Message Forums

When our kids were young we used to tour with a trailer tent & then a folding camper, but our season always ran May to August BH because we  found it too uncomfortable in colder weather. So, at October half term (my wife works at school & always gets this week off), we would always hire a chalet or static caravan for the week.
 But one particular year we booked our 6 berth static at Coombe Martin early in the year to get a discount but by the time October came our kids had either left school and got a job (18 year old) or just didn`t want to go (he was 16), so we went on our own. We thouroughly enjoyed our freedom but thought £170 for the week was abit much for just the two of us & decided then & there that we would sell our Pennine and return to caravanning and would buy a 2 berth caravan.
The following February we went to the caravan show at the NEC and bought a caravan. Our kids were really upset because they realised  how much they had enjoyed their camping holidays afterall !!
Now we caravan all year round. Last year we had 19 trips away with total site fees of just £435. Petrol consumption is our main outlay but cars and caravans are there to be used and we love exploreing this wonderfully beautifull country.

Rick

Everyone seems to find a reason to give up caravanning, but then contradict themselves by finding more good reasons to continue.  Yes, it does get a bit more expensive each year, but so do most alternatives.  I have never flown (and won't!), so I have no practical experiences of what stresses are suffered by those who do.   However, I know that my living accommodation will always be top class.  I don't mind the preparation and towing.  I enjoy erecting the awning, and collecting water, and emptying grey waste and toilet.  The occasional get together at night in the awning with friends (some from previous hols, and some new), is as good as any local.

At 71 years old, I find caravanning an exercising relaxation, and I look forward to many more years of the same.  The van has an end bathroom, so the shower/toilet facilities on site are not important, although they are excellent at most site these days.

As for increasing site regulations, these fall into two categories.  (1)new laws have to be observed by site owners/wardens, particularly Health and Safety.  (2)in recent years, some campers have become more rowdy (witness comments previously aired on this forum).  I have seen incidents where a site owner/warden has good reason to feel peeved, dealing with characters who have already upset other campers.  How many people have an enjoyable holiday, but never offer a "thank you" for the hospitality received?  I wouldn't like the job.

Bertie.

Quote: Originally posted by Caroline M on 07/11/2006

---

Well after reading so many negative things about B&B's let me tell you a thing or 2 about ours!!!! we have invested over £200,000 in ours over the last 9 years, we have king size spung edge divans, the rooms are re decorated every 2 years the carpets replaces every 3 we have jacuzzi baths and power showers, log fires, crystal glasses for the fruit juice, eyptian cotton sheets and bath sheets, velor robes, We have new tables and italian leather dining chairs, a huge conservatory . sitting room and raised italian garden with views over open fields. If you have had bad experiences at B&b always look for 4 and 5 star ones preferably with a Silver or Gold award. Please please don't tar us all with the same brush we work very hard to maintain ours and comments on here just make me see red!!

 

Yeah, thats fine, but its not a caravan.

---

Hi Phil,

Clearly caravanning is not for everyone and perhaps you do need a break. We view our caravan not just as a means of enjoying breaks away but caravanning and caravan ownership is a hobby in it's own right....well, to us anyway.

If me and Mrs Ulti-Mate were to sit down and tot up the cost of caravanning I'm sure that it would fund many nights away and foriegn holidays, but that's not what we want.

Each to his own,

regards

Mr Ulti-Mate