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We are new to caravanning, just bought a 2006 Eldiss Firestorm 556 6berth as our first van 3 weeks ago, I work a 2 weeks on 2 off rota so havent been away in her yet, hopefully get away somewhere local this weekend :) and the weekend after :)

We always knew we would upgrade to a caravan from camping, we loved camping but the weather last year was awfull and when we went to france, we got there late, took ages to pitch (always did coz we take everything barry the kitchen sink) and the same going home, we watched our pitch neighbours in the caravan throw a few things in the van unplug the water hogs ect, hitch up and and drive off and I thought, thats it im getting a caravan next year lol while we were rolling around the ground sweating and getting dusty trying to fold our tent and force it back into the bag :)

It's great hearing everyone's stories and excitement. Coming from a camping background every anticaipated holiday was bitter sweet; the excitement of putting up the tent and arranging everything, but the constant watching of the weather to see if you were going to have to decamp early due to bad weather. One year we had horrendous gales and feared for the tent, couldn't sleep because the tent was banging our heads, but had to stay where we were because it was too dangerous to unpeg the tent and take it down.

Now we have had two weekends away and are so relaxed and recharged. Even OH who said he would never tow a caravan again (we had one in the 80's and 90's) loves everything about it.It was quite windy on Friday so he towed at 50mph and commented when we arrived at how relaxed he had felt through the whole journey. On Sunday no wind but he still towed at 50mph and we arrived home ready to face the week. I might add the journey was dual carriage way all the wa.

Yep, another newbie here.

last 2 years in Vango Maritsa 700 tent.

Made the mistake last october of going to the NEC and due to pressure from OH came away with a van.

had first proper outing over Easter, also encountered problems. Jury is still out for me as I relaxed more in the Tent but time will tell when we know what we are doing