Oh and I should mention that my videos are out of order 🤣I was in Whitby before I met up with Dan and Andrew... before I figured out that Google Maps with satellite view really works for me best!
Karen, thank you for another honest video about towing a van. You are helping me so much. We are just about to buy a little van and I’m noting all your tips and advice for future use. You are an inspiration. 👏
I absolutely love watching your videos, your living the idilic life and one I can only dream of. Thank you as ever for sharing your experiences and journeys with us and please keep up the great content.
Are those Milenco towing mirrors? You can get spare pads for them. I lost a pad and I was able to get some spares from a local caravan accessory shop. The music video for Simply Red's "Holding Back the Years" was shot in Whitby and the abbey can clearly be seen in a few of the shots.
We've all been here K. It's so much fun learning. You're very inspiring Dear. You're making the same mistakes we all did. Don't ever be embarrassed about asking Caravanners for help and advice. You will never be refused. Good Luck.
Omgoodness! You are so brave to get through the narrow roads, and then post a fudging brilliant vlog of your journey! Really most appreciated! All love and best wishes Claire (ex pat) Berlin 👌👌👌👍😘
Hello Karen , just want to say I love your little vids, I think for a young lady on her own you do brilliant job, You’re one game lady with balls of steel, keep it coming.
Good morning! 6.25am Tues in kiwiland. You need an awning to sit under. Looks so beautiful there. Buy a book of maps. You are doing so well xx I've seen jockey wheels ripped right off. Love the water bottle solution. Real kiwi ingenuity lol
I had the same problem with my towing mirror. Luckily I was at home and could fabricate a replacement pad. I carry a couple of spare pads now. Leveling the van, I put a round bowl 3/4 full of water on the bench, it's the best 360° spirit level I've ever had. I always remove the jockey wheel, I thought I was being paranoid as you can't easily do that on all caravans, obviously not. Good luck with the rest of your trip.
@@TravellingK I think Dad just fitted oversize mirrors as standard on the Granada as further out ones weren't necessary - as wasn't the case with the van towing the caravan ! Again, no extension mirrors !
Karen...you are so inspiring.. love your channel... you keep it real with the ups and some of the hassles of life /travel... thank you so much for sharing your adventures.
Your stopping to check was a good move, I learned on a small trailer that jockey wheels can unwind or vibrate loose especially on poor road surfaces and potholes. Living in Wales we are used to having to negotiate narrow gaps in towns and villages I came through Llandovery on Sunday and we were held up for some time due to a few cars parked in town on a single yellow line. The other route I came down on I avoided because the town of Llanwrytd Wells had the annual bog snorkelling event, so you can plan a route as best you can but still face the unexpected. Full marks for your editing of the passing motorcyclist comment, I am always checking my mirror for them but still get a suprise when they blast past! I once was a keen motorcyclist myself so I try to give them room or opportunity to pass and yes towing/driving even being a pedestrian in the UK can be stressful, I think you have done really well Karen. Safe journey back.
Great video very brave to post warts an all video . Loosing a mirror is no big issue just a bit annoying for your onward journey . Every trip you learn something new i have done for 30 years of caravaning and now motorhome . Wouldn't be so brave to film our outings but pleased you are happy to, keep up the lovely videos .
A thing that looked like a link to UK playlist appeared top right but all I was offered was stuff relating to the current video. So anyway, via your channel, found the playlist - and this Whitby video is not among them on the playlist ! Anyway, when's your UK trip coming to an end (presumably you'll then go back to places with exotic weeds ?)
i use copilot never had any issues. when you set up your unit measurement you and have to include length of your car and width in your settings if not then it may send you down a unsuitable road. hope this helps. you defo need a sat nav with caravan options.
You’ve done extremely well navigating our somewhat tricky roads. Prima should have hooked you up with a caravan sat nav which may have made things less stressful for you. You are visiting some lovely sites in some beautiful places. Great filming as always. Thank you for sharing.
Why do you think you need to pay for an app? You can plan your route online, examining the road via Streetview, and enter waypoints on your GPS. Or just use maps like they did in "the old days".
Karen as someone has already mentioned use the AA route planner it is very good and does not cost. My wife and I use it if we are stuck but I do tend to as I know my way round as I do 35000 miles a year traveling to classic and vintage car shows. My little sister often gets lost and phones me up as her job takes her all over the UK she says I am better at directing her where to go than her sat nav xx
I bought a truck satnav from Amazon for around £40.... I thought what the heck I'll try it...so I just entered the height width and total length of my car and caravan and it has worked without fault.... there are quite a few to view.... worth a look.... good luck
I’m really enjoying following your UK journey. I’m another viewer that came across you on cruising the cut. We sold our narrowboat earlier this year and were initially going to buy a longer boat but now have decided to return to hiring. We also thought about a motorhome but my husband thought it would be too cramped with three dogs! Especially when we struggled in a 45 foot boat. I’m now wondering if a caravan could be the answer. I never considered it before because I was worried about towing so watching your adventure has been really useful. The photography, music and editing is great. Thanks for sharing. BTW thank goodness you didn’t end up at Sutton Bank. I go that way to Whitby and it’s a challenge even in a car. I can’t imagine doing it in a caravan!
pmailkeey That takes me back! I remember the Granada well, the top of the range Ford! Everyone wanted the Capri, Cortina or Granada. Where were the BMWs, Audi’s and Mercedes then? I remember my father looking at new cars, Vauxhall Viva, Morris Marina and Ford Escort were on his short list then, in the early 70s. When I occasionally come across those cars now I’m shocked at how small they are! Did you retain your love of caravanning?
@@sylviapage8572 We got 'lucky'. Dad managed a garage and sold Ford cars - got the Granada Ghia as an ex-demonstrator - a bit cheaper ! It was the UK version, not the German one - which had a different instrument panel and wipers on the headlights.
