It could be a record!

Nov 11, 2009
20,335
6,240
50,935
Visit site
In 2014 we sold a really nice Volvo—Bailey outfit that really wasn’t being used enough. Everything went down to the last awning peg. Over the next three years we had some three trips to the sub Continent, northern Spain, Ireland and within UK too. When we travelled abroad the dogs were kennelled. In late 2016 we got nostalgic again for a caravan and as George Osborne had stopped NHS funding for staff to study for a nursing degree our daughters plans were stopped dead in their tracks. Being a single mum with a 13 year old she wasn’t in any position to take out student loans. So we decided to buy another caravan in December 2016.

Our first forays were short stays in local sites, with Scotland being the longer summer trip. Not a howling success with appalling ing weather and midges, so we ran south to Northumberland which at least was drier and midge-less. Then our daughter was offered a two year NHS funded Foundation degree in integrated mental health and social care. This was a pilot course set up in anticipation of changes to the way health and care were expected to go when the Government had made its decision. ( still waiting on that one). So we all agreed that it could work.

2018 started okay and we had organised a long trip to Luxembourg, Germany and France but a week before setting off my father took ill and until July 2019 I spent long periods in Leicester, at time taking the caravan up there. In between time we had moved house to be closer to our daughter as we were doing lots of commuting and late nights. Our holiday in Suffolk that autumn was cancelled as my BIL fell ill and we were up and down to Coventry. Our daughter graduated, and then surprise, surprise she was offered a degree course in Mental Health Nursing which required on site training, study days and remote working. This was in parallel with her community role. She started that in Autumn 2019 and it became clear that her time working on wards would involve an 80 mile round trip with some pretty unsocial hours. So we decided to put the caravan on a seasonal pitch for 2020. But Covid cropped up and the fees were refunded before the pitch was even used. We thought about selling it in June last year and Swindon caravans offered us £7000. But given the covid hiatus we decided it could be the only means of a holiday and had four trips away between July and November.

The first trip this year was to Yorkshire and to say that the weather wasn’t great would be an understatement. Also the dogs had picked up a bug and had colitis. Not great getting up at 0500 and sleeping in your day clothes ☹ I had previously booked a mid year damp check and on our return the results were okay despite being used and towed in wet cold weather. I then took our granddaughter and her friend to the Forest of Dean as she’d had a pretty disappointing 12 months. The weather was great and the Cadac was used every day. So my wife and I discussed our options and came to the conclusion that with the dogs getting older and our commitments for 2021-22 we would sell the caravan.

The advertisement went onto Autotrader last Thursday morning at around 0900 and ten minutes later the first call came in. A trader offered £8 k after seeing the damp report and could pick it up next day. Two more came in with similar offers very quickly afterwards. A private buyer then rang at 1020, then travelled from Cardiff to view it and by 1500 the caravan and all of its kit was sold. A record?

What do we do next?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bard Rooney

PTA

Mar 5, 2020
391
242
4,935
Visit site
Sorry to hear about your travails.

Next steps really depend on how much you like caravanning, your budget and, possibly, your age.
If you feel that starting caravanning again is a possibility post 2022, then hold off and save up ready to recommence.

If, on the other hand, you have decided "that's it- full stop," then there are plenty of other options- cruises (not my favourite but plenty of people love them), package holidays, foreign breaks, cottage rental, statics etc.

My own mindset, currently, is that, as someone in their 70s, caravanning keeps me young and, hopefully, alert (!). Giving it up would be akin to admitting I'm too old!

Apologies if all this is a bit obvious. Good luck in your decision making.
 

Ern

May 23, 2021
455
211
935
Visit site
Sorry to hear of your troubles otherclive. We are mid 70's have been close to quitting in the last couple of years, but we have hung on and intend to continue caravanning. Family complications and health just as you. Best of luck mate.
 
Nov 16, 2015
10,531
2,865
40,935
Visit site
Sorry to hear that OC, but glad your van and stuff went quick, We too, are also thinking about selling up due to hip problems for Mrs H, every time we get a pitch booked, another appointment crops up for either of us.
As another friend said, who sold his caravan, there is a lot of BandB's around in pubs to go to.
Keep in touch on the forum,
Take care.
 
Jan 3, 2012
9,623
2,065
30,935
Visit site
In 2014 we sold a really nice Volvo—Bailey outfit that really wasn’t being used enough. Everything went down to the last awning peg. Over the next three years we had some three trips to the sub Continent, northern Spain, Ireland and within UK too. When we travelled abroad the dogs were kennelled. In late 2016 we got nostalgic again for a caravan and as George Osborne had stopped NHS funding for staff to study for a nursing degree our daughters plans were stopped dead in their tracks. Being a single mum with a 13 year old she wasn’t in any position to take out student loans. So we decided to buy another caravan in December 2016.

