Newbies to Caravanning

[lynn@oldfields.net]

Hi there Everyone!!

Well...what an exciting day..we have purchased our first caravan and this is my first visit to a forum too!!!

Its been lovely to read all the friendly, helpful hints and tips along with the welcoming messages to other newcomers....what a lovely bunch you are!!

We are thrilled with our new Bailey Pageant 7 Provence which is a special 10th Wedding Anniversary gift to each other, my hubby Ade being particularly chuffed upgrading from the tent... (although I'm still very fond of it!!). We have a daughter Phoebe who is 22months and recovering from a Bone Marrow Transplant so deciding to buy a caravan will hopefully bring lots of happy family times ahead during this recovery and many years to come.

Any hints for just starting out on this new journey would be great and I look forward to chatting here...

Lynn, Ade and Phoebe

 

[Barkas]

Hi Stokies. I loved my tent too but i got fed up with living off the floor day to day, with a two year old aboard you should find it a lot easier with the extra amenities a van offers especially the end of the late night visit to the site loo to keep the spiders company. Kids tend to love the adventure of caravan holidays in general and I'm sure Phoebe will enjoy it. My tip would be,.... don;t buy an awning until you have used the van a few times, some people are space mad and have "bungalow" type set ups, and don't jump straight in and join a caravan club, try some independent sites first and you will soon find a few gems to return to again and again, and keep it fairly local at first with a two year old cos they get bored on long journeys at that age.

 

[Pat_374304630]

Greetings and welcome

 

[lynn@oldfields.net]

Hi Stokies. I loved my tent too but i got fed up with living off the floor day to day, with a two year old aboard you should find it a lot easier with the extra amenities a van offers especially the end of the late night visit to the site loo to keep the spiders company. Kids tend to love the adventure of caravan holidays in general and I'm sure Phoebe will enjoy it. My tip would be,.... don;t buy an awning until you have used the van a few times, some people are space mad and have "bungalow" type set ups, and don't jump straight in and join a caravan club, try some independent sites first and you will soon find a few gems to return to again and again, and keep it fairly local at first with a two year old cos they get bored on long journeys at that age.

Aaah, bless you

Were you reading my mind? Thanks you have tempered my almost fizzing excitement to run in the accessory shop and buy everything immediately!!! i'm glad to say that I have taken your advice on the awning and joining a caravan club straightaway!! I decided to take a look at a few magazines and there are many offers on awnings and especially with various camping shows coming up i will definitely take your sound advice and use the van for a few trips first.

Cheers for your message, much appreciated!!

Lynn

 

[lynn@oldfields.net]

Thanks Pat

I look forward to spending a little more time on the forum getting to know you happy campers out there and sourcing some good advice.

Lynn

 

[dixie1]

Hi Stokies

I guess by your name you,re from my area..(albeit we live near to Alton Towers. we still class ourselves as Stokies.

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on the new addition!

Happy Caravanning.

Love Carmen

 

[lynn@oldfields.net]

Hi Stokies

I guess by your name you,re from my area..(albeit we live near to Alton Towers. we still class ourselves as Stokies.

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on the new addition!

Happy Caravanning.

Love Carmen

Hi Carmen

Thanks for your warm welcome...absolutely class yourselves as Stokies...the friendliest people around!!!

Happy Caravanning yourselves, you never know we maybe parked next to each other some day? Any good camps to recommend?

Lynn

 

[angel3]

Welcome Lynn and Stokies!

You soundabout as excited as I was this time last year when we bought our first van too! I have to say it's been the best thing we ever did and I've enjoyed every minute, whatever the weather. We have a 5 year old and a nearly 3 year old and they love their van. I'd agree to just go local for your first trip so you can get there quickly and concentrate on learning how to set up. OUr first trip was comedy! We got lost on the way and didn't get set up until half nine at night! We were rescued by some very friendly 'van neighbours who showed us the ropes. We learned quickly tho and had a fab time (despite trying to drive home with the corner steady tool sticking out of the side of the van!)

Hope your little one is recovering well,

Enjoy!

Angel

 

[ChristineandAlan]

hi and welcome to the site, hope you find it useful.

 

[kieran1]

Hello Stokies, welcome to the forum we have just joined aswell.

A quick question for you, we have the same van as you and when you make the bed up at the rear do you find that the cushions dont fit well (small gap) I always end up in the gap during the night. My other half thinks maybe a small cushion missing?

kind regards Marg.