I loved our camper van when I was a child. Happy memories. Anyway at the ripe old age of 54 I have decided to buy myself a small (2 - 4 berth) camper van for myself and my dog. I love being on the road and am in Cornwall half a dozen times a year. I’ve just found your page and am wondering is it the right thing to do. Am I being an old fool ? Lol.
I've found most on a site (AB oldies) cannot afford to actually DO anything after paying ~ £60-120 thousand for the rig, plus obligatory 2 designer dogs, top brand big new car, plus 2 designer e-bikes, fancy awning, plus £35 a night, plus diesel, so you, the new arrival, will inevitably be everyone's entertainment for the entire stay (except when night falls and all watch TV/internet) and will want your entire life story including rather private info....We ALL will also tut,tut at the pair who won't see 84 again in their 1961 'van actually enjoying themselves!
Our favourite trick when arriving at a larger touring site is to focus on identifying the best available pitch, tell reception, hook up, set up then remember we’ve not filled up with water - experiential learning = zero. 🤭. We now carry a plastic watering can with a short length of flexible hose taped to the spout to fill up manually on the principle of “ if you can’t beat them, join them”. With 140 litre tank, you’d think we’d learn but we don’t.
Having driven artics for a number of years (thankfully no longer) making mistakes is all part of driving forwards or backwards. It doesnt matter how experienced someone is mistakes are just part and parcel of every day life. Those scorning or smirking are those that generally make mistakes but no one sees. If it doesnt go right first time keep trying! We have a 57ft narrowboat, now theres a different story on steering! Recently found your vlog and as we want a camper one day we will follow with interest. Take care Colin
Ha epic video, even the experts can make mistakes. Great to see more content Kat! So we finally got our motorhome two months ago, we love it! Been away four times and go back to wales at the end of the month. Had guests at the house last night here in Glencoe, Harriet and Ian say hello 😂😍 We we’re telling them your videos and gin during 7 months of lock down led us to having our own van so thanks again you guys are inspirational!
Ha- isn't it a small world! She text me the other day to say you'd all been chatting. I hear Ian can't be swayed on getting a van... yet! ;) Have a wonderful trip to Wales. :)
my first trip towing my caravan from burnley to anglesey went well first time caravanning i reversed the caravan straight into the space first time weather it was a fluke or not i dont know lol that wasnt the first time id towed a caravan though when i bought the caravan privately i brought it home it started shaking on the road then boom caravan tyre blew out what had i done.....i had forgot to release the brake on the caravan before towing it away lol
At least with you giving everyone a good time with your experience It also shows that it's just having fun & if some people can't help out & enjoy your unfortunate times Life is what it is & we must always enjoy ourselves..
When doing a booking i make a notepad file on the computer with my Membership number and Booking Reference number. Also the Reg number of the Motorhome and Days i am staying. Just pop file on your mobile device and you will have all details you need at reception
I used to drive a Discovery with a boat trailer (boat race type boats) that was fifty eight feet overall and the first thing you would hit at the rear would be the ends of VERY expensive rowing boats, plus it was a good bit wider than the car. I had one or two experiences at events where I had to thread it through quite narrow gaps on the approach roads with people watching (nobody asks if you wanted a car moving though - not once). Great times though and I miss the challenges!
I loved your early travel videos, as a seasoned MH owner they were really interesting , I feel the channel has gone another direction now and is only of interest to newbies, I miss your original style, best of luck with the Chanel
Oh no, the reverse of shame..feel for you! 🤣🤣🤣 I’ve reserved my pitch before by leaving my electric hook up cable attached, when I came back it was gone, so I had a cold dark night with no tv. Next morning a neighbour told me which camper had taken it, so I popped over to see them. Get this, it was an elderly couple, sweet as anything, and very chatty, but reluctant to get out of their chairs. He said he thought I’d left it behind after leaving and he was going to hand it into reception. Eventually I encouraged him to get up and give it back, it took him ages, he had to dig it out of his boot, it was buried right at the bottom under a load of stuff! 🤣🤣🤣
I’ve paid my money so I will make as many mistakes as I want because it can never be as stressful as driving and manoeuvring a 40 foot 40+ ton Artic on a high street on a Saturday afternoon.
You struggled to park the trailer, and there are two of you. One to spot and one to drive. Or two to push. You want to try siting a whacking great caravan solo! My outfit (car and caravan combined) is over 12 metres long. I do have a reversing camera on the back of the caravan which helps a bit, but still is quite a challenge at times. Thank you for explaining all about your difficulties. However, it would have been more fun if you had filmed some of it for your devoted public. Though, maybe not. The kind of day you were having, you would probably have driven over the camera!
Wow Kat,just heard great news on France, so, we could go for a month, l. Then return, and go Spain via Portsmouth to Santander in October to hope Portugsl for 305 days.. then in Jan. ???. We do have temp .certificate.. Residency 5 yrs. In Portugsl...so need to research if and how we can stay all winter...at our registered address in Algarve ..mmmm. ?? Take great care thanking for your vlogs of help in our start of travelling ...Jim'n'Sue
Just wondering if you have done a clip on importing a van to France from the UK (I'm sure you live there in France from some of your posts), My wife and I have just done so and over all it was straight forward process.
Glad it went ok for you. Our van is still UK registered as it's owned by a company, so thankfully didn't need to import it, but we did import a car and that was a pain in the backside!
It's easy to make mistakes, especially when you are tired after a trip or in a hurry. I once tried to drive off pitch when we had the caravan with the motor mover still engaged! Luckily I realised after a metre or so. Apparently four wheel drive BMWs win against a motor mover - who knew?! No such faux pas yet with the motorhome, but what is the etiquette for dumping excess fresh water to get down to 20 litres for driving please? Apart from running it all through the system, I suppose you just need to set the tank to empty as you are leaving the site? As you mention, you would get disapproving looks dumping fresh even on a hard standing pitch, presumably because people suspect you are dumping from the waste tank?
Yeah, don’t dump any water on a pitch unless it’s into a container which you then empty into the drain. We dump fresh water at the same place as the waste water when we’re emptying our van.
I loved our camper van when I was a child. Happy memories. Anyway at the ripe old age of 54 I have decided to buy myself a small (2 - 4 berth) camper van for myself and my dog. I love being on the road and am in Cornwall half a dozen times a year. I’ve just found your page and am wondering is it the right thing to do. Am I being an old fool ? Lol.
I've found most on a site (AB oldies) cannot afford to actually DO anything after paying ~ £60-120 thousand for the rig, plus obligatory 2 designer dogs, top brand big new car, plus 2 designer e-bikes, fancy awning, plus £35 a night, plus diesel, so you, the new arrival, will inevitably be everyone's entertainment for the entire stay (except when night falls and all watch TV/internet) and will want your entire life story including rather private info....We ALL will also tut,tut at the pair who won't see 84 again in their 1961 'van actually enjoying themselves!
As a newbie I find these videos very very helpful! Yet to go to campsite but certainly brilliant to hear the issues and how to solve them! Thank you 😊
Haven’t done our first Campsite yet so REALLY appreciate this particular video! Thank you so much!
You’re welcome. Let us know how it goes
Our favourite trick when arriving at a larger touring site is to focus on identifying the best available pitch, tell reception, hook up, set up then remember we’ve not filled up with water - experiential learning = zero. 🤭. We now carry a plastic watering can with a short length of flexible hose taped to the spout to fill up manually on the principle of “ if you can’t beat them, join them”. With 140 litre tank, you’d think we’d learn but we don’t.
I can neither confirm nor deny that we have done this… several times 😂
Having driven artics for a number of years (thankfully no longer) making mistakes is all part of driving forwards or backwards. It doesnt matter how experienced someone is mistakes are just part and parcel of every day life. Those scorning or smirking are those that generally make mistakes but no one sees. If it doesnt go right first time keep trying! We have a 57ft narrowboat, now theres a different story on steering! Recently found your vlog and as we want a camper one day we will follow with interest. Take care Colin
Thanks. And yes- we've done a couple of narrowboat holidays and those things are NOT easy to drive in a straight line!!
This is so funny and so honest!! THANK YOU! ☺
Ha epic video, even the experts can make mistakes. Great to see more content Kat!
So we finally got our motorhome two months ago, we love it! Been away four times and go back to wales at the end of the month. Had guests at the house last night here in Glencoe, Harriet and Ian say hello 😂😍 We we’re telling them your videos and gin during 7 months of lock down led us to having our own van so thanks again you guys are inspirational!
Ha- isn't it a small world! She text me the other day to say you'd all been chatting. I hear Ian can't be swayed on getting a van... yet! ;) Have a wonderful trip to Wales. :)
my first trip towing my caravan from burnley to anglesey went well first time caravanning i reversed the caravan straight into the space first time weather it was a fluke or not i dont know lol that wasnt the first time id towed a caravan though when i bought the caravan privately i brought it home it started shaking on the road then boom caravan tyre blew out what had i done.....i had forgot to release the brake on the caravan before towing it away lol
Oh no! Easily done though!
At least with you giving everyone a good time with your experience It also shows that it's just having fun & if some people can't help out & enjoy your unfortunate times Life is what it is & we must always enjoy ourselves..
Amen to that!
When doing a booking i make a notepad file on the computer with my Membership number and Booking Reference number. Also the Reg number of the Motorhome and Days i am staying. Just pop file on your mobile device and you will have all details you need at reception
Oh Kat I really felt for you, I’m sure when we get our van we will be really anxious on our first campsite visit. Thank you for sharing x
You're welcome. And it's normal to be nervous- just don't let it put you off! :)
Caravan and motorhome App now captures membership card digitally. So hopefully unless you loose your phone overcomes misplaced membership card.
Very true! And much easier .
