Quote: Originally posted by saxo1 on 20/2/2022
I use both maps and satnav, satnav is invaluable when there are unforseen detours or accidents.
saxo1
Yes that is true, but when you have gone for years without one, and managed absolutely fine, they are "handy" but not essential in my view. I always have a map book with me whenever I am going anywhere I don't know like the back of my hand. Electronics can fail just when you need them most, which is why navigators never rely on them 100%. Handy, yes, time-saving, yes, 100% reliable, no way!
The beauty of a satnav is it can tell you of traffic conditions/accidents on your route and advise on an alternative route, if there are any unexpected diversions you don't have to stop and get the maps out to revise your route and they are always up to date provided you bother to update them.
I have driven all over the EU and USA and while I don't rely on them 100% I certainly wouldn't be without one now.
saxo1
Caravaned and camped all my life.
Awning is a big extra room and sun shade on continent filled with loungers and tables for colouring in, only use caravan for cooking and sleeping. Awning in Scotland is place to hang wet clothes and dry the dog at either end of the season. Don’t usually put up awning unless more than 4 days with kids. Never had porch awning
Best awning ever had is current Kamp Air Awning - does what it says on the tin, very easy to put up etc.
Canopy will not keep rain out, hence never bought one. Just use awning without sides fitted: never in Scotland, nearly always on continent.
Always carry awning in boot on long journeys with stop overs. It’s annoying climbing over stuff in van when overnighting on 1000 + miles to south of France.
My wife and I only now. We don’t use as much as used to, but air awning is no problem for us: we are a few years over 60. I could not cope with our old bomb proof Isabella now: I’d have to put it up over 2 days because of weight and poles. But when younger no problem and the kids loved the freedom it provided on wet days and the shade on extremely hot days in France - when they were not in the pool. Hope this helps.
Quote: Originally posted by BigTZ on 20/2/2022
My wife and I only now. We don’t use as much as used to, but air awning is no problem for us: we are a few years over 60. I could not cope with our old bomb proof Isabella now: I’d have to put it up over 2 days because of weight and poles. But when younger no problem and the kids loved the freedom it provided on wet days and the shade on extremely hot days in France - when they were not in the pool. Hope this helps.
Strange isn't it how different we all are. We are both in our 70s now and found we couldn't cope with a porch air-awning but a full metal poled awning is no problem at all. The big difference for us was that the air awning was all in one piece and the poled awning comes in a multitude of pieces. Due to back and neck problems I can't lift anything heavy above shoulder height, so getting the heavy air awning up to the awning rail was extremely difficult. It was the only one of 3 awnings that we bought new, thinking (wrongly) that it would be easier, and we only managed to use it twice. The second time was the final straw as we ended up having to get up at 3 in the morning to take it down due to high winds.
Once my wife has helped me put the roof section of the poled awning up, I can put the rest up on my own while she gets the kettle on. Yes, overall the poled awning is heavier, but no one part is heavy in itself. First the heaviest part goes up, the roof, then the poles which are each quite light, then the sides and front just zip in. However, even the roof section is nowhere near as heavy as the air porch awning.
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: To awn or not to awn
via mobile 20/2/2022 at 6:37pm
