hi..we had our first trip this weekend. firstly we had the drive from devon to blackpool to pick our (new to us) caravan up we got there at 11.30am. so we had an hour to kill before it was ready so we went shoping for a few bits and bobs in the caravan shop. i say a few bits £340 and still not got everything yet.anyway we had a 2 hour induction into the workings of the van hooked it up and set off to a site close by for our first two nights. 1.8miles down the road and there it was so pulls in gets a pitch sets the van up. my first towing trip under my belt no problem even backed it up first time. the site was small it only had 7 pitches and it was at the back of a pub a bit strange but it had everything i think.. not much to do so went out buying more stuff for the van. both nights were cold and frost in the morning. so we had the heating on a lot. the days were cold too..so sunday packed it all up hooked it to the car and set off..we were hoping to book somewere about half way home.. anyway we got on the motorway and headed for home. at about 12.30pm we were just south of birmingham everthing was fine towing the van was easyer then i thought could hardly feel it and no swaying when overtaking trucks. caravan wing mirrors were fantastic (thanks to all on this site that recomended them).... a quick phone call later and we had booked ourselves into a site called hogsdown in gloster. sat nav took us straight there..the sun was out and it was much warmer than up north..set the van up. went for a walk. had some tea and went to bed in may i say a very big and comfy bed.. we woke this morning to the sound of rain on the roof so i put the heater on and we had a lie in...about 10.30 we were all packed up and ready for the last leg of our journy...150 miles it went quicky thou as did the fuel without the van in tow i get about 55-60 mpg........ with the van the trip computer thingy said 32mpg outch.... the caravan is now in storage and we are back home just about to book a site in dorset for next weekend.. i think we've got the bug..we had a fantastic weekend and look forward to many more....(sorry for my bad spelling)
0caravan up so we set off at 6am. we got to blackpool for 11.30am
I was reading, then a bit more, and a bit more and thought wait for it ....I thought you were going to say something like you had unfortunately broken down somewhere but gladly the ending was fantastic! At least now everything went hunky dory and to plan you will definitely look forward to going out again and if I'm right the sooner the better. We went to Blackpool last year when the illuminations were on and really enjoyed it. We may possibly go again this year to the same location which was a lovely little C&CC certificated site.
TANGO55, What was the site in blackpool called, Ime looking for s small site near home to try our caravan for the first time since buying ti and that sounds nice, seeing that we are in the C&CC.
Quote: Originally posted by dogscenturion on 08/5/2012
TANGO55, What was the site in blackpool called, Ime looking for s small site near home to try our caravan for the first time since buying ti and that sounds nice, seeing that we are in the C&CC.
The site was called 'Chippendale Parks' but the site isn't listed on UKCampsite so I can't post the link so I have no alternative but to post their website direct. Hope this helps.
A friend of mine stayed here last week and hasn't stopped raving about it since. Its Garstang so a drive into Blackpool but only a short one. They have 2 dogs and the site has its own kennels so when they spent the day in Blackpool they left the dogs there http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/t/North-View-Caravan-Site-Garstang-6126.htm
i think its brill too, we have had our van for a year only got a small one at first to see if we like it and boy do we like it. we recently upgraded to a bigger van and went on our 1st trip last weekend to thetford forest and was brill as soon as we got back we booked another weekend for the julibuee at kessingland, we booked our main hols in aug to dorset for 7 days, we plan to go every 5 wks when hubby has long wkends. i prefer touring seeing diffrent sites. the freedom my 2 boys have is loively everyione so friendly compared to statics on a caravan park. we all love it bring on many more trips.
We have yet to have our first trip, as I only bought the van last week, and it needs a few very small jobs doing to it, most of which I've done, but when I start work at 04.00 at the moment, fixing time is limited.
The wife was dead against it when I brought it home, but she is now warming to it, and in fact went out and spent a shed load on plates and stuff yesterday, and I think she is secretly yearning to go, although she won't admit it yet.
I have a hot air balloon trip booked for this Sunday, weather permitting, from York racecourse, and if it wasn't for the fact our youngest daughter is doing a work experience day this Saturday in readiness for college in September, I guess we may have hooked up on Friday night, and gone for the weekend.
I am away with the van next weekend at Blyton airfield near Gainsborough, on a 2 day motorsport event with my best mate, but it won't be the same.
------------- Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.
Winston Churchill. 21st August 1940
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: our first trip.
So happy to hear all went well and your maiden voyage went well. May you have many good holidays and no problems.
