Full circle

[picasso02]

Some thirty years ago I started caravanning with a series of ABI Monzas/aces before getting up to date with Baileys latest was
a Ranger in 2010. Unfortunately my dear wife became verfy ill and I decided that caravanning was too much for her and I reluctantly
sold our 6 month old van My wife passed away shortly after and I considered getting a trailer tent or micro caravan - then I thought
perhaps I could buy an old caravan and dip my toe back into the water to see if I could get back into vanning. Whenever I talked
to older caravanners they were always reminiscing about how the quality of caravans have deteriorated over the years a view I happen to share, noticing that the quality of some of the equipment installed is not as reliable or well made as the older versions. I went to
my local caravan dealer and saw an ABI ACE which seemed a reasonable starter price and one which I could take a gamble on
it seemed in reasonably good condition all mod cons and dry but old of some 15 years. I have to say since buying this van I
have fallen in love with it (something I never did with my new ones) I feel immediately at home as soon as I walk through the door
I cant put my finger on why, it seems so comfortable and everything seems solid and well made, I was thinking of trading up and buying a new van later but now I am seriously considering keeping the van and maybe have it completely renovated as I dont
think I can part with it.

 

[Parksy]

Hi Picasso
Please accept my deepest sympathy on your wife's passing, and well done for making the decision to continue to enjoy the hobby which brings happiness to so many of us.
You always know when a caravan is right for you, and it looks as though you have been lucky enough to find a good dry caravan that you can enjoy using and improving with renovation. It goes without saying that if you need any advice on work that you may consider doing you can depend on forum members to help, please keep in touch and let us know how you are getting on

 

[emmerson]

Condolences, picasso.
Re your "old" van, That is positively new! My current ( and probably last) van is 33 years old this month, and takes us all over UK and Europe for at least 20 weeks a year. The secret is simply to look after it, and it will serve you as well as ours does. Every time we go to a caravan show, we look at the new models, thinking " Oh, isn't that nice", then come back to the old Royale, and find that the new one just hasn't got what we already have.
Stick with it mate. You'll also find that it's a conversation opener on site too, as people will want to tell you that they had one like that!