I do not usually go out in the van in January and February for concerns of bad weather and being stuck somewhere not being able to come home.
The van needs to be serviced scheduled for February, and for parts to be replaced this year, such as both the leisure batteries and the water pump.
After the service, if the weather is nice as in dry, cold and not too windy, then I would probably go for a short trip not too far from home.
Otherwise the first trip is currently scheduled for the Easter weekend not far from home.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
We might get a long weekend at the end of February but then it will be Easter before we head out again due to a very busy period in work. At Easter we are heading up to Yorkshire so I am really looking forward to that as it has been quite a few years since we have been there.
We're keen to get away again ASAP but waiting for a reasonable forecast without the strong winds and heavy rain we've seen recently.
Also prices for our nearby club sites we would usually visit at this time of year, (because prices are usually at their lowest so we'd push the budget) are much higher than previously and I refuse to pay nearly £40 a night!
Our last caravan outing was early November, so we're definitely overdue a few days away.
Just have to keep checking the forecast!
Too soon. Early spring is the opportunity to grab a bargain on some of the early summer schedule flights to the sun. A weekend in Palma is far more appealing than a weekend in a tent field!
Quote: Originally posted by daveyjp on 28/1/2026
Too soon. Early spring is the opportunity to grab a bargain on some of the early summer schedule flights to the sun. A weekend in Palma is far more appealing than a weekend in a tent field!
Unfortunately not an option for us at the moment, with an elderly dog who has frequent epileptic fits.
We're limited to where he can go too.
I've got a 2 week trip booked for early May, but hoping to get at least one other in before then.
I'm not too bothered about early trips being cold, or even a tad wet, but the current named storms battering the country one after the other without much break do concern me. I've no desire to tow the caravan in a Gale, and many places are at some risk of flooding, which can make the journey difficult.
I was up in the Lake District last Nov when flooding effectively trapped me on site for a couple of days when local roads became near impassable, it didn't interfere with my travel as occurred during my booked stay, but made me think about travel plans a little.
I'm very mindful of the year before last IIRC, where many sites opened on their usual seasonal opening dates, only to close again for a while after a week or two because they were waterlogged and near unusable!
Crystal ball gazing to forecast upcoming weather, but stack the odds best I can by avoiding traditional bad weather periods.
Our first trip this year will probably be Copenhagen for a few days in May. By air though and we'll probably start to get the caravan ready when we come back.
However, if we get a good weather forecast for a few days in April we may get the caravan ready earlier and go then. Definitely not before though.
Things are different this year, chiefly because our elder daughter has finally managed to buy her own house, and guess who will be helping to decorate it, get the garden in shape etc.. That's right, Mum & dad.
While we live in Scotland, our girl lives in the Midlands, so we will stay with her for a few weeks at a time to get things done, and she will visit us in summer to get our house in order! With luck we will find time to do some touring in the UK, and maybe a short break in Europe.
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
Yes, annual trip to visit family in NZ. Sunny yesterday, UV level was 10 (or “extreme”), pleasantly warm out of the wind. Monsoon today, only 30mm expected.
Quote: Originally posted by bofs on 28/1/2026
We're keen to get away again ASAP but waiting for a reasonable forecast without the strong winds and heavy rain we've seen recently.
Also prices for our nearby club sites we would usually visit at this time of year, (because prices are usually at their lowest so we'd push the budget) are much higher than previously and I refuse to pay nearly £40 a night!
Our last caravan outing was early November, so we're definitely overdue a few days away.
Just have to keep checking the forecast!
So spurred on by this thread, last Wednesday I checked the forecast for the following few days, booked a site for the next day and we've been in the Lake District (about 40 mins from home), coming back today.
We really enjoyed the break, were warm and cosy in the van and only got wet once!
We are having the house decorated (when he turns up). Could have gone last week because he was apparently "on a health and safety course" of which he didn't inform us. Bad weather anyway.
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Anyone away at the minute ?
via mobile 27/1/2026 at 5:48pm
