our first trip in the caravan

[kelly2]

Well, its almost time for our first trip in our first caravan.

We picked up our Bailey ranger last week, we've spent alot of time in it cleaning it and checking everythings in working order (plus sitting on oh's parents drive in it eating a cream tea lol)

Our first trip is to Oxford with the springer spaniel group - we try and arrange a yearly meet but usually we're in a tent! This year will be so much better!!

Being a fan of lists, does anyone keep a list of 'don't forget to takes' when they go away??

Also, what crockery do people use? I've been looking at some lovely melamine sets (love the square plates) but also wondering if we could use proper crockery without breaking it all in transit.

 

[Parksy]

Hi Kelly

I store a caravan list on my computer and print a copy when we are preparing the caravan for a trip.( I've just done that this morning)

I fetched our caravan from storage yesterday and it's on our drive now where I'll wash it to remove the black streaks and load the essentials before we go away on Friday morning.

Besides the obvious items like ehu lead and water and waste containers our list contains mundane things like toothpaste and teabags which Herself crosses off when they are loaded.

The list didn't prevent me from taking the awning but forgetting the poles on a visit to Cornwall some years back though.

We use 'normal' crockery, glasses and cups in our caravan. When travelling we keep them on the floor with the large clothing holdall over the axle in one of those square plastic containers that can be bought from pound shops and we've never had any problems.

Good Luck and enjoy your first outing. Don't forget to let us know how it went when you come back

 

[glake]

i don't keep a list of what not to forget as i keep my van fully equiped and ready for the off (just add cloths and family) but i do make a list whilst away of essential equipment that is not currently in my van i.e. i must get an egg timer!

 

[LadyMo]

I have check lists and still usually manage to forget something.Bubble wrap for your crockery is great......we started off with melamine stuff but the opinion was that proper crockery was better.

 

[kelly2]

I'm thinking proper crockery is the way to go - we have a few melamine bits from our camping days incase of sudden breakages.

Off to browse the argos catalogue : )

 

[ThePlotter]

We have always (33 years) used ordinary crockery and travel with it in the crockery rack in the locker,never had a problem so see no reason to do anything different

 

[Ian341]

Hi Kelly,

We have a loading list that we print off before a trip and then cross everything off before we leave.

We use normal china crockery in the van, make sure you load it correctly and that it is padded out before you leave, we use things such as an oven glove and tea towels to pad them out and then we can use these when onsite.

Make sure that if you carry the crockery in the lockers that the door is properly closed before you leave.

Ian

 

[Chrisbee]

Hi Kelly

I too have a couple of lists that I print from my PC. I also have a laminated departure check list I keep in the caravan. You only have to forget to lock the fridge once to appreciate the value of such a list.

 

[mistermac]

Hi Kelly

Couple of things I would suggest....

1. Don't rely too heavily on the SAT NAV - they can take you up some very cosy roads!

2. Have you had a go at erecting your awning beforehand? We almost got divorced (and we weren't married) when we took ours away on our first trip....

3. Have a look around the site at how other people have set up their kit/'van/pitch. You'll pick up no end of tips just from looking.

Enjoy! It's great!

Mac