My husband can't sleep in a tent ! (The classic line was, 'I couldn't sleep, there was a sheep coughing'). I like getting away of a weekend, and despite being well equiped with tents, I have started thinking of a caravan. There is no rush for this. I had caravan holidays as a child, but the thing is towing - have never done this. Is it possible to hire a towing van to 'have a go' before making the financial commitment?
If we were going to go ahead with the major purchase it would not be till the autumn at the earliest, and possibly even autumn 2010. Even then we'd be looking for a sound second hand van.
Anything else I could do to research this possibility at this early stage?
My husband can't sleep in a tent ! (The classic line was, 'I couldn't sleep, there was a sheep coughing')
It's clear from your post that you're not camping in Wales
In the Principality, it's not unusual to hear nocturnal sheep noises from tents - but seldom, if ever, are they sounds of coughing.
Usually, it's is a terror-filled 'Baaaahhhaaaahhaaaa" (which means, *Help, quick, get me out of here") or, alternatively, the oaths and curses of Welsh hill farmers, out searching for their missing Ewes.
------------- 'If it ain't broke, don't worry - it soon will be'
My husband can't sleep in a tent ! (The classic line was, 'I couldn't sleep, there was a sheep coughing'). I like getting away of a weekend, and despite being well equiped with tents, I have started thinking of a caravan. There is no rush for this. I had caravan holidays as a child, but the thing is towing - have never done this. Is it possible to hire a towing van to 'have a go' before making the financial commitment?
If we were going to go ahead with the major purchase it would not be till the autumn at the earliest, and possibly even autumn 2010. Even then we'd be looking for a sound second hand van.
Anything else I could do to research this possibility at this early stage?
Sheep do cough.i know one who smokes forty benson a day and coughs like
steam train
------------- Those that danced were thought to be quite insane to those who could not hear the music. Angela Monet
would suggest you spend the summer lookin at vans as you go round the camp sites. Ask people on site what they like about their van and what they dont. You will soon get a feel for the style of van you want then its just a matter of waitin till the right one comes along at an affordable price. Good luck
You can always buy an old (but good) 'van for a few hundred pounds and give it a go. If it doesn't work out you can always sell it on and probably you wont lose much.
Our first 'van cost me £180! and came complete with everything. The old gentleman I bought it off had it from new, his wife had recently died and he wanted it to go to a good home. We got two good seasons out of it and I sold it on for £100!
Both the main clubs run Towing Courses that you could do. I did the C&CC one a few years ago. It was a one day course and cost about £70 it was really good. I had never towed before and did the course just before we got our first caravan. It gave me huge confidence and I was able to reverse the van after the course as well as tow. It also covered general safety advice about using and loading the van etc. I would strongly recomend it to anyone thinking of towing.
Our first caravan was an older second hand one we were advised that this was best until we knew what we wanted from a caravan, (surprisingly this was by the caravan salesman) at the time we were just looking to see if we could rent one - we haven't looked back since!
We found the Haynes Complete Caravan book helped us with our first caravan. (You might be able to borrow a copy from a library ISBN 185960 123 5).
I haven't found anywhere in Scotland you can hire but you can look here http://www.acorncaravans.co.uk/ and they hire out tourers so there must be other places that do too.
------------- "Money can't buy you happiness but it's more comfortable to cry in a Mercedes"
Here's a place i found www.camper-hire.co.uk (sorry can't do links!) based in Stirling, Thought about hiring to find best layout.
Good luck with your hubby, I'm exactly the same when we go camping, everyone else sound alsleep and I'm up all night, not the best camping buddy after a couple of nights with hee-haw sleep. Tell him to take a couple of nytol and get expensive ear plugs - works for me!
The sheep in question was in Biggar in Lanarkshire. Yes, earplugs would be a cheaper solution, but truth be told it would be quite nice to have a 'real' bed, and more protection from the rain and mud too!!
Great idea to have a look around the campsites, and a towing course sounds just what we would need.
My husband can't sleep in a tent ! (The classic line was, 'I couldn't sleep, there was a sheep coughing')
It's clear from your post that you're not camping in Wales
In the Principality, it's not unusual to hear nocturnal sheep noises from tents - but seldom, if ever, are they sounds of coughing.
Usually, it's is a terror-filled 'Baaaahhhaaaahhaaaa" (which means, *Help, quick, get me out of here") or, alternatively, the oaths and curses of Welsh hill farmers, out searching for their missing Ewes.
Hey! There are some good looking sheep in Wales!
------------- I started out with nothing and I've still got most of it left - Seasick Steve 2008
Canvas - no sleep ever (zombie girl) Caravan - sleep like home
I can't take canvas - just don't feel safe, comfortable enough, or in control enough to sleep. Silly I know but that flimsy door and totally ineffective lock on our caravans (and the fixed bed) stops my insomnia in its tracks.
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: My husband can`t sleep..............