Hello Karen . i'm enjoying your trip around England . 1 question , why did you hire such a huge caravan to take you around England for just 1 person , a smaller caravan would be much easier to travel and move around narrow roads etc :-)
Karen, you are doing fantastically well. A lone woman caravanning and sorting things out for yourself. I admire your perseverance and resilience. Hope the British people are proving to be friendly? 👏👏
We travelled uk by car and used the tomtom's app and downloaded the uk map. Might be a bit late but I found it useful. I enjoyed the fish and chips too. Love from Aus.
Talking about 'Fish and Chips', we ordered some whitebait in England and they were nothing like ours... and so salty!! It was all a learning curve in Britain. Ended up at Little Chef and Happy Eater (are they still there?). This was back in 1991.
As soon as I heard that noise - I immediately thought the jockey wheel's hit the ground ! Our jockey wheel went higher than yours - it was inside the A frame and the bottom of the wheel was about half an inch (10mm) below the A frame itself when fully up. I'm not convinced it's unwound itself - are you sure you fully retracted it ??????
Ha, you’re an experienced caravan net if you know that sound 🤣 Yes, the wheels sits like that - I just need to make sure I push the top handle firmly in place!
@@TravellingK Actually, any non-metallic soft materials hitting the road make a similar sound - but jockey wheel is the most likely cause on a caravan !
TK, I’ve lived in the UK all my life & I still struggle driving here sometimes. You are in a foreign Country Half way round the world-you are doing incredible👍🏻, TK for PM I say😊, it makes for great viewing👏🏻👏🏻
Well said 👍 some driver here can’t tow full stop. Good job we now have to do another test for over 750kg trailers some with the old licences are scary when towing.
Hello Karen, You are staying on one of our favourite campsites, we used to own a static on the site but now travel there with our tourer. Its great that you are using private sites as well as caravan club. On the whole navigation thing, I would buy a AWESAFE satnav from Amazon, you can set it to your vehicle being a lorry with trailer, we paid £42 for it, its huge and we never get stuck. You can also use it in New Zealand.
Ah, that’s great to hear you’ve gone from a static caravan to a tour caravan 😀 It was a lovely campground. I’m keen to get a feel for the different types of campgrounds here. Good to know about the Awesafe option!
have stayed on broodings farm with my caravan. must say was impressed with it and once the lockdown is over will use it again. myself my partner and dog love Whitby. always go as often as possible.
@@TravellingK hopefully will back up to whitby once the UK lockdown is over with. Broadings Farm site was very handy for a lot of the area. We got sited on the edge of the site looking toward the moors so had an amazing view.
Karen, have a look in to using Tomtom Go app combined with Tomtom mydrive. Mydrive app allows you to put in your total vehicle size including caravan. You can also request to avoid toll roads etc. Then plan your route in mydrive app and sync it to tomtom go app. Tomtom go will then take you on the route taking in to consideration your rig. It's about £15 for 1year sub for tomtom go. Mydrive is free.
Come to Canada some time. The roads are wide but coming home yesterday two moose, both males with a full set of antlers, ran along side in the ditch before making a dash across the highway heedless of this pesky humans in their RV's. A little scary but really exciting too. The day before we saw three coyotes grinning at us . But, no campground pubs!
@@TravellingK Not around here. We live in North Central Alberta. Occasionally a moose will even wander into the city despite the fact that there are more than a million people living here. Lot's of green belts make access easy. The scary thing with moose is that they are so big. The largest of the deer family they can easily top 1400 pounds or more. If you are unfortunate enough to hit one with a vehicle the real danger is that the legs. once taken out from under. allows the moose's body to crash through the windshield. Everyone is aware of wildlife on the roads and very cautious. I hope!
Great video I'm enjoying watching them all. Me, my wife and baby daughter are currently on our first caravanning holiday this week, we've been to the North Lake district and now we're in the South Lakes. The driving can sometimes be stressful but I've found that using Google maps and using the street view option helps beforehand and if all else fails and you end up down a really narrow lane the oncoming traffic will have to reverse, that's the worse that can happen anyway. Try not to get stressed it doesn't help and not many people get impatient with caravaners and I bet if the ones that did ever had a go at towing they would appreciate the skill and patience it takes to do so. 😎😎😁😁👍👍
Thanks, Karen for another great video. just like your self mainly travell on my own and find its best to have a PUMP glass flask at hand fastened down or in a cupboard. when putting on the kettle may as well fill up the flask with water, for more than a day stays hot to warm. saves on dragging out the kettle or starting with cold water. But it has to be a glass flask type, not Stainless/S are Useless and I am struggling sourcing glass flasks @ 2lts /3lts
Well done Karen. The experience you are gaining over here will stand you in good stead for the future. Our roads have unfortunately got steadily worse in the UK. Driving standards are deteriorating, more traffic on the roads and everyone in such a hurry. Been driving HGV's for 30+ years here and my recent dash cam footage would make your toes curl.....😱😬
Hi Karen. Couple of things. Waze is really good and also so is Michelin route planner and then you can screen shot the routes as you can add a caravan. Secondly you should drive up onto your levelling ramps and not reverse as when reversing it does not allow the overrun brakes to engage. Hope your well. Oliver
Great tips 😀 I’ve previously had other comments debate whether it’s better to reverse or drive forward onto a leveller 🤣 I just use a chock now to avoid any issues.
Forget the negative comments below, Karen. You’re on your own towing a big van around in a strange country. As someone has said, your anxiety about the narrow roads is winding you up even more, but you’re doing a great job. Enjoy the rest of your trip. I’m looking forward to seeing your upcoming vlogs, x
Thank you Anthea! I really appreciate your comment. Yes, I did go through a patch of overly stressing, but luckily I’ve started feeling more confident towing here... hopefully no more surprises!
