Although the idea really appeals I dont think I would, simply because I have a feeling I would get so sick of it it would put me off camping forever and I don't want that to happen!
If you do for it why dont you pitch on hard standing, would save you having to move the tent because of the grass and if you did have bad weather would limit the mud!
I had taken into account the need for putting the furniture into storage (in fact in an ideal world I'd have myself put into storage the day we start packing up here, and only be woken up the day after we'd moved into the new house - I HATE moving and turn into a complete dragon for the duration). And we would be able to use the in-laws washing machine etc.
The hard standing idea is a good one (doh!) as OH was paricularly concerned about having to keep moving the tent, so that is one objection overcome!
It's a great idea providing you have decent kit, a canvas bell tent or a lavvu would be a good idea. You can mitigate the storage costs a bit by having a look at self store options.
I did 10 weeks in our touring caravan with awning , on a local site when we had our bathroom rebuilt . we were offered hotel accomadation from the insurance firm , but as it was only meant to be a week or so we opted to stay in our van , ,but complications meant it dragged out into ten weeks
it was great for the first few weeks , but the novelty soon wore off. so much so we didn't camp at all the following year . co incidentally there was another family pitched next to us in a similar predicament, they were waiting to be re housed .
we had already done 4 weeks in the caravan at the same site, before the renovation started, in the school holidays.
For a month , i think it would be tolerable, but if theres any possiblity it would take longer , it stops feeling like a holiday and gets boring and you really miss your home comforts .
I spent six weeks full weeks and some weekends prior to this camping at St Neots because my husband was working there. My boys were 3 and 6 weeks old. We didn't have EHU or fridge but we walked into St Neots most days. I don't remember the site having a washing machine. I used a nearby Launderette and did hand washing on the site. It was hard work as husband worked 14 + hours a day and I had to sterilise bottles everyday, sort washing etc. Everytime I needed the loo I had to take the boys with me. Same for a shower. I waited for baby to be asleep and three year old watched baby outside shower room and I left door ajar. I don't know how I managed it but I absolutely loved it and overcame all the 'problems'. Baby became very spoilt because I had to see to him as soon as he wimpered at night because I didn't want him to have the whole site up.
The next year I did the same thing in the Cotswolds. It was more difficult because the baby was now crawling all over the place and chewing stones etc and the warden on that site (C+C clubsite) complained about me taking the pram into the toilets/showers after the floor had been cleaned. In the end it all worked out well because she would watch the baby for me and I did shopping and things for her because I was out and about a lot.
I absolutely loved these summers. Relatives and friends would come over the odd weekend. We had a caravan for a few years after that and I have had loads of summers away when the children were young. We stayed in the caravan for 6 weeks when we moved to Leicester until we found a house and loved that too.
I appreciate what you're saying Debbie about it maybe getting to the stage where the novelty starts to wear off, and other people have mentioned that it may put me off camping afterwards, but I am very sure it will only be for a month, and maybe not even that long.
There are relatives nearby where we can escape to do the washing, the odd bath (I am not a big fan of showers myself, but its part of camping, lol), and even the odd night indoors.
And gwasanaeth's experiences give me confidence that it can be done!
We have already been looking and there are loads of houses to let in the areas we want to live in and so I'm
pretty sure that within the month we'll have found somewhere more permanent, its just not going to be easy to find anywhere until we actually move there as it is just that bit too far to keep making trips to look round.
I think even OH is coming round to the idea now. He asked me last night if I'd found anywhere suitable yet!
My parents lived in their caravan for just over 6 months. They had sold the house and were looking at re-locating back to wales so lived on one little farm site in the caravan whilst house hunting. They loved it although mum did say she wouldn't stay in it over the winter as would be too cold. The put all furniture etc in storage for just over a year. (6 months in van then went on round the world trip for 6 months - dad had just retired so had a treat).
Even though they now rent a house, they are away an awful lot with the caravan so it hasn't put them off at all. I know its a bit different to a tent but still not many home comforts and bit cramped for space.
If I didn't have children and the issues with schooling etc I would love to live in a tent full time - think of the freedom of moving around and no house maintenance, less cleaning etc.
It sounds doable, as long as you know that you will cope, obviously try and get a good pitch with good drainage but at least you've picked the best time of year for weather (although we seem to get a mixed bag these days!!!) Good luck with whtever you decide!
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Windy jo
Best keep off the baked beans
Quote: Originally posted by Angela77 on 16/6/2009I appreciate what you're saying Debbie about it maybe getting to the stage where the novelty starts to wear off, and other people have mentioned that it may put me off camping afterwards, but I am very sure it will only be for a month, and maybe not even that long.
There are relatives nearby where we can escape to do the washing, the odd bath (I am not a big fan of showers myself, but its part of camping, lol), and even the odd night indoors.
And gwasanaeth's experiences give me confidence that it can be done!
We have already been looking and there are loads of houses to let in the areas we want to live in and so I'm
pretty sure that within the month we'll have found somewhere more permanent, its just not going to be easy to find anywhere until we actually move there as it is just that bit too far to keep making trips to look round.
I think even OH is coming round to the idea now. He asked me last night if I'd found anywhere suitable yet!
Must apologise for my miserable post last night . I had had a few glasses of wine and re reading it today, I sound like trying to put you off unneccesarily.
As I said, we had already done 4 weeks at the site, so that should tell you, yes of course it can be done and enjoyed, we did this for most of the school summer holidays each year , 4-5 weeks in tent or caravan , whatever we had at the time , hubby would go to work as normal and I would stay with the kids.
Remembering the time we we stayed for 10 weeks, we were totally stressed out with the building work, going from bad to worse, each time we went home to check on it. (ended up with kitchen and bathroom floors ripped up, bathroom completely gutted and replaced twice , due to workmens incompetence and the whole ground floor needed redecorating afterwards,and carpets had to be replaced because of all the dust.
hubby was also ill at the time with pancreatitus made worse by all the stress .
so I look back at that time and shudder at the memory of it all.
The building work started in september so we had the sept and october , when the nights are dark earlier and the weather had turned wet and cold too, so not being able to sit outside much in the evenings was another factor , it wasn't much fun being stuck inside every night watching tv.
yes it did put me off camping the following year ,(not surprising really ) but the year after that we were back to camping again.
We spend the best part of most summer holidays in the tent and love it.
The only potential 'issue' I can see is that of being 'turned out for work' every morning rather than slopping around in slight grubby T shirts etc. as one might feel more comfortable doing on holiday camping.
If that isn't an issue or you're a lot better organised than I am then I'd join the 'go for it' cry
i've been toying with the same idea just to save money etc.just me and the wife.
can anyone tell me if there is any legal reason or any complications with council tax and the like.if a understanding site owner was to agree is there any rules that say whether you or the site owner has to abide by?
Not sure about legalities, but for a couple of months it wouldn't be a problem .
I know some sites who take seasonal caravans, and also statics , have to close for 2 months of the year or they would be classed as residentials , maybe council tax is the reason why.
i know someone who lives in a static on a camping /caravan site as her permanent home, but has to vacate the caravan for january and february.
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: Would you live in the tent?
