First trips in our new motorhome!

Well, here is our story from contemplation through to our first soirée into Motorhome ownership. With our planned retirement coming closer by the week, my wife, Sharon floated the idea of a Motorhome so that we could explore the UK. The UK that we had been keen to escape throughout our working life seeking the warmth of more tropical climates!

After a period of deliberation, we considered a Motorhome large enough to accommdate visiting children and grandchildren. However after a really interesting and tiring trip to the Motorhome Show at the NEC in October, we narrowed our search to a two berth, small enough to sit comfortably on our drive thereby readily accessible for an impromptu weekend escape. With the potential future purchase of a Driveaway Awning to accommodate any family visitors.

After a fairly short search and a rashful weekend we became the proud owners of a Bailey Autograph 625, which has (perhaps unimaginably) has been christened 'Bailey'.

With a planned trip to North Wales already in our diaries, we decided to be brave and take Bailey for our first soirée. We booked Ludlow for our first night with three further nights at Betws Y Coed. Our arrival at Ludlow couldn't have been easier with a warm welcome and helpful advice from reception.

Fortunately, my brother has been an avid caravan club member for a number of years and gave all sorts of useful advice which helped immensely. Well, we filled up, hooked up and levelled ourselves without too much embarrassment. The biggest issue was trying to aim the TV aerial in the right direction, a phone call to big brother gave the not entirely helpful advice of "aim it in the same direction as everyone else" but it's pitch black out there, I replied which resulted in a response "that's why we pitch in the daylight"

The following day we left Ludlow and after a swift visit to the Ludlow Food Centre, (well worth a visit) enjoyed the drive to our next stop at the Riverside Caravan Park at Betws Y Coed. Once again we received a warm welcome and helpful advice. Whilst tending to 'Bailey's' ablutions at the service point we were asked for advice from a couple on their first night away! Although we owned up to being complete novices ourselves, we were able to assist!

We probably knocked a few minutes off our arrival / set up, which included the acquisition of a coax cable to hook up to the television point.

The first thing we noticed was the quality and cleanliness of the facilities. Although we have everything we really need on board 'Bailey' the showers, toilets, laundry washing up and veg prep area were just fantastic.

We returned home suitably enthused and immediately set about planning our next great escape. A three day trip to the south coast was duly planned and Caravan Club Sites at Littlehampton and Brighton booked online which was so easy! Clear and concise email confirmations arrived by return. Whilst in 'booking mode' we also booked for New Years Eve at Cardiff.

Our second escape in 'Bailey' coincided very nicely with the arrival of 'Storm Angus' having camped with a Youth Group on numerous occasions we were not going to let a little inclement weather scupper our plans. Remembering the well used phrases "It's only a shower - it won't come to much" and "There's no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing" we set off and arrived at Littlehampton enjoying a look round Arundel en-route. On arrival at CC Littlehampton the lack of the right tap connector on the drinking water tap threw us slightly, but a chat with the warden swiftly solved our predicament.

I have to admit that Saturday night was quite interesting, warm and snug we were, but 'Bailey' seemed to have a passion for 'Rock n Roll' And may well have qualified for a 10 from Len! I was pleased we were in a vehicle weighing 3.5 tonnes and that it was very unlikely that we would find ourselves in France without our passports the following morning.

A short drive along the coast the next day stopping to buy a suitable tap connector, saw us arrive at CC Brighton. We filled up and chatted to a couple who had decided to leave early due to the weather, and took up residence on Pitch 120. A walk to Brighton Marina for supplies was easy with directions, bus times, maps and advice from the Warden.

A comparatively quiet night apart from the rain on the roof meant we were suitably refreshed to explore Brighton and The Lanes. It was a pleasant walk from CC Brighton down towards the Marina then along the sea front to the town centre. Appropriate Clothing' came in useful but a spot of rain doesn't hurt - this is November in England after all.

Another fairly wild and windy night, but the site was quiet and peaceful. I attempted round two with the aerial and signal booster gizmo with little success as the reception on BBC 1 via the TV hook up was a bit scratchy!

The following morning a low water level alarm and a high waste water alarm meant we utilised the spotlessly clean shower facilities. The new motor home drainage grids made the drainage of the waste tank even easier than at Littlehampton whilst leaving the site.

With everything stowed, seat belts on, compartment doors to manual and cross check we set off, homeward bound. We stopped at a supermarket late morning to buy some fresh bread before visiting National Trust Uppark, where we had a pleasant lunch and a nice cup of tea (in the car park!)

Here we are back home having had a great few days, roll on December and our New Year trip to Cardiff.

Finally our thanks to all the staff at Ludlow, Riverside, Betws Y Coed, Littlehampton and Brighton you all made our first couple of trips an absolute pleasure.