B
y the time you read this I’m either packing,
on a flight or in a rental Minnie Winnie
heading to Wyoming. While trying hard to
build momentum and market penetration for our
new #RV Magazine – something proving more
of a challenge than planned/hoped for – I’m also
focused on moving this magazine forward to a
paid subscription from July as planned.
There are still technical issues to overcome with
regards to reading the subscription version on a
laptop or desktop computer, but they should be
resolved in the next week or so. Despite earlier
advice, at this stage it’s looking likely that the
only way to achieve this is for such subscribers
to be online; meaning connected to the Internet
while reading. While the new iMotorhome apps
for Apple and Android tablets (and smartphones)
allow the magazine to be downloaded and
read off-line, that now doesn’t seem likely for
laptop/desktop subscribers. Apologies if we
have to launch that way, but I will keep looking
for a solution. In the brave new world of digital
publishing the technology is very much focused
on delivering to mobile devices...
Polly remains very much a driveway ornament
these days, although after this trip I’m not
planning to head off until late August. That trip,
which will spill over into September, is up to
Dusseldorf in Germany for the 2018 Caravan
Salon: The world’s largest RV show. Covering
75 acres and featuring some 2500 recreational
vehicles of all shapes and sizes from about 600
manufacturers, it’s been on my must-do list for
the last six years. It’s an annual pilgrimage for
many in the Antipodean RV industry and I expect
to see some familiar faces while I wander the
halls. The venue even has its own RV park and
initially I’d planned on renting some exotic little
European motorhome and camping right in the
middle of the thing for the full 10 days. What
a hoot! That thought was tempered, however,
by accounts of it reaching 37°C last year or
the year before, and given the absence of airconditioning in both the exhibition halls and any
rental motorhome, I chickened out. Instead, I’ve
booked an airy but still un-airconditioned loft
apartment though Airbnb in a nearby residential
area, not far from the Rhine. Ever optimistic, I’m
hoping for afternoon/evening ‘sea breezes’ and
a bit more insulation, space and comfort than
a tiny RV crammed in an airless parking area
surrounded by tall exhibition buildings. What’s the
bet Europe has an early autumn and I get cold
and wet riding my bike to and from the show
each day? What was that about optimism?
Mrs iMotorhome has almost completed
convalesce following her ‘tragic dismount’ from
her bicycle on April Fools’ Day (no foolin’). She’s
been off work for a full two months because
of a wrist fracture and it’s made us realise two
things: The first – there’s life after full-time work
and she really could retire now (although it took
about a month of kicking and screaming before
the serenity arrived). The second is that if I broke
my right wrist, I/the business would be stuffed. I
still love cycling, but I’ve only ridden twice since
her accident and I’m very circumspect now. It’s a
dilemma I haven’t resolved, and short of encasing
myself in bubblewrap or consigning myself to
the tedium of the indoor exercise bike, I’m still
searching for answers. Any suggestions will be
gratefully received and seriously considered!
Finally, there’s a small chance the move to a paid
subscription could be delayed a month or two
due to other technical issues. If not and we lose
you after this issue because $2 a month is too
big an ask, safe travels and thanks for sharing the
journey. If you’re still here then thank you! Small
business isn’t easy and your support is sincerely
appreciated. See you next month, Brave New
World or not!Moving Forward
4 | On My Mind
Richard