We popped into the storage to pick up something from our caravan this week. Of something like 90 stores vans and motor homes, there were only a couple of gaps. Is everyone stopping at home this winter (the dreaded "B" effect, perhaps), or is it too early for the hoards to be trotting off to Spain and Portugal?
------------- Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.
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Like 664DaveS we have gone to all sorts of places every winter since we retired - but never with a caravan - and a long stay on some of the campsites in Spain would come into my "Rather die in a ditch" category .
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Quote: Originally posted by Netherton on 17/10/2019
Like 664DaveS we have gone to all sorts of places every winter since we retired - but never with a caravan - and a long stay on some of the campsites in Spain would come into my "Rather die in a ditch" category .
Well that made me smile!
Never done it and it does not appeal at all, for many reasons, but posters seem to talk about full sites every year so seems plenty do.
We did Spain and Portugal this year never found a site more than a quarter full. One site in Portugal there was only about 6 of us on it. Before we went I was worried about sites being full but there was so few people about the busy sites were in France these has about 40 to 50 Van's on them. We went to Spain and Portugal because I hate the short dark days and it was around 18c which was just lovely.
I will admit we didn't go to bennidorm so it was fairly quiet in the seaside villages which suited us.
We go o the CCC winter sun rallies. I know a lot will cringe at the word “rally” but I would suggest you try it. We weren’t sure so only booked a couple of weeks at a couple of rallies the first year, one in Spain and one in Portugal. We liked the Portugal one so much we’re going straight there for three and a half months this year.
Nora
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We would consider it, to avoid the cold and damp. Possibly do a month or so after Xmas ( which I have no time for!)
We are very independent so thought of organised rallies does put us off a bit, but we would do our own thing!
------------- DS-There's more to life than football!!!
Quote: Originally posted by 664DaveS on 18/10/2019
We would consider it, to avoid the cold and damp. Possibly do a month or so after Xmas ( which I have no time for!)
We are very independent so thought of organised rallies does put us off a bit, but we would do our own thing!
Go for it, good daylight, warmth and no damp what's not to like. The rallies are ok but all Brits together we like a mix of different countries, plus the rallies are often more per night than independent sites.
We tried a Rally few years ago and enjoyed it but decided we loved the site but didn,t really join in with many of the things going on , which is fine, there is no pressure to join in if you don,t want to, so now we go to same site but book direct with the site. We love being away when it,s still cold at home.
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In previous years we've found lots of people in Spain from October onwards, but I think JoannaLesley is right - people are waiting to see what happens and how it will affect things.
As for finding the idea of long stay sites in Spain off-putting, you don't have to stay in one place. You can travel around and explore lots of different areas. There are so many campsites that there are bound to be some that would please even the fussiest person!
With the effects of climate change becoming ever more worrying, taking a caravan to Spain for a bit of winter warmth is far less damaging in terms of harmful emissions than even one short-haul flight or a cruise.
------------- Il vaut mieux vivre ses reves que rever sa vie
Quote: Originally posted by iwalani on 18/10/2019
In previous years we've found lots of people in Spain from October onwards, but I think JoannaLesley is right - people are waiting to see what happens and how it will affect things.
As for finding the idea of long stay sites in Spain off-putting, you don't have to stay in one place. You can travel around and explore lots of different areas. There are so many campsites that there are bound to be some that would please even the fussiest person!
With the effects of climate change becoming ever more worrying, taking a caravan to Spain for a bit of winter warmth is far less damaging in terms of harmful emissions than even one short-haul flight or a cruise.
I don’t like Marmite or nuts or Christmas cake. My wife does and we still get along. The reasons that spending the winter abroad does not appeal are none of the one’s mentioned since I made my comment!