. The new truck is going to be even better! Love Ann & Ash
Hi Ann and Ash,
Firstly thank you so much for your support on the channel. 🙏☺
It's funny, if you live the lifestyle, you get it...the vast majority don't.
Anyway, although life back in the UK is pretty hectic catching up with everyone right now, it's much needed. That said, we're itching to get the new build underway, and ultimately get back on the road once again.
Have a fantastic Christmas 🎄wherever you are, and maybe we can share a glass at some point 🍷🙏😀 P&I
Wow just discovered you guys. We also sold everything to travel. Just finishing our year back at work organising parents and kids. About to hit the road again. 😎
Thank you and brilliant, sounds like a plan.
Enjoy 😀👍🏻
Thank you so much for all your travels, you’ve inspired so many people including us to visit new places, places you would never dream of going to, take time out regroup and look forward to seeing the progress of your new truck lots of love xxxx
Hi Sally, big apologies for my very late reply (we've been regrouping 😂)
Thank you so much, we really appreciate your support on the channel, have a great Christmas and we'll pick it up again soon 👍🏻🙏🍷
Love your content, look forward to the build and the next set of Adventures.
Hi Kev, I'm a bit late in my reply but thank you.
very much appreciate your support. 🙏😀
I’ve enjoyed all your travels to date and look forward to the next chapters with eager anticipation. Our travel plans are a little more modest but still our dream and bought forward thanks to watching you live yours! Have a great Christmas and all the best with the new build project 😊
Thank you and apologies for my very delayed reply.
It's been a pleasure travelling full time and we've loved it, but catching up with family is more important than anything else, so a little time out is welcomed.
That said, we're excited about the build (and a little daunted), I'm sure we'll be itching to get away come February 😂.
Have a great Christmas and appreciate the support on the channel 🙏 P&I
Good luck with the new build! I'll continue to look out for your vlogs! Thanks for sharing your journey! All the best!
Thank you and appreciate the support 🙏🍷😀
Really enjoyed all your videos and your banter. Have a great Christmas and look forward to seeing the build🍷
Hi Martyn, thank you and appreciate your support.
have a great Christmas 🎄 🙏
Love all the videos how lucky you both are to see so many beautiful countries
Hi Robert, we're incredibly fortunate and often remind ourselves (I actually wish we'd said it in the video ☺)
Thank you and have a great Christmas 🙏😀
Its been great following your travels since I found your site, but this vlog was the most interesting finding out what you found best and worst. Look forward to seeing you
on your return when the new truck is finished. all the best
Hi Steve,
Thank you and really appreciate you saying so.
Cheers P&I 🍷☺
Another great video, thanks for sharing very honestly.
I can promise you the build will take over your lives completely , but the feeling of achievement is immense.
All the best for the build, it will be great to look over your shoulder occasionally 😊
Hi and thank you,
We just want to get going with the build, now that we're back. I really enjoy that all-consuming build process, but no doubt we'll be desperate to head off into the sunset once done 😂
Cheers P&I 🙏🍷
Thanks for sharing your adventures with me, I look forward to seeing what comes next.
Thank you and appreciate the support 🙏😀
I've followed your trip to Morocco 🇲🇦 had fun watching that , hope you come back soon 👍
Thank you, we definitely will be back 🙏😀
Thumbs up, and hope to see you on the road soon again!👍🙂
Thank you, we hope so too 😀🙏
It’s been great keeping up with you guys via your channel. Inspiring and informative, a real eye opener on some occasions. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you both, and of course your amazing truck Tonka! A new chapter begins, and hopefully you’ll keep us posted on the progress of the new build. Wishing you all the best and hopefully meet up sometime 👍. Merry Christmas 🥂🍷☕️😀.
Hi John,
As you can probably tell, I'm still playing catch-up on here 😂.
A Big thank you for all the support on the channel, we're definitely itching to get on with our new build.
