Finally got round to getting a caravan

[jho]

Hi all,
After doing the Caribean 2 week all inclusive thing for years. We had become fed up with the spiralling costs, so have gone and sold my Subaru Impreza STI for a very sensible VW Tiguan and bought a 2011 Swift Challenger 570.
The only question I have is, Why didn't we do this before?

We have allready been away once (the day after we picked it up) and have 6 more trips booked including over the new year. Much better than just looking forward to one hoilday a year!!

Before anyone comments I know the car and van is not an 85% match, but it's only the two of us, so the awning and really heavy stuff goes in the car. The car towed brilliantly in high winds and going up (and down) Telegraph Hill.

From a very happy 'Newbee' (apart from all the years I went as a kid)

 

[GeorgeandAde]

Good for you jho.
We did the same as you.....2 weeks a year........blazing sun(getting too old for sitting in the heat all day now)plus we didnt like leaving the dogs with relatives.
Bought a van and now enjoy at least 5 trips away each year.
Go where we want(spaces permitted) for as long as we want,get up early,have a lie in,eat when we want......lovely.
Dogs are happy too.
The CRV is economical but of course there are the extra expense such as caravan insurance,storage,decent breakdown cover but i think the element of freedom outweighs all of that.
I think we both have the same layout too(end washroom and fixed bed)
Happy caravanning

Adrian

 

[Mel]

Hi welcome to the forum and to caravanning. There is lots to enjoy in this hobby, and much more variety than just 2 weeks holiday a year. Also if you want the sun you can always cross the channel and tow south. Damn these soggy bank holidays.
mel.

 

[Beachball]

Hi jho Welcome to the practical caravan forum i hope you are enjoying your new outfit 2 weeks holiday is not enough even for me we normally book between 40 - 45 nights away in the van look forward to your posts in the near future.......

 

[Parksy]

Hi Jho
Welcome to the Practical Caravan forum and congratulations on buying your Swift to enjoy the freedom that caravanning brings.
We often look at news reports of families being treated like cattle at airports, the uncertainty and misery caused by strikes and of course the high costs and wonder why more people don't take up caravanning.
I hope that you have many happy times away in your caravan.

 

[Robtel]

Hi jho and welcome to the forum. I'm sure you will not regret your decision to join the caravan brigade.
Robert

 

[waffler]

Welcome. Have you joined one of the clubs yet? This gives you access to advice, as well as on here, access to their sites and also the 5 van sites that might suit you. When you are really addicted then you might try rallying. Both clubs are similar with pros and cons. The Caravan club has more club sites and 5 vans sites but their rallies have to be pre booked. Their sites also tend to be a similar layout and style. Camping and caravanning club handbook lists more sites, their own sites tend to be more unusual and their rallies can generally be visited on the spur of the moment. We're in both. We use CC 5 vans sites and rally with them but C and CC sites. (Just remembered they give a discount to us older folks outside school holidays.

 

[Gagakev]

Hi Jho, Think you made a good decision,

well done, and welcome

 

[jho]

Thanks for the warm welcome. We have joined the CC and allready booked 7 sites.
Next trip mid June, can't wait

 

[Dustydog]

Thanks for the warm welcome. We have joined the CC and allready booked 7 sites.
Next trip mid June, can't wait

jho
where are you going? 7 sites sounds great.

 

[jho]

All CC Sites.
In June Cirencester Park,
July, Broadway and Longleat.
September, Morton-in-Marsh.
October, Lakeside.
November back to Broadway and Tredegar House for the new year.

We went to Dornafield in Devon for our first trip.