New to Forum - Claire

[Chaps]

Hi everyone. I'm Claire and I live in flood soaked Sheffield. I've finally convinced my lovely husband Rob that we should buy our first caravan having been part-time tent campers for the last few years. I was brought up with a touring caravan and have lots of fond memories of our little 12 foot sprite alpine. We had it adapted from a 4 berth to a 5 berth by adding an extra bunk over the double bed so that my Nan could come with us - 3 adults and 2 kids in such a small space meant we were a very close family indeed! The bunks were 2 metal poles with orange nylon between them and we only had cold water that you had to pump with a little foot pedal - oh those were the days!

Hoping for a little more luxury this time around - looking at nearly new 5 berths. We have 3 great boys (11 year old twins and a 3 year old) and we want to get them into the great outdoors and away from computer games and TV. Bailey Pageant Series 5 Provence looking good or possibly Swift Challenger 490 with U shaped seating so we can snuggle up to watch TV in the evenings if the British weather keeps us inside.

We need to change our car (Vauxhall Zafira 1.6 at mo) and I've posted a topic about this for advice on a suitable MPV for towing.

Finding lots of useful hints and tips on the Forum - great to find such a friendly bunch. Cheers!

 

[LadyMo]

Claire,

Welcome to the forum and we hope that the coming weekend is not a disaster weather wise for you.Ann on this forum is also from Sheffield.

We have a Pageant Series 5 Burgundy which we love to bits ( but of course there's only 2 of us.)

I also had twins although mine are now 40!! but have fond memories of when they were little.

Enjoy your caravanning to come

Maureen

 

[Chaps]

Claire,

Welcome to the forum and we hope that the coming weekend is not a disaster weather wise for you.Ann on this forum is also from Sheffield.

We have a Pageant Series 5 Burgundy which we love to bits ( but of course there's only 2 of us.)

I also had twins although mine are now 40!! but have fond memories of when they were little.

Enjoy your caravanning to come

Maureen

Thanks for your kind words Maureen. We live near the top of one of Sheffield's 7 hills so consider ourselves very fortunate indeed to be out of the flood zone. Lots of homes and businesses affected but our Yorkshire spirit will get us through.

 

[Chaps]

Well, we're off to collect our Geist AK495 caravan on Friday afternoon. We replaced our 1.6 Zafira with a 1.9 diesel 150 bhp Zafira - original ehh?! The towbar is fitted, we've booked the kids in with their grandparents & it's just me and Rob up the A1 to Durham! The kids are joining us on Saturday so at least we'll have our first night in peace! 2 Nights at CC site in Durham then up to Haven site, Haggerston Castle, in Berwick for 4 nights. We've been to Haggerston before in a static but can't wait to be in our own van. A bit too commercialised for me but I had to agree as the husband is a keen golfer and they're a lovely course on site - one of the ways I twisted his arm about buying a caravan was how golf friendly it would be! Wish us luck - we'll need it as neither of us has ever towed before. I'll report back on our return.

Claire

 

[Chaps]

Had a fantastic first outing in our caravan but it wasn't without it's problems. I towed it first and really struggled to reverse it onto our pitch at The Grange Caravan Club Site in Durham. It didn't help that a most unhelpful fellow caravanner sat from the comfort of his van laughing at my attempts - we all have to start somewhere. Eventually Rob took over and we managed to get it in the centre of the pitch but then struggled to unhitch! Our kind neighbour at the other side - thanks John from Leeds with the Bailey Ranger - came to help and we worked it out between us. He'd seen all the boxes of equipment in the back of the car, realised we were new to this game and took pity on us - this was what I'd hoped for from this hobby not what we got from the other side!

Had a lovely couple of days in Durham, packed up & hitched up on Sunday and the caravan lights didn't work. Spoke to Geist who gave us advice but still didn't work, called the AA who diagnosed problems with the towing electrics which had only been fitted by Towsure in Sheffield a week before. Had to stay an extra night, spoke to Towsure first thing on Monday morning and fixed the problem in 30 seconds - a blown fuse! Why the AA didn't spot it I don't know but never mind but suffice it to say we now carry spare fuses in case it happens again!

Tootled up the A1 to Berwick on Monday, had a lovely time again with superb weather. Actually spoke to our kids (got them away from computers etc) and taught them how to play Rummy! This was why I wanted a caravan - back to basics but with a flushing toilet! Hubby played golf, little one rode his scooter, bigger boys went swimming, Mum read Harry Potter! Joyful week, lots learnt, still lots to learn, happy family! Only snag really was that we were supposed to be keeping the caravan at parents-in-laws but it was very hard to get down their drive so we're looking for alternative storage for next year.

Grange site lovely facilities. Haggerston Castle very dated touring facilities, tightly packed together when busy but only 7 vans last week so ok. Love the caravan, fab layout for our family, can't wait for Easter when we go again.

 

[Pat_374304630]

Just picked up the your topic.

Glad you had a good time on your first outing.The more you tow the easier it becomes.

And yes you are right,caravanners are very friendly.

Keep posting

 

[AnnM1]

Welcome Claire and Rob from another Sheffielder. Glad to hear your first trip went so well. Don't worry about looking a bit daft on arriving on site(s), etc., we all have to learn new 'tricks' at some point in time. We have been vanning for years, initially tenters and we are still learning!!! If you have any problems, I am sure this Forum will be helpful. Look forward to seeing you future postings!

Ann

 

[GrahamSouthBrum]

Hi Claire & Rob

I can only say sorry for the person that found your reversing funny, as you say we all have to start somewhere. )

I think there are 3 types of caravaner,

Those who think it is great fun watching people strugle reversing & putting up awnings.

Those that want to help, but fear being told I can manage dont need your help.

Those that will get stuck in & just help.

All the best

G.

 

[Chaps]

Thanks all for your kind comments. I'm sure that it'll all get much easier as we get used to it. I seemed much more relaxed when when towing than Rob did - maybe that will end up being my job. He did actually do the worst bit - back into Sheffield and through Hillsborough (fortunatley no football match on the day we came home!) so I can understand him being nervous. We're really taken with the lifestyle and are asking for caravanning presents for christmas - I don't want smellies from Boots I want a cable tidy for the electric hook up lead! Thanks again.