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I apologise for the following moan but I'm feeling sorry for myself...

If you're considering getting a caravan and money is a worry, think hard and analyse how you plan to use your new purchase. I thought I had done this but it's all going pear-shaped...

We started tenting this year and had a good time apart from the fact the wife was always cold. So when we inherited a small amount of cash, I upgraded to a van. We discussed all the benefits; longer season than tenting, warmth, quick setup, option to go away just for a long weekend, trips to France etc. Everything seemed great...

However, now it's come to the crunch and it just isn't working; I wanted to go away at New Year - too cold, says the OH (we're in a caravan, woman!!). However, she says we can go away Feb half-term - surely thats as cold if not colder than New Year?!

OK, let's just do a weekend mid-term; I'll take a half-day from work on Friday, pick kids up from school and go straight off - no, she doesn't want to do all that packing just for a weekend, says OH.

OK, I've booked a ferry for a 2 week holiday next August - she's not sure, she wants our friends to come and looks like they don't want to go abroad (so that will be £80 for the ferry down the drain already!).

I keep saying I'll go on my own and take the kids but this is supposed to be a family thing...

I'm almost wishing I'd saved the money and paid off a bit of the mortgage instead...

Sorry for the moan....having a bad week...

Oh dear, I think you both need to sit down and fathom out how this is going to work for you all.  Have a chance to air your gripes and explain how you thought it would all pan out and that it isn't working that way, and see if there is any common ground.  If there isn't, there is no point funding a caravan and all that goes with it.

Hopefully you can resolve this, if your wife doesn't want to go on winter weekends then take the kids, she'll soon change her mind!

Ali

sorry to hear it is not working for you at present.

If you just want to "get away and have some family time" have you considered sites close by (less than 1 hour from home) for a weekend. I have left early and set up van in daylight then gone home (just with car!) and collected the OH.

Stop off at pub for a meal, back to van, all day Saturday to explore, I have visited lots of places I would not have gone to otherwise. If you are a Club member and have access to CL\CS network you can normally have a full day Sun before having to leave for home.

HTH and you get things sorted.

We men often fail to realise how much work a woman has to do in order for her family to go away - be it tenting or caravanning. You need to step back and STOP pushing. Try and look at it from her point of view. You need her to be a willing partner and to NOT feel as though she is being forced into going away.

If you show some consideration to her concerns you may get more cooperation. You really do need to sit down and talk, but be prepared to LISTEN.

I can remember many, many years ago when we bought our first caravan and sold it quickly because my OH was not happy. The next year we went B&B she quickly changed her mind, we bought another caravan and have never looked back. We are now in our 70's and still enjoy our caravan trips.

Maybe your wife didn't like tenting and went along with it for your benefit as you obviously did.  She may have been trying to drop a hint by complaining of the cold and then when you tried to make her more comfortable by getting a caravan, hoped that upgrading to a caravan might be better but when the van arrived it rather focused her mind and she realised that even with more comfort she was never going to like the outdoor holiday. Did you know that she wanted friends to go with you before you booked the ferry?  I sometimes think that it is a lot of packing for just a few days too, is there more help you could give her with that?  I  am also a warm weather camper, I don't go after October or before April.  Hope it works out for you both.

Carol

 A set of thermals for christmas??

Joking aside are there places she really want's to visit? (Statley home,  national park etc) that the van would make a cheap base for.

Some times the thought of all the effort is worse that it actually is.How about making it simple and whisking her away, you get the food, load the van, nice meal at a country pub, then back to a warm cosy van.  And much cheaper than a B&B.

Alternatively take the kids off for a weekend, then tell her all about the great time you had.

Good luck

Jules

what exactly does your missus want??

id go on your own to be honest ..come back home all jolly and she will soon realise what she missed!!

so it what Jules said then...lol

Quote: Originally posted by blondieandi on 09/11/2009

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My van is constantly packed just need to throw clothes in and go hopping when you get to your destination. Towels etc come out get washed and put right back in, have travel iron hairdryer etc in and tv bedding etc left in so always ready to go!! I like winter vanning as much as summer its great and very cosy not at all cold.

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same here, 20 minutes to pack some food and beer/wine etc.20 minutes to unpack the perishables and dirty washing.

i actually prefer winter vanning, its cosier, cheaper and much quieter !!!