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Topic: First trip in the caravan - an adventure!
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10/7/2009 at 9:45am
Location: Shrewsbury Outfit: None Entered
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So we all (three kids and the two of us) all set off for our first trip with the caravan. Chose somewhere reasonable close for a three night stay - the C&CC site in Bala.
It all went well getting there - about an hour and a half - and when we arrived got a nice welcome from the wardens when I explained that it was our very first time with a caravan. He showed us to our pitch and talked me through how to drive into the pitch to make it easier. When I got out of the car I was a little concerned that there was a HUGE tire skid through the pitch, and as it had been raining just before it seemed rather muddy. Within an hour (and the struggle with setting everything up for the first time) the rain returned and the pitch had just become a swamp - there was absolutely no drainage as far as I could see. I wasn't sure what to do so pressed on and erected the awning. By this time the area was just so muddy, and the kids were playing up, wife was very unhappy - and I was wondering how the 8 year-old and me were going to sleep in a muddy awning. Not a great start. In the end I decided to go and talk with the warden about the pitch, and after a walk around the site he agreed to let us move to another one (after warning us that a regular might turn up and swear at us on the Wednesday night as it was 'his' pitch). So, everything taken down and then moved and put up again - it was 7pm by the time we could eat and our 3-year-old was just freaking out (he has some 'challenging' issues). Later on the warden admitted that he shouldn't have put us on that pitch in the first place! Kudos to some very helpful people opposite who helped with the awning and getting the gas running in our van - really helpful!!
Got the caravan all set up and the our kitchen taps started leaking whenever the pump was put on - covering the surface with water. Couldn't work out what the problem was (felt somewhat out of my depth to be honest), so we then had no water to wash/cook/clean with as we couldn't have the pump on. It was at this point I realised that in the scramble to leave I had left mine and the wife's sleeping bags at home (the kids were ok). I think I started swearing VERY loudly at this point - we found a blanket for my wife, I spent a night in a pop-up tent in the awning under the shower curtain - it was really cold!!
Next day went to the camping shop and bought some sleeping bags, water carriers and decided to make the best we could out of it. It was still raining.
Finally figured out the problem with the taps on the Wednesday (day before we came home) and the rain held off enough to have a reasonable day visiting Portmeirion. The kids found some friends on site that evening as well - which meant tears the next day when we were leaving - ho hum. Final weird thing was the warden. It had JUST turned 11am on the last day and I wanted the kids to go to the loo just before we left. He had put the 'toilets closed' signs up as we were walking up, but hadn't started cleaning. I explained the situation, but he refused to let the kids use the loos (against health and safety!!), even though he hadn't actually started cleaning.
Overall it wasn't so bad in the end, although the warden on the site was a bit grumpy - I don't think he actually smiled once!!
That's it now until beginning of August - off for 2 weeks then.
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10/7/2009 at 10:07am
Location: Blackpool Outfit: Abbey GTS 418+Defender 110
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Hi,
Try not to get to upset at your first caravan trip......
We've gone away in our van and forgotten the poles for the awning.
OH reversed at a rally into those metal fences and ripped off our caravan window.....we had to tape it up for the rest of the holiday...... even having to turn up at a CC site after with it like that.... until we returned home and the insurance sorted it for us.
Turned up at rallies in mud.....yuk.
On most CC sites we have stayed we have been ok...... last October at Chester some of the electric went off and it effected us...... had to use battery and gas for 12 hours.
Usually on CC sites if the toilets are being cleaned they let you use the disabled loo think that was a little harsh.
Anyway at least your next trip should run more smooth for you.....having done it once.
------------- Sue
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10/7/2009 at 12:41pm
Location: Lancashire Outfit: Nissan X-Trail & Bailey Ranger
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Quote: Originally posted by ianjmatt on 10/7/2009
(after warning us that a regular might turn up and swear at us on the Wednesday night as it was 'his' pitch).
I hope the warden was joking! There's no such thing as "reserved" pitches at a club site, and any warden who allows a "regular" to lay dibs on a pitch needs shooting.
Overall it wasn't so bad in the end, although the warden on the site was a bit grumpy - I don't think he actually smiled once!!
Sorry to hear you had a rough initiation. The vast majority of wardens are much more helpful. Still, at least you've got an anecdote out of it, and you'll laugh about it all in year to come. No, really, you will!
------------- * You never know where you're going 'til you get there...
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15/7/2009 at 10:33pm
Location: Hoylandswaine Yorkshire Outfit: Landrover Discovery
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Hi,
We too stayed at the Bala Club Site (2 wks ago). We did a two nights stopover on the way down and back from South Wales. Having never visited that part of Wales before and timing it badly - we arrived at Bala 30 mins before official arrival time (along with three others) - the Warden was not best pleased!!! He told us that we should have stopped over in a layby ...... "welcome to Wales" I mouthed to the other new arrivals. The Man ahead of us had problems with his booking and Mr Grumpy made everybody else wait outside Reception while he dealt with this. When we were finally shown to our pitch, it was at the bottom of the camp site and not a full size hard standing as I expected, was pretty damp and we never saw the sun (when it eventually came out).
Next day our 4x4 wouldn't start ......... and surprisingly Mr Grumpy lent us his jump leads and so slightly redeemed himself but we noticed how he continually chastised other Residents for either driving through the Site at more than 5 miles per hour, or for driving over the well mown grass etc etc.
On our return visit to Bala from South Wales, we thought we'd try a different approach. We arrived after 12.00, waited patiently to be booked in and I asked jokingly for a Sunnyside Pitch with a Sea View! We were given a lovely pitch (great size) next to the water hydrant - sunshine all day ..... Hoorah!!!!
Sometimes you've just got to bite your lip ............... or in my husbands case - get out the Stella!!!!!
Happy Holidays everybody.
Jan (Jackrascals)
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