What are you all up to
Comments
-
Pleased folks cars are passing the MOT, so fit to be on the road. Just a huge shame that the roads don't require a similar test to be safe for the vehicles. We have huge potholes. We are only on the edge of The Fens and have large undulating road surfaces, enough to bottom your vehicle. I accidently went on a Fen road before Christmas - I admit to being terrified. Deep dyke to one side and traffic driving fast. Those behind me had to crawl like me🫣, but they were impatient.... Luckily we were able to pull in and let them sort themselves.
A visit to Ely isn't likely for some considerable time!
0 -
Nice day today we went to the caravan show in Glasgow agree with @KjellNN there were more motorhomes than caravans but we had a nice day a good walk around looked at caravan but nothing we would swap our current one for. Noticed that the price of tourers have considerably risen since we bought our current van 8 years ago it’s almost 25-30k for what would maybe be termed as an entry level model now quite a jump. We did get a couple of things we got two new chairs for the van badly needed our current ones are past their best and have been for the past couple of years so got a good deal on two new ones also visited the Cadac stand and bought a few things from there Good day out . @Bakers2 agree about the roads the pot holes in our roads here in Ayrshire are shocking especially on the Main Street of our town which gets heavy traffic with buses and lorries etc
Hope everyone else has had a nice weekend
0 -
Pleased to read that you are feeling so much better after starting on your new tablets, @richardandros and I hope the improvement continues.
Fine photos @Bakers2 it is hoped that the snowdrops recover after the the church has been fully developed, they are a resilient plant.
I think that everywhere has problems with potholes these days @Bakers2 and @Francis. There are some large deep ones around our estate, which I think are exacerbated by the majority of cars driving along the same restricted patch of road because of the number of parked cars cutting down the width left to drive along.
0 -
We have had another mainly dry day with just a short but heavy rain shower in the late afternoon. It has been a rather expensive few days for us, as we have finally been able to get a company to replace the panels on the side of our dormer…..well that was the original plan but we ended up with all the barge boards, soffits and facias, guttering and down pipes being replaced as well as having the dormer roofs refiberglassed and the lead flashings replaced!!😮 They have been up for over 50 yrs and some of the underlying timbers were starting to rot, so needs must, especially if the storms and heavy rains continue. On top of that I had word from my sister that our brother, who lives up near Glasgow, has had a stroke and is in hospital. I am now waiting on word of his progress.
With this work completed and most of our appointments completed we can think where and when we will head off on our next trip. Just need the weather to improve a bit now.
0 -
OH up the steps today to just finish the top inches of painting in our dining room, which I couldn’t comfortably reach. I was upstairs and a crash. He’d leaned too far, fell off the steps and cracked his head on the corner of the piano. Short discussion when I came down on whether he needed an ambulance as I think he had briefly passed out. After finding a chair, hot sweet tea, he said he’d be fine, no A&E needed. I wouldn’t let him nap as concerned about concussion. Very large lump on the back of his head but he seems fine now. He did give me a fright. I then went up the steps with determination and finished it all off. That’s it, if any more decorating needs to be done we will be getting someone in. As I said before we are just getting old and will have to accept that.
Great nephew arrived today a little whopper, 9lb 13 oz. Mum and baby are fine. He has three names, all after members of his family. No babies in our family for 13 years so I’m sure all his aunties and cousins will be spoiling him.
1 -
@DEBSC oh dear! So sorry to hear about your OH accident. Hopefully he’s ok today? You’ve got me worried now as we (well, I can watch) are just about to start decorating our dining room. I know what you mean about starting to shrink though, I used to be able to reach up to high cupboard shelves, wardrobe etc, no more I’m afraid, it does get frustrating. Congratulations on the new baby, he is a whopper!
@nelliethehooker, @Bakers2 @Francis - potholes!!!😡. Some of our local country roads are more pot hole than road, some are very deep and difficult to avoid if passing other traffic. If they get a ‘repair’ it’s often just a pile of loose tarmac thrown in. Dreadful situation all round by the sound of it.
We are also awaiting a quote for some outside maintenance @nelliethehooker, we have been putting this off for a year or two so, as you say, needs must and we will have to get it sorted now. Hope your brother is not too bad, fingers crossed for you.
0 -
AI reports:
Market Overview
The UK leisure vehicle sector in 2025 entered a period of stabilisation after the volatile post‑pandemic boom. Demand remained healthy, but buyers became more selective, more price‑sensitive, and more research‑driven. Dealers with strong digital visibility and transparent pricing performed best.
Motorhomes (New & Used)
Used Market
- Strong demand throughout 2025, driven by high new‑vehicle prices and limited new‑vehicle production compared with pre‑COVID levels.
- Stock turnover remained healthy, especially for well‑maintained models in the £50k–£60k range.
New Market
- Softened sales due to elevated retail prices and unsold 2023–24 stock requiring heavy discounting.
- Discounting on new units compressed nearly‑new used values.
Depreciation
- Returned to long‑term norms: ~20% in year one, ~10–15% annually thereafter.
Touring Caravans
- 2024’s slow market began recovering late in the year, carrying momentum into 2025.
- Oversupply of caravans and holiday lodges kept pricing competitive.
