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We have just returned from our first ever outing in our caravan and have lived to tell the tale. We set off on Friday night after dreading the towing etc, but once I had got used to the bumps and noises etc I took it in my stride, but was still concentrating hard making sure I gave enough room etc. We then hit a huge tail back on the A1 following an accident. I decided to get off the dual carriage way and cut across country. I had been going for about 10 mins when I noticed in my mirror that the wardrobe and bathroom doors were flapping open, so I pulled over to sort that out. We then got stuck in another tail back due to another accident on the A57 but wasn't held up long by this. We eventually arrived at the campsite and I even got the jockey wheel close to the it's marker. We set up, filled Aquaroll etc only to find that my new pump would not fit through the hole in the 29L Aquaroll, it was too wide, so bottled water for the night. We had a couple of drinks and eventually settled down for the night, switched on the TV and nothing, we had forgotton the remote control and could not operate TV without it. Oh well, cards it is then. Eventually we decided to turn in, made the beds and.... no pillows, they were still at home, luckily we had plenty of cushions. Saturday morning after breakfast saw us heading off to an accessory shop for a new slimmer pump, a TV aerial for outside and a couple of interior lamp bulbs. We also picked up a fuse as the internal battery charger was not working. Got back to the van for lunch time, fixed the battery charger, made up the new pump and fitted the external awning rail aerial. Time to relax now with a bevvy or three. Sunday morning, new water pump stopped working, turned out to be a micro switch, so easily fixed. Just before lunch we set off home, took caravan back to storage and reverse parked her into the spot with no problems, I was well chuffed with myself. Looking forward to our next trip now at Easter. All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable weekend, a few niggles but thats what your first trip out is for I guess. Weather was fantastic, which is always a bonus. Anyway, a couple of Pics, as you can see Senga the dog loved it.

Our Set Up

Interior

Aw congratulations on your new van and your first trip out in her!!!  On our first trip we forgot the remote control, on the second the pillows so it is easily done!!!  Funny how the wine never gets forgotten though!!!

Your problems were not problems, merely educational training exams. Its just one long learning curve this caravanning. You might like to cut and paste this for a check list. This is ours which has gradually increased each time we go out. We don't necessarily take the lot but at least it makes us think about what we may need

phil you are way too organised !!! we are seasonal go most weeks and still forget something i would print out your list for oh as she pack s whilst i finish work but something like welll if i cant do it good enough do it your self ...... we'd not have any thing lol

Quote: Originally posted by tango55 on 10/4/2011

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Cherished memories to say the least and glad you had a good time but take some good advice. Even after 6 years of caravanning I still adhere to a list and work to it every time then you don't forget anything. We're only human and none of us can remember everything by memory alone unless you are a robot of course so do the obvious thing, make a list next time and remember to put down the size of the Aquaroll hole as well. Then you've achieved the maximum score......hole in one! ....Lol.

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Quote: Originally posted by cwdc56768 on 11/4/2011

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This is ours which has gradually increased each time we go out. We don't necessarily take the lot but at least it makes us think about what we may need

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