And the reason this is painfully obvious to me at the moment is we bought a small caravan just over a week ago. We're quite excited about our new method of travel. Not least because the kitchen is inside! Luxury! No cooking on gas jets in the wind!
But it's going to take a while before we find where everything "belongs", before we become efficient at using the space. We're on our second little jaunt with it and I'm finding that it's as though stuff is spring-loaded, ready to leap out of whatever storage nook it's been in to create instant clutter!
So that's what I'm after today - all your small-space-living tips! HELP!
And I thought I'd take on a quick pictorial tour of our first trip. We went to house-and-pet sit for a friend. She has 5 horses, 1 dog, 1 cat and a million gorgeous roses! I was a bit worried about the roses, given my not-so-green thumb! But it was only a few days and we all survived!
 |
| Meet Gidget! |
 |
| ... and Miss Piggy ... |
 |
| ... and Labrat (oops sorry that should be Precious!)... |
 |
| And three of the million gorgeous roses! |
Sharon, what gorgeous photos! I particularly love the roses - and the cat and Labrat's name! What fun about the caravan - you'll be pre-grey nomads! I used to live in a very small space but I don't think my hints will help in a caravan situation. When I lived in a tiny flat in inner Sydney, anything I didn't use in 6 months got chucked. And I was really disciplined about it. Really worked to keep the place clutter free.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anna! Aren't the roses fabulous! I wish I could grow them this well! Everyone tells me that it's impossible to kill roses - I'm proof that this is not true!
DeleteLOL on the pre-grey nomads! Yes, I can see that the 6 month rule would be a good one to have in your tiny flat. Must have been hard sometimes though, was it?
Lovely photos from your house sitting trip!
ReplyDeleteI'm envious of your caravan and the ability to take off for weekends, all self-contained, but yes, I can imagine that it would be very tricky to stay organised. The only tip I can think of is to put things away as soon as you've used them, but that's pretty boring and basic, isn't it?
Looking forward to hearing about more of your travels.
Thanks, Claire! I had great fun stalking the roses! And the animals too - but they're so funny because they want to come and investigate you as soon as you point the camera at them!
DeleteYou know that is an excellent tip - and soooooo hard to do! I think it will get easier as we find where everything "belongs"... I'm clinging to this... could be deluding myself! LOL
Hi Sharon
ReplyDeleteLucky you I have never travelled or stayed in a caravan so unfortunatley I have no tips for you :) and I too love those photos and I am sure that you will find lots of ways to help
Have Fun
Helen
Thanks, Helen. I do feel very lucky having the opportunity to do this bit of caravan travel. There are some fabulous places to stay around Oz if you're able to get away from the main centres and be self-sufficient with carrying everything you need. Not that the main centres aren't great too but getting off the beaten track is just a bit different.
ReplyDeleteSharon, how wonderful. I can imagine you both enjoying the luxury of the van after so much camping. I spent many years as a kid on caravan holidays but I'm afraid I have no real tips except a place for everything and everything in its place. Mum and Dad did all the organising and all I had to plan was my own stuff - principally books! Hope you have a ball with your future travels.
ReplyDeleteHey, Annie! Your mum and dad definitely had the right idea about a place for everything and everything in its place. I think once we've worked out where everything's place is, it will all go a lot smoother... I have high hopes! LOL I can imagine you with a good stash of books on your family holiday! In fact, what's a holiday without some fabulous reading to indulge in! And the great thing about an e-reader is that stash doesn't need to take up much room!
ReplyDeleteAs a clutter queen, Sharon, I think I'm the last person to turn to for advice. ;-)
ReplyDeleteBut I am wishing you and Mr Archer the most fabulous adventures in your new caravan, and I want to say I love your photos. Miss Piggy looks like a real snuggly sweetheart, and I bet Gidget's a character. Looks like you all muddled along nicely together. :-)
LOL on your clutter queen confession, Michelle! Miss piggy is a snuggly sweetheart! We had the most enormous thunderstorm while we were there and she was absolutely terrified poor darling. She crawled into my lap and lay across my legs and quivered. And you're right about Gidget being a character - never, NEVER, on the right side of the door!
DeleteSharon, I have such fabulous memories of caravaning as a kid, but that was when my mum was doing all the organising. I sympathise with you organisation issues! Looks like you had a wonderful time pet, rose and house sitting. My 75 rose bushes are all out and they're looking amazing.
ReplyDeleteBarb, your family caravanning holidays sound wonderful - and let's face it, having someone else doing the organising has to be great! LOL
DeleteOh, you must have an excellent green thumb with all those flourishing rose bushes! (looking down at my own thumbs thinking they look so normal, not at all like thumbs that make plants want to pull up their roots and leave home! ;)