Actually, I've already done this quite a few times with mixed results. At the moment I've concluded it's not what I'm after, and as a result I'm not looking for more long trips, with or without objectives or limits. I don't think that this is uncommon.

The thing is, most folks vote with their feet. In other words, they talk about how much they'd enjoy life without plans or obligations, but in actual fact they accumulate responsibilities rather rapidly because there are real rewards to be had in commitment over time, in becoming a part of families, in embedding in communities, and in orienting toward goals.

It's convenient to complain and say "If I only had the money, I'd throw it all aside and take the endless motorcycle (or Unimog) journey," but the reasons that most people never actually accomplish this are for real, and worth considering realistically. It's very often not about lacking the funding: most people around here spend more per year supporting their giant televisions, stylish clothes and humongous American cars than I've spent on yearlong trips throughout the world no matter how profligate.

Whether this applies to you specifically is an open question. I'm just pointing out that I don't think your generalization is true.

Your central question, which I understand to be whether your budget will suffice, has been answered by a few posters already, and I'm sure others will chime in. It sounds like maybe you're looking for something else; what is it? "Am I crazy?" doesn't really narrow it down.

As always, ignore any or all of the above if it's unhelpful or doesn't apply.

Mark

Be aware that £500 per month in Europe goes nowhere even with free accommodation and that some people become travel weary after about a year.

If you rent your house 100% occupancy is hard to achieve and also you will have to give tenants a contract which means you wont always be able to return at a moments notice.

Other than that just go for it - better on a bike IMHO