Been all round the houses and back to a caravan. We did find though when we had the caravan before that we "fell" into the habit of lounging about inside it with any excuse (too wet, cold, windy, damp etc) and it kinda felt as though we were losing that camping feeling.
Anyway, back to a caravan. When away for any longer than a weekend the awning is up and we do all our cooking in it, and sit most of the night in it with it as open as possible, all our little candles to brighten it up, we play cards and scrabble in it using the caravan mainly to sleep. I have conceded to a tv for the winter wet and dark months and that will only be coming with us when we are away for longer periods or we have our grandson with us. We can be seen sitting out under the stars all wrapped up in our fleecy blankets when the weather is calm - I do believe folk think were daft - but a caravan gives us the long season and the comfort when needed but we still do the "camping" thing. Best of both worlds.
Another one gone from folding camper to caravan this year. Partially to avoid wet pack down which are easier than a tent but still a pain, but mainly so we can do more weekends.
I work locally and get easily get way early on Fridays so a two nighter can be easily done year round.
Still can't beat sleeping under canvas but mod cons and ease are winning out for us at the moment. Lots of extra costs though
Good luck with your choice, no right answer for everyone
Thanks everyone, a lot of your replies made me laugh
I think what I need to do is sell our 7 seater, ( I've never had the back row up yet ) buy a suitable car and van then Bob's yer uncle. As for hidden costs, I'm thinking, insurance, storage if needed over winter, maintenance, servicing etc :-p
Thing is though, the forst night we pitched our tent in the pouring rain, we said, "why do we leave our house, with all mod cons and DO this??" Anyway, next day, sun was out, woke up under the trees, birds singing....enough said
I must admit I felt really smug this weekend in my cosy warm caravan when outside was torrential rain and wind. Last year I was shivering in my tent with severe caravan envy. I do NOT want to go back lol!
We swapped this year, fed up of watching the weather from Monday for a dry decamp the following week-end. We bought big enough not to need an awning and considering OH works 6 weekends out of 8 we have managed 7 trips since April, just weekends.
BUT all snug last week end in the pouring rain I was heard to remark that being in my bedroom pod in the tent in the pouring rain (polycotton tent) was better than the van! It always felt womb like!!!!! I was quite happy to be in my van the next morning when I saw the tenters drying out their bedding
------------- Started with a motorbike and tent.......my gallery, my life.
Quote: Originally posted by daddysrubbish on 04/8/2013We arrived on site and had to pitch in a downpour, over 3 days kit was damp and then it rained as we packed away. From inside their caravan, kettle on, dry as a bone I could see others thinking "been there, done that mate.......it's just a case of evolution.....get yerself a 'van :-)"
I'm now scouring the ads. I think an Avondale 5 berth wouth suit us really well. Bunks at the back for the little ones and not too heavy I think.
Any thoughts?
Ahhh you've passed the exam for putting the awning up in the rain.
Phil
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
Ahh, anyone with kids whose's camped will recognise the tinge of envy here.
Make the move; you won't regret it (although the patter rain on canvas is very restful when you know you're snug and dry)
If an instant dry or non-wettable (lol) tent, with all the other features of a tent was on the market it would probably put the caravan business out of business. And I'd be first in the queue! Until then the benefits of a 'van far outweigh the drawbacks for me!
Having a VW camper with 2 kids was as difficult as it could get.
Empty van, roof up, bed up, awning up, all whilst hoping it stayed dry. Then for days out it was unhook awning, beds down, roof down and so on & on & on all whilst friends were sat in there cars waiting for us.
Swapped to a caravan at the end of last year and haven't looked back. With the awning up I love the amount of space we now have.
Had our first thunderstorm in it this weekend & didn't have to worry about anything. All stayed dry, awning didn't move or leak.
Needless to say we love it!
Biggest problem I now have is caravan envy as we look at newer vans & fancy upgrading at some point.
------------- April - Bearsted cc.
May - Malvern Hills cc.
July - Norfolk.
August - Five Acres c&c Upchurch
August - Las Dunas. Spain.
switched 2 years ago and haven't tented since, going under canvas in 4 weeks quite excited, but it'll be a rare event now, the convenience is amazing and you can get away all year, as others have said...not cheap but then neither is a 2-week holiday abroad these days, enjoy!
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: Caravan Envy
