After spending many years looking at campervans and then another couple looking at trailer tents we very impulsively went out and bought a caravan.
Aparently when buying a second hand caravan you're meant to tap things - "Did you do any tapping?" my friend asked. Well no, we didn't know about the tapping. Joe did get down on his knees and confidently looked underneath the caravan - I was very impressed and presumed this meant he knew what he was doing but I think maybe he'd read somewhere that's what you're meant to do.
We purchased the caravan in a moment of impulsiveness which is highly uncharacteristic for us. We like to dither - a lot.
After it arrived home we had a moment of panic when we thought perhaps we didn't get a good deal. We found things we hadn't noticed or even known to look for. We stripped it down and cleaned it out, we had our tea in it. The kids played chess in it and then we had an Indian takeaway. Eventually we spent a night in it, and it was good. Our previous experience of camping has always been in a tent and always a dome tent where you can't stand up. I've never understood this as I believe it's not too much to ask to be able to stand up whilst on holiday! Camping for me always involved being cold and damp and lying awake all night shuffling around trying to avoid the rock that is digging into the back of your head. By comparison the caravan is like a 5 star luxury hotel.
The next thing was to actually go somewhere - we had to tow it! We got the towbar fitted and then had a little practice "off road". I panicked and screamed "what are you doing? Slow down!" - we were doing 4 miles per hour!
Eventually we plucked up the courage to go on the road :
I had no idea about caravan wear but apparently you have to have a special hat - only to be worn when caravanning :
I think it helps if the hat co-ordinates with your checked shirt.
This outfit can also be worn for sports :
and relaxing ...
And it was soooo relaxing. At one point during the weekend Joe asked me what I wanted to do, I turned to him from my slouched position in the deck chair and replied "I'm thinking of putting the oven on".
That was how relaxing it was. I also found everything is so hilarious when you're camping. Things that at home would drive you mad like hitting your head on the cupboard door or tripping over each other in the kitchen just seemed really funny! I also enjoyed walking to the shower block in my pyjamas which is just an acceptable way to behave on a campsite. Passing other people who you've never met in similar states of undress - spotty dressing gowns, big furry slippers and saying hello without the slightest hint of embarrasment. It was fabulous!
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