Our first forays were short stays in local sites, with Scotland being the longer summer trip. Not a howling success with appalling ing weather and midges, so we ran south to Northumberland which at least was drier and midge-less. Then our daughter was offered a two year NHS funded Foundation degree in integrated mental health and social care. This was a pilot course set up in anticipation of changes to the way health and care were expected to go when the Government had made its decision. ( still waiting on that one). So we all agreed that it could work.

2018 started okay and we had organised a long trip to Luxembourg, Germany and France but a week before setting off my father took ill and until July 2019 I spent long periods in Leicester, at time taking the caravan up there. In between time we had moved house to be closer to our daughter as we were doing lots of commuting and late nights. Our holiday in Suffolk that autumn was cancelled as my BIL fell ill and we were up and down to Coventry. Our daughter graduated, and then surprise, surprise she was offered a degree course in Mental Health Nursing which required on site training, study days and remote working. This was in parallel with her community role. She started that in Autumn 2019 and it became clear that her time working on wards would involve an 80 mile round trip with some pretty unsocial hours. So we decided to put the caravan on a seasonal pitch for 2020. But Covid cropped up and the fees were refunded before the pitch was even used. We thought about selling it in June last year and Swindon caravans offered us £7000. But given the covid hiatus we decided it could be the only means of a holiday and had four trips away between July and November.

The first trip this year was to Yorkshire and to say that the weather wasn’t great would be an understatement. Also the dogs had picked up a bug and had colitis. Not great getting up at 0500 and sleeping in your day clothes ☹ I had previously booked a mid year damp check and on our return the results were okay despite being used and towed in wet cold weather. I then took our granddaughter and her friend to the Forest of Dean as she’d had a pretty disappointing 12 months. The weather was great and the Cadac was used every day. So my wife and I discussed our options and came to the conclusion that with the dogs getting older and our commitments for 2021-22 we would sell the caravan.

The advertisement went onto Autotrader last Thursday morning at around 0900 and ten minutes later the first call came in. A trader offered £8 k after seeing the damp report and could pick it up next day. Two more came in with similar offers very quickly afterwards. A private buyer then rang at 1020, then travelled from Cardiff to view it and by 1500 the caravan and all of its kit was sold. A record?

What do we do next?
Hi OC Sorry to hear of your travels and selling the caravan you can now look at family short breaks / Long breaks Lodges Statics & holidays abroad like someone says keep in touch on the forum :)
 
Jun 20, 2005
17,375
3,558
50,935
Visit site
That’s a surprise Clive. Very sad to hear you two are giving up , for the moment🤫🤫. Your reasons are well stated and fully appreciated by all. Swindon Caravans and Chipping Sodbury have offered me cash for mine. No sale! It is clearly a sellers market today and at least you can say you yielded a very good return on your investment from 2016. I still believe once Covid restrictions are relaxed, come this time next year there will hundreds of excellent bargains from people leaving caravanning for sunnier Climes. Maybe you will rise again from the ashes!
Ido hope you will continue posting on here. Best wishes
DD
 
May 24, 2014
3,687
763
20,935
Visit site
Im very sorry to see you leave our fraternity though Im sure you will be back. I hope you stick around the forum though.
 

Parksy

Moderator
Nov 12, 2009
11,904
2,399
40,935
Visit site
Sorry that you've given up caravanning Clive, but your reasons are very understandable.
There are hotels, B&Bs and holiday accommodation out there which will provide very pleasant breaks for you, so enjoy, but please stay in touch
 
Nov 11, 2009
20,335
6,240
50,935
Visit site
Thanks to all for their kind thoughts. Having given up once 2014-17 I don't think the we will restart again., its not the finances it is the time to enjoy it. We did discuss just selling the caravan and holding on to the kit and buying next year when (or if) the market drops, but decided against that option. Even when we had caravan after I retired in 2000 we would combine caravan holidays with trips in UK and abroad. When we sold up in 2014 we had some lovely holidays both driving or longer haul. As folks have said there are lots of options and most we have tried and enjoyed so we are not short of options as long as we stay fit. My son wants to go halves on re-homing a Coventry Cat, but the jury is still out on that one.

As for cruises..... surely you are having a laugh. :) No comments please re the shorts, as clearly it was the Chinese tailor's vengeance as being responsible for Outside Spaces we couldn't keep the steam flowing and it cost him money.


D4C57B46-35FE-4D44-B674-66B577817048_1_201_a.jpeg
 
Mar 8, 2009
1,851
334
19,935
Visit site
I'm afraid this fella seems to be influencing alot of our decisions and actions at 'our place'.
1624457370824.png

Due to covid restrictions and hospital 'treatments/appointments' haven't used the van for 18 months. Still not sorted or fit enough to get going again. Wife reckons we have finished, but me not sure (quite) yet, I haven't given in quite just yet. Certainly not rushing the decision , keep thinking tomorrow will be better. But to be honest (after 44 years) haven't missed vanning as much as we/I thought we should, I'm staying reasonably optimistic, certainly not 'giving' the van away yet!
There's always next year, or is there?
 
