I have to admit, she was right...!

[CharltonChestwig]

After many years of resisting, I finally gave in to my wife's advice and bought a caravan. We've just returned from a fantastic weekend on the Lleyn Peninsula, Wales.

The towing vehicle is a VW T4 2.5TDI (102bhp)which I recon is approx 1750kgs. The caravan is a pristine 1995 Elddis Shamal XLI (932kgs).

I've been running a nose weight of 65kgs which is nothing on the heavy duty rear springs I've had fitted to the van. I recon this must be close to the perfect settup... A 5 seater van with plenty of oomph and space in the back for bikes etc, and a nicely laid out caravan for the 4 of us.

My son who is nearly 4 loved his bunk at the back end and didn't seem too put off by the wet weather yesterday. My daughter who is 6 months old, well, I recon she'll look at the photos in years to come and smile!

Joining the Camping and Caravanning Club was a great move too. £10/night with hook up at a quiet Certified Site. Perfect.

Here's to many more... Thanks Wend, you were right all along!

 

[Mel]

Welcome to caravanning and this forum. Glad you had such a great time. Now what has this taught you about listening to your wife?

mel

 

[CharltonChestwig]

...that's a huge slice of humble pie...!

 

[Parksy]

Welcome to the forum Charlton, you will know by now that resistance is futile when the o/h has made up her mind.

I'm sure that your young family will grow up to love caravanning and as fellow C&CC members I'd recommend trying out a local District Association rally

Rallies are a perfect way to maximise the use of your caravan for not much money and small children form friendships with the other children where they can play together happily in a safe environment.

 

[CharltonChestwig]

Parkey, that's great advice. The o/h and I have been worried that CSs are generally very quiet, which of course is nice, but doesn't allow my son to integrate with other children in the way I'd hoped. The rallies sound perfect. Maybe see you there...!?

 

[Soozeeg]

Oh you'll see him....Parksy's the one with the clipboard and metal ruler, doing his Sturmbannfuhrer....ahem, Steward's duties!

Nah, just kidding, he'll be the one in the home-crocheted stripey jumper and sandals, leading a rousing rendition of folk songs (I'd give you the name of one only I don't know any!).

No, I really am kidding.....he'll have a captive audience in fits of laughter while he's regaling them with his brilliant observational humour (and that's not kidding!! lol).

 

[Parksy]

I did have a clipboard this weekend Sue! We were stewards again because the original stewards couldn't make it. I wanted to be in charge of the biscuits at the stewards coffee morning but I was edged out by several determined looking ladies who were worried that there'd be no Bourbon biccys left for the children!

If you look at your C&CC membership card Charlton you will see what d.a. you belong to. The d.a. will hold informal rallies most weekends depending on local membership. You can simply turn up to most of these rallies with no need to book and as a C&CC member you are allowed to attend any d.a. meet the length and breadth of the country.

If you ever decide to go to a WMDA rally let me know, I'd love to see you and your family.

At our meet last weekend we were pleased to welcome members from Staffordshire, Notts and Chesterfield D.A.'s as well as our home contingent from the West Midlands.

Most of our West Midland rallies attract young families and the children all seem to play together and they get to know each other.

You will no doubt read posts from members who don't have a very positive view of rallying but my advice is to try a few, it takes time to get to know people but the effort is worth it.

Certified sites are great, less regimented than the main sites and rallies are welcoming, completely informal and very friendly.