Goodbye to caravanning

[colin(bridgend)]

After virtually 40 years of caravanning my wife feels that with her health problems she cannot face another year of going away in the van. Therefore our fully serviced Bailey Ranger, full awning, porch awning, etc. are now up for grabs.

I will miss the freedom of the style of holiday of caravanning and all the friends we have met over the years. Alas her health is more important and as she feels not up to it - well that is life.

We were married in August 1968 and our daughter was 6 weeks old when we borrowed a Sprite in August 1969 for a holiday. This was the start of it all and we have owned many types of van since - some excellent some not so hot. Also towed with many different cars over the years - our most enjoyable experience was an Ace Globetrotter 4 berth van towed with a 1600cc Austin Maestro. We covered many miles with this outfit and had some wonderful times.

Oh well I suppose all good things eventually come to an end.

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

I'm sorry to hear you are giving up Colyn ap Brydgynd

but like you say, your wifes health comes first and there's no point in carrying on if she doesn't enjoy it. We don't know what's around the corner and now my wife has developed a limp. She had keyhole, or as she tells people kneehole surgery, last year and she is no better with still getting pains. My knees aren't much better. I'm now paying for years of carrying the sick and injured upstairs, downstairs and across fields etc.
All the best in whatever you choose to do next and let's hope that your wifes health improves in the future.
I'll carry on sending the emails

I suppose I can reduce the number of archers on Offa's **** now ... heh! heh! heh!

 

[Mel]

Colin, you were the first person to say hello to me when I joined this forum and a countryman to boot. I hope your reluctant but necessary farewell to the van will not mean that you will depart this forum. 40 years of caravanning experience, not to mention your witty banter, should not be lost to the caravanning world. I wish you all the best with whatever plans you have for alternative holidays (little tip: avoid Trecco Bay).
mel

 

[Gagakev]

Sorry to hear your news Colin, it's always a shame when you hear of someone having to give up, but alas we are sure you are making the right decision for you both. You have replied to and given good advice to us all, please dont leave us altogether and do keep in touch.
Take care and Good luck to both of you

Kev

 

[Damian]

Very sorry to hear that you are not going to be able to continue enjoying time away in the van, but as has been said, health comes before everything else, and if one half of the partnership does not feel well enough to enjoy it, you have to go with that.

I think that is the worst bit about getting older, the mind wants to do so much but the body refuses to play ball.

Hope your wife feels better in time, and that you enjoy whatever you do together in the future.
You are always welcome to keep posting and sharing your experiences.

Good Luck

 

[Robtel]

Sorry to hear of your wife's ill health Colin. If she is no longer able to enjoy caravan holidays then you are right, it is time to give it up and seek alternative ways of relaxing. As others have said though, you do not need to give up visiting the forum and sharing your knowledge with us. Who would keep the English Lord in his place if you weren't here!!!!!!

Whatever you chose to do, I wish you and your wife all the best.
Robert

 

[Chris_Hyde_Cheshire.]

Colin, everything has already been said by the other forum members so all I can say to you is best wishes for the future to you both.

 

[forestgump]

you can still come on here and insult me like every one els colin i dont mind as for the van some one was loking for one in a post i think it was about new front pannel on van ? it would be nice to see it go to a forum member it would be well looked afteer.

 

[Parksy]

I'm sorry to hear that your wife's health means that you are giving up caravanning Colin but obviously your wife's health must come first.
I hope that you will continue to post on the forum now and then to keep in touch with the many friends that you have made online.
Best wishes to both of you for the future.

 

[OmOnWeelz]

Colin, No doubt you still have all those enviable years of caravanning experiences and tales that all us less experienced whipper snapper caravanners like to draw on at times.
I would say it is wrong to say you are giving up caravanning. You'll always be caravanners, but like many actors you will now be "resting". So why not stay around here and keep us younger pups in check with your views and experiences built over many happy touring years.
And best wishes to you rgood lady and enjoy what ever you do in your caravan resting years ahead

 

[joeby]

All the best Colin to you and your family , i hope you will still sign in and continue to make a valuable contribution to the Forum

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Colin
Firstly I hope Mrs Colin's health gets no worse.
I noticed at Carnon Downs this Christmas a lot of seasonal caravans which were empty.
One chap turned up on New Years eve with his wife in a wheel chair. She could hardly walk but every day he would push her to the showers .
We had a chat and it seems that whilst they don't tour anymore they still enjoy using the caravan as a static. In his words he felt the day may come when they mighht just hedge their bets and move the caravan to a different seasonal site for a change of scenery.

Anyway I do wish you both all the best in your decision which I am sure was not taken lightly.
Plwease do not give up posting on here

 

[colin(bridgend)]

Hi All

Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts - it is very much appreciated. I will not desert the forum but returning from time to time to check up on you lot

.

Lord B. do not think that we will not be visiting Hereford from time to time - we will probably be doing day trips or hotel/b&b holidays in future so keep those archers handy just in case.

Dusty - We sited the van but whether it was too far away or what I do not know but it was not used to the full intended extent. I think under present circumstances we are doing the right thing - but who knows we may miss the van and return to caravanning with either a smaller van or maybe a motorhome. Time will tell.

Once again thank you all for the kind words and good luck to the many friends on here for your future caravanning holidays. Enjoy yourselves where ever you may go.

 

[butler1]

Really sorry to hear the news Colin. Olda age and/or ill health awaits us all, particularly when it comes to awning pegs on hard standings. Upon returning to Wales I find laver bread and Joe's ice cream (not together) helps my wellbeing. Seriously, I hope your wife gets better and enables you both to do just what you want. Butler
p.s. I'm not going to correct 'olda age' as i now feel fluent in Italian.

 

[butler1]

Colin, What is your favourite site in all those years? Butler

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

Colin, What is your favourite site in all those years? Butler

 

[joeby]

LB i dont think Colin will be visiting those sites if he is anything like me its just a distant memory , i must confess i did click on the site lol

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

LB i dont think Colin will be visiting those sites if he is anything like me its just a distant memory , i must confess i did click on the site lol

I made the www. addy up joby but it seems someone found it offensive because it got deleted

As you will have found out, there's no such site

 

[forestgump]

tutut l/b

 

[Damian]

Quote "I made the www. addy up joby but it seems someone found it offensive because it got deleted "

I am sorry, but I clicked on that link and whilst it did not go to a specific website, it did direct to quite a lot of X Rated Adult porn, so had to go.

And you "just made it up?"

 

[forestgump]

how long did you stay on the site damian you was off line for a long time.

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

And you "just made it up?"

Yep, I did and it didn't take me to another site. I can't check again because I forgot the www. I posted. Could you repost the addy please so I can check again.
It was something like www.babesandmothers.com

or maybe it was www.babesinarms.com

 

[Damian]

Quote "

how long did you stay on the site damian you was off line for a long time."

LOL,,,,,,not long, just saw what it was and deleted the link.

LB,sorry but I dont have it, I do not keep links like that,even for research reasons

 

[colin-yorkshire1]

hi colin
sorry I missed your announcement I have been offline for a few days owing to the dreaded man flu, it is a shame when circumstances dictate a change in direction like giving up the van especialy after such a long time but as others have said your wife's health is more important I understand this more than most as my wife is in a similar position and as she has a progressive illness it is only a matter of time before we have to do the same, "but not yet".
with rising prices and after losing our little dog we contemplated just giving up too as our holidays would just not be he same in the future and after a long discussion on the subject, one morning before christmas she dissapeared out the back door,
after about 1/2 an hour I went out to look for her she was sat in the van with all the lights and heater on reading a book that had been in the van from our last trip, what ever are you doing I said " thinking she said" you know when you suggested getting rid of the van ??? "er yes I said" well forget it, it's too dam comfy.
and that was that.
I hope thing work out allright for you both whatever you decide to do in the future. all the best.

colin.

 

[emmerson]

Damn me, Colin, I go away for a few days, and look what happens!
Sorry you're going, mate, but it's a decision only you two can make. Herself and I are getting towards that time too, but I hope we can put it off for a while longer.
Look on the bright side though, Colin - where better to not caravan from than GoC?

Go safe