Anyway, have a great Christmas and hopefully we'll get some new build content out soon 🙏🍷🎄 😀
Thank you for taking us with you on your journey. All the best to you from Austria Martin and Angelika
Hi guys, apologies for my delayed response. Thank you, appreciate the message. 😀🙏
Thanks for sharing your journey. It was a pleasure meeting you in Georgia
Our pleasure and yes, always great to meet like minded people, particularly in places less travelled 🙏☺
Best of luck with the new truck build, Iooking forward to the updates! Thanks for your advice this year and hopefully our paths will cross when you’re back on the road to share a bottle of vino 😊
Hi Donna,
Thank you, yeah that'd be great... you know us, always up for meeting like-minded people 🍷😀
love watching you guys, so glad I stumbled across your Chanel when you were in Morocco and have been gripped ever since. It has inspired us to start to plan out own van life experience, who knows maybe we will run into each other on the road some day. So looking forward to watching Tonka2 build, so please keep it coming. Thanks Michael & Louise
Hi Michael and Louise,
Big thank you, you've been avid supporters of the channel and it's appreciated.
Looking forward to the build but looking forward more to getting back out there to explore the wonderful world we live in, and hopefully push the boundaries.
Hopefully, our paths will cross, and maybe enjoy a wee glass together 🍷 😀🙏
That was awesome. nice one guys. all the very best x
Thank you 😊
Enjoy time regrouping with those you love 💕
Jeanette, thank you 🙏😘
As detailed as you could manage for the build would be amazing.
Hi Seb, 👍🏻😀
Thanks for all the videos. Your cook book on the website?
A good end to this chapter with many more ahead! The new truck will be fun, but can become overwhelming if you think about the entire project. I know you guys know all about it, but I can't wait to see the build take shape!
Thank you, yeah there’s certainly a lot to process.
I (Phil) really enjoy the process, Izzy less so although we definitely work well together.
Can't wait but already missing life on the road 😩
Thanks again and have a great Christmas 🍷🙏😀
Great video!
Hi Shauna, 🙏☺
Awesome guys. We are so glad we were a tiny part of your journey and were able to meet you both (and Tonka) and enjoy a delicious meal with you. We obviously wish you the very best for this coming year and onwards. Hope to see you sometime soon.
Hi both, thank you...
Soo lovely to hear from you and yes, what a lovely encounter at Bad Kissengen 😀
We will no doubt cross paths again and good luck with your own build.
P&I 😘
Just discovered you. Very enjoyable and interesting. Incredible ventures. I think you’d love Australia!
Hi Susan, thank you so much. We totally would, we just need more time 😂🙏
Hi guys.
As you know I’m building our truck, starting from a base vehicle with home made box, and tbh it can indeed be overwhelming. The amount of stuff to do is staggering, what seems like a simple job like building the cabinet for the fridge takes days of planning and thought. You think to yourself “there are 120,000 things to do…where to start?
It’s hard now, no light, it’s cold, rains all the time…but what keeps me going is remembering videos from yourselves and others like you who constantly inspire me.
We’ve really enjoyed your travels - but I’m really looking forward to a build series - this will be as interesting and inspiring as watching you enjoying the sunshine in some faraway place.
Have fun, enjoy the break, but we look forward to seeing you…on the road. :)
Hi Rob, thanks for taking the time to comment and I'm sat here laughing, cos I think those 120,000 things are swirling about in my head right now 😂
I'm actually dreading those cold wet days 🥶 in a unit somewhere doing those half hour (4 hour jobs😩).
But, it's all part of the adventure and I'm pleased we've inspired you and helped keep you going 🌞☺
Be great to share a beer and a walk round a some point in the future. Cheers and thanks for all the support on the channel, have a great Christmas 🍷😀
Hi to you both, we've absolutely loved watching your videos, we are new to travelling, only in our 6th month. Your experience and knowledge has been such a help to you.
This is the end of one chapter and the beginning of another for you. We look forward to watching your journey over the next year and how the truck develops.. We wish you the best of luck. Enjoy you time with your loved ones and making memories at home. Lots of love. Angela and Gianluigi
P..S. what earplugs do you use please as I've the same problem, Angela Xx
Hi both, big thank you for the support on the channel and pleased you’ve enjoyd our travels. ☺
Regarding earplugs, we've tried so many over the years and both prefer different types.
Izzy currently has a silicone pair, which we bought in Italy (sorry can't remember the brand - Euro 15) and I prefer the cheap foam type, usually used for motorcycle riders.
Hopefully, we'll be in a position to press on with the truck build soon & share that journey. Have a great Christmas guys, P&I 🍷🙏
I look forward to watching your life in Tonka, I would love to do what you do, but age is against us, and not sure if I have the nerve to do it.
