Where are all the winter caravanners hiding out?

[Collin]

Just got back from my daily walk with the dogs in the New Forest, crossing my favourite caravan site (Setthorns) and was amazed to find the site almost empty. Just three caravans, one of which was a deserted seasonal and the other a motorhome
There could have been others in bits I couldn't see, but it is unusual for the popular pitches to be this deserted. This time last year, some of the vannerss were already putting up their Christmas decorations! So it is true that winter caravanning is well and truly off the favourite pastime list at the moment. Shame really, because the weather's glorious (well fresh and not cold, anyway), and I had absolutely nobody to chat to...!!

 

[emmerson]

Colin, possibly they've listened to the advice to stay off the roads? Personally, I've taken the time to catch up with some work in the house, and on the car and caravan after a very hectic summer and autumn, but we'll be out again just after Christmas for a week in the Lake District.

 

[Robtel]

. Shame really, because the weather's glorious (well fresh and not cold, anyway), and I had absolutely nobody to chat to...!!

Think that really depends on where abouts you live Colin. I know that up here in Central Scotland that if I wanted to take my van off somewhere I would need to spend a day digging it out of my driveway. Main roads are clear (ish) now but over the last week have been less than safe to drive solo let alone with a caravan on tow. Hopefully some of your "glorious" weather will find its way north although I doubt it. You enjoy while it lasts

Robert

 

[waffler]

We're stuck at home because the track to storage is frozen. Last year the tow car slipped sideways going to the van so this year we're very cautious. Can't wait for the snow to clear to get out again.

 

[ShadySadie]

At home if they have any sense. We saw an MG towing a Bailey today. Seemed to have taken a wrong lane and tried to cross a pile of snow and ice on a slight slope. He was going nowhere

 

[Reg]

This winter and every winter it's log fire, nice dinner, coffee and a glass of brandy and watching TV!!!!!

Caravanning in winter?

Not blooming likely!!!!!!!

 

[Heethers]

Were are off Boxing day to Blackshaw Moore but only to the Wednesday, as l have to work Thursday and Friday Morning even though l am part time, but it will be our first outing at Christmas, walk around Tittersworth, the roaches what could be better, dogs will love it. We have also planned long weekends starting end of January until second week of March 4 weekends in all, wife retires from nursing at the end of March so next year we should be out a lot more hoping to get out at least 30 long weekends plus 4 four ten day breaks.
We would like to do three months abroad in winter but not sure how we would go on with the dogs as we would not leave them at home at any price, so we will stick to the long weekends here in snow bound blightey.
Nidge4

 

[emmerson]

Nidge4, take the dogs with you! It's quite painless (except to the wallet) and we've found that they're made welcome almost everywhere, even some restaurants in France.(of which I don't approve). You'll find you're not alone - thousands do it now.

 

[Collin]

Maybe we have got off quite light down here. No snow at all until the early hours of Thursday morning and all day Thursday was a white-out. Friday was white but all roads passable with care, and on Friday night rain washed it all away. Yesterday was reasonably temperate except for rain in the evening and as I look out of the window now the sky is a beautiful blue. That's been it! Has anyone else got off so lightly - the TV footage we have seen of other areas has looked horrendous.

 

[Soozeeg]

Been ok here in mid Somerset, our weather the past few days has been almost exactly the same as yours, Collin.

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

We would like to do three months abroad in winter but not sure how we would go on with the dogs as we would not leave them at home at any price, so we will stick to the long weekends here in snow bound blightey.
Nidge4

This is what I would have liked to have done although her who controls the purse isn't so keen. The boss as thrown this and last years weather in my face and sadly for once, she is right

We would have struggled to get the van off the drive and if we did we wouldn't have got down the road. Today we could have managed it, the first time for probably more than a week. Last year we wouldn't have got out for a couple of months. As time goes by it's beginning to seem more unlikely that we'll head south. I don't fancy it in the summer because of trying to keep the dogs cool. Oh well, I'd prefer to have the dogs 52 weeks of the year than be without them so I can go south for a few weeks. I'm not complaining, I'm happy with my lot in life. It's not as if we haven't been before and I cannot see us ever being without dogs (so she says) so it's a case of au revoir France.
We wouldn't leave our dogs, even with relatives. I wouldn't enjoy myself because I'd be missing them too much. Sad innit

We now go away for 3 or 4 weeks at a time now we've both retired. This too has it's problems. I rely on my SIL to come and feed the fish, my neighbour to water the garden and someone else we know who takes in our tortoise whilst away. I couldn't be bothered with just weekends now, it doesn't seem worth the effort, but when there was no choice we were glad of it

 

[DavidO]

Here in West Suffolk we have been very lucky very little snow very hard frosts -5c. we have up to today had 4 vans on the CL all seem very happy and all with festive lights on. The frosts have finally cleared the leaves from the oak trees. For the first time in many years we have an empty site over Christmas, but new year is full.

