Changing Pitches at Chester Fairoaks
It was in the year 2000 when our we went to Chester Fairoaks from Polesworth Abbey. There are a group of us from the Abbey who are caravanners and we have always gone away for the May Day Bank Holiday Weekend. Now in the year 2000, May Day was tagged on to the end of the Easter Holiday so we decided to go for a week, as the majority of us were able to do so. Unfortunately one family couldn't do this, so would join us for the weekend.
We arrived, and were on grass pitches - the only ones left. The weather took a turn for the worse and we had a wet session. The grass turned very boggy and it wasn't long before we were 'paddling in mud'. The wardens closed the site and rang up our friends to tell them they couldn't come. However some of those on hardstandings left and she cried down the phone to the warden who eventually allowed them to come.
It was every man for himself on site - no holds barred. As soon as a hardstanding became available people were grabbing it. Most of our group had gone off site. We spotted a hardstanding, so we went in for the kill. The contents of the awning were quickly emptied onto the vacated hardstanding pitch and we started to take down the awning. Pegs up, poles down. Then we thought, why bother taking the awning off the awning rail. With one quick motion we got the canvas of the awning over the roof of the caravan, and we were on our way. We soon were set up on a dry hardstanding. Our friends arrived back and were quite jealous of our newly acquired hardstanding.
Over the next 24 hours, most of us changed pitches, and the last was moved in style. After emptying the awning and unpegging, the poles and awning were left in place. After hitching up, we moved the caravan, with one person holding each awning pole leg and moving very slowly toward the newly acquired pitch. It was quite a specticle and we managed to attract a small audience. If I can find a photo then I'll add it below.
Our other friends arrived at the weekend when all the fun had taken place. The weather had cleared up a bit and we had a good weekend.
Not sure if we achieved an aweful lot by deciding to have the whole week away, but at least we have some quick options for moving a caravan with the awnings attached!!!
David