What have we all done to deserve such derision?

[Merve_5103671]

First Clarkson and now the general press trying to say that a British MP who is to tour Britain in her caravan with her husband is an embarrassment! What TOSH! Even Jeremy Vine (Radio 2 12 - 2pm) got in on the act. I understood Clarkson who is in the entertainment business and can scoff at us with his millions and OK he doesn't like caravans- I can accept that- we can't like everything can we but this thing about Margaret Beckett? Whats that all about? Good for her! thats what I say! (and I am being completely unpolitical here)She has obviously discovered CL's etc that offer the most superb peace and quiet. Who else can access these jewels except us lot? Have caravan - have untold treasures waiting to be discovered. Rock on Maggie!!

 

[Val & Frank]

I thought the Jeremy Vine show balanced, the person putting the caravan side was easy and correct. The antagonist really struggled to find a valid point,he just seemed lost.

Maybe someone at the beed hates us??/ Traffic news yesterday reported a broken down caravan on the hard shoulder causing delays. I told my Grandad to stop trying to go down the M6 just using his mover to save the environment.

Val & Frank

 

[Longsufferingwifeoffouldsy]

After feeling initially peeved by it all I've decided the mockers should continue mocking, I'd hate for the world and his wife to discover the how great caravanning really is. Let them keep pitching their ill-informed opinions from their two week holiday a year rat race. Means more site availability for the rest of us!

 

[DavidW1]

I think it's quite good for the taxpayer this Marge Beckett thing - normally her retinue would be accomodated in 5 star opulance at great expense. Much better deal for us if they have to stay in a van I reckon, that is unles we have had to fork out for new twin axle vans towed by RR's; which on second thoughts we probably have!

Aggree with the sentiment about not encouraging too many people to take up vanning, let em laugh, just leave me in peace that's all.

 

[Ken_5040834]

Jeremy Vine said Margaret Beckett tows a Bailey Pageant Champagne and the professional knocker said 'the name sums it up and says it all'.

Good luck to her and all other caravanners - as others say, if it becomes too popular, where will we all stay!

 

[Steve L]

There you are, I've said it before. You'll never know if you have a Doctor, farmer, MP, policeman, Engineer (that's me) or a dustman camped next door, and we allgreet each other in the same way.

Caravanning is one of the last bastions of a true classless society and personally I love it that way.

I can recall the top question I was asked when I went for my starter job as a CNC machine operator setter after being MD of our family engineering firm that was dumped in the pan by a large customer who went belly up on us.

The question was how would I feel about working on the shop floor after being at the top of the tree.

My reply. That was where I started from school, so climbing the ladder again is no worry to me.

You see for me "class" doesn't count the personality does.

What better way to have the freedom to see all walks of life. May be Maggie will take Tony along to sleep in the awning for a weekend away to meet the people.

 

[PC_5119929]

A surfing friend who is a London Doctor arrived at a site with his older Pajero and caravan. The car in front was a large new 500 something Mercedes towing a very new looking Bessacarr that had custom graphics finish to match with the Mercs silver paint.

In the reception the Mercs driver asked for a large pitch away from others or was prepared to pay for two pitches to have more space.

Setting up with the second pitch between them it was made obvious that the merc family were blocking out my friends family. The other people were heard saying to their children "keep away from those sort of children". After two days of being ignored when one of the children had an accident the Merc family changed when they found my friend was a Doctor.

All sorts use caravans but we've also experienced car and van snobbery on sites. I'm not so sure that caravanning is truly "classless", but in general I feel the same S in L.

 

[JoannaLesley]

Interesting final comment about snobbery. It does seem to be a parculiarly British thing. We (middle aged, middle class) have recently returned from touring Europe with our outfit. We have a van which is 23 years old (and geting a bit tatty, if I say so myself) towed by a rather battered looking (kids learned to drive in it)16 year old diesel Fiat. Both are regularly serviced and mechanically fine. It was noticable that the Brits on sites avoided us, but the Dutch, French and Germans were very friendly. On second thoughts, maybe other Brits (like us) avoid the British abroad!