A very interesting thread, Paul. Thanks for introducing it. My partner and I are both around 60 and are expecting to retire next year and so are just at the point where we have to make decisions re caravan etc. Like Mick, we also started with tents, and then some 20 years ago when we were living on the continent we bought a twin-axle Hobby. The kids loved it and we toured all over Europe - Med in the summer, Alps in the winter. Must admit we appreciated being self-contained in the van, especially as some of the sites in the further-flung parts of Europe weren't too impressive re the toilet and washroom facilities etc! We sold the van when we came back to live in England. There are no two ways about it, though! You definitely feel much closer to nature when camping. We do quite a bit of walking when on holiday, mainly in the hills. Last summer we walked Hadrian's Wall and used a two-man tent for overnight stops. It was fantastic just as we remembered camping from years ago. (Also made us feel we had one up on the caravanners on the site! Like Mick says, the smell of the canvas, the aroma of bacon and sausages cooking on a camp stove.) So we have come to the conclusion that camping and caravanning are not mutually exclusive. We're hanging on to the pup tent for using in the hills, etc, and will buy a small 2-berth van for general touring. As we anticipate most of our caravanning will be on the continent we'll probably buy another continental (winterised!) van.(We've now reached an age where we appreciate certain creature comforts!) Ok, so the door will be on the "wrong" side for England, (we don't really care a toss about that) and you have to sign an indemnity when Calor fill your gas bottles . I suppose having a tent and a van is either a case of "belt and braces" or "having your cake and eating it"!