Hi, Family (3 children) New to forum!!!

[Thanielle]

Hello, everyone! Nice weather if a bit cold in South wales today, really looking forward to Easter in Cornwall in the Caravan!

We have a 5 berth 2003 caravan which we tow with a deisel Freelander.We have 3 little boys who absolutely love being in the caravan. We are fairly new to caravanning (2 years now) and have just bought an awning so will now feel like "real" caravanners once we have mastered erecting it for the first time this coming weekend!!! Can't wait for THAT,I'm sure we'll entertain some of you experts in the process!! Just need to get a wind break now...........

 

[Lol1]

Welcome to the Forum Sharon. Hope you enjoy what it has to offer. Cornwall at Easter uh? Not thought of that one before, won't those winds be a little bracing?

 

[Thanielle]

Hi Lol,

ha ha, yes perhaps so , but not while we are (hopefully) languishing inside our newly and of course effortlessly and expertly erected awning!!!

In reality probably sat watching said awning flapping miserably in wind having taken 2 heavy duty paracetamol each!

 

[Lol1]

Oh yes, you wont be used to the pleasure of awning erection. Best advice, keep cool, have seen it mentioned in divorce proceedings before (haven't really) and lay everything on the ground in the position that it will go up. If it looks a little loose on the corners, or flaps a little, don't worry, we were all like that to begin with and some still are!

 

[sparkes]

Hi Sharon and family

I hope you have a great time in Cornwall and it is warm for you. Welcome to the forum.

Could you do us a favor and video the first time you put the awning up? I could do with a laugh but cannot make cornwall this weekend

;-)

 

[Thanielle]

Hi Steve

Oh, i'm sure such a video, particularly the sound track, would not be fit for family viewing, ha ha.

Hmmmm, don't know why but i'm getting spookily more and more nervous of our first attempt........

Sharon

 

[sparkes]

Sharon

If you are worried about somthing.... NEVER ask advice on a forum. There is always some sad (person) who will get a kick out of it...

NO, you will be fine. get yourself some coloured electrical tape and when the awning is up mark the pole joints with it. next time, you will look like a pro!

Steve

 

[Thanielle]

Thanks, Steve, will get some tape tomorrow!

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

Hello Sharon, while putting up the awning your better half will be under enormous pressure so a word of advice, dont say to him "isn't that pole in the wrong place" or "that pole isn't tensioned enough", let him find out for himself and peace will reign. Well I think it might. heheheh! just post a pic on here of your handiwork ;O)

 

[lunar2000]

Sharon,

You'll need three ( 3 ) rolls of tape, each different colour,eg: Centre poles = yellow tape.

Left poles = blue.

Right poles = Red.

or any combination that suites you. You could get away with only two colours, just mark two sets of poles and the rest is obvious

 

[crusader_5040706]

my tip for what its worth is yes use tape but when you are sure all the poles are in the correct place write on the poles eg 1 joint 1 2 joint 2 ect . that is were they join put a number either side of connection , i used a cd marker pen fine line and waterproof jim

 

[Thanielle]

Ta big thanks to everyone, (i must say, does sound a bit complicated though ,on reflection - better let my wise and wonderful husband take COMPLETE control of this venture, yes, thats a good idea, i'll just make the teas.......)i suppose he'll need my help though, boo.

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

Ta big thanks to everyone, (i must say, does sound a bit complicated though ,on reflection - better let my wise and wonderful husband take COMPLETE control of this venture, yes, thats a good idea, i'll just make the teas.......)i suppose he'll need my help though, boo.

...... yes, but you must be the good submissive wife ;O) lmaaooooo

 

[Lol1]

my tip for what its worth is yes use tape but when you are sure all the poles are in the correct place write on the poles eg 1 joint 1 2 joint 2 ect . that is were they join put a number either side of connection , i used a cd marker pen fine line and waterproof jim

Good tip Crusader, that's what I used to do.

 

[Lol1]

Ta big thanks to everyone, (i must say, does sound a bit complicated though ,on reflection - better let my wise and wonderful husband take COMPLETE control of this venture, yes, thats a good idea, i'll just make the teas.......)i suppose he'll need my help though, boo.

Steady Lord B, this aint no common or garden Milk Maid we're talking to, never know what might happen, especially if you decide to fly....

 

[Denise4]

Hi Sharon, Tell me how is caravanning with 3 little ones. We live in Cornwall and are heading towards Exeter for our first trip ever this weekend. We have a 4 yr old girl and twin boys 20 months. I am excited but dreading it at the same time. How old were yours when you started out and do you have any advice for me. We to have bought an awning which looks massive and my poor husband is NOT practical so if anyone is at Cofton Park this weekend look out for a Lunar Quasar with lots of noise coming from it and come over to help!! By the way where are you going in Cornwall? Denise

 

[Thanielle]

Hi Denise!

Our boys are now 10, 6 and 3 and we have been caravanning for 2 years now.I have to say there has never been any other type of holiday we have ever been on that is more relaxing than being in the caravan, something weird just happens and i always feel sooooo chilled out after the first night/day. My little one was just toddling when we first got the caravan and i did worry it all might be too much hassle - but it was fine.I personally find the run up to going on a trip a lot more strssful than actually being away!! My advice would be to make yourself a check list for the first few times you go away that you can tick off.

And don't let your first trip away put you off caravanning, because you will prob end up saying "oh, we forgot the.... or oh, we could have done with getting a...... " Use your first trip as a learning mission - it really does get easier each time, i promise!!!

Also, get a set of stuff you can leave in the caravan (e.g. crockery, a kettle, teatowels, tin opener,shampoo etc,a few outdoor toys for the children and VERY important for a family- a rechargable or small plug in vacuum cleaner!!) so that when you go away in the future you can just concentrate on getting your children and yourself ready and just your clothes/towels/food cupboard stuff etc packed.

We too have bought an awning to use for the first time this year, fingers crossed for that!It will be really useful as somewhere to put wet shoes, coats etc and will be great for you for your babybuggy etc.

We are going to Helston, a site called Mullion on Saturday, for a week. You are off to Exeter? We used to live in Brixham near Torquay so we know the Exeter area quite well, and miss it too, i might add!!Which area in Cornwall do you live? you are very lucky to live in that part of the world.If i don't hear back from you before your trip i wish you good luck - but you WILL love it, and your kids will too, especially if the weather is fine. Sharon

 

[Denise4]

Thankyou Sharon. We are slowly packing up the van with bits & pieces like pans, crockery etc although i've told my husband not to expect to much cooking to be going on this time.! I think I'm just worried about the lack of space and when you are used to lots of space at home and then all of a sudden we are all going to be cooped up in this caravan. Of course what would be nice would be lovely weather all the time but I know that is not going to be the case. What made us do this was before the boys came along when Lucy was 2 we went to Mallorca for a week and she was ill and we spent all week stuck in an apartment and couldn't even get a flight home. Now in a caravan IF anything happens its so easy to pack up and get home and you are free to travel when you wish. Everyone seems to love it so I hope we will. We live in Luxulyan near the Eden Project, but I am from Exeter, we only moved here because of husbands job but it is lovely. Tell me when your little one was a toddler did you use a bed guard and what did you use to protect the beds. My two are still in nappies but I am worried about leakages or being sick......Also eating in the van is going to be tricky cause we can't fit two high chairs in and the boys aren't old enough to sit up and they are very messy with their food - now can you see why I'm worried. I'm thinking about taking the high chairs and feeding them in the awning! Anyhow hope the weather is kind down here for Easter, it has been beautiful blue sky for the last week. We had rain today but has cleared now. Hope you enjoy yourselves. Denise.

 

[chelsea1]

welcome to the forum, its a good site with lots of excellent friendly advice to hand.

we live in devon, so you will probably pass us somewhere on the M5 on the way down to cornwall, have fun!

 

[Thanielle]

Hi again Denise

You could use a plastic sheet or use a cheap duvet under the babies bed in case of accidents,we were lucky that way, he never leaked!Also, when he was smaller we didnt need to use a bedguard because we made up the big double at the rear of our van and he slept in that alongside his 2 brothers, one on each side, so he never fell out -but that solution doesnt really help you,does it, having 2 little ones. It depends on the layout of your van but you could put your little girl at the edge? its an interesting problem,out of interestlet me know how you solve it!

Feeding the little ones in the awning sounds like an EXCELLENT idea to me. You could get an electric heater for the awning to make it more comfy if its cold out there. (if youre paying for hook-up anyway...) - but be careful NOT to have too many electrical things on at once as you will trip the fuse, as we have done LOADS of times ha ha!

By the way, i have found any sick etc on our caravan upholstery usually comes off a treat (add some carpet cleaner mousse stuff to your list!)I used to stress about mess at first as our van is in really nice condition but i'm much better now. As i say i just chill out when i'm in the van for some weird reason!

We are planning a trip to Eden Project! can't wait!

 

[Thanielle]

PS Denise, anything else you want to ask re: caravans and small children, please do(nice to feel i can help for once!)If not, keep in touch, let me know how you got on!! - sharon

 

[Denise4]

Hi Sharon, thanks for the tip about shampoo for the seats I hadn't thought of that one. Our van has the childrens sleeping area is at the back, fixed bunks and a single bed so Lucy will have the top bunk and the twins in the bottom and the bed. I have got a bed guard which I will use and I will get another. Must get a heater for the awning but wanted them to play in there and dont want them to touch the heater. Are you dreading putting the awning up, its probably a big one if you have a 5 berth van. We haven't been able to practice with ours as the van is kept in storage about 1/2 hour away. We will have to comapre notes on our return. Where in the country are you? If I think of anything else I will ask. Thanks Denise

 

[Denise4]

Hi Sharon, thanks for the tip about shampoo for the seats I hadn't thought of that one. Our van has the childrens sleeping area is at the back, fixed bunks and a single bed so Lucy will have the top bunk and the twins in the bottom and the bed. I have got a bed guard which I will use and I will get another. Must get a heater for the awning but wanted them to play in there and dont want them to touch the heater. Are you dreading putting the awning up, its probably a big one if you have a 5 berth van. We haven't been able to practice with ours as the van is kept in storage about 1/2 hour away. We will have to comapre notes on our return. Where in the country are you? If I think of anything else I will ask. Thanks Denise

Sorry Sharon just read your original post you are in South Wales.

 

[Thanielle]

Hi again Denise, No we havent practised with our awning at all, ours has not even been out of the box yet because like you, our caravan is stored vaway from home.Yes, lets compare notes after the event Hope you all have a nice holiday!! Sharon xx