At last we have taken our new caravan (new to us) off the storage and come 30 mins up the road to Delamere. Towing for the first time was quite good, but you do meet some morons on the road, one nearly took the side off the van and a truck must have wanted to see in my bathroom at the back he was that close!. We have tried to put up the awning that we got with the caravan but! I wouldnt have given that to anyone, but the dealer musnt have asked, looked or cared what state it was in, because it was stuck together, full of milldew, spiders and generally filthy so on the way home its going to the rubbish dump. It will help with the weight anyway and to cap it all when I opened the door when we arrived the full front of the gas fire had fallen off, so no heat until its checked
But we are finding our feet and it does get stressful at times, being cramped and not having enough surfaces to put things, but you forget all that when you hear Cuckoos (never heard one in real life before) and Owls and taking the dog in the woods early in the morning makes you happy. So, overall ime glad we did it!
But we are finding our feet and it does get stressful at times, being cramped and not having enough surfaces to put things
A large part of caravanning is about compromising and the sooner you appreciate that the less stressfull it is. Compromise on the latout to get the van that is nearest to what you want/can afford. Taking with you just enough and no more as there is little space for all of home luxuries. Not moving up and down the van at the same time to avoid bumping into each other. Getting the timing right on the dash to the loo during the adverts in Corrie. Filling the water hog and cistern up before it gets so dark you can't see what you are doing. Not using all the water in the shower in the van if you are first in etc etc......
Makes you realise just how big home is when you get back...
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
Maybe I'm wrong but I thought caravanning was all about getting away from it all and living a simplistic life. Saying that we take too much with us every time we go!
The more you go in your van the more you will get used to making the most of limited space. We used to get so stressed with putting up the awning now we just laugh and take our time. We all work together as a team and all have our little jobs to do so that even the kids can feel like they are doing their bit. Some people think its all hard work but I love it. We now take about 2 hours to fill an aquaroll as we chat to everyone, we have a small lake on our site that would normally take 5 mins to walk around, it takes us about an hour because we chat I love not being restricted due to school, work or general worries of life, Pure bliss for me and it get so much easier the more you do it
This was after all our first trip in a caravan, because we have had a 6 berth tent up to march and these are teething problems ime sure. The dog took up alot of room too especially at night stepping over his basket. He is a big dog too But we all had a good time and cant wait to go again. This was only a trial, so now we are thinking what did we take that wasnt needed, we didnt take a tv, just a radio and books and that was peaceful
Once you've been a few times, you get to know what are essentials and what can be left at home ( unfortunately husband has to come ) but you soon get used to the limited space, and as Phil says the two step tango past each other to the loo or kitchen, you also get to learn to step nimble footed over the dog ( two in our case) and after all that you think yes this is the life.
Doesn't stop me getting home though and spinning around in the lounge going woohoo didnt realise my house is so big!
But I wouldnt change a thing.
Have fun :)
------------- "I'm a fool for my dogs"
Adopt a rescue, rescue dogs make great pets, don't support puppy farms.
The road can be tough and rough,but what you put in you get back 10 x more.
I did a bit of a pirouette after I had stepped over the dog but bending down constantly fixing the non slip mat that has slipped right up to the fridge door and then it wouldnt open, so it then slipped straight out through the door and into by boot lol. I bought a bread container that I hated the minute I put it in the van, so that came home. I think I should use the cupboards more rather than have things about. But the poor dog slept vertical all night because the gap between the seats was long and not wide. I just needed a big bap he was the shape of hot dog (with legs.)He is as big as a labrador.
See you've got the moves down to a tee now, you're doing just great lol.
------------- "I'm a fool for my dogs"
Adopt a rescue, rescue dogs make great pets, don't support puppy farms.
The road can be tough and rough,but what you put in you get back 10 x more.
My Fire front kept coming off so to solve it I put a self tapping screw inside the grill and screwed it to the wood behind it. To save the drawers from coming out, I used the light brown plastic turn buckle and spacer above the drawer turn the turnbuckle to stop the drawer opening. As for the dog mine is a greyhound and he is too big for the van so his home is the awning. If its cold we cover him up .
------------- A barman is just a pharmacist
with a limited inventory
Well the awning is another story altogether lol, we left it by the bins on our way home. It was in a disgusting condition and I didnt even unfold it. I dont think I would have used it much anyway, but it would have been there if needed. Hope the site doesnt trace me and send it right back
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: Glad we did it
I love not being restricted due to school, work or general worries of life, Pure bliss for me and it get so much easier the more you do it 
) but you soon get used to the limited space, and as Phil says the two step tango past each other to the loo or kitchen, you also get to learn to step nimble footed over the dog ( two in our case) and after all that you think yes this is the life.
