First trip in over 2 years, and I went back to Birchwood Tourist Park which is my favourite site. I really miss camping and that site!!!
I decided on an all service pitch to see what it is like.
Although I did not hook up to the utilities all the time, it was handy to have them on the pitch.
My 5m collapsible fresh water hose was not quite long enough (about 1m short), and the on-site shop did not have any in stock, so I drove to the nearest Go Outdoors to get one as part of an universal mains water adaptor kit.
I needed to go to GO anyway, as despite my careful planning with a very detailed packing list, I managed to leave my head torch at home, which I discovered the first night when the dog was sick at 02:30 in the morning! DOH! So I now have a head torch dedicated to the van.
The site was quite busy with units with their own facilities - I only saw one tent when I was there.
The weather was dry and sunny, yet quite cold especially in the wind. I may bring my windbreak with me in future.
I was very pleased with my van conversion by Young Conversions near Bletchley, Milton Keynes, in that they were able to turn my design concepts into reality. The only design element that was not met was the lack of fly screen on the main door into the van - it is difficult to add one that would look good. No big deal as the windows have fly screens as part of the cassettes.
I need to get a few more items such as a 10m collapsible fresh water hose to supplement the 5m one I already have, a waste water container and may be a Aquaroll too if I can find a way to hook it up to my van; in readiness for camping on pitches with just EHU.
The only drawback was the need to put/pack everything away every time I wanted to take the van out and about. More a lifestyle change than anything else, as I am not a tidy person by nature!
A few pics of the trip, including trips to Sandbanks and Wareham Forest.
All in all, a very nice first trip out in my new van.
DK
Post last edited on 18/04/2021 23:53:49
Post last edited on 18/04/2021 23:56:13
------------- 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$$ on it and walk away!
Quote: Originally posted by seanfdh on 18/4/2021
Good to see you get out at long last. Hope it's the first of many trips and reports in and from your van.
Indeed.
She is good for day trips too in that I don't have to worry about the need to find a toilet.
An issue I have is that the van is a bit of a guzzler - I shall use the EHU more for hot water and heating (via the heating mode on the air con) instead of diesel in future!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Yes I am sad and have created a website for my van - I needed to do this as I can't link her pics from her page on FB as not everyone use or have access to FB.
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$$ on it and walk away!
I do not believe I would need an Aquaroll as I shan't be using that much water when site facilities are allowed to re-open on 17 May 2021.
A waste water container is useful though.
Another issue I had was the lack of a good mobile phone signal where I was, and am looking into possible solutions as it is business/work essential that I can access work-related sites/apps while I am away in the van.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
A bit 'ScoobyDoo' mixed with 2020/21 sensibilities and classic pop art with a timeless symbol of hope. I hope you make many happy memories in her.
I'm rarely 'here' these days but saw this and felt impelled to reply and wish you well.
I did manage one night away (tent) last year to Canterbury C&C site (nice and open in the tent field, a bit busy in the 'van/motorhome areas) but very clean... Off to Sandringham for a few days in July and hopefully Folkestone in September (all booked a while back). With or without the OH!!!
------------- Camping - emotional resilience in action, a triumph of hope over adversity and antidote to virtual reality.
Quote: Originally posted by bridgeywidge on 16/6/2021
Hi DK, your van decor looks fab!
A bit 'ScoobyDoo' mixed with 2020/21 sensibilities and classic pop art with a timeless symbol of hope. I hope you make many happy memories in her.
I'm rarely 'here' these days but saw this and felt impelled to reply and wish you well.
I did manage one night away (tent) last year to Canterbury C&C site (nice and open in the tent field, a bit busy in the 'van/motorhome areas) but very clean... Off to Sandringham for a few days in July and hopefully Folkestone in September (all booked a while back). With or without the OH!!!
Bit of a coincidence there, as a few years ago we took our caravan down to Canterbury C&CC site and then went straight on to the C&CC site at Sandringham, which is one of our favourites of the larger sites.
Making note re: C&CC Sandringham for future reference!
This thread makes me kind of sad and happy at the same time, as it was the first and only trip in the van with Borda before he died.
He was such a good dog when he went camping with me.
R.I.P.
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!
Quote: Originally posted by dk168 on 16/6/2021
Making note re: C&CC Sandringham for future reference!
This thread makes me kind of sad and happy at the same time, as it was the first and only trip in the van with Borda before he died.
He was such a good dog when he went camping with me.
R.I.P.
DK
Very sad DK, our Benji loved coming away in the caravan with us too. I'm sure your new companion will come to love it too.
What I like about the Sandringham site is that at the top end nearest the site office nearly all the pitches are random and in among the trees. There are numbers set into the ground and you just put one part of your unit, whatever it may be, on or very near the number any way round you like. We try to avoid places where everything has to be in neat rows and precisely placed. However, if you prefer that as I know some do, further down the site is more like that. You have a choice.
Quote: Originally posted by Colin21 on 16/6/2021
Very sad DK, our Benji loved coming away in the caravan with us too. I'm sure your new companion will come to love it too.
What I like about the Sandringham site is that at the top end nearest the site office nearly all the pitches are random and in among the trees. There are numbers set into the ground and you just put one part of your unit, whatever it may be, on or very near the number any way round you like. We try to avoid places where everything has to be in neat rows and precisely placed. However, if you prefer that as I know some do, further down the site is more like that. You have a choice.
Bean appears to like the van so far which is a good sign, time will tell if he likes camping.
Re: Sandringham - that's unusual for a C&CC club site not to dictate how one should pitch their tents/park their van/MH etc...
I shall definitely consider this site in future when I go and visit friends in East Anglia.
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!
Hertford C&CC site close to where we live has areas like it, and so does Norman's Bay on the south coast. I think that regimentation is more severe on C&MHC sites, but that is only what I have heard. I haven't been on one of their sites since the early 1980s. We much prefer unregimented sites.
Quote: Originally posted by Colin21 on 16/6/2021
Hertford C&CC site close to where we live has areas like it, and so does Norman's Bay on the south coast. I think that regimentation is more severe on C&MHC sites, but that is only what I have heard. I haven't been on one of their sites since the early 1980s. We much prefer unregimented sites.
Both saved in my virtual brochure with thanks!
More trips to plan for 2022 in addition to the one in France/Netherlands over the June double bank holiday weekend - most likely to use the Sandringham one for my trip to visit friends and family in East Anglia.
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$$ on it and walk away!
Quote: Originally posted by bridgeywidge on 17/6/2021
Aw DK, that wsa sad news about Borda. He had a lovely time with you and your trips and your new companion will have the same.
Thanks for your kind words.
It's true about the saying that, pets may only be a small part of our lives; however, to them, we are their whole life.
It looks like Bean is going to love camping, fingers firmly crossed that he will.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Hertford C&CC site is lovely, shame it's only 10 minutes drive from home. We have stayed there with our local DA a few times though. Sandringham is definitely one of our favourites and we normally stay there when we go to visit friends. We lived in that part of Norfolk for 15 years and we still have many friends there. I know Norfolk well as that is where I was a coach driver.
We also enjoyed our stay at Norman's Bay, which is just across the road from the beach.
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: First trip in over 2 years