You know you can drive up on short 2x4's lengthwise to level the trailer and not need the chocks. I've got an old RV, being rebuilt, that has small levels glued/screwed on the sides and one on the back so I can tell how level it is. The one at the back tells how level it is side to side and the one on the side tells how level it is front to back. Yep the fridge doesn't work right if it's not level. 😳 Wow, that traffic is insane. I also have a motorcycle and that guy on the motorcycle is what gives us all a bad name. 😡 Nice video Karen. Loved the trip into town to the museum. 👍 Yes, I know I use too many smilies. 😀
470 comments and no-one has mentioned Whitby Goth Weekend?! It's been going in one form or another ever six months for over 20 years. It's a huge deal in the UK Goth scene, with people coming from all over the country and often from abroad to visit. There are loads of peripheral events around the town, with the main festival being held in the Spa. I've played several of these events - including the main Spa stage - many times over the years in both my bands, as well as DJing. :-) For years I used to stay in my van in the West Cliff car park before they changed the rules. Then I stayed once or twice in the Stoupe Cross Farm caravan site just down the road from where you stayed. More recently I had to give my van up and get a car, so I've stayed in many of the lovely (and some not so lovely!) holiday cottages around the town.
When you go in the garage get a AA map book, been using them since I was a truck driver. .now using with my caravan and reading my caravan and mortorhome club book. .motorway services station allways have them...good luck Alan. .
@@TravellingK I allways find the caravan sites book hard to understand. So using the AA map book really helpful. .roads in the UK are not straight forward. ..good luck Alan. .
I used Google maps last month on a sport trip and it was almost spooky. In a road construction area, they were doing underground work and the road had you switch lanes several times, and my phone warned me through every one of them. Turn right Turn left Turn right Over and over.....it was Amazing.
The best way to put the jockey wheel up is to point the wheel towards the car and not van when it’s raised. This way round saves your knuckles from been skint when tightening the wheel. I’ve been caravaning for nearly 20 years and how just found this out this year.
Just think how easy it will be when you go home and tow, I think you will have had every challenge possible by the time your visit is over, tks for sharing, who cares if they're out of order each one is an adventure till next time
Wow - your doing great honestly - but can I make two suggestions if you haven't already done so - buy a small piece of chain / wire or even just decent thin rope - a few simple wrap arounds the jockey wheel will make it very secure (it can happen - not your fault!) - - you should be able to find sites with safe routes and easy access from caravan and camping club sites - then unhitch and drive to nice places to visit etc - - that's what we have always done to avoid these horrendous experiences ! - great video - but you're making me nervous now - stay safe
I’d recommend checking out google maps before you drive. Most uk roads are absolutely fine for a caravan, but some needed to be avoided. It might mean a slightly longer route on A class roads, but most of the country are well served by them.
Love broadings farm for the scenery and dog walks but like you said you do need levellers for the caravan depending on which field/pitch you choose...whitby is a great town with lots of history and traditional British pubs
Wish we’d known you were Whitby bound, would have come and said hello. Just for future reference iPhones have a level built into the compass app. If you’re still in the neighbourhood there are a couple of great five sites near us. Both located near a little village called Kirby Knowle just north east of Thirsk. Great places to visit right on the doorstep. Hope to see you about. Enjoy North Yorkshire.
if you ever visit the UK again you can get GBP PRE PAID credit cards all you do is load it with money from your country it will then get converted into our currency at the exchange rate it is on the day, you can get them before you travel or when you arrive as you just need to look for a money shop fill out the form put on the amount you need and you get the card there and then and your good to go, you can even top it up if you run low at any money shop and i think some ATMs allow you do top up also
Make sure the jockey wheel axle arm goes into the slot in the leg when you wind it up. Then raise the leg. That will ensure that the wheel does not unwind itself.
Just get an iTunes voucher.. for the app... that should work I’m sure 🤷♂️ u so resourceful filling the water with the bottle 😊 must say that van looks looong.... beautiful scenery.... when do u leave the UK??
Our jockey wheel drops occasionally. No real pattern so frustrating! New one this time was our 13pin socket was trailing when we got to site recently. A new one on us, I'm still trying to fathom! We leave the running lights on all the time now so we can see electrics are connected as little way to know when driving. Sometimes I wish we had hitch cam!
Ah that does sound frustrating! I’ve also had the pin socket disconnect and be completely destroyed on my NZ caravan. The new one fits much tighter and it hasn’t disconnected since.
Wow. Just noticed how many subscribers you now have. That’s a huge difference between the 5,000 you had before June and now. Well done. You must be so excited and proud. Enjoying your vids. Steve
I know this whole "camping/caravaning" thing is different in the UK than it is here in Canada, or the US, but you seem to hauling around way more trailer than one person needs ( also a problem over here ). The difference over here is that most of the vehicles that people drive - full-size pick ups in particular, make towing a non-issue. I remember being told that your trailer is never big enough when you're camping, and too big when you're towing it. It's hard to find that perfect medium. It is supposed to be camping though, a few less luxuries makes for far easier towing. The other difference is we don't have anywhere near the same type of history that you showed earlier. Around here , a couple of hundred years old is amazing . That wouldn't even register as being interesting in the UK probably.
Oh I like that saying about not big enough for camping / too big for towing! And we’re a very new country in New Zealand so I am appreciating all this history.
You really seem to struggle with the roads in the U.K. they are quite different from New Zealand . I worked in Christchurch on the southern island, and the roared were nice to drive on. They were wide and always in good repair. The kiwis
I used to see quite a few caravans at a place where I enjoyed hiking called Arthur’s pass.....the drive there from Christchurch was quite beautiful and the roads were in great repair.
Well done Karen, towing your vehicle along the roads to & from Whitby in the North York Moors, the roads are completely different on the East Coast of Yorkshire, Steve than down on the south coast especially the roads along the moors & most of them were originally farm tracks & they can be very narrow plus they are very steep due to being in our beautiful North York Moors & there are lots of tight bends, too; the jurassic south coast is flat in comparison but beautiful, too but the East Coast is my favourite bcos l'm from Yorkshire 😍
I find it easier to drive forward on leveling ramps and chock behind tyres. you need to drive forward after Reversing up ramps due to the over run/reverse mech orvthe hand break dosent work
Oh and I should mention that my videos are out of order 🤣I was in Whitby before I met up with Dan and Andrew... before I figured out that Google Maps with satellite view really works for me best!
I'd recommend using Street View as well for the "interesting" bits. Almost everywhere in the UK is covered by Street View.
@@philcoogan7369 fantastic tip!
Might reorder videos later on 🤣
So so true. I’m slowly learning 🤣
I was just about to suggest using Google Maps - I use them because you can actually SEE what the roads are link.
Excellent videos
Love all of them. Lots of handy hints
Karen, thank you for another honest video about towing a van. You are helping me so much. We are just about to buy a little van and I’m noting all your tips and advice for future use. You are an inspiration. 👏
Really great to hear - hope you learn from my mistakes 😜
I absolutely love watching your videos, your living the idilic life and one I can only dream of. Thank you as ever for sharing your experiences and journeys with us and please keep up the great content.
Thank you Charley, this is lovely to hear!
Are those Milenco towing mirrors? You can get spare pads for them. I lost a pad and I was able to get some spares from a local caravan accessory shop. The music video for Simply Red's "Holding Back the Years" was shot in Whitby and the abbey can clearly be seen in a few of the shots.
Yes, spares would be helpful! I shouldn’t have tried to use the mirror anyway...
We've all been here K. It's so much fun learning. You're very inspiring Dear. You're making the same mistakes we all did. Don't ever be embarrassed about asking Caravanners for help and advice. You will never be refused. Good Luck.
Omgoodness!
You are so brave to get through the narrow roads, and then post a fudging brilliant vlog of your journey!
Really most appreciated!
All love and best wishes Claire (ex pat) Berlin 👌👌👌👍😘
Thanks Claire! Luckily remembered to push record 🤣
Hello Karen , just want to say I love your little vids, I think for a young lady on her own you do brilliant job,
You’re one game lady with balls of steel, keep it coming.
Haha thank you! A few challenges, but I get there.
Good morning! 6.25am Tues in kiwiland. You need an awning to sit under. Looks so beautiful there. Buy a book of maps. You are doing so well xx I've seen jockey wheels ripped right off. Love the water bottle solution. Real kiwi ingenuity lol
Jockey ripped off! Yikes. I’m glad I caught it then. Hehe, I just had to share my water bottle idea 🤣
I had the same problem with my towing mirror. Luckily I was at home and could fabricate a replacement pad. I carry a couple of spare pads now. Leveling the van, I put a round bowl 3/4 full of water on the bench, it's the best 360° spirit level I've ever had. I always remove the jockey wheel, I thought I was being paranoid as you can't easily do that on all caravans, obviously not. Good luck with the rest of your trip.
Levelling - we put a ball on the table - see which way it rolled !
These are great tips!! And replacement pads are a good idea - they seem easy to loose.
@@TravellingK I think Dad just fitted oversize mirrors as standard on the Granada as further out ones weren't necessary - as wasn't the case with the van towing the caravan ! Again, no extension mirrors !
The important thing is you just kept going Girl. And what you saw while there has been fantastic... Girl you are a trooper, stay tuff Lady...Vic
Yes, it was well worth the drive to reach those two places 😀
Karen...you are so inspiring.. love your channel... you keep it real with the ups and some of the hassles of life /travel... thank you so much for sharing your adventures.
D Stew , agree with your comments 100%.
Oh thank you 😀 I do want to show what it’s really like. The good parts and the hassles
Clever tip on filling up the tank. 😁
How cool is it about seeing a bit of history. ⛵🇳🇿🍯🐝🌼🌻
I really did enjoy the Captain Cook museum 😀
Your stopping to check was a good move, I learned on a small trailer that jockey wheels can unwind or vibrate loose especially on poor road surfaces and potholes. Living in Wales we are used to having to negotiate narrow gaps in towns and villages I came through Llandovery on Sunday and we were held up for some time due to a few cars parked in town on a single yellow line. The other route I came down on I avoided because the town of Llanwrytd Wells had the annual bog snorkelling event, so you can plan a route as best you can but still face the unexpected. Full marks for your editing of the passing motorcyclist comment, I am always checking my mirror for them but still get a suprise when they blast past! I once was a keen motorcyclist myself so I try to give them room or opportunity to pass and yes towing/driving even being a pedestrian in the UK can be stressful, I think you have done really well Karen. Safe journey back.
Thanks Brian 😊 It’s taken me a while to get use to the roads here. They are so different to NZ. Geeee crazy that 2 cars parked held up the traffic!
Great video very brave to post warts an all video . Loosing a mirror is no big issue just a bit annoying for your onward journey . Every trip you learn something new i have done for 30 years of caravaning and now motorhome . Wouldn't be so brave to film our outings but pleased you are happy to, keep up the lovely videos .
Hopefully things go smoother after 30 years caravanning experience! I’m happy being open with my experience - overall love it.
Loving your homemade bottle filler. Glad you are enjoying some good weather to see the North East coast at its best :-)
The bottle is working well 🤣 The perfect weather for exploring
I really enjoy your travelling and visiting sites vids, keep them coming
That’s great to know! I do enjoy them 😀
A thing that looked like a link to UK playlist appeared top right but all I was offered was stuff relating to the current video. So anyway, via your channel, found the playlist - and this Whitby video is not among them on the playlist !
Anyway, when's your UK trip coming to an end (presumably you'll then go back to places with exotic weeds ?)
