Anniversary

[Robert_374373903]

Well. this week celebrate 65 years marriage with its many memories . Also it is 58 year since we started camping. Never tented, first was a trailer caravan , think it was about £135. Two adults two children , but remember when wife's family said "lets come " to Wookey hole which I suppose is about 150 mile . So stopped at Devises camp site . We are now us four Brother in law four Sister in law four. 3 cars. the two older boys who were 10 said lets sleep in car which they did . I shall never forget when my Sister in law made breakfast of porridge oats for us all in this gigantic bowel she had brought with her . Next was a Sprite Alpine bought for £600 sold few years later for £600. In this we use to go to Lake district and Scotland several times a year 400 miles plus there. Coming home from one of those places stopped at roadside cafe as daughter wanted to spend a penny in our toilet . Now in them days the toilet was a tank with open flap , which when I opened toilet door the toilet had fallen over and what a mess I had to clear up.. The Sprite was towed by a 1500cc Cortina. Next car was Triumph 2000 auto lovely car , except on one of those tripe the auto went into 2nd only when we were near Applecross which is stiil bit of a trip to to the lakes. Any way got there and next day went in to Coniston where they had a garage and cutting a long story short after helping him to strip the box down it was u/s. Sent to Birmingham for new box , mighty £90+ . It came by bus ?. As I did not carry that sort of money with me I called into Barclays to withdraw said sum and although there were stuffiest in there they would not let me have it . Rang my Brother 280 miles away who said he will be up in morning , fine . He did not know where we would be but came never the less . In meantime we went by bus down to Coniston and sat at the corner cafe . I could not believe how he done it but he was pulling up outside the cafe. Next was Autosleeper VW camper , apart from a night on the road side at Andorra because of road blocked by snow .Then Hymer 52 , went all over France Spain etc . The Hymer 544 , great outfit . In Germany the bed telescopic strut broke and had to prop it up with bit of timber . Rang my son who located a Hymer place about 50 mile away so went there but no one could be spared to fit it , so had to do it myself . What a job. Next Hymer Mercedes again lovely outfit , done round trip from Calais down to Portugal round to Spain , up top Monte carlo and down through Italy . Very enjoyable . Next Bessacar cannot remember number but large one . Remember in Germany where we had the air condioner going all night as it was very warm. When we went to reception to pay, the lady said did you know you used so much electricity? it came to small fortune . Next another Bessacar ,635? followed by a Mobilvetta 4 berth , then for a change caravans . Coachman Pastiche , Swift Charisma535 and finally cheapest apart from our very first one a Sterling Topaz year 2000. This will be our last one

 

[Buckman]

I must admit that I would not fancy porridge from someone's bowel as it cannot be very healthy!

 

[Robert_374373903]

Oh dear , of course we did not have it out of one bowel, she only made it out in the bowel /pan and served it . But thinking about it a bit more how did we have so many plates etc?, perhaps it was those disposal ones , just cannot remember .

 

[Hutch]

So many lovely memories, have a wonderfull anniversary, and Keep on Caravanning as long as you can, if you wish to.

 

[Kevin M]

Lovely memories.
The first owner of my 1965 Singer Vogue (I am the 2nd owner) used to tow a Sprite Alpine with it. Can't imagine how slow it must have been, its a 1600cc with Autobox and no power steering.!

Kev

 

[WayneS]

Robert - Wow, huge congratulations! thank you for sharing your recollections : really enjoyed reading them! Certainly some great adventures 😊

 

[Beachball]

Robert happy anniversary very interesting read and many more caravanning holidays as you can manage

 

[Raywood]

Congratulations. We thought we were doing well at 47 years but you make us look like beginners.
Only been caravanners for just under 40 years, so you have us there as well.

 

[Bluetonic]

Congratulations!
We're nowhere near that milestone , been together for 32 years, but married for 22.
I have been a caravanner since I was 2, so 52 years if that counts?
My Grandma bought me my first caravan as a 19th Birthday present a little 4 berth Marauder. That was so much fun taking it to festivals when my mates were roughing it in tents
My kids are 4th generation caravanners and my youngest wants to do the Vanlife thing when she finishes Uni, she's only 16 but that girl has it all mapped out

 

[Buckman]

Oh dear , of course we did not have it out of one bowel, she only made it out in the bowel /pan and served it . But thinking about it a bit more how did we have so many plates etc?, perhaps it was those disposal ones , just cannot remember .

I am sorry as thought that using predictive text it inputted "bowel" instead of "bowl" as two totally different things?

 

[Robert_374373903]

 

[Beachball]

Congratulations!
We're nowhere near that milestone , been together for 32 years, but married for 22.
I have been a caravanner since I was 2, so 52 years if that counts?
My Grandma bought me my first caravan as a 19th Birthday present a little 4 berth Marauder. That was so much fun taking it to festivals when my mates were roughing it in tents
My kids are 4th generation caravanners and my youngest wants to do the Vanlife thing when she finishes Uni, she's only 16 but that girl has it all mapped out

Some years ago before we brought a caravan we hired a ABI Marauder 450S 5 berth touring caravan what model did you have ?

 

[Dustydog]

A great story Robert and may it continue! I bought a Porta Pottie 44 for our first caravan. The kids loved the flush plunger! Enjoy your travels.

 

[Bluetonic]

Some years ago before we brought a caravan we hired a ABI Marauder 450S 5 berth touring caravan what model did you have ?

Honestly, I can't remember. It was a really small thing with lounge at the front that made up to a double bed and a small dinette at the rear that could sit one person either side and made up into a bunk.
Don't remember it having a shower or anything posh like that

 

[Raywood]

Our first caravan was a Piper, 10ft long yet four berths, it even had a toilet compartment like no other I have seen. In those days you got glass windows, cold water through a foot pump, two burners and a grill for cooking and no fridge. For lighting we had one electric tube which we powered from the car battery and a gas mantle that broke every time the caravan was towed.