Nov 11, 2009
20,335
6,240
50,935
Visit site
I'm afraid this fella seems to be influencing alot of our decisions and actions at 'our place'.
View attachment 1765

Due to covid restrictions and hospital 'treatments/appointments' haven't used the van for 18 months. Still not sorted or fit enough to get going again. Wife reckons we have finished, but me not sure (quite) yet, I haven't given in quite just yet. Certainly not rushing the decision , keep thinking tomorrow will be better. But to be honest (after 44 years) haven't missed vanning as much as we/I thought we should, I'm staying reasonably optimistic, certainly not 'giving' the van away yet!
There's always next year, or is there?
GG sorry to hear of your dilemma it’s never easy to give up something you enjoy. Our decision whilst seemingly quick had been maturing since early 2020 when we decided on a seasonal pitch. that didn’t happen due to Covid. But we have no regrets supporting our daughter and family, it has brought us satisfaction in other areas. We also see it as investing fir our future as her specialist area is mental health care of the elderly. Probably the reason she took us to see The Father…….while we could still understand the film. Well almost understand ☹
 

Mel

Mar 17, 2007
5,370
1,312
25,935
Visit site
Well OC, it has been a decision you have been going over for a while now. You have finally made it and so you are now in clear water to make different plans. No more looking at the van and thinking you should be using it more. Freedom from agonising should we/ Shouldn’t we. Glad you have got there, it can’t have been easy.
All the very best with whatever holiday plans you make now.
mel
 
Nov 11, 2009
20,335
6,240
50,935
Visit site
Well OC, it has been a decision you have been going over for a while now. You have finally made it and so you are now in clear water to make different plans. No more looking at the van and thinking you should be using it more. Freedom from agonising should we/ Shouldn’t we. Glad you have got there, it can’t have been easy.
All the very best with whatever holiday plans you make now.
mel
Mel
As ever you have hit the target spot on. Three breaks (short ones) already booked in Wales from September. Thanks. OC
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mel
Jan 3, 2012
9,623
2,065
30,935
Visit site
Thanks to all for their kind thoughts. Having given up once 2014-17 I don't think the we will restart again., its not the finances it is the time to enjoy it. We did discuss just selling the caravan and holding on to the kit and buying next year when (or if) the market drops, but decided against that option. Even when we had caravan after I retired in 2000 we would combine caravan holidays with trips in UK and abroad. When we sold up in 2014 we had some lovely holidays both driving or longer haul. As folks have said there are lots of options and most we have tried and enjoyed so we are not short of options as long as we stay fit. My son wants to go halves on re-homing a Coventry Cat, but the jury is still out on that one.

As for cruises..... surely you are having a laugh. :) No comments please re the shorts, as clearly it was the Chinese tailor's vengeance as being responsible for Outside Spaces we couldn't keep the steam flowing and it cost him money.


View attachment 1763
A picture to be proud off
 
Apr 20, 2009
5,484
833
25,935
Visit site
Well Well OC, what a decision to make, but I am sure with your experience you have taken the right path .....for now!
I am hitting the big 60 next month and still working and as you know
I/we keep thinking of alternatives, motorhomes, camper vans and the dilemma is agonising as the van sits on the drive not going very far.
Our latest thoughts are as per yourself a seasonal and indeed we have applied for a few, see where the path takes us.
OC dont stop posting on here, your knowledge and contributions are always interesting to read.
Good luck.
 
  • Like
Reactions: otherclive
Oct 20, 2015
191
165
18,635
Visit site
As has been said, Clive, it won't have been a choice taken lightly and I'm sorry to read of your decision: but you've made it for the right reasons - for yourselves. I enjoy reading your postings- your knowledge, experience and indeed banter are hugely valuable contributions to this forum. Whilst absolutely wishing you the very best of happiness in your future adventures, I hope that you will enjoy continuing sharing your words here.
Cheers Clive, Wayne
 
  • Like
Reactions: otherclive
Sep 24, 2008
919
238
19,135
Visit site
In 2015 after getting back from Germany My wife said its about time we done something else. So we went to Italy by coach for two weeks , she did not like hotel life. Then by coach to Scotland did not like coach travelling. Sold the Charisma535 at loss to dealer. Moved house nearer her relatives in June 16. Her young nephew said would we like to come for a day fishing at Horsley CC. that night spoke about how enjoyable the day went and by breakfast next morning looking at adverts for cheaper caravan as did not know how long it would last. Got a Sterling Topaz, by August was away to Cornwall. Apart from the the period of no caravanning we have been away each month for a week at a time since .Will this October holiday be the last ?.As for aches and pains , I have the T shirt with my replacement bits. We wish you well which ever you decide .
 

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts