Becoming Domestic » Camping & Caravanning

Having a Caravan Awning Is Brilliant

Ackers — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 21:00:20 +0000

Bealers was most definitely right to insist we budget for buying an awning to attach to the side of our new caravan. Having an awning doubled our living space which was especially great for the 24 hours when the weather was ferocious.

While the 60km winds whipped around the campsite and horizontal freezing rain lashed at Big Bertha we were all cosy inside either the main cabin or the rather lovely Dorema awning. Men folk (Bealers and Karl) got busy with a gastronomic feast of fried breakfast delights while the ladies and little ‘uns stayed extra snuggly inside with colouring, reading and chatting.

Unfortunately we did not think to purchase storm straps for the new awning so each evening during the gales Bealers spent a good deal of time (dressed in all-weather gear) hammering each peg back into the ground over and over again for fear of seeing our newest investment carried away into the Cornish sea. It was not in vain either as many of our fellow campers had their tents destroyed or carried off and had to abort their bank holiday fun and drive back home. Meanwhile I was snug as a bug in a furry rug with a hot water bottle, a mug of tea and a large selection of DVDs to watch on the laptop mildly wondering whether I should be worried about the furious rocking of the caravan or whether Bealers was still alive.

Caravanning is the new going abroad…

Ackers — Sun, 13 May 2007 22:19:23 +0000

…well actually that is a slight exaggeration based on one twenty-nine hour period spent in a rainy, waterlogged, riverside campsite (next to a fun-fair) BUT we did have a wonderful time ‘living’ in Big Bertha and making sure we know how to get the awning up, plug gas, electricity and fresh water in.

We walked along the river to a nice enough pub, sat outside for a pint, the kids fell into a deep sleep at bedtime and didn’t wake until 7am this morning (result!), we had a lovely meal cooked on the camp stove in the awning rather than in Bertha’s kitchenette, drank some wine & a watched a DVD together last night. Today we all stomped around Symonds Yat (in our full wet weather gear, incl. lovely waterproof slacks for all) and admired the views and the wildlife.

We are as pleased as punch that our savings were able to stretch to buying Bertha. We admit to one another that our consistent track record of slowly trashing vehicles over a number of years means we almost certainly won’t be selling her on in the future but she is the perfect size and comfort level for us & we definitely didn’t have queue to get on a plane, get foreign currency.

With a bit of luck our first actual long weekend in her will be less rainy and even more fun (this weekend was purely for testing the awning and our ability to put it up without filing for divorce, to check we knew how everything worked and that we had the right amount of kit to make a trip pleasant without too much packing).

Viva carvanning en famile!

Another Caravan Checklist

Ackers — Thu, 10 May 2007 21:38:24 +0000

This list was given to Bealers when he completed his Caravan Manoeuvering course a couple of weeks ago. It is pinned to my pin board here but suspect it may be of use to others setting off with their touring caravans:

Caravan is hitchd up correctly
12n – 12s cables connected
Breakaway cable connected
Stabiliser engaged – if fitted
Handbrake is off
Jockey wheel is up and secure
Corner steadies up and secure
All ramps and blocks stowed
All water carriers stowed
Fridge is set to 12 volt
Gas is turned OFF
All windows and roof lights secure
All road lights working
Outside lockers & door secure

Have a safe journey!

Caravanning Essentials

Ackers — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 18:07:34 +0000

Admittedly I’m typing this list after staying for a few days in a super luxurious static caravan which had all the mod-cons of home: oodles of space, central heating, a fully equipped large kitchen, decking etc etc but it got Bealers and me thinking about putting together a comprehensive checklist of the things we would definitely want to have with us once we start using our touring caravan with our two small tots (I was kicking myself because I forgot to take my precious pink wellies and couldn’t enjoy rock-pooling in the chilly North Wales sea one evening this weekend, Bealers was close to kicking me when he discovered I hadn’t thought to pack HP sauce, mustard, salt, pepper or herbs when it is well documented how much he loves cooking on his holiday).

Here goes. No doubt this will get refined as we actually use it pack over the coming year but for now I’m using this blog to keep the list safe.

4 x wellies
warm dressing gowns
wet wipes
Good picnic for the journey
Oven gloves
Tea towels
washing up brush, scourer & cloths
Washing up bowl
Fold away trolley
Rubber gloves
Frying pan
Pans large and small
Kettle
Bottle opener
Potato peeler
Tin opener
Cutlery
Measuring jug
Baking pyrex tray
Pint glasses (plastic ones?)
Water glasses 4-6
Wine glasses x 2
Mugs
Bowls
Tea, coffee & sugar & UHT milk sachets
Brown sauce
Spice grinders
Mustard
Butter
Oil spray thing
Bread
Fresh milk
Cheese
Peanut butter
Big bag of peanuts
Fruit (apples, grapes & oranges)
Honey
Pasta
Rice
Potatoes
Loo rolls
Bedding
Beach towels
Bath towels
Buckets & spade sets
Hot water bottles
Notepad & pen
Few toys, books and crayons
Shower cap
Slippers x 4
Sunhats x4
Sunglasses x 4
Nailbrush
Hair mousse
Moisturiser
Soap
Shampoo & conditioner
Picnic set & picnic rug
Sharp knives
Snuggly blanket (for me during the evening)
2 x sleeping bags for kids (or are they too young to use?)
Body warmers x 4
Sandals x 4
Leggings for girls
Socks & pants
Suncream
Hairbrush
Fabric plasters roll, scissors & antiseptic spray
Calpol
Cough syrup
Phenagren
Sting cream
Mooncup
Waterproof trousers & coats
Books & mags
Camera (charged and memory cleared!)

Apparently we’ll also be needing these highly essential items:

Smoke alarm with new batteries
Fire extinquisher and fire blanket
First aid kit containing relevant medicines
Rear registration number plate for caravan
Spare wheel and jack
Extension mirrors for driving
Caravan battery, electric hook-up lead and gas bottle
Wheelclamp, hitchlock and stabiliser
Caravan brace for corner steadies
Caravan step
Waste water container and pipe
Fresh water container and all connections
Chemical toilet with suitable chemicals
Awning complete with poles, pegs and mallet

And we’ll need to remember to do these touring caravan checks before starting the journey:
(courtesey of http://www.perransprings.co.uk/caravan-journey.asp)

Check your car tyre pressures are suitable for towing and check wheel nuts are tight
Turn of gas cylinder(s) and ensure they are securely strapped upright
Empty water tanks, carry any water you might need for the journey in a small container
Secure any loose items in the caravan, close windows, roof lights, fridge catch, and all door
catches
Once you have finished securing the caravan, ensure the handbrake is on
Raise the corner steadies and stow winding handle and step
Lock the door and hitch up, checking the mechanism is fully engaged
Wind up the jockey wheel, unclamp and raise to its highest position.
Re-clamp securely and fit the stabiliser bar, if applicable
Correctly attach the breakaway cable, preferably to pigtail or secure part of the towing bracket
Do not loop it over your towball
Connect 12v cables making sure there is enough slack when turning corners
Check your lights and that all mirrors are adjusted properly
Walk around the caravan, to check it is sitting correctly
You are now ready to go, but it is advisable to stop during the first 15 minutes of your journey
to do one last check