- Operators maintained margins through discounts, value‑added packages, and flexible finance.
Buyer Behaviour
- Buyers in 2025 were more informed, more cautious about condition and total cost of ownership, and earlier in their decision cycle.
- Digital presence (reviews, video tours, transparent pricing) became a critical differentiator.
Industry Sentiment
- Manufacturers at major shows described 2025 as a return to normality, not a downturn.
- Electric motorhomes remained technically impractical for UK touring due to weight, range, and charging constraints.
Outlook for 2026
- Continued stabilisation expected.
215,000 new registrations of motorhomes/campervans were recorded across Europe in 2025.
peedee
1 -
@DEBSC that sounds like it could have been a very serious accident for your OH. Hopefully there'll be no further repercussions! Welcome to the new baby, gosh what a whopper 🫣.
@nelliethehooker won't go red.... I hope your brother isn't too bad. It's amazing how a 'simple' job expands when you examine it in detail. We know that feeling well.
It's not raining here 😲 and almost bright! Our decorators arrived, I'd not met them before, this morning. They think they'll only be 4 or 5 days. I thought double that so a bonus. Of course that means there'll be excuse not to get straight!
On the subject of potholes, I've hopefully got this to work
Not a road I need use, but there's plenty similar.....
@milliehull I hope your daughter is recovering well? Not a pleasant experience. I heard from our daughter in NZ today that she and eldest granddaughter in urgent care with a 'burning' swollen eye. School had washed it out but it got worse. Now heard she's been seen, drops, cream and pills - I presume antibiotics.
0 -
@DEBSC - I hope your OH is OK now - that could have been really serious. This is why I won't attempt decorating anymore. My arthritis means I find it difficult to balance like I used to and whereas I gave up using ladders ages ago - even steps are becoming a challenge now. Better to pay someone else and stay safe! Trouble is, - even though I have used supposedly good decorators so far - none of them seem to take the care with preparation that I used to.
Hope your brother is OK @nelliethehooker.
Had a productive morning ringing companies to come and survey/quote for a stairlift. Afraid it's got to that point and I know it's an absolute minefield out there with some very iffy, if well known companies ready to rip off what they see as elderly and perhaps not so switched-on people. But I'm ready for them😀! Done my homework and drawn up a shortlist of three - thanks to some help from "Which" magazine. Plus I've written out a list of questions to ask each of them so that I've got some facts to compare each with after they've gone. If anyone's interested - they're 'Bespoke' (a smaller manufacturer based in Huddersfield/Bradford), TKE Home Solutions (Which 'Best Buy) and Stannah. This next week should be interesting!!
3 -
Best wishes from me as well on not very well OH’s and siblings, hope things pick up.
I have done the dreaded contract update with Virgin Media this morning, never a straightforward do, but I wore them down again😄 Original offer was for same speed, same add ons but six months extra at same price as now. Then it changed because they found I no longer have on O2 sim, so I asked to be put through to disconnect section…….🤨😡 at which point I was offered six months extra contract length, £8 less on current monthly fee, and, ………would I like Netflix for free on Smart TV😏🤔 We don’t subscribe to any TV packages so as it’s free I said yes. No strings attached, no fee for it, up to us if we watch it. Happy with that for next two years, job done. It really does get results if you can be bothered to haggle, they always have something better if you take it right up to ditching things completely. 😉
1 -
@nelliethehooker sorry to hear about your brother's stroke. As I well know they can have a devastating impact on everyday life. Fingers crossed that it's not too bad.
David
0 -
@nelliethehooker I am so sorry to hear about your brother. I do hope he is not too bad and makes a good recovery.
@DEBSC I am sorry also to hear of your OH's accident. That could have been really nasty. I hope her hasn't had any ill effects. I now won't let OH near a ladder or steps these days. He was always used to doing everything himself and finds it very frustrating.
Thank you @Bakers2 our daughter says her eye is OK now so hope it continues. It was a very worrying week. I hope your grand-daughter's eye will be OK. I was always told when I worked at a health centre that we should always immediately book someone in if they rang with a problem with their eyes. It doesn't do to leave it or it could turn into something serious.
I have had a very painful shoulder for some months which is getting worse so I finally bit the bullet today and joined the early morning rush for an appoinmtnet. Managed to get one for just after 10.00am I am now waiting for an appoiontment for an injection and a scan.
It has been a dry and at times bright day today which makes a nice change so OH tidied the greenhouse.
1 -
Hope there is no repercussions from your OH's fall @DEBSC a bump on the head needs careful watching. Glad to hear that you managed to complete the painting.
@milliehull fingers crossed that the scan doesn't reveal anything untoward and that the injections ease your shoulder pain.
Sorry to hear that your leg pains are making even climbing steps a challenge @richardandros and I wish you the best with the stairlift companies.
You did very well with the haggling @Takethedogalong well done.
1 -
Thank you all for the good wishes for my brother, he is making steady progress and will be moved from the stroke unit to rehad care shortly.
It has been another dry and at times sunny day and we have been busy tidying up around the house. Although the roofers did a decent job of getting rid of all the rubbish there were lots of little bits littering the garden which needed picking up individually. The paths also required a swilling down to prevent walking any more muck into the house.
1 