Time Rushing By…
Do you know we have had this camper van nearly 4 months and have still only been away in it 5 times? This was the breakfast conversation between my husband and me the other day. Well, there always seems to be something else on the agenda whether it is seeing family, friends or just plain old jobs that need doing doesn’t there? Well yes that’s true, so what can we do about it?
Our long held dream of setting off into the sunset was about to be fulfilled or so we thought when we bought it. I had just retired and the world was our oyster and off we would go. It doesn’t exactly work out like that as hubby is only semi-retired and still works Monday to Thursday, but even that should not get in the way of a few weekends away should it? We really need to be organised but do you know there is so much to learn, so the first couple of trips were definitely learning curves. What did we learn?
- flat sites are best
- A step is a very handy thing to have
- Ramps are sometimes necessary if a site isn’t flat so any provided on site are very welcome (although why are camp sites not flat, as it seems an elementary requirement, to me)
- Toilets, showers etc are different on each site (this is a subject worthy of further debate)
- You need a bucket or something to catch your sink water or you feel really bad messing up the pitch especially as everyone else seems to have said bucket!
- You need to join clubs to find out more information
- You need time to assimilate this information
- Don’t forget a torch or 2 – our lights went out at 10.00pm and we didn’t know how to rectify the situation, fortunately we had a candle stowed away which saved the day and helped us to see the beds we were supposed to make before we could even think of sleep
- Have a bottle of wine available at all times helps
- It helps to see the funny side of things – the above mentioned wine sometimes helps (see no 8 – we have to turn our front seats round to make the beds and we couldn’t remember how to do it or see where any levers were sited! So we had a few heated words, to say the least!)
Well, that is where we are up to now and we are asking ourselves -
- Do we not want to use it?
- Was it a waste of money?
- What shall we do?
Irene Podolanski
October 2007
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{ 4 comments }
Irene, I think 5 times in 4 months is pretty good going. I know people who own motorhomes who only use them twice a year! I think once Spring 2008 kicks in you will feel very different and there will be no stopping you! I always look forward to your articles:) For anybody thinking of buying a motorhome, do think about renting one first, just to see if you like it. Most people do, but for some it’s just not for them.
I have a tourer, but I’m thinking of getting a motor home now – I keep my tourer most of the year at a park in Kent ( http://www.parkholidaysuk.com ) I have enjoyed it there – am thinking about doing more travelling abroad & want to try out a motor home or maybe buy a holiday home. I think once you get used to the practical issues, it’s great fun!
Tony, do you fancy writing a little article about caravans v motorhomes? I’d love to get a discussion going about that. I do a similar thing to you, I have an old Eccles Amethyst parked at Camping Vinaros in the Costa del Azahar, Spain.
I don’t think I’ll ever tow it anywhere again, so I’d like a motorhome for shorter trips. I can see both sides of the caravan/motorhome debate.
The caravans and motorhomes have indeed different pros and cons. I sold my caravan after three years of use, because of short stays at destinations. I usually spend only one night per camping site, so motorhome will work better for me.
If you like to stay several days in one destination caravan gives you more flexibility. The tow car can be used for daily trips while the caravan is parked.