Good to know! I’ll check it and also add this to the playlist 😀
Great seeing you in my neck of the woods. Look forward to seeing more of your tour of the UK
Plenty more videos to come 😀
i use copilot never had any issues. when you set up your unit measurement you and have to include length of your car and width in your settings if not then it may send you down a unsuitable road. hope this helps. you defo need a sat nav with caravan options.
Oh, that’s good to hear it’s working for you. Great tip about the full length.
"but I'm just enjoying walking around"...and I'm enjoying watching your videos
Glad to hear! I do enjoy an explore.
Never been to Whitby but it's somewhere I've always wanted to go. I felt for you driving on those narrow road. Loving sharing your travels.
It’s worth a visit - so cute!
You’ve done extremely well navigating our somewhat tricky roads. Prima should have hooked you up with a caravan sat nav which may have made things less stressful for you. You are visiting some lovely sites in some beautiful places. Great filming as always. Thank you for sharing.
I guess I hadn’t realised how challenging I’d find towing here... live and learn 🤣
Wow I don’t know why but I can stop watching you such a beautiful person
Glad you’re enjoying the videos 😀
Fish and chips looked lush. nice site at the end, lots of walks on your doorstep. happy caravaning.
I’m a huge fan of walking options from a campground 🤣
Why do you think you need to pay for an app? You can plan your route online, examining the road via Streetview, and enter waypoints on your GPS. Or just use maps like they did in "the old days".
I think I over worried about the roads 🤣 Eventually happy using Google Maps to pre-plan.
Karen as someone has already mentioned use the AA route planner it is very good and does not cost. My wife and I use it if we are stuck but I do tend to as I know my way round as I do 35000 miles a year traveling to classic and vintage car shows. My little sister often gets lost and phones me up as her job takes her all over the UK she says I am better at directing her where to go than her sat nav xx
Wow! Sounds like you do a bit of driving then! I really like that your sister asks you for directions 🤣
I bought a truck satnav from Amazon for around £40.... I thought what the heck I'll try it...so I just entered the height width and total length of my car and caravan and it has worked without fault.... there are quite a few to view.... worth a look.... good luck
Ha really! Fantastic to know 😀
Thats a good idea, glad it worked for you
A A would have helped with navigation or Route Master? I am sorry that I have just found your site, it is lovely to watch you travel.
Glad you're enjoying the videos Lisa! I ended up overly planning with Google Maps🤣
A great video and so enjoyable to watch, i loved the ingenuity of the plastic bottle lol
Really glad to hear you enjoyed it 😀
I’m really enjoying following your UK journey. I’m another viewer that came across you on cruising the cut. We sold our narrowboat earlier this year and were initially going to buy a longer boat but now have decided to return to hiring. We also thought about a motorhome but my husband thought it would be too cramped with three dogs! Especially when we struggled in a 45 foot boat. I’m now wondering if a caravan could be the answer. I never considered it before because I was worried about towing so watching your adventure has been really useful. The photography, music and editing is great. Thanks for sharing. BTW thank goodness you didn’t end up at Sutton Bank. I go that way to Whitby and it’s a challenge even in a car. I can’t imagine doing it in a caravan!
We did it with a caravan ! That's Dad for you. Not even sure if caravans are banned now there!
pmailkeey That’s amazing! I’m impressed. If I decide to buy a caravan I’ll go to Whitby via Scarborough but I’ll check to route in my car first 😁
@@sylviapage8572 Our car (mk 1 Granada) at the time had a 3 litre V6 engine in it - so plenty of power in a big & heavy car - with a 4 berth van.
pmailkeey That takes me back! I remember the Granada well, the top of the range Ford! Everyone wanted the Capri, Cortina or Granada. Where were the BMWs, Audi’s and Mercedes then? I remember my father looking at new cars, Vauxhall Viva, Morris Marina and Ford Escort were on his short list then, in the early 70s. When I occasionally come across those cars now I’m shocked at how small they are! Did you retain your love of caravanning?
@@sylviapage8572 We got 'lucky'. Dad managed a garage and sold Ford cars - got the Granada Ghia as an ex-demonstrator - a bit cheaper ! It was the UK version, not the German one - which had a different instrument panel and wipers on the headlights.
Hello Karen . i'm enjoying your trip around England . 1 question , why did you hire such a huge caravan to take you around England for just 1 person , a smaller caravan would be much easier to travel and move around narrow roads etc :-)
To be honest, the size hasn’t really concerned me and it’s been lovely experiencing a caravan with this layout.
Whitby Abbey looks amazing !
Yes, such a setting!
Karen, you are doing fantastically well. A lone woman caravanning and sorting things out for yourself. I admire your perseverance and resilience. Hope the British people are proving to be friendly? 👏👏
Thank you! Everyone has been very friendly so far 😀
Karen your so lucky to be there and see the history. I was in London once and seen so much....its amazing there. Enjoy!
Yes, the history is amazing!
Caravaning is very relaxing it’s just the drive to and from hahahahaha
Haha seems that way sometimes!
Yes agreed
We travelled uk by car and used the tomtom's app and downloaded the uk map. Might be a bit late but I found it useful. I enjoyed the fish and chips too.
Love from Aus.
Good to know the TomTom app worked for you 😀
Lovely place, watch out Dracula doesn't get you😅😅😅don't forget to have fish n chips while your there
Yes, so interesting about Dracula too!
@@TravellingK yes,i live not far from there and used to hear the stories when i was young,just near where Captain Cook was born
Use Google maps.
Also you can download maps for offline use.. you can use these for walking maps as well.
And zoom in to check road information .
Nice 😀 I’ve started using AllTrails for walks - it’s brilliant!
Talking about 'Fish and Chips', we ordered some whitebait in England and they were nothing like ours... and so salty!! It was all a learning curve in Britain. Ended up at Little Chef and Happy Eater (are they still there?). This was back in 1991.
Oh that’s interesting! I like how you get mushy peas with your fish’n’chips
As soon as I heard that noise - I immediately thought the jockey wheel's hit the ground !
