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[GeordieGirl]

I've a campervan addiction - bought my first VW camper in 2010 and it's bankrupted me ever since.  I looooove being able to just jump in and go without having to pack, I just need fresh milk and clothing.  The VW scene is good fun too, lots of festivals that are cheap as chips but with good company and entertainment.   The only downside was getting to know all the AA / RAC men by name, nearly every trip ended up with a return journey on the back of a flat bed truck after a wait on a hard shoulder. 

I'm hoping to swap to a newer model this year, not quite the same charm but I'm looking forward to being able to drive without trying to diagnose the latest smoke or smell from the engine....

GG x

[CLKD]

  ….. my b in Law has his head under the bonnet of his VW often! which is why we went for something completely different …… I have a basket of dried foods/soups and another basket of basic clothing ready to be lifted into the 'van 10 mins. before we go.  I would like something a little larger but our Hyundai model fits in the garage.

I know someone who is selling a camper but not a VW 

[GeordieGirl]

Reading this thread backwards (doh) and have just seen the post about E111 cards....  Please please don't use this instead of travel insurance but as well as. I run a holiday organisation and a number of people have fallen foul of this, one parent's child had an accident in France and it ended up costing her nearly £2k with things not covered. That included some treatment, but also incidentals like her extra accommodation so she could stay out with her son while he was in hospital, tickets to come home a shorter route later and a host of other things she hadn't thought of.  For the sake of £20 or so on travel insurance she was kicking herself.

CLKD I was tempted to buy a vintage folding caravan last year whilst my VW was off road for a while and it's lovely, but just not the same.  It'll be sold again this summer.  I'm hoping to find a VW T5 (new van) somewhere this year and get it converted to my own spec - I'd give up my car if I had a decent van.  I've had to promise my kids though that there'd be no flowers, my current van has a vinyl wrap covered with daisies - making me even more embarrassing for my teens than normal apparently 

GG x

[CLKD]

When we were looking - it took 6 years to decide  - we went to Hillside in Derby who do T5 conversions! the only reason we didn't buy is because the handbrake was low - DH at 6ft had difficulty in reaching it so me at 5 nowt had no chance! They were really helpful and we went round the Workshop and I wanted the Red One  …….. the leisure battery was housed under the driver's seat which made it higher.

We bought lots of motorhome magazines.  Lots and lots and  ………..

Is your business UK based or World wide ? How exciting!

[GeordieGirl]

Six years? I wish I'd done my homework that well, I saw I bought (egged on by the kids). A good buy really but anything that's so old is bound to come with problems...the reason we're all here in fact   

My business is mainly European, we arrange holidays for single parent families from camping through to 5 star all inclusive Med trips or Lapland adventures.  Good fun, great people but sooo time intensive.  The benefit of working for yourself is you can work as long as you want for as little as you want, and those 3am insomnia spots are put to good use 

Where do you head to in your camper? I'm always looking for new sites...

GG x

[Cazikins]

We usually go to Croatia but cant afford it this year (well not at the moment), so are considering Tunisia as it is very very cheap.
Has anyone any tips on a good, cheap hotel & a nice area as we know very little about the place.
We want somewhere quiet that is not all for young families.
Thanks x

[GeordieGirl]

Yasmine Hammamet has some good hotels, we use the Iberostar Averroes (right on the beach) or the Belisaire across the road. Cheap and if you go out of school holidays they shouldn't be too overrun.

Croatia is one of my favourites, but the money just doesn't go as far.

Have you considered Bulgaria at all? We've been skiing there last week and it was so cheap! For summer resorts I'd suggest Nessebar or Sozopol, there are some good, all inclusive hotels available.

GG x

[CLKD]

Bulgaria is up and coming apparently.

We go across the UK in our camper - using C&CC sites or small private fields with basic facilities.  It is useful for over-nighters to antique fairs etc..

[Limpy]

Bulgaria is up and coming apparently.

We go across the UK in our camper - using C&CC sites or small private fields with basic facilities.  It is useful for over-nighters to antique fairs etc..

CLKD - Do you think you could cope with taking the camper to France?
You wouldn't need to fly, could use a ferry or the chunnel.......

[CLKD]

Nope  - lots of people do, they buy left-hand drive vehicles and spend British Winters in Spain ……… I had to come home from Lewes in October which shook me to the core …….. I have to be 5 hours from home.

[Limpy]

Well at least you've tried CLKD, Lewes ain't close.   

[CLKD]

   I had been several times.  But it's knocked my confidence, now every time I think of returning I get the collywobbles 

It's an area we love to visit too. 

[honeybun]

A five hour radius gives you plenty of choice and you enjoyed your Scottish week last year.

So you don't go abroad....who cares...I don go either 




Honeyb
X

[Limpy]

Honeyb is right CLKD, you DID get up to Scotland last year.
I seem to remember you enjoyed that.

[CLKD]

 :thank you:    We did.  That was in Sept. and I visited a family friend not seen since 1991: B4 the panic in Lewes ……. so could go back to Scotland/Northumbria without problems [probably] but down South  and I know that's logical in case panic takes over again but it's restrictive  ……. little steps