Message Forums

Webby, if this is in the wrong section please feel free to move it, but it does indirectly pertain to caravans.

Jim, I just thought I'd let you know that I passed my theory test a couple of weeks ago - got all 50 questions right and 68 out of 75 on the hazard perception, so did quite well. This morning I got my date through for the practical test - I'm not telling anyone exactly when it is (don't want to jinx myself!) but it's in roughly six weeks time.

I can't wait till the day I'm able to tow my caravan myself, but I know it'll be a while off yet. Once I pass my test I'm going to do the Pass Plus, which will cover driving at night and on different types of roads, including motorways, and will also build up my confidence in driving the big people carrier I have. Then next year I'm going to book onto a caravan towing and manoeuvring course before I even think of hitching up my own van. Till then I'll have to rely on the goodwill and generosity of other people to tow the van for me - I've just had another long weekend at Bridge House, thanks to another member on here who stepped in after I got let down at the last minute, and I'm hoping to go away at October half term and again at New year, subject to finding a willing and available tow-er.

My OH is now well and truly out of the equation - no chance at all of a reconciliation - and I'm slowly learning to make a life for myself. And no way am I giving up the caravanning!

Say hello to Margaret for me, and I'll let you know when I eventually pass my test. And thanks again for helping me out back in May, it was certainly much appreciated.

Try the advanced driver course run by ROSPA. (Royal society for the prevention of accidents).

My 17 year old son did one after he passed his test. Took several months tutoring with an ex police driver and only cost a tenner. He certainly learnt how to drive properly and safely.

Quote: Originally posted by navver on 04/9/2009

---

Try the advanced driver course run by ROSPA. (Royal society for the prevention of accidents).

My 17 year old son did one after he passed his test. Took several months tutoring with an ex police driver and only cost a tenner. He certainly learnt how to drive properly and safely.

---

Its run by volunteers and I think there is some funding from the speed camera brigade. Looks like it's free now.

http://www.rospa.com/drivertraining/courses/advanced_tests/index.htm

Quote: Originally posted by navver on 05/9/2009

---

Its run by volunteers and I think there is some funding from the speed camera brigade. Looks like it's free now.

http://www.rospa.com/drivertraining/courses/advanced_tests/index.htm

---

sorry if this upsets you or offends anybody on this site but WHY ARE LOOKING TO GO AWAY AGAIN IN OCTOBER HALF TERM AND NEW YEAR WHEN YOU KEEP HAVING TO ASK PEOPLE TO TOW YOUR CARAVAN FOR YOU ????

i felt sorry for you in may  when you split from other half and i thought you had your holiday booked ,some people can only afford 1 or 2 breaks a year , cant you just wait till next year now and do it all yourself , you have had your holidays now so please stop asking , again i am sorry if it upsets you or anybody on here

Well, I for one don't have any issue with Tigermouse asking.  The worst that can happen is that nobody would be able to help.

Tigermouse - Can't help re Oct half term as we're away ourselves & can't committ to New Year yet as I don't know whether I'll have found a new job or what days/hours it will involve.  But, If I'm able to help for your New Year break I will do.

You go girl & get that test passed.  It'll feel great next year to be able to just hitch up & go whenever you want to!

TM where are you going at halfterm?

If it is close by and Bolton school hols are the same as Bury we May come too and the Oh half can tow one of the vans as i made her tow ours over the A 82 / 85 / 84 in Scotland And she loved it apart from when a coach got a bit to close on a very narrow stretch of road.

I would love to get another week or weekend out off our tin box before next year.

Niall

Quote: Originally posted by galaxyman on 05/9/2009

---

 some people can only afford 1 or 2 breaks a year ,

---

I presume by that you mean yourself galaxyman? What's your problem - a touch of the green-eyed monster maybe? I'm sorry if the thought of me going away more than a couple of times a year upsets you but it's what I did when I was with my OH, and I don't see why the actions of one person who couldn't keep various bits of his anatomy to himself should stop me from doing the things I enjoy. And what's the point of having a caravan if I can't use it?

I don't have to explain myself to you but I will do anyway. I have two small businesses, one as an office cleaning contractor, currently with three different contracts, and the other as a pet sitter, looking after other people's pets when their owners go on holiday. I don't employ anyone else, I do all the work myself, and I work b****y hard. When I'm pet sitting my hours and days revolve around the animals I'm looking after and I get very little time to myself. Most days I'm on my feet from the minute I get up in the morning till well into the evening and sometimes I go all day without having so much as a brew because I simply don't have time. Added to that I also work as a lunchtime supervisor at a local high school, dealing with over a 1000 kids in the space of an hour. And that in itself is not an easy job!

So as you can see, I'm a very busy person, and I look on having a few days away every so often as a much-needed chance to relax and recharge my batteries. And even when I am away I sometimes - like last weekend - have someone else's dog(s) with me if my break coincides with a period of pet sitting. Also in winter I suffer from SAD which plays havoc with my sleep patterns and leaves me both mentally and physically exhausted, so a few days away at New Year is more than welcome.

Believe me, I don't enjoy asking other people for help - my motto has always been 'I won't ask anyone else to do what I'm perfectly capable of doing myself' - but as someone else said on another thread a couple of months ago, I can't expect to just pass my test and immediately tow my caravan, so if I want to go away before I can tow it myself then I will have to rely on someone else. If you re-read my original post you will notice I said I'm hoping to have a few days away at October and New Year subject to finding a willing and available tow-er, not I am going away - there is nothing set in stone and I have nothing booked yet. I wasn't actually asking on here, and I wouldn't have asked on here last week but the local guy who should have towed for me had had an accident and couldn't drive, and I didn't find out till the very last minute. As for the immediate future, New Year is actually more important than October, but if I can't find anyone to tow for me then it's no problem, I will simply stay at home.

Come to think of it, maybe I should stay at home till next year as you suggest - at least that way one of us will be happy!

Vanessa and blondieandi - thanks for your support

Niall, I was thinking of going back to Bridge House Marina at Garstang, about 32 miles and 40 minutes drive from Bolton - check it out through campsite search. Our school holidays are from Friday 23rd Oct to Monday 2nd Nov. - I would assume that yours are roughly round about the same. Bridge House is a lovely site, right by the Lancaster Canal and well placed for getting into Blackpool if you want to see the lights. And if you have kids they'll love the site's resident duck and rabbit population.

You don't have to explain why you need to ask people, At the end of the day I would say the majority of people on here are of kind of people who help out people when they need help, thats just what people do, If we lived nearer I would be more than happy to lend you my OH to tow your van for you, If someone round here needed help it would be nice to do someone a favour

I always find its nice to be nice.

Like you say you work hard, why should not being able to drive stop you,

Anyway fingers crossed for your driving test, let us know how you get on. And I am sooooooo impressed by your determination to stay caravanning

Well done you