MORNING FROM CORNWALL, GALES ARE HERE.
Well we are right in the peak of the storm and to my utter surprise, we still have an awning!
Bradcot Residencia steel poled.
Of course last night precautions were taken, all the steel poles at the extension union had "Jubilee Clips" fastened to prevent the poles retracting, which is exactly what happened to 2 roof poles in the previous barmy weather, they then fell out of the caravan side plastic feet things, luckily no damage to the caravan sides, but a lesson we are benefitting from today.
The leg poles, all five and the front two roof internal extension poles all clipped.
The middle and two corner leg poles I fitted the internal storm straps which came with the awning and very meaty long pegs designed for the job, gravel pulled back, about a good inch to get to the soil beneath allowing the pegs to be driven deep within the ground with my trusty lump hammer, no idea how I'm going to remove them but worry about that later.
All the lighter items were put in the cars just in case the awning did go, we didn't want say a canvas chair flying around the site causing damage to other units.
Next outside we double up on the ladders on the sides of the awning the upto 80mph gusts were predicted to come from, forming an inverted V at each attachment point, again moving away the gravel and battering the rock pegs in as far as I could, the rest of the pegs around the perimeter were checked and driven further in or removed and redone.
The over awning storm strap has the re-bar type pegs which seemed unmovable. I wasn't and havnt relied on the buckle but knotted the strap, not in any boy cub fashion, but belt and braces.
The caravan is on what was a static pitch so has anchor points in the concrete, I borrowed some heavy duty ratchet straps from work and very firmly at the chassis attached us to Tera Firma, this has removed lots of body movement as I can testify right now as the wind is absolutely howling outside, little bit scary to be honest, how we have survived so far without damage is beyond me!
Four hours to go before the peak is behind us, its not pleasant as its quite bad now.
Cold air being forced up the sink hole vents, through the roof lights rattling the concertina blinds, alsorts of noises from the awning as it takes the punishment, clinking metal loud slaps of canvas as its forced in against the poles, constant noise all around with the caravan having slight movement causing rattles you dont usually hear There is the odd lull in the weather but then BOOM the gusts are back, pre-warned by the whooshing noise from the trees akin to railway lines humming before you see the train, then away we go again.
I'm wide awake, anxious, preparing for the worst, ready to dash out and rescue what I can if needs be, the wife? well she's sound asleep in bed!
One thing to add, last night as I was out pegging a neighbour from a static who lives there full time, as quite a few do, came over and said no matter what time of night any problems you can stay with is, door is open.
How nice are some people.
Darren.
Well we are right in the peak of the storm and to my utter surprise, we still have an awning!
Bradcot Residencia steel poled.
Of course last night precautions were taken, all the steel poles at the extension union had "Jubilee Clips" fastened to prevent the poles retracting, which is exactly what happened to 2 roof poles in the previous barmy weather, they then fell out of the caravan side plastic feet things, luckily no damage to the caravan sides, but a lesson we are benefitting from today.
The leg poles, all five and the front two roof internal extension poles all clipped.
The middle and two corner leg poles I fitted the internal storm straps which came with the awning and very meaty long pegs designed for the job, gravel pulled back, about a good inch to get to the soil beneath allowing the pegs to be driven deep within the ground with my trusty lump hammer, no idea how I'm going to remove them but worry about that later.
All the lighter items were put in the cars just in case the awning did go, we didn't want say a canvas chair flying around the site causing damage to other units.
Next outside we double up on the ladders on the sides of the awning the upto 80mph gusts were predicted to come from, forming an inverted V at each attachment point, again moving away the gravel and battering the rock pegs in as far as I could, the rest of the pegs around the perimeter were checked and driven further in or removed and redone.
The over awning storm strap has the re-bar type pegs which seemed unmovable. I wasn't and havnt relied on the buckle but knotted the strap, not in any boy cub fashion, but belt and braces.
The caravan is on what was a static pitch so has anchor points in the concrete, I borrowed some heavy duty ratchet straps from work and very firmly at the chassis attached us to Tera Firma, this has removed lots of body movement as I can testify right now as the wind is absolutely howling outside, little bit scary to be honest, how we have survived so far without damage is beyond me!
Four hours to go before the peak is behind us, its not pleasant as its quite bad now.
Cold air being forced up the sink hole vents, through the roof lights rattling the concertina blinds, alsorts of noises from the awning as it takes the punishment, clinking metal loud slaps of canvas as its forced in against the poles, constant noise all around with the caravan having slight movement causing rattles you dont usually hear There is the odd lull in the weather but then BOOM the gusts are back, pre-warned by the whooshing noise from the trees akin to railway lines humming before you see the train, then away we go again.
I'm wide awake, anxious, preparing for the worst, ready to dash out and rescue what I can if needs be, the wife? well she's sound asleep in bed!
One thing to add, last night as I was out pegging a neighbour from a static who lives there full time, as quite a few do, came over and said no matter what time of night any problems you can stay with is, door is open.
How nice are some people.
Darren.
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