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Quote: Originally posted by DanTheVanMan on 11/4/2011

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If I've got to priorities where to spend the hard earnt stuff, there is no doubt our caravan is very very close to the top of our list. It has provided us with fantastic memories, many many laughs, some challenging adventures, we've rediscovered the pleasure of bikes (as a means to get to and from the pub!), we've learnt to walk up and down hills (on the way to the pub), and significantly contributed to our family feeling very much like a family. Most importantly, when day-to-day life is so full-on, the van ensures we remember life is more than just a battle to get through.

Dan

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What a fantastic post, and so very true. We also enjoy a good walk (to the pub)

Quote: Originally posted by Kevin Massey on 11/4/2011

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Quote: Originally posted by sarah42g on 11/4/2011

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I just don't understand the people with brand new caravans who let them sit on the drive for 51 weeks of the year. Must be an expensive week away.

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Here here and if this was the case I would not have one myself

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Maybe more reasons then you know about time off work family commitments,general cost of any time away down turn in income from work. Since the " credit crunch" we have found it harder to get away due to loss of income and the increase of pitch prices. Although ours isnt a new van. 

Quote: Originally posted by pecker on 18/5/2011

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Quote: Originally posted by Kevin Massey on 11/4/2011

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Quote: Originally posted by sarah42g on 11/4/2011

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I just don't understand the people with brand new caravans who let them sit on the drive for 51 weeks of the year. Must be an expensive week away.

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Here here and if this was the case I would not have one myself

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Maybe more reasons then you know about time off work family commitments,general cost of any time away down turn in income from work. Since the " credit crunch" we have found it harder to get away due to loss of income and the increase of pitch prices. Although ours isnt a new van. 

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I've just rougly worked ours out  based on storage fees site fees and fuel  and works out for what we have booked so far this year at £50 per night. It depends on how you work your costs out do you include the cost of your car in your figures I wouldnt as your car is also your transport at home or do you divide the cost of the car up over 12 months no car no caravan to tow do you include you car insurance? Fuel well you need fuel to do anything  even a day trip.
Some fo the costs are what I call dead money you have to pay for somethings irespective of  how you decide to holiday package holidays to spain etc can be offered at lower prices because they know that overall they will recover their costs in other ways that us that tow  cant. 

Don't even want to think about it!  Will be lucky if we get away for 10 nights this year.  Probably only did 18 nights last year since getting new van.

We chose it though as an ideal escape with young kids (6 mths and 6 years old when we started).  So much easier packing at your leisure and having all your everyday things to hand, rather than trying to travel abroad with all the baby essentials.  And now if Mr PP can't get away, as he's just opening up another pub, he can 'deliver' me and the kids somewhere for a little break and he doesn't then feel so bad having to work.  He then joins us when and where he can if we are not too far away.  In the Easter hols I had my sister come stay with us with her 4 year old twins.  The kids all loved it.

After the initial shouting at each other, usually putting up the awning, its the only time Mr PP ever sits down and starts to actually relax.  He doesn't sit down very often when at work or at home as he always finds a job or 6 to do.  We actually come back feeling refreshed, unlike package holidays abroad.  That said though, we usually do both.

All the while we can afford it we will.  Couldn't imagine giving up.

Well we have not got our van yet,Last year we spent 4k on a 3 week holiday to India .We should have been going to Cuba this year but ill health has made us cancel.The way i see it if we spend 3k on van this year leaves 1k to spend going away anytime we want.The holidays we have had have been fabulous we have got nice memories,but nothing else to show for the money spent.

So next year in my eyes it will be free holidays.

Quote: Originally posted by stevepgarten on 17/5/2011

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You cannot put a price on pleasure.

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All pleasures cost one way or another