First outing with our caravan this weekend. Going to make the most of a longer / all year round season now we have a tin tent rather than a trailer tent. Will be interesting how long it takes us to set up as we try to remember what we need to do, but I'm sure it will be much less than pitching a tent.
------------- From tents to trailer tents to a tin tent to an air tent to trailer tent and back to tin tent!
I find I'm still setting up till I start packing things away.
Just plug electric in, fill water and put awning up. That's all you need really, bits and bobs through out the holiday then.
If you think the wind is going to pick up put a extra peg or two in the awning. You don't want it lifting.
Sit back and relax.
I would give you self two hours when you get there to set up.
I remember the trailer tent we had, them were the bad old days! Just sticking to a regular tent and my caravan.
Have a good time, the weather should be good unless you are out in the sticks!!
We have just got our tin tent after years of a folding camper.
Unlike you, I have a wee bitty of work to do on mine after it has sat on a farm for longer than I care to think about.
And this is just the start of the cleaning process, but it will soon be all pristine and sparkly again and we too are looking forward to some serious all year round caravanning.
Well we're back and it's a big thumbs up for tin tenting. Gorgeous weather helped and Sandringham CCC is always v pretty.
Few teething problems meant set up took quite a while but shouldn't do next time. Had to borrow a container to fill the toilet flush as had only taken big water hog with us. Had to borrow a spanner to tighten gas connection up (constant hissing and smell of gas are not good signs). There's a problem with our elec water heater which kept tripping the van and ehu supply. Water from new water hog tasted horrible.
Only stayed 10-15mins from dealer where we bought it so went and bought a few bits and cleaned water system before hitching up and taking it back to the dealer for them to sort the water heater. Glad we went locally for a test run.
------------- From tents to trailer tents to a tin tent to an air tent to trailer tent and back to tin tent!
Googling it on site I was surprised at the number of people who don't drink from their kitchen tap. As campers we've always drunk the water from the campsite taps but it's only in a container which I sterilse at the end of the season as opposed to running through a system which goes for long periods without being used. We're happy to drink the sites water but may change to filling a couple of 2l bottles direct from the water point so it's not going through the system.
Have to say the best bit (sort of) was being woken by our 6yr old at 3 am who wanted to go to the toilet. Didn't need to worry about noise nor getting cold going to the loo. Shame we only found the pull cord for the bathroom light as we were leaving, spent all weekend using a torch, thinking the light was broken as the switch didn't seem to work....
------------- From tents to trailer tents to a tin tent to an air tent to trailer tent and back to tin tent!
We too used campsite water until, on one campsite, we got a bad dose of "runny bum" and that stopped all future use of campsite water for drinking. On that occasion it also contaminated out water butt and water system.
I am sure that on most campsites the water is fit to drink, but it only takes one bad experience to make you wary for life. The cost of bottled water is no great price to pay for peace of mind.
Finding out that things are working perfectly well when you thought they weren't, only at the very end of your holiday is part of the joys of "roughing it"!
Glad you had a good weekend. Once you have all the little snags sorted you can enjoy it more. Setting up will get quicker and quicker, first times are always the longest. Bet you are already looking forward to going away again.
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: 1st outing
