VIRGIN Caravanner

This story happened on: 18/03/2012

We have just brought our very first caravan, it's a secondhand SWIFT, Challenger 500 SE and today 18th March we have booked our first pitch. After camping in many places in the UK and a couple of times in Europe we are looking forward to this new adventure.

Never have we towed behind us everything and the kitchen sink to our holiday location, obviously we feel excited, anxious and somewhat nervous. What we have found very comforting is the feedback, tips and information in the comments written by members of the caravan club and from readers of other caravaning magazines, we feel that we have extended our family, thanks to all those who have helped us.

As part of my job I spend 25% of my working week behind the steering wheel and in summer 75% of this time I find myself in a long line of traffic behind a caravan or two sometimes. Now I can't wait to be the person in front of that queue I will certainly have a smile on my face and think back to how that rep feels at the back of that queue.

PS. Chemical toilet. What's that all about?

Regards

Steve.

Paladin commented on 18/03/2012 22:51

Commented on 18/03/2012 22:51

Steve, if you want to know all about chemical toilets, why not try starting a discussion thread on the forum, and I'm sure memberswill be more than happy to help you understand them!   :):):)

Chris

PLM commented on 19/03/2012 14:21

Commented on 19/03/2012 14:21

Hi,

   let the fun begin. congratulations on you new investment. I am sure you will have a great time with your van, finding new sights and visiting areas new to you. Yes i have always found other members to be very friendly and always willing to help when advice is needed, We are all the same as you in that we all started some were in our first caravan. Mine was a foot pump and gas lights oh what memories . Enjoy and welcome aboard. . cheers  Phil.

commented on 19/03/2012 14:39

Commented on 19/03/2012 14:39

We were all a virgin once .... one thing for sure you will never look back only to remember the fun and happy times you had over the years. We started with ridge tenting and worked our way up through to a more luxury kind of camping! Love every minute of it. You can keep hotels and guest houses sleeping in beds where hundreds or thousands of other people have already been!!!

stanbro commented on 20/03/2012 08:55

Commented on 20/03/2012 08:55

Hi Steve,

You'll love it and will wonder why you didn't buy one years ago.  We bought our first van in September last year and can't wait to get away at every opporunity.  It is all pretty daunting on your first trip but at CC sites everyone is very helpful and will probably offer assistance without you even asking if you look puzzled or lost :-)

Chemical toilet is not so bad,  just introduce a standard rule that unless absolutely necessary only liquids in the van loo ;-)

Regards,

Dave

clarkathon commented on 20/03/2012 12:05

Commented on 20/03/2012 12:05

We too started caravaning in a Swift Challenger and had a lot of fun. I don't know how my husband talked me into it ... I had never caravaned or camped before and now absolutely love it! But I do vivdly rememer our maiden voyage. My youngest daughter squealed with delight and clapped her hands once we had pulled away from the house shouting, 'Look Daddy, look! It's still behind us!' And on glancing at my husband I had to laugh as he had the complete opposite expression as his knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel! LOL 

Have a fab time, you will meet plenty of new people, most willing to help out should you need it. And as Dave says, liquids only in the loo!!

N and D commented on 20/03/2012 15:05

Commented on 20/03/2012 15:05

Hi Steve, David and I have just enjoyed our maiden voyage at the weekend to Sandringham (check out my review) and it was fantastic, I loved every minute of it!  You will have a great time and once you've done your first trip you wont look back.  We were very nervous but it went really well.  I think it helped as we picked a really good site and everyone was so friendly.  We brought our 1st van, a Lunar Lexon SE, last month after years of delibrating.  I caravanned as a child with my parents and grandparents and have many very fond memories, but its taken quite a few years to convince David.  My brother has been caravanning with his family for the past 10 years and often David and I have been away with them, but finally having our own van is great.  Infact they practically lived in our van all weekend! as I was able to play host to them for a change.  My brother is so excited about our 1st purchase and has been so helpful and has given us lots of 'spare' equipment and tips.  We are even taking it upto Edinburgh in a couple of weeks, which seems a bit daunting as its probably a 7 hour journey from Bedford but we are travelling with my brother and another friend and their van, so it we'll be well looked after.  As our convoy of 3 vans will be carefully making its way up to Scotland, Iike you I will be looking forward to being at the front of the line of traffic!

Good luck with your first trip, I am sure it will be one of many to come.

SCFC72 commented on 21/03/2012 20:48

Commented on 21/03/2012 20:48

RE: VIRGIN Caravanner: - Readers and comments,

Hi, Dear readers / members,

On the 18th March I wrote my very first Post / Story here and again I was amazed on the amount of comments and how funny some of the replies were. 

For example FiatBessacar wrote " one thing for sure you will never look back" that hit me right in the centre of my humour, fancy telling a VIRGIN Caravanner that they will never look back!

On the trial runs I have had I haven't stopped looking back!

Brilliant and thanks.

Regards

Steve B..

SCFC72 commented on 02/05/2013 21:54

Commented on 02/05/2013 21:54

RE: VIRGIN Caravanner: - Readers and comments,

Hi, Dear readers / members,

On the 18th March I wrote my very first Post / Story here and again I was amazed on the amount of comments and how funny some of the replies were. 

For example FiatBessacar wrote " one thing for sure you will never look back" that hit me right in the centre of my humour, fancy telling a VIRGIN Caravanner that they will never look back!

On the trial runs I have had I haven't stopped looking back!

Brilliant and thanks.

Regards

Steve B..

Write your comments here...excellent comment for all caravan earscaravan ears

Woman sitting in camping chair by Wastwater in the Lake District with her two dogs and picnic blanket

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