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Oh thanks again everyone, lovely to get your opinions whether for or against.  This freezing rain forecast has put us off travelling too far now so cancelled York but still holding out hope for a wee trip away closer to home maybe near Edinburgh....hard to believe it may be warmer here than in York....unheard of usually!!

Jenny

Quote: Originally posted by jeff juke on 08/2/2012

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Nobody has said what they do except sit in a van and keep warm,at least these guys go catch a seal or two..

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We wrap up warm to go out and about during the day then snuggle up in the cosy van in the evenings listening to the wind outside.

Sue

Just back from a lovely stay at Loch LomondHoliday Park and van was amazingly warm, even more so than my house! weather a bit dreary but we had fun wrapped up in our waterproofs and layers.  So glad we went away and thanks for everyone's encouragement.  So that's the first trip of the year sorted and now onto the fun of planning the next one!

When we were away at Christmas and NewYear we visited Mevagissey, Fowey, Mousehole, Newquay, Padstow, Pollprreo, Looe, Charlestown, Tintagel and had lunch in Jamaica Inn ok we weren't in shorts and t shirts  but how often can you do that in summer anyway it was absolutely wonderful having a look around without having to pick your way though the crowds  as you would do in the summer.

Sue.

we bought our caravan end of august last year, so we pushed its use as far as we could and yes, agree, it's toasty warm with the heating on.

but it wasn't bad enough, that it was freezing or snow etc, so my question is:

How do you stop your water barrel(s) from freezing up? or do you all just do bottled water inside the van?

We went away in the van over the weekend, the roads were clear of snow to drive safely enough to Selby, but the rally field was 5 ins deep in snow, so ralliers had a choice of the carpark, or go on the snowy field. The main problem was frozen pipes (the barrel didnt freeze as we had lagged with a padded bag) but the water pipe in the front locker froze, and in the morning when I emptied the hot water bottle down the sink the water froze in the outlet pipe as well! At an overnight temp of -10C it was not surprising. The gas fire worked well (there was no electric hook up) and we were as warm as toast. On sunday morning the temps rose to +4C, and all the pipes thawed out gradually.We go out in the van at any time of the year as we enjoy the countryside in every season.

PS For winter caravanning use a bucket for the waste water so you dont have to go home with a dirty icecube in your wastemaster. Put fridge winter covers on the vents. Use Propane gas in red bottles. Bring your water whale pipe inside at night. Lag the water barrel with a padded bag, or an old overcoat buttoned up round it. Take hot waterbottles for the bed. Cover the carpet with old easily washable towels.