Hello All,
Sorry for the slow reply, but I have been extremely busy since returning. Having said that, the wait was well worth while, we had a terrific couple of days at Grin Low, and some fun getting organised.
Our drive over from Glossop to Buxton went very well, and was a good test for me, as it was a narrow hilly and bumpy road for my first real tow. The wife was reassured by the drive and we entered the site with a positive manner. This vanished when I attempted to reverse onto the pitch, having given her instructions to shout when the back of the van was at the edge of the pitch, as I passed her in the car, I realised we had a problem. After a couple of attempts, I decided that the mover was the answer, but could not figure out how to work the control. John on an adjacent pitch came over, and we finally got the van on the pitch, but John had to leave. Problem then became getting the drive rollers off the tyres, over came Ron from another pitch, and we finally got them off. As the pitch was fairly level, I managed to get the van set up with little problem. I then filled the Aquaroll, but could not find the Trauma connecting pipe. By then Chris & Lynn, great Ralliers from the Cheshire Centre, had arrived directly facing us, and suggested looking in the front locker! the only place we had not looked, and there it was. We then proceed to pump water into the van, I opened the taps and switched on the Electric Hot Water Heater. Having left it for a short while I ran the hot water tap, but no water came. Chris came over again and it was finally realised that the drain tap on the Trauma Heater had been left open, and all the water I had pumped in, had drained away. Having closed the drain tap, I re-filled the water tank and again switched on the Electric water heater, but there was no heat forthcoming and I thought we had burnt the element out. This later proved unfounded, when with some good advice from Glossop, at home on the Monday, I managed to get it working.
The only other problem was with the TV, as I connected it, I realised I did not have an Aerial lead, however I then found one that had come with the van. I connected and switched on, thinking that was the end of the problem, it was not, as I had forgotten to bring the hand control, and could not retune it to the local area.
What I have to say is a big thank you to John, Ron and particularly to Chris & Lynn, who invited us into their caravan to watch the England match, on their TV in the evening, for all their help and forbearance with us. We had a great time, and will no doubt laugh at the problems we had in the future, as setting up becomes second nature to us.
The big mistake I made, was allowing us to be rushed during the caravan run through. Whilst most things are similar to in the house, more emphasis should have been given to specific items such as the Trauma Tank having the drain tap left open. How to use the Powertouch Mover control, with a couple of trials, including moving the van with the mover, this we never did. I have to put my hand up, I am impatient, and probably need to read the instructions better, if I had, I could have made things a little easier for us.
The main thing we gained from the weekend is that we enjoyed the caravan lifestyle, Mary reckoned I was fairly relaxed compared to the norm, and we cannot wait for our next weekend away in Overstone Lakes, near Milton Keynes on the 2/3rd July. However then we will be putting up our Porch for the first time, so the fireworks may start between us.
Thanks for all the help and advice I have received from the Forum, it did prove helpful on our first weekend away.
Best regards,
George
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