Merry Christmas to you, and a happy new year!
Hi Richard, big thank you.
It does take a bit of nerve but once you’re out there, it feels fine and we always work on the premise, that there’s more good people than bad.
Have a great Christmas and appreciate the support on the channel. 🍷🙏😀
Looking forward to seeing the truck build so keep on filming every detail if you can.
I have lived in my LWB Merc Sprinter for the last five years and I am considering a 4x4 truck for my next vehicle so having a series of build videos will be very helpful, cheers to you both.
Hi and thank you,
Not sure how detailed it's going to be, purely from the ridiculous time required perspective, but I'll capture the process, costs, problems and thought process.
Cheers 🙏🍷😀
@@TheGapDecaders Understood and thanks.
Bye bye Tonka, we’ll miss you too! … but looking forward to your new adventures.
Hi Ann, how on earth has seven days lapsed? 😀
Thank you and appreciate all the support on the channel 🙏
Have a lovely Christmas 🍷
Came here from the Bad Kissinger video. I’m now subscribed and looking forward to the new build, also just watched the Tonka walk around video, maybe you could do another one showing the vehicle condition after all the touring showing what’s changed.
I’m also intrigued to know how much you will be selling for?
Hi Rob, apologies for my late response... between family catch up and socials it's been manic 😁
Firstly, thank you for the support on the channel & good idea (although in fairness nothings really changed (apart from a few scratches 😂).
It's due a service & MOT early Jan and go on the market at £85k.
Have a great Christmas 🎄 🍷🙏😀
Now another adventure begins. 😊
Remember time lapse builds get tons of views.
Don't forget to do a tour of your old rig. 5 yrs and 1 million miles or possibly better 5 years and 5 million people...😉🛠
Hello and apologies for my ridiculously late reply.
Absolutely agree and great idea, although I sense we might well be in many different locations but good call. 👍🏻
Of course Georgia was your favourite, you met us there! 🤣🥰
😂😂😂it’s true 😁
What we're the chances and soo pleased you guys made contact, the pleasure was all ours ☺
So when you heading off again? 🌞😉🍷
@@TheGapDecadersWe nearly didn't! We walked past tonka early on in the day but I got a migraine and went to bed for the afternoon. When I woke it was late enough so we didn't think you would answer but you did! 🥰🥰 Probably just short trips for the foreseeable future as we have some projects at home. 😊
@@JDOnTheRoad 😀We get it, it's a real emotional journey too, upending everything and although exciting, it's exhausting.
Have a great Christmas both 😘🍷
Love your adventures great video just one question why are you selling the truck you said you wanted a new one but why is this one too small is there too many repairs happening more and more just curious looking forward to seeing you on the road again
Thank you, our old truck was excellent, mechanically sound with only 65k miles on the clock.
It really was a difficult decision, but we wanted more capacity with the ability to carry more water/solar and a bigger motorcycle.
Truth is, we can't wait to get back on the road 🙏😀
Well we just watched your last video. And bless of course you got upset. It’s been a great time and we totally get it.
We are only 18 months in to our journey.
You are a fab couple. And we know we’d like you in person as much as we do on this channel.
My partner Eileen would like to know .. why you changed from a motorhome to an overlander ?
What was the main reason?
As we are in a 20 year old Hymer? 😊
Hi Martin and Eileen,
Thank you and apologies for my late reply, it's been a little hectic of late.
To answer Eileens question, we found ourselves driving up tracks in our motorhomes, only suitable for 4x4, and getting frustrated that we couldn’t get there.
Having the truck allows us to go that little bit further off the beaten track (the last 5%).
And then when you get to that incredible off-grid spot, we have enough capacity to sit there for 10 days, offload the scooter and explore. It also gives us an element of security when in remote places and they're pretty robust.
There are downsides:
Initial cost
Running costs
Size (particularly in small villages & Istanbul 😉😂)
It isn't nimble, but we enjoy slow traveling and plan to go much further afield, hence the new build.
We're always up for meeting like-minded people, particularly full timers and fingers crossed we can share a beer/vino sometime 🍷🙏
Anyway, for now, have a great Christmas P&I 😀
*Promosm*