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Hi

So moved by your post.  I wonder if we may get the same treatment, our van is even older than yours and we have also spent time and money restoring her she is a 1985 Abi with loads of dents and not the best looking one in town - yours looks lovely!  We have moved from tents and looking forward to taking our old van out this year. I am so sorry to hear that people view you in this way.  Really hope you find this year better and suggest take the notice I know I will.  My son has special needs and so Poppy I know works hard and would be a lovely person as all the people who help my son are!

I think I am going to just brave it out and any snotty people with a problem with old vans and cars will simply get a smile and I will enjoy myself whatever.  GOOD LUCK and HAPPIER HOLIDAYS TO COME.  Take the notice of these selfish insenstive types, my experience of most campers has always been very positive, hope the caravan fraternity is the samexxxxx

When I see someone struggling a bit it's always difficult to know if they want help or not, or will they think I'm poking my nose in. I always feel it's better if people ask for help if they need it, in which case I will be only too glad to do everything I possibly can.

Also when you see what you think is people turning their noses up at your old van, what they might actually be saying is, " Look at that van, reminds me of our first van. We had some great times back then didn't we. Isn't it great that they are able to keep it going still. Good for them".

We started a couple of years ago when I was 32 with a 1991 'van and were often the youngest on the site (apart from peoples kids), I felt the same as the OP but I do think it was all in my head, I was nervous about what people thought of us and didn't want to look stupid struggling to set up.

I've since found it's what you make of it, if you talk to people they'll talk back, me & OH are totally different though, he's off chatting to everyone who happens to glance at him and will be gone half an hour just filling up the water whereas I prefer to keep myself to myself, I smile, say a quick hi and get back to putting my feet up.

Hi

we are young caravanners too - I am 26 and my hubby 32, toddler aged 2. only bought our van last year had three weekends away so far and most people seem friendly we have found (but then we are from the north LOL!!! - joking)

we have just got back from a weekend away had a great time. think id still like the abroad holiday too theough, we havent been abroad for a few years. hopefully this year.

our caravn is a 1993 ABI model and we love it.

first post so be gentle with me!!

My OH and I have been camping together since he was an 18 year old student and i was 19. Then due to budget we always went in a tent we found at first that people were surprised when we were there on our own and not trying to book in as part of a larger group. People were friendly what ever their age. We had both been brought up camping and always kept or site tidy and clean which i think helped people accept us. We recently (February 10) bought a Silverline Nova Princess GT off EBay for £900 neither of us had caravanned really before but thought it would give us chance to camp for more of the year. At 24 and 26 we are usually the youngest caravaners.  It is a tiny caravan and only the width of a car so easy to tow. it light to manoeuvre which we proved when all the older caravaners came out to watch the first time OH had to reverse it uphill onto a site. I think the y were all a bit surprised when we unhooked it and pushed it easily into place by ourselves.

Our caravan attracts people to it usually because they have not seen one so small and want to have a look how it all fits in there on both occasions we have taken it out so far we have had to do guided tours which is a talking point and usually ends up with us being invited to look at other peoples.

I don't care if people think we are a bit weird having a hobbie like camping we get at least 1 weekend away each month which is more than most of our friends. (we also have an estate car and an allottment!!)

I always thought the same about people watching us etc and also thought we were young when we started. A couple of times when we first started out, we looked for help, nobody offered so we went knocking on doors  

Now its just so easy to do, having arguements putting the awning up in bad weather is the norm for us but as soon as the wine is open, we're all chilled.

If we ever see anyone in trouble and need help, we're the first over there to offer assistance or advice.

Good luck

Terrific post, Rousie! I'm now middle aged in years (and Middle Ages in looks) but I still like loud music and having a drink - so why should anyone think I'm more "respectable" than a couple in their 20s?

The biggest disadvantage with caravanning is that you can't pick your neighbours (unless you take them with you). The biggest advantage is that if you don't like them you can move!

Enjoy it, and if you find yourself pitched next to Viggo, offer the old beggar a beer and we'll be best of mates.

Quote: Originally posted by mandk_surrey on 18/5/2010

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I always thought the same about people watching us etc and also thought we were young when we started. A couple of times when we first started out, we looked for help, nobody offered so we went knocking on doors  

Now its just so easy to do, having arguements putting the awning up in bad weather is the norm for us but as soon as the wine is open, we're all chilled.

If we ever see anyone in trouble and need help, we're the first over there to offer assistance or advice.

Good luck

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Whish all caravaners wer like you  i have met loads of people helping them plus when they get the barby out and the wine well they ya go all good fun

Quote: Originally posted by hplanty on 18/5/2010

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I don't care if people think we are a bit weird having a hobbie like camping we get at least 1 weekend away each month which is more than most of our friends. (we also have an estate car and an allottment!!)

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I think you just have been unlucky and not been on very friendly sites, your outfit looks spot on and so do you two, so dont worry about it. I have only been caravvaning for the past four years, mainly due to working away, but my OH cant wait to get away in the van, either visiting me or away in hols or at new year etc. We have met some fantastic people whome we have kept in touch with and spent many hours nursing bad heads. just carry on with what you are doing and ignore the misery,s. good luck to you both