 

[DavidO]

Here in West Suffolk we have been very lucky very little snow very hard frosts -5c. we have up to today had 4 vans on the CL all seem very happy and all with festive lights on. The frosts have finally cleared the leaves from the oak trees. For the first time in many years we have an empty site over Christmas, but new year is full.

 

[Delt1c]

Sitting lovely and snug here in Buckinghamshire in the van, had some snow and temps well below zero for a week, but no problems in the van, warmer in here than a lot of houses. Will be moving on next weekend to the site for Christmas. love winter in the van
Remember a caravan is for 12 months not just for summer.

 

[Steve L]

Still here at our seasonal site in Herefordshire until 7th Jan.

We were the coldest location in west midlands last tuesday night at -13.7c.

The van is lovely and warm water running again in the van. Having to use the site laundry room to fill the barrels and open the lid on their septic tank to empty the cassette. Having to be very carefull how we walk on the site cos no salt has been deployed to make safe walkways.

Moving to our winter site for Jan & Feb where the site owner works well above and beyond expectation to always deliver water at the site taps, a fully functioning cassette disposal, showers that work and a heated 40 year old toilet block that never failed to work this year.

Last year we moved the van in 7" (18cm) of snow and struggled but had to do it as our seasonal site closed that day.

This year the kids (23 & 27) have got me a 12V electric winch that will pull 6'000Lbs of rolling load and has 50Ft of cable. All I have to do is design an easy attatchment bracket for the car.

The traction control on my rover 75 tourer has proved very usefull in this weather.

Winter caravanning is possable as long as you plan ahead. The top tip is to have 10 litres of water in a can inside the van for hot drinks.

Those of you who store the van from October to March don't know what you're missing out on.

 

[sheila_374397204]

We've been up at our caravan on its winter seasonal pitch every weekend and will be spending from 28th Dec till day after New Year's Day. We have been lovely and warm inside the van but have had problems with frozen water including the stand pipe in the mornings. Have thought about bring the aquaroll into the awning and putting it on top of a table overnight or easier buying a jacket or £30!! But after reading tips and looking for an old jacket (maybe a charity shop could help) and using that with the sleeve for the filler. Must admit we have had some lovely weekend weather cold but sunny and the added beauty of everywhere being quiet.

 

[chrisbee1]

This year the kids (23 & 27) have got me a 12V electric winch that will pull 6'000Lbs of rolling load and has 50Ft of

Cor, it's alright for some! I'll probably get socks and hankies from mine.

 

[bakers-cottage]

Hi all, we are still full timing - lowest temp -9.5 so not as cold as steveinleo! But, cold enough, lovely and warm in van average +20degrees, had the odd pipe freeze up, but soon got it thawed quickly enough. Aqua roll lagged with home made jacket made from a hot water cylinder jacket, sat on wooden plinth and polystyrene! The pipe from aqua roll to van is lagged, but does freeze after -7 so everything comes inside at that point! Snow hasnt caused us any probs, and we are still loving the full timing life style! We are still keeping our blog updated on a regular basis - http://ourlifeinacaravan.blogspot.com
Jools & "M"

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

we are still loving the full timing life style!

If I was in the position and being younger I wouldn't mind going full time. Being 20 years older than yourself and now having a roof over our heads with the mortgage paid it isn't an option.
Once when our daughter and family were between houses, sold theirs but new one not built, we decided to let them live in our bungalow until their house was built. We used two sites, Lucksall CC site and a CL a few miles further and stayed in the van from September until the end of December. I loved it. When they finally moved out and it was time for us to move back home I could have stayed there because it was so peaceful and we were surrounded with birds.
Good luck to you both

 

[nadsia]

Hi Jools & M good to see ya enjoyin ya way of life.We are into our 4th year now and still wouldn't go back to bricks an mortar.I have just read ya blog and thoroughly enjoyed the read,i have been keeping a diary since the day we sold our house and went full timing too.We've met some lovely people since we changed our lifestyle an now have more friends than ever we did before.Well keep on vanning and enjoyin,Maybe all us full timers will meet up one day.Happy new year.Kev & Christina.