North Staffs newbies.

[MrTstoke]

Hi folks, After many years of camping at shows and sites we have recently purchased our first caravan, Weight was critical so we have opted for the Bailey Orion 530/6. which comfotably sits behind our 150cc Piaggio ape, Only kidding but our Zafira isn`t much bigger. We are a family of four (girl 13 boy 9) the kids that is, not us. We show world war 2 vehicles and are therefore looking to pitch at 1940`s events aswell as holidaying in our home from home. We only aquired the van in August of 2012 so have only had 1 week and 2 weekends away so far but expect to be really busy with it throughout 2013. Our 440 mile round trip to Devon proved that the van tows superbly considering we are right on our 85% towing ratio. I could have saved all that councilling money after all.

 

[Dustydog]

Welcome to the Forum Mr Tstoke.

Some friends of ours on here attend many WW2 meets. They even dress up in uniform and 1940's clothes.

Have a look at this section: Events, rallies and owners' clubs

 

[MrTstoke]

Thanks Dustydog, I wouldn`t be surprised if we have not crossed paths with your friends at some time. There are only so many heroes, cooldudes, normals, wierdo`s, nutcases,(delete as appropriate) that dress up in 1940`s gear. We are members of the north staffs military vehicle club which can provide shows or commemorative events with vehicles from motorcycles to halftracks.All this showing is tiring so I`m looking forward to a comfortable fixed bed.

 

[Parksy]

Hi Mr T Stoke, welcome to the Practical Caravan forum and congratulations on buying your tin tent, a bit warmer that canvas

We go to 1940s events, I took a few pictures at Stoke Bruerne last year for the forum. There's a new 40's railway event in April this year on the G&W Steam Railway on the edge of the Cotswolds which is a nice part of the world to visit with your caravan and I'm sure that we'll meet up to say hello in person at one of the growing number of 40's weekends.
Some 40s events offer camping / caravanning pitches, or often there are C&CC rallies close to the events if you can't blag a free pitch

In the meantime, if there's anything about caravans, sites, towing etc that you want to find out about you've come to the right place.

 

[MrTstoke]

Thanks Parksy, We`ll let this white stuff clear and then we`ll be putting it up em before you know it. It`s amazing how popular the 40`s events have become and we will hopefully meet somewhere. In the meantime I`m sure we`ll benefit from this forum.

 

[Mel]

Hi Mr T. Welcome to the forum. What sort of vehicles do you show and, more to the point, how do you get them to the show when you are towing a van?
ever the pragmatist
mel

 

[MrTstoke]

Hello Mel, We have vehicles from motorcycles to halftracks but to be honest the larger vehicles have not been out for some time. All our vehicles are permitted on the road, (rubber tracks,original) but the halftrack only returns around 2 to 3 mpg and the GMC six wheel cargo truck (both 1944) only around 6 mpg. Its just too expensive to drive them with current fuel prices and poor business returns following the recession. We tend to take a willys jeep or BSA or Royal enfield motorcycle to shows on the back of a transit pick up which allows us to tow the caravan. My wife and daughter were getting a little bored under canvas, especially during last years monsoons so the luxury of heating and good tv will hopefully allow my son and I to enjoy the shows a little more. HAPPY CARAVANNING.

 

[Beachball]

Hi Mr T This is a belated welcome to the forum ..................

 

[MrTstoke]

Thanks Beachball, not long now before the weather and shows will be encouraging us all out. Exciting times for us beginners.