Our jockey wheel went higher than yours - it was inside the A frame and the bottom of the wheel was about half an inch (10mm) below the A frame itself when fully up.
I'm not convinced it's unwound itself - are you sure you fully retracted it ??????
Ha, you’re an experienced caravan net if you know that sound 🤣 Yes, the wheels sits like that - I just need to make sure I push the top handle firmly in place!
@@TravellingK Actually, any non-metallic soft materials hitting the road make a similar sound - but jockey wheel is the most likely cause on a caravan !
TK, I’ve lived in the UK all my life & I still struggle driving here sometimes. You are in a foreign Country Half way round the world-you are doing incredible👍🏻, TK for PM I say😊, it makes for great viewing👏🏻👏🏻
Thank you Robert! Really reassuring to hear. It has taken me a while to feel comfortable towing here.
Well said 👍 some driver here can’t tow full stop. Good job we now have to do another test for over 750kg trailers some with the old licences are scary when towing.
Hello Karen, You are staying on one of our favourite campsites, we used to own a static on the site but now travel there with our tourer. Its great that you are using private sites as well as caravan club. On the whole navigation thing, I would buy a AWESAFE satnav from Amazon, you can set it to your vehicle being a lorry with trailer, we paid £42 for it, its huge and we never get stuck. You can also use it in New Zealand.
Ah, that’s great to hear you’ve gone from a static caravan to a tour caravan 😀 It was a lovely campground. I’m keen to get a feel for the different types of campgrounds here.
Good to know about the Awesafe option!
have stayed on broodings farm with my caravan. must say was impressed with it and once the lockdown is over will use it again. myself my partner and dog love Whitby. always go as often as possible.
Yes, that campground had great views and a good base for exploring the area! Hope you can visit again soon.
@@TravellingK hopefully will back up to whitby once the UK lockdown is over with. Broadings Farm site was very handy for a lot of the area. We got sited on the edge of the site looking toward the moors so had an amazing view.
Karen, have a look in to using Tomtom Go app combined with Tomtom mydrive. Mydrive app allows you to put in your total vehicle size including caravan. You can also request to avoid toll roads etc.
Then plan your route in mydrive app and sync it to tomtom go app. Tomtom go will then take you on the route taking in to consideration your rig.
It's about £15 for 1year sub for tomtom go. Mydrive is free.
Oh that’s interesting to hear! Thank you
Come to Canada some time. The roads are wide but coming home yesterday two moose, both males with a full set of antlers, ran along side in the ditch before making a dash across the highway heedless of this pesky humans in their RV's. A little scary but really exciting too. The day before we saw three coyotes grinning at us . But, no campground pubs!
Geeee that’s something different! Haha
@@TravellingK Not around here. We live in North Central Alberta. Occasionally a moose will even wander into the city despite the fact that there are more than a million people living here. Lot's of green belts make access easy. The scary thing with moose is that they are so big. The largest of the deer family they can easily top 1400 pounds or more. If you are unfortunate enough to hit one with a vehicle the real danger is that the legs. once taken out from under. allows the moose's body to crash through the windshield. Everyone is aware of wildlife on the roads and very cautious. I hope!
I would of gone for a swim amongst th e Lilly pads
Take it you b are back in NZ by now
What did you think of the UK ?
Hehe, there were warning signs about dangerous mud everywhere!
No, I’m still over here. Have a surprise 😜
@@TravellingK Hope your enjoying it
Good thing is loads more video to edit and be watched about the UK
In Britain never complain that it's too hot we get enough dull cloudy rainy days so enjoy the sunshine and the heat it never lasts long anyway
Hehe ok 😀
Great video I'm enjoying watching them all. Me, my wife and baby daughter are currently on our first caravanning holiday this week, we've been to the North Lake district and now we're in the South Lakes.
The driving can sometimes be stressful but I've found that using Google maps and using the street view option helps beforehand and if all else fails and you end up down a really narrow lane the oncoming traffic will have to reverse, that's the worse that can happen anyway.
Try not to get stressed it doesn't help and not many people get impatient with caravaners and I bet if the ones that did ever had a go at towing they would appreciate the skill and patience it takes to do so. 😎😎😁😁👍👍
Give us a shout if you go west & end up anywhere near Haverigg !
Sounds like you have the best attitude for caravanning here 😀 And so glad you’re loving it all so far.
When we bought our Bailey Pegasus we defo knew we needed to have movers but we also had levellers fitted and boy they were worth it
Loved Whitby- cute town with all the Cook connections!
I'll agree, and was surprised to see the Cook museum.
Those towing mirrors, fitted correctly are "the best" and I have tried several. You can buy replacement clamps for them.👍
I think it would have stayed on if I’d had a replacement clamp 🤦♀️
Thanks, Karen for another great video. just like your self mainly travell on my own and find its best to have a PUMP glass flask at hand fastened down or in a cupboard. when putting on the kettle may as well fill up the flask with water, for more than a day stays hot to warm. saves on dragging out the kettle or starting with cold water. But it has to be a glass flask type, not Stainless/S are Useless and I am struggling sourcing glass flasks @ 2lts /3lts
Oh that’s an interesting idea...
Well done Karen. The experience you are gaining over here will stand you in good stead for the future. Our roads have unfortunately got steadily worse in the UK. Driving standards are deteriorating, more traffic on the roads and everyone in such a hurry. Been driving HGV's for 30+ years here and my recent dash cam footage would make your toes curl.....😱😬
Yikes!! I’m sure you’ll have an accumulation of scary footage!
Hi Karen. Couple of things.
Waze is really good and also so is Michelin route planner and then you can screen shot the routes as you can add a caravan.
