@globalgregors
Thank you for your assessment. I agree with many points.
You're right with the "solitude" aspect. But for an answer to the question "RTT yes or no?" I have to consider different perspectives.
The Grenadier is to a degree our daily driver. So I can not and do not want to beef up the Grenadier with all the bells and whistles of an expedition vehicle. Secondly, and I think some others here have similar experiences, traveling with a (in this case my) wife is not just nature and van life, but also a posh dinner in a nice restaurant from time to time - for example. And beach life as well, but also cultural location visits.
And the male idea of being "well dressed and ready" often means the entire day. But in female context this means only "for the morning, for the afternoon, for the evening." And there lies the problem: For me, as a male being, a tent and a coffee next morning is sufficient and perfectly ok. For a woman (not for all, but for the majority I dare say) this is completely different. And to my experience, it takes a bathroom and a compartment for them to keep their accessories and the dress neatly stored for the next day.
And that's not a criticism, on the contrary, that's why we love women. I'm really proud of her when we leave for a posh evening. But it poses some compromises to be made if we go for holidays together.
So for a period longer than just a few days, an RTT does not exactly provide the ecosystem to make a woman feel comfortable.
For example, I like my olive green safari pants because they are so comfortable and durable and resist fire sparks. And I like them from morning to evening, and the next day as well. I think, for most men the same dress from morning to evening is sufficient for camping, and for motorbike drivers, due to limited resources, you can even count that in days if not weeks - depending on where you go. But for women this is very different, they prefer something different for some parts of a day.
When we (my wife and me) were young, we went on long tours together on a motorcycle. And because the budget was always limited in that time, camping was the accommodation of choice. Included a campfire, red wine, ravioli and sandwiches, and swimming instead of a hot shower - and we were happy.
But today
even my standards are higher. But having been a long-distance motorcyclist for fifty years, I still retain the “I need to get out” attitude and need the fire, the red wine, the ravioli and the sandwiches from time to time.
Now that was a long story behind why we tend to stay in B&Bs and hotels, and - and now comes the important difference - my wife likes to spend a night outdoor only from time to time, while I would like to spend a night in a hotel only from time to time .
Let's say once a week - for both of us, but just the other way around.
My first camping was in the age of seven in the Italian Alps. My most recent camping was some years ago in the age of 59, with my diesel motorbike in the Swiss Alps. With fire, wine and sandwiches. In between I had a lot of camping holidays, always on the motorbike, in Germany, France, Corsica and other locations. And often, I even slept at the beach without setting up my tent, just under the sky. Wonderful.
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I (we) love the Alps, but as well the Mediterranean and the the sea side in general.
For longer travels, the motorbike will now be replaced by the Grenadier, and sleeping will be more comfortable, but less free and adventurous. And that's why I would at least like to keep
the option to sleep in the car, wherever I am.
![[ Adam ]](https://ineosforum-data.community.forum/avatars/s/9046/9046040.jpg?1705937698){kind=avatar}
