Sorry two posts in a day. I am getting a little excited. And I need to convince my husband that it is a good idea to invest in a caravan (albeit a cheap old van to start with) for us and our 2 young girls, aged 3 and 6. Thank you :-)
------------- Early June- France TBC
July 2nd- Deer Shed Festival
More to come....
Whilst not a caravan owner, I think the ideals of tenting and caravaning are born of the same initial point; freedom. Being able to take a few (or a lot!) of things from home, and set up another 'home from home' somewhere else (often far away) is wonderful. It beats the homogeneity of chain hotels and the package deal. I personally love the journey, it's part of the big adventure!
That and the people. Yes some times we get pitched next to a right bunch, but i general the people make camping and caravaning great.
------------- 11 Hendra
12 La Croix du Vieux Pont
13 lCdP+The Quiet Site
14 Park Cliffe Cote D'Argent
15 Park Cliffe Le Pearl
16 Eskdale
17 Skelwith Fold
18 Skelwith Fold
19 Skelwith Fold
20 Skelwith Fold
Being able to afford a holiday during school holidays and being able to go away nearly every half term. Plus with little kids, it's great to have all your own stuff with you to help settle the kids - Own bedding, toys,TV etc.
Freedom
Home from home.
All the comfort that you need .
A holiday home all year round to take with you when you want .
After initial lay out of cost a little cheaper than hotels. And much more child friendly.
Peaceful depending on where you go or stay.
I can go a while without using it without any withdrawal symptoms, but if i go into it for any reason, i immediately want to get off in it once ive smelled the interior.
As i say - weird!
We bought an old `van some years ago; we have no plans to change.
The journey (relaxed at caravan towing speeds) and the simplicity of a van that has decent basic facilities. Hook up, and you`re done! We`re off tomorrow with Molly. Wife loves it.
------------- Peripheral people don`t have as much excitement but they sure live longer
yes mick,im the same,when i go to check the van or do a job on it i just sit there and dream of going away,It kind of smells holiday ish.Guess im weird aswell.I just love the fact its your own space and you do what you want when you want,and if you happen to leave something,it dont matter as its in your own caravan.And most people are friendly and more than willing to help,and thats what its about,a community i would say.B&b and hotels are s**t in my view,impersonnel and you dont know what scruffy twat was there before you,plus you cant cook when you want or have a barbi or have a beer or 2 .If i didnt have a caravan i simply would stay at home
When our kids were young, many years ago, we had some really great caravan holidays, visiting different parts of the country. One of the big things for us back then was the fact that no matter how many of us there were, we paid for the pitch, not per person. However, things have changed and it appears that is no longer case. Whether that makes it more expensive than it used to be, I couldn't really say, but what I do know is that after many years away we have returned, and are enjoying caravanning once again as a retired couple with our little dog. Seems it's very addictive!
We have an old caravan, a 1988 Elddis bought off ebay, and we are really enjoying our return to this great way of life. We regard it as a great investment in enjoyment, if not a financial one, and are really looking forward to our next outing. Would we recommend it? Absolutely!
Home from home , and no matter what the weather is doing I can have the basics done to the van in around 45 min and set up the rest at my leisure . And with two boy's I can have two or three holidays during half terms and summer holidays . It's a way of life aswell as cheaper holidays .
And all those weekends we do as well
Thank you for the great ideas. I definitely see some themes here and I am becoming more and more convinced :-) The children were so excited looking around, I and love the idea of the freedom, home comforts, and more frequent holidays.
Bigstu99, out of interest, and sorry this is probably a dumb question, but what takes 45minutes? Does that include an awning? It takes us that time to set up our tent and I hoped that a caravan would be quicker. Am I being niaive?!
------------- Early June- France TBC
July 2nd- Deer Shed Festival
More to come....
I'm sure we provided much entertainment setting up our awning for the first time last month. However, now that we know how it goes I think we could easily get our caravan ready to live in, including awning, in 45 minutes. Without the awning probably no more than 15 minutes, including the important bit. Getting the kettle on!
Setting up our awning is not unlike setting up the tent we had in the early 1970s. Basically the same type of poles and pegs. I have heard though that there are other types of awning now which can be put up in a fraction of the time.
After camping for many years, last year we bought a caravan. Although wewere happy camping, its so much better not bothering about the weather. We ard warm, cosy and dry. We go away now, much earlier and later in the year as are so much comfier. You won't regret it!
------------- Enjoy life while you can, none of us know what's round the corner!
Snugglebabe, 45mins for me is worst case uneven pitch across both axis , I never rush as it's all part of the break for me , use to have an eight man tent and that use to take couple of hours to put and fit out .
So as long as it get it done right the first time it's going well !!
Looks like you already have a tent so advantages of caravanning over tent camping are:-
- Much reduced worries about weather on set up and pack away
- Comfort of sitting inside with heat and facilities on tap
- "proper" beds
- Noise insulation compared to tent
- All mod cons of home can be used if you wish
Is that enough to start with?!
I like being under "canvas" but I love being away in the caravan more now ;)
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: Tell me what you love about caravanning?