Secondly you should drive up onto your levelling ramps and not reverse as when reversing it does not allow the overrun brakes to engage. Hope your well. Oliver
Great tips 😀 I’ve previously had other comments debate whether it’s better to reverse or drive forward onto a leveller 🤣 I just use a chock now to avoid any issues.
3:54 "fish and chips" with two i's... are you SURE you're a Kiwi? :-) Loving the vlog, you're seeing more of England on one trip than most ever do.
Haha, fush’n’chups would be better?
Burton Constable is about 5 miles from my home ..nice to know your in my neck of the woods Karen.. I'm in Hull
Oh great! It’s a lovely spot. Wish I’d had time to explore Hull too.
Guess what? I live very near Whitby and found you by watching cruising the cut.....the power of the internet !!!
Oh great! Welcome to the channel. I seriously found Whitby very beautiful...
@@TravellingK if you ever chance back this way explore the coast - Robin Hood's Bay, Sandsend and Staithes are very nearby and similarly beautiful
Forget the negative comments below, Karen. You’re on your own towing a big van around in a strange country. As someone has said, your anxiety about the narrow roads is winding you up even more, but you’re doing a great job. Enjoy the rest of your trip. I’m looking forward to seeing your upcoming vlogs, x
Thank you Anthea! I really appreciate your comment. Yes, I did go through a patch of overly stressing, but luckily I’ve started feeling more confident towing here... hopefully no more surprises!
Travelling K Very pleased to hear you’re feeling better, x
congratulations on doing so well on the uk roads, everyone finds the uk roads narrow and congested, your doing wonderful
Thank you! Has taken a little while to get use to them 🤣
You know you can drive up on short 2x4's lengthwise to level the trailer and not need the chocks. I've got an old RV, being rebuilt, that has small levels glued/screwed on the sides and one on the back so I can tell how level it is. The one at the back tells how level it is side to side and the one on the side tells how level it is front to back. Yep the fridge doesn't work right if it's not level. 😳 Wow, that traffic is insane. I also have a motorcycle and that guy on the motorcycle is what gives us all a bad name. 😡 Nice video Karen. Loved the trip into town to the museum. 👍 Yes, I know I use too many smilies. 😀
Yes, bits of wood would work well 😀 I was more concerned about the motorcyclist hitting the turning car! A near miss.
I do love Whitby - fish 'n' chips and a pint of ale, Captain Cook and Dracula, fishing boats and a ruined abbey .. what more can you ask for? 😁
470 comments and no-one has mentioned Whitby Goth Weekend?! It's been going in one form or another ever six months for over 20 years. It's a huge deal in the UK Goth scene, with people coming from all over the country and often from abroad to visit. There are loads of peripheral events around the town, with the main festival being held in the Spa. I've played several of these events - including the main Spa stage - many times over the years in both my bands, as well as DJing. :-)
For years I used to stay in my van in the West Cliff car park before they changed the rules. Then I stayed once or twice in the Stoupe Cross Farm caravan site just down the road from where you stayed. More recently I had to give my van up and get a car, so I've stayed in many of the lovely (and some not so lovely!) holiday cottages around the town.
Wow, that motorcyclist had a near death experience...
Did you buy any Whitby jet?
It was a near thing... I looked at the Whitby jet 🤣
I'm enjoying your videos good content thanks.
Really glad to hear 😀
When you go in the garage get a AA map book, been using them since I was a truck driver. .now using with my caravan and reading my caravan and mortorhome club book. .motorway services station allways have them...good luck Alan. .
Keep it simple? Would be good for preplanning
@@TravellingK I allways find the caravan sites book hard to understand. So using the AA map book really helpful. .roads in the UK are not straight forward. ..good luck Alan. .
I sometimes use google maps on an Android phone and that works very well. It's available on iPhones too.
I used Google maps last month on a sport trip and it was almost spooky.
In a road construction area, they were doing underground work and the road had you switch lanes several times, and my phone warned me through every one of them.
Turn right
Turn left
Turn right
Over and over.....it was Amazing.
I’ve actually started using Google Maps more now with plenty of pre-planning 😀
Whitby is a great place, nice video, Great views.
Thank you 😀 It’s so picturesque
The best way to put the jockey wheel up is to point the wheel towards the car and not van when it’s raised. This way round saves your knuckles from been skint when tightening the wheel.
I’ve been caravaning for nearly 20 years and how just found this out this year.
Hmm that’s a great tip!! And 20years! Brilliant
Just think how easy it will be when you go home and tow, I think you will have had every challenge possible by the time your visit is over, tks for sharing, who cares if they're out of order each one is an adventure till next time
Thank you! Yes, I am expecting to find towing in NZ a breeze after this trip 🤣
Wow - your doing great honestly - but can I make two suggestions if you haven't already done so - buy a small piece of chain / wire or even just decent thin rope - a few simple wrap arounds the jockey wheel will make it very secure (it can happen - not your fault!) - - you should be able to find sites with safe routes and easy access from caravan and camping club sites - then unhitch and drive to nice places to visit etc - - that's what we have always done to avoid these horrendous experiences ! - great video - but you're making me nervous now - stay safe
Good tip about the rope!
And yes, I think I should have research more about the campgrounds before visiting 🤦♀️ Oh well
Always wondered what the zizag lines mean on uk roads?
Oh I’m not sure!
I’d recommend checking out google maps before you drive. Most uk roads are absolutely fine for a caravan, but some needed to be avoided. It might mean a slightly longer route on A class roads, but most of the country are well served by them.
Yes, I’ve finally found a system with checking Google Maps though rally first. Has saved me more stress 😀😀
Great video.
Glad you enjoyed it 😀
Another great video, thanks for sharing
Glad you enjoyed 😀
Love broadings farm for the scenery and dog walks but like you said you do need levellers for the caravan depending on which field/pitch you choose...whitby is a great town with lots of history and traditional British pubs
Wish we’d known you were Whitby bound, would have come and said hello. Just for future reference iPhones have a level built into the compass app. If you’re still in the neighbourhood there are a couple of great five sites near us. Both located near a little village called Kirby Knowle just north east of Thirsk. Great places to visit right on the doorstep. Hope to see you about. Enjoy North Yorkshire.
