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My husband can't sleep in a tent !  (The classic line was, 'I couldn't sleep, there was a sheep coughing').  I like getting away of a weekend, and despite being well equiped with tents, I have started thinking of a caravan.  There is no rush for this.  I had caravan holidays as a child, but the thing is towing - have never done this.  Is it possible to hire a towing van to 'have a go' before making the financial commitment?

If we were going to go ahead with the major purchase it would not be till the autumn at the earliest, and possibly even autumn 2010.  Even then we'd be looking for a sound second hand van.

Anything else I could do to research this possibility at this early stage?

Quote: Originally posted by nona on 11/5/2009

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My husband can't sleep in a tent !  (The classic line was, 'I couldn't sleep, there was a sheep coughing')

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 It's clear from your post that you're not camping in Wales

In the Principality, it's not unusual to hear nocturnal sheep noises from tents - but seldom, if ever, are they sounds of coughing.

Usually, it's is a terror-filled 'Baaaahhhaaaahhaaaa" (which means, *Help, quick, get me out of here") or, alternatively, the oaths and curses of Welsh hill farmers, out searching for their missing Ewes.

Quote: Originally posted by nona on 11/5/2009

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My husband can't sleep in a tent !  (The classic line was, 'I couldn't sleep, there was a sheep coughing').  I like getting away of a weekend, and despite being well equiped with tents, I have started thinking of a caravan.  There is no rush for this.  I had caravan holidays as a child, but the thing is towing - have never done this.  Is it possible to hire a towing van to 'have a go' before making the financial commitment?

If we were going to go ahead with the major purchase it would not be till the autumn at the earliest, and possibly even autumn 2010.  Even then we'd be looking for a sound second hand van.

Anything else I could do to research this possibility at this early stage?

 

 

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  You can always buy an old (but good) 'van for a  few hundred pounds and give it a go. If it doesn't work out you can always sell it on and probably you wont lose much.

Our first 'van cost me £180! and came complete with everything. The old gentleman I bought it off had it from new, his wife had recently died and he wanted it to go to a good home. We got two good seasons out of it and I sold it on for £100!

But why can't your OH sleep?  If it is noise related the cheaper and quicker option is simply to invest in some ear plugs! 

Here's a place i found www.camper-hire.co.uk (sorry can't do links!) based in Stirling, Thought about hiring to find best layout.

Good luck with your hubby, I'm exactly the same when we go camping, everyone else sound alsleep and  I'm up all night, not the best camping buddy after a couple of nights with hee-haw sleep. Tell him to take a couple of nytol and get expensive ear plugs - works for me!

The sheep in question was in Biggar in Lanarkshire.  Yes, earplugs would be a cheaper solution, but truth be told it would be quite nice to have a 'real' bed, and more protection from the rain and mud too!!

Great idea to have a look around the campsites, and a towing course sounds just what we would need.

Thanks for all the ideas everyone.

Quote: Originally posted by Returnee on 12/5/2009

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Quote: Originally posted by nona on 11/5/2009

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My husband can't sleep in a tent !  (The classic line was, 'I couldn't sleep, there was a sheep coughing')

---

 It's clear from your post that you're not camping in Wales

In the Principality, it's not unusual to hear nocturnal sheep noises from tents - but seldom, if ever, are they sounds of coughing.

Usually, it's is a terror-filled 'Baaaahhhaaaahhaaaa" (which means, *Help, quick, get me out of here") or, alternatively, the oaths and curses of Welsh hill farmers, out searching for their missing Ewes.

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Hey! There are some good looking sheep in Wales!

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Canvas - no sleep ever (zombie girl)
Caravan - sleep like home

I can't take canvas - just don't feel safe, comfortable enough, or in control enough to sleep.  Silly I know but that flimsy door and totally ineffective lock on our caravans (and the fixed bed) stops my insomnia in its tracks.