Becoming Domestic

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.

…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!

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:

1.  Caravan is hitchd up correctly
2. 12n - 12s cables connected
3. Breakaway cable connected
4. Stabiliser engaged - if fitted
5. Handbrake is off
6. Jockey wheel is up and secure
7. Corner steadies up and secure
8. All ramps and blocks stowed
9. All water carriers stowed
10. Fridge is set to 12 volt
11. Gas is turned OFF
12. All windows and roof lights secure
13. All road lights working
14. Outside lockers & door secure

Have a safe journey!