Thank you Gary! I’ve moved on from the area but always good to hear of other campground options 😀
if you ever visit the UK again you can get GBP PRE PAID credit cards all you do is load it with money from your country it will then get converted into our currency at the exchange rate it is on the day, you can get them before you travel or when you arrive as you just need to look for a money shop fill out the form put on the amount you need and you get the card there and then and your good to go, you can even top it up if you run low at any money shop and i think some ATMs allow you do top up also
You’ve have to try “waze” for navigation tool. It’s free but I don’t know it’s working in NZ.
I wish I'd tried it out!
Make sure the jockey wheel axle arm goes into the slot in the leg when you wind it up. Then raise the leg. That will ensure that the wheel does not unwind itself.
I always put it in the slot, just for that extra height from the ground 🤷♀️
Just get an iTunes voucher.. for the app... that should work I’m sure 🤷♂️ u so resourceful filling the water with the bottle 😊 must say that van looks looong.... beautiful scenery.... when do u leave the UK??
Yes, I hadn’t thought about an iTunes voucher! I’m here for a couple more weeks 😀
Our jockey wheel drops occasionally. No real pattern so frustrating! New one this time was our 13pin socket was trailing when we got to site recently. A new one on us, I'm still trying to fathom! We leave the running lights on all the time now so we can see electrics are connected as little way to know when driving. Sometimes I wish we had hitch cam!
Ah that does sound frustrating! I’ve also had the pin socket disconnect and be completely destroyed on my NZ caravan. The new one fits much tighter and it hasn’t disconnected since.
I love Whitby. You should have tryed Flamborough, fantastic walks.
Ah I nearly did stay by Flamborough 😀 Needed more time
@@TravellingK Never enough time :(
Wow. Just noticed how many subscribers you now have. That’s a huge difference between the 5,000 you had before June and now. Well done. You must be so excited and proud. Enjoying your vids. Steve
Thank you! Yes, it’s been a huge jump! Super happy with it 😀
Seems really wierd seeing places I know so well on your video. I wonder if I was in the ambulance that passed you in Cloughton.
Hi Karen
Good video as always. I always use Google maps and never had a problem with it. I recommend it.
Thank you Dave 😀 And I’ve eventually learnt to pre-plan with google maps! Much better now.
You can buy google play pre pay cards in supermarkets and post offices in uk
So good to know! Thank you
I know this whole "camping/caravaning" thing is different in the UK than it is here in Canada, or the US, but you seem to hauling around way more trailer than one person needs ( also a problem over here ). The difference over here is that most of the vehicles that people drive - full-size pick ups in particular, make towing a non-issue. I remember being told that your trailer is never big enough when you're camping, and too big when you're towing it. It's hard to find that perfect medium.
It is supposed to be camping though, a few less luxuries makes for far easier towing.
The other difference is we don't have anywhere near the same type of history that you showed earlier.
Around here , a couple of hundred years old is amazing . That wouldn't even register as being interesting in the UK probably.
Oh I like that saying about not big enough for camping / too big for towing!
And we’re a very new country in New Zealand so I am appreciating all this history.
Not being level can affect the fridge working too.
Yes, that’s a good point 😀
We have all put a flat spot on the jockey wheel at some point lol.
You missed Robin hoods bay near whitby.....stunning old place.
I really needed more time to explore more. The theme of this trip 🤣
@@TravellingK
When are you going home? Not that we are wanting rid of you of coarse 😁
You really seem to struggle with the roads in the U.K. they are quite different from New Zealand . I worked in Christchurch on the southern island, and the roared were nice to drive on. They were wide and always in good repair. The kiwis
It really has taken me a while to become comfortable towing on these roads. But I’m getting there 😀
I used to see quite a few caravans at a place where I enjoyed hiking called Arthur’s pass.....the drive there from Christchurch was quite beautiful and the roads were in great repair.
Well done Karen, towing your vehicle along the roads to & from Whitby in the North York Moors, the roads are completely different on the East Coast of Yorkshire, Steve than down on the south coast especially the roads along the moors & most of them were originally farm tracks & they can be very narrow plus they are very steep due to being in our beautiful North York Moors & there are lots of tight bends, too; the jurassic south coast is flat in comparison but beautiful, too but the East Coast is my favourite bcos l'm from Yorkshire 😍
Whitby a lovely place we was there a month ago. They have a great steam train line there to ...Maybe next time.. Good luck
Oh so much to see! Maybe next time 😜
That Burton Constable site looked good, hope the music didn't go on too long.
I do enjoy a site I can walk straight from 😀 And luckily music stopped at a decent time... think it’s a Sunday afternoon thing?
I love your videos but wonder do you get a bit lonely travelling alone ?
Hi Stanley. Sometimes I enjoy travelling alone and sometime I wish I had company🤷♀️But overall I'm glad to be out exploring.
Thanks Karen for another great vidéo 😉 remenber it is important to have your caravan level for your fridge too.
Yes, that’s true 😀
So everywhere people go with caravan they have ramps and a level
@@ramblingrob4693
Yes or course.it is part of Basic material for a good caravaner.
I find it easier to drive forward on leveling ramps and chock behind tyres. you need to drive forward after Reversing up ramps due to the over run/reverse mech orvthe hand break dosent work
Good point...
Download Navmii its a free satnav ;) options to enter in length and width of vehicle towing.
Ohhh I’ll have a look! Thank you
Great video, thankyou 😊 x
Glad you enjoyed it 😀
@@TravellingK you should take me next time 😁 x
Great video k
Thanks James 😀
We left manor house on Sunday, very busy this weekend.
Oh I can imagine now it’s August!