Quote: Originally posted by derekupnorth on 14/4/2010
they positioned and levelled the van for me and were as friendly as I'd expect from fellow Yorkshire folk
Oh I am sorry...
------------- * You never know where you're going 'til you get there...
Just read your post. I'm new too this site as well. Loved your read. I'am greatly affected by LCD - Love Caravaning disorder after me and my chap has been touring a few times over the last year.
I don't drive the car whilst pulling the van, but it feels very weird as a passenger. Perhaps if I find an dis-used airfield I might have ago...
You do realise how precious the use of water is, but I have a larger waste water tank on my wish list to save my legs.
The hardest thing I have found it pulling the containers, on our little trolley, in front of a park full of experience campers whilst trying to look as though I know what i'm doing and it having a mind of its own and falling off over every bump (even with bungees). I will have to work on that.
Our awning turns into a nice fish pond in the rain due to the magic growing lol.
And, am I right that it's complusory to have a glass of wine in your hand the majority of the time? Is that why I make a show of myself with my trolley!
Roll on the summer & the wine.
If you have any comments - please post back - love to hear from you.
Quote: Originally posted by mrswinge on 15/4/2010
And, am I right that it's complusory to have a glass of wine in your hand the majority of the time? Is that why I make a show of myself with my trolley!
Roll on the summer & the wine.
If you have any comments - please post back - love to hear from you.
Fantastic - that was one of the first things I noticed once we'd got set up on site. Virtually every van I walked past had either a couple of glasses on wine on the front shelf next to the window (I wasn't peering in (honest!)) or people were outside with some kind of barbeque implement in one hand and glass in the other.
Now I think about it, barbequing is popular isn't it - maybe that's what the spare capacity in the van is for
absolute classic posts - and yeah the best bit about it the glass of wine - i don't bother with bottles these days - get the 3 litre boxes - they store easier and dont roll around!
Quote: Originally posted by LGW Challenger on 16/4/2010
absolute classic posts - and yeah the best bit about it the glass of wine - i don't bother with bottles these days - get the 3 litre boxes - they store easier and dont roll around!
That's the best excuse I've seen for buying a box of wine! I'm going to apply that thinking to everything else. I can see it now:
"I bought a tin of chocolate biscuits instead of a packet of Rich Tea - it doesn't roll around"
"I bought a barrel of beer instead of cans - it's the same size as a gas bottle so it fits in the front locker and doesn't roll around"
We have just come back from our 5th trip in the van - you would think we could get it right but oh forgot all his toiletries! I forgot to pack the loo roll (normally we have all this in the van but had household emergencies!) and the best one of all.....forgot to pack the folding bikes and left them standing against the front wall of the house! Glad we have helpful neighbours who took them in!
------------- Hols 11
Easter - East Calder
Wee break in tent - Aberfoyle
Summer - Whitby/Barnard Castle
Aug - Craigielands
After reading these posts I'm almost tempted not to use our big divorce-in-a-bag for the first time this summer. Maybe I'll stick to the porch tent which hubby can put up single-handed - under my supervision of course
I'm a list person - I start my going away list a week or 2 before we go and leave it out for hubby to add to as inspiration strikes.
Saying that, being new to caravanning so not having essentials in our first caravan, hubby forgot the kettle on our first trip out. Obviously we used a pan - only to be further dismayed because our gas had frozen. Lesson learned - we went out and bought propane!
Good excuse to drink wine
wine seems to be the recurring theme here - anyone would think caravanners were alcoholics - hic!
------------- Deb
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Growing up is mandatory, growing old is optional
i remember my first trip we forgot the pillows and toilet roll then the second time we went i thought i would try the divorce in a bag what fun that was with no instructions that said its worth it
Oh, and we've learnt that the easiest way to fill the toilet tank is to unscrew the head off the shower, then poke the shower throught the toilet window which is conveniently sited near to the toilet cassette fill up door!
Shower used this way (through the toilet window) is good for giving smelly dogs a shower too
------------- Deb
----------------------
Growing up is mandatory, growing old is optional
Love this post.
Burst out laughing when I read Alistair's:
"5. Replacing said jockey wheel is very expensive. It cost us £16k as we walked through the showroom to the accessory shop to replace it!"
Our first trip out in the middle of the countryside, hubby got up in the middle of the night to go to the loo (we don't use our loo in the caravan). He went shin first straight into the jockey wheel. I think the whole campsite felt and heard it. As I'm a "be Prepared" kind of person, I'm so glad I hadn't forgotten the First Aid kit. He needed it.
We've bought a flurescent cover for it now ;-)
Feezee
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Took a break like everyone over covid, flogged the caravan and got a campervan!
Doesn't matter how long you've been doing it, you will always forget something.........
weekend before last was our first trip of the year and 10 miles down the road I remembered I'd forgotten to get the battery out of the shed!!
After years of forgetting everything from toiletries to measuring jugs, the caravan has built up its own world of items. there are even caravan trousers and caravan jackets, caravan undies and caravan socks.
The only trouble is the caravan has the only working tin opener, it has memory foam pillows, the best cuttlery, a "fully" stocked first aid kit. Bosh electric drill, 5 blade razor (only 3 at home) if you need a screwdriver, guess what, there is a full set in the van.
The theory is that it is ready for the off at a moments notice.....don't you ever believe it. It aint never gonna happen.
Thing we learned on first trip was that awning instructions are best taken with you when going on trip.......second thing we learned was that having a colour coded system written on poles is great unless writing dissolves............
The only trouble is the caravan has the only working tin opener, it has memory foam pillows, the best cuttlery, a "fully" stocked first aid kit. Bosh electric drill, 5 blade razor (only 3 at home) if you need a screwdriver, guess what, there is a full set in the van.
I know what you mean. I think the first aid kit in our caravan was inspired by years of watching ER, Grey's Anatomy etc. I'm pretty sure we have a defribulator in there somewhere
Off topic, but I'm sure I could blag it as an ER doctor in the US - no matter what's wrong with people when they come in you just shout "get me a CBC, Chem 7, chest tray and prep the OR!" - works every time.
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: Ten things I`ve learnt from my first trip