I used to drive a Discovery with a boat trailer (boat race type boats) that was fifty eight feet overall and the first thing you would hit at the rear would be the ends of VERY expensive rowing boats, plus it was a good bit wider than the car. I had one or two experiences at events where I had to thread it through quite narrow gaps on the approach roads with people watching (nobody asks if you wanted a car moving though - not once).
Great times though and I miss the challenges!
It’s half the fun but yes the first time is a tad stressful and embarrassing. Sometimes you just have to scream quietly and then laugh.
Ahhhh, that’s where I went wrong. I laugh quietly… then scream 😱
@@WanderingBird 🤣🤣❤️❤️
I loved your early travel videos, as a seasoned MH owner they were really interesting , I feel the channel has gone another direction now and is only of interest to newbies, I miss your original style, best of luck with the Chanel
Sadly, our travel plans have been a little disrupted over the past 18 months...🤔
Oh no, the reverse of shame..feel for you! 🤣🤣🤣 I’ve reserved my pitch before by leaving my electric hook up cable attached, when I came back it was gone, so I had a cold dark night with no tv. Next morning a neighbour told me which camper had taken it, so I popped over to see them. Get this, it was an elderly couple, sweet as anything, and very chatty, but reluctant to get out of their chairs. He said he thought I’d left it behind after leaving and he was going to hand it into reception. Eventually I encouraged him to get up and give it back, it took him ages, he had to dig it out of his boot, it was buried right at the bottom under a load of stuff! 🤣🤣🤣
😳😳😳😳😳😳 glad you got it back eventually
@@WanderingBird Me too, lol! It too funny to be cross, I remember them affectionately as Mr and Mrs Pilfer.
I’ve paid my money so I will make as many mistakes as I want because it can never be as stressful as driving and manoeuvring a 40 foot 40+ ton Artic on a high street on a Saturday afternoon.
Hey, you're only human! Good to know that even professionals make mistakes. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome. 🙃
thought yiu were going to say you forgot the dog lol
No, thank goodness. Couldn’t forget puppy. The husband however… 🤷♀️😏😉
CAMC member number on app on membership card, tap and log in 👍
You struggled to park the trailer, and there are two of you. One to spot and one to drive. Or two to push. You want to try siting a whacking great caravan solo! My outfit (car and caravan combined) is over 12 metres long. I do have a reversing camera on the back of the caravan which helps a bit, but still is quite a challenge at times.
Thank you for explaining all about your difficulties. However, it would have been more fun if you had filmed some of it for your devoted public. Though, maybe not. The kind of day you were having, you would probably have driven over the camera!
Yeah… sadly none of it was planned so the camera was nowhere nearby.
Did I miss which site you were on? I liked that you said it had a large dog field. Secure for idiot dogs?
Wow Kat,just heard great news on France, so, we could go for a month, l. Then return, and go Spain via Portsmouth to Santander in October to hope Portugsl for 305 days.. then in Jan. ???. We do have temp .certificate.. Residency 5 yrs. In
Portugsl...so need to research if and how we can stay all winter...at our registered address in Algarve ..mmmm. ?? Take great care thanking for your vlogs of help in our start of travelling ...Jim'n'Sue
Great to see somebody has worse days than me , thanks for making my day 😎
You’re welcome. I think… 🤔🙃
@@WanderingBird no offence meant , its my dark northern humour , sorry 😊
Ha- no offence taken. I’m fluent in dark northern humour 😏
Just wondering if you have done a clip on importing a van to France from the UK (I'm sure you live there in France from some of your posts), My wife and I have just done so and over all it was straight forward process.
Glad it went ok for you. Our van is still UK registered as it's owned by a company, so thankfully didn't need to import it, but we did import a car and that was a pain in the backside!
Glad you can laugh about it.
Have you considered have a motor mover on the trailer?
Ha- we hadn't... until this!
Wow you remind me of my wife🤣🤣
Im sure that’s a good thing… right?! 😂😂🤷♀️
What a day 🤣🤣
It's easy to make mistakes, especially when you are tired after a trip or in a hurry. I once tried to drive off pitch when we had the caravan with the motor mover still engaged! Luckily I realised after a metre or so. Apparently four wheel drive BMWs win against a motor mover - who knew?!
No such faux pas yet with the motorhome, but what is the etiquette for dumping excess fresh water to get down to 20 litres for driving please? Apart from running it all through the system, I suppose you just need to set the tank to empty as you are leaving the site? As you mention, you would get disapproving looks dumping fresh even on a hard standing pitch, presumably because people suspect you are dumping from the waste tank?
Yeah, don’t dump any water on a pitch unless it’s into a container which you then empty into the drain. We dump fresh water at the same place as the waste water when we’re emptying our van.
Oh, and you can drive with more than 20 litres in- payload permitting of course!
never used my card and wont sub next year.camping clubs are poo
Your still laughing - good for you.
Always. Thankfully embarrassment never hurt anyone!
Or did your credibility any harm