Like you, I got into caravanning against the odds. My memories of caravanning with my parents are of constant bad tempers, tears, arguments and soggy instant mash!
However, caravanning with my husband is an altogether more relaxed affair. Yes, there are the odd arguments (need I mention the "A" word (awning!!)?), but the whole experience is what you make it, and it doesn't take long for us to wind down and get into that state of relaxation that we only seem to achieve when caravanning!
So, congratulations on your purchase, and I wish you very many happy hours in Shirley!!
Gazmister thanks for letting me know i can legally tow (hubby will be pleased!)
Lizzo and mrsmop i go on about my van on here because other folk are sick of hearing me talk about her! My dad told me for the money we paid for our van we could have had a family holiday abroad for 2 weeks of total relaxation and hot sunshine and i told him that instead of going abroad for 2 weeks, i could go away every weekend plus for weeks at a time at a moments notice (annual leave permitting ha ha!) and get more than one big holiday during the year.
Funnily enough i got no answer from him.....
i hope that shirley lasts us around 2-3 years (shes 19 already).
My dad told me for the money we paid for our van we could have had a family holiday abroad for 2 weeks of total relaxation and hot sunshine and i told him that instead of going abroad for 2 weeks, i could go away every weekend plus for weeks at a time at a moments notice (annual leave permitting ha ha!) and get more than one big holiday during the year.
thats why you will enjoy it more as your van will be with you longer than 2 weeks.
------------- Think this year is to follow old meet friends for 2014.
If you cant do someone a good turn,don`t do them a bad one,its nice to be nice you know,and little things mean much more later in life.
Pete.
We bought our first caravan last year & love it - you will have a fab time.
RE : Insurance - we got ours from C&CC - was by far the cheapest but good cover - in fact, as our van is 21 this year, they were one of the few companies that would insure her (btw - she's called 'Charley the challenger'!!) - and you don't need to be a member to use their insurance, though we've since joined - their sites are generally lovely!!
Enjoy yourself
xx
------------- Bringing up baby to be a seasoned caravanner - we bought one to holiday cheaply - working well so far - & caravanners are lovely - helped us on our virgin voyage & our awning!!!
thanks so much will take a look. cant proceed with any quotes as yet because the majority are asking me for a serial number which im going to get later this afternoon from the dealer (when i go with my long list of essential items ie gas bottles and such like and see what he will throw in....long shot but you never know).
After weve visited him and we know what we are/arent getting for free were going to a caravan shop run by a different dealer for all our bits and pieces.
can i just ask everything you need for your van - do u keep it all in your van all the time (apart from if you need to clean it such as sleeping bags/duvets etc) because i know what i need to get but ive no space in my house for it all!
Quote: Originally posted by mon1o on 12/5/2009
..... I could go away every weekend plus for weeks at a time at a moments notice (annual leave permitting ha ha!) and get more than one big holiday during the year.
...definitely got the right idea there...
..... I hope that shirley lasts us around 2-3 years (shes 19 already).
She's only young!
Our first van (also a Sprite - Alpine) was a 1972-ish model, got it about 1983 and sold it in 2005 to a young family who were also just starting caravanning - about the only major work I did was fitting electrics, re-panelling doors and cupboards, fitting two new shock absorbers and respraying the outside - a perfectly sound van!
Gram
------------- What's the difference between a chicken?
my word! Well, i thought my caravan was a 1990 (because thats what the dealer said...) and when ive just gone and ordered my insurance it was declined based on the fact that the chassis/CRIS number didnt match the correct format. Now i know ive inserted exactly what the dealer has written down so i googled 'sprite chassis number format' and it took me to a swift owners group forum. Turns out that according to my chassis number the van in fact is a 1994!! Even more excited now i must say i think had the dealers realised she was 4 years younger than what she thought they would have charged more for her. Needless to say im not saying anything.....their mistake and all that....
Monica
PS weve managed to get insured with the caravan club for £108.few pence lol. No one could beat that quote (and i shopped around loads and loads!
PPS also got pretty much all the stuff we will need, the dealer threw in a mains hook up lead and step. Hes also waived the hire charge for the gas bottle so a full 6kg propane is costing us £16!