I have spent virtually all of my leisure time 'in a field' of some variety since I was about 14 (35 years!!!) - first in my parent's trailer tent, then my own tent, trailer tent, folding camper, caravan and finally a static for the last 8 years. We sold our static at the end of last year, having decided we wanted to spend the money on spreading our wings a little more. Well, to be honest, hubby decided he wanted to do that! As exciting as our up-coming trip to Disney World is, I'm missing fields sooooo much! I've even spent time during the recent downpours sitting by the open door listening wistfully to the rain on the tarpaulin our neighbours use to protect their rabbits from the worst of the weather and wishing I was in an awning!!
I don't want to have one 'fabulous' holiday each year to some far-off, exotic place ... I want a caravan I can spend every weekend in if I feel like it! I've persuaded hubby to go to the show at the NEC next February to 'look at how caravans have changed' since we last looked at them .... I'm soooo hoping he decides he's missing it as much as I am. He has said what layout he prefers in touring caravans, and he's looking at the towing abilities of the vehicles on his shortlist for his new company car (due to change it in January).... maybe there is hope
With the current exchange rate it makes a lot of sense to holiday in the UK. And I cannot see it getting any better for quite some time. A lunch for two at Disney World will probably cost more than a weekend's caravan site fees.
The exchange rates have been rubbish for 3-4 years at least. It hasn't stopped folks going abroad.
That applies to package holidays, caravanners and tent campers etc.
The exchange rate will hopefully improve but the majority of people who go abroad will still be going imo.
------------- It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.
I totally understand how you are feeling, having once sold up before and took the package holiday trail with our then teenage daughters. We soon became bored with it all, especially the cattle truck mentality of airports and the long delays, cramped seating, and attitude of some fellow passengers who clearly left their good manners firmly on the ground. It wasn't long before we had gone out and invested in a large Outwell tunnel tent and all the gear needed to return to camping.
Fast forward 15 years, and for the last 10 of those, we have been Caravan owners once more. History somewhat repeated itself, and through my arthritis, and husband fast approaching his 80th Birthday, and we decided to sell up once more. The caravan was cleaned, serviced, damp checked, and photographed, all ready to post up on the caravan selling pages online. Our daughter offered to help with the sale by showing people around, and handling the financial side of things for us. I just had to do a write up of the spec, features, extras included act.
Then came the crunch, l sat down and started to write, only to find l couldn't bring myself to do so, so many good memories, the final months of my late daughters life spent happily with her whilst we could, the storms we had endured in the Conwy Valley, and the tranquility of the Norfolk broads to name just a few. I just sat and cried alone.
A few days later, when the first enquiry came from a neighbour by word of mouth regarding the sale, to my surprise, l heard my husband tell him 'sorry mate, it's not for sale now, l want to keep it'.
Unbeknownst to me, he was thinking exactly the same thing as me, and he joked, 'Well, it needed a good clean out of all the extra crap you had collected anyway, so it wasn't a waste of time after all, and l do love my own bed and familiar surroundings in my old age!'
So Ellie Elddis, now 6yrs old, is here to stay for a few more years yet, even if l do need to find a ramp access device to get into her easier!
Julia
Post last edited on 01/08/2019 12:28:25
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
Oh what a lovely story! Thanks for telling us, Julia.
You can get a step that goes up & down, widely advertised. I have my eye on getting one when my knees pack up. But our dog might need the ramp!
Julia - your story brought a tear to my eye. Happy memories of my own coupled with sadness for the loss of your daughter (I've been a member of this forum for a long time and I remember her passing). Thank you so much for sharing your heartfelt memories - and for making me realise I'm not alone in being so emotionally attached to camping/caravanning
Indeed, l cannot believe that l have now been a Caravanner or Tent camper of some kind for over 40years! Kay was only a Toddler when we bought our first Frame tent and outfit, and the second eldest of my 5 Daughters, all who have gone on to be Campers, with Families of their own.
I cannot believe that it was 4years last week since we lost Kay, and we all still miss her dearly. I take comfort in the fact that she is at peace now, and no longer suffering, she was the kindest most caring person anyone could ever wish to meet, and just too good for this world, she deserved better.
Now Camping amoungst the stars in heaven.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
We do a mix of travelling with our campervan and hotel holidays abroad. It wasn't so bad when we lived in Hampshire, but the cost of travelling abroad with the van from Scotland makes flying / hotel a viable alternative.
Now we only take the van to Europe every other year, but usually have two fly / hotel holidays every year. Mrs. L and our daughters also have a 'girlie' holiday every year
- usually somewhere abroad. It was Seville this year.
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
Julia, another thank you from me for sharing your lovely story. I've seen enough instances to believe that our loved ones can still communicate with us even if they're no longer here on earth if they want to badly enough, and if you and your husband both had the same thoughts at the same time, maybe your daughter did her bit to persuade you.
------------- "Don't wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect."
Thankyou Sam and Rose, from past experiances l believe in that too.
When l first met Bill, l was unaware for the first few weeks that he had a grown up Son from a previous relationship. One evening we were talking about Childrens names, and he asked me what l would have called my Girls if ever one had been a boy, straight away, and without much thought, l replied 'Stephen William'.
Stephen after the love of my life who l sadly lost in a fatal road accident, and William after my Dad.
Bill looked shocked and went very quiet on me for several minutes, then replied ' l have a son of my own, his name is 'Stephen William'.
Still to this day l believe that Bill was sent to me from my Steve, just too much has happened since to convince me that this is true. I also believe in the 'white feather' theory, cast down from new Angels above to let their loved ones know that they are safe in heaven. We had loads of these as a family just after Kay passed away.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
That is lovely Julia, I think that the dead hang around as it were for a while after they go. On the evening before my Dad's funeral, my aunt, brother's girlfriend and myself were preparing sandwiches for the next day when we had a power cut, we could see it was only to a few houses. Dad's way of telling us not to bother?
When my brother's wife died, about a week after, the caravan alarm went off for no reason; it was stolen shortly afterwards.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Missing it so much
via mobile 01/8/2019 at 12:20pm
