Well didn't let the weather put us off and went to Sandy Bay for the weekend as planned. Wasn't as windy travelling but did get windy on the actual site. Got caravan pitched properly but that's when it all went to pot. Me nd OH started to put the awning up for the first time with a great big row ensuing. Poles went in properly but cover didn't look right. Told him to put doors in as the wind wasn't helping and he jammed my finger in the zip. Of course the obscenities started and I told him I was selling the lot when we got home. We were all hungry so decided to leave the awning until we had eaten by which time the inlaws had arrived. Within an hour, our awning was sorted and so was theirs (thank god) and all arguments were forgotten. And for those who are wondering, no I'm not selling up after all lol
Glad you're not selling up. I always avoid putting up the awning if there's any wind about. The difficulty is if you get the awning up when it's calm and then it becomes windy in time for taking it down. Not a lot you can do about it then. It we're only there for a couple of nights, we rarely use the awning - usually find we can manage. Awning are commonly known as 'a divorce in a bag'. I just take my time and punctuate the proceedure with a few glasses of wine. They say it gets easier to put the awning up with practice, but if I were you I wouldn't practice in the wind!
we've not had the pleasure of putting up a full awning yet but did have a full size Dorema sun canopy with sides on our old van. Me being me wanted everything set up the same day we arrived on our french holiday this year. We should have left it as tired and hot but carried on. One of the poles fell and hit the side of the van. We both just stopped and looked at each other and blamed the other person! I was guttered as the van was pristine and unmarked before the incident. lesson learnt we've both said when we get the full awning for the new van it will either be left til the following day or after we've eaten and had a rest.
I'm watching an awning on ebay at the min and the write up made me laugh. "Awning easy to erect, we're still married"
Jeff juke I totally agree with you. If you want a quick divorce, buy a full awning LOL. I can laugh about it now but it was extremely stressful. Now I know why people stay clear of them haha
We out our full awning up most trips so far even if for only a couple of nights. the extra space is great and providing you work together with two of you and have labelled poles its not that bad on our folding camper. Its a 6m by 2.4m one in heavy cotton canvas so no tiddler!
They do seem to be the bane of many people's lives!
Got rid of our FC with it's awning from hell. Before we killed each other! Trying to attach canvas and poles to more canvas and poles whilst being asked " are you sure that's the right way" was not relaxing.
We have promised each other that the full size awning that came with our caravan will remain in the shed unless we are away for a week or more. Have bought a 260 porch for weekend trips now to preserve what little sanity I have left.
P.S we have had the full size awning up once. Found the instructions in the peg bag after an hours struggling and swearing. Colour coded the poles once up. Bought an Elddis badge to cover the new dent by the door when we got home.
we have a porch awning and a full awning. Im sure now we know how to do it we should be fine. I know exactly where the poles go now and with the father in laws help I now know how to correctly erect the awning (well hopefully)
Get a folding camper, awning just zips on, so much easier. We did ours in about 15 mins, our first time away, so hopefully it will get quicker, and once we had finished we even said, "blimey we didn't shout at each other" unlike when we had a van!!!!
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: All went well
We were all hungry so decided to leave the awning until we had eaten by which time the inlaws had arrived. Within an hour, our awning was sorted and so was theirs (thank god) and all arguments were forgotten. 
And for those who are wondering, no I'm not selling up after all lol
