Suddenly retired – what now?

Summer 2015

Our retirement in summer 2015. What now? We have no children of our own and therefore no grandchildren to look after. Sitting at home and becoming dissatisfied or concentrating on an ever-narrowing circle is something we definitely didn’t want.

As we have always enjoyed traveling, we decided to travel in southern Africa. Although we traveled to northern America for a whole year when we were young, we didn’t know whether we would still enjoy long-term travel. We dared!

Our camper at the time, a Woelcke Autark Runner 4×4, was shipped to South Africa and for about 1 1/2 years we drove through South Africa, Namibia and Botswana, with a short detour to Zimbabwe.

At home everywhere

During this time, we realized that we feel at home wherever our vehicle is parked. It’s exciting that a camping vehicle can become a home anywhere in the world.

It’s not just the magnificent landscapes and fascinating wildlife of southern Africa that have impressed us, no, the encounters with people have always been (and still are) very special experiences. These are what make up the ultimate appeal of traveling.

What next ?

The Mercedes Sprinter Autark Runner 4×4 was the ideal vehicle in terms of its track width and size. Not too big and not too small. But with the total weight and the lack of ground clearance, it was still very restrictive.

Interestingly, we very often came together with truck travelers or “expedition mobile” drivers. The massive and well-equipped vehicles were impressive and fascinating. — And driving a truck was also a boyhood dream that my father gave me along the way. I still remember how proud I was sitting in the passenger seat when my father drove the Mercedes XY through Switzerland – and then the wonderful roar of the diesel engine….

So it is not surprising that we finally bought a truck with four-wheel drive, a MAN 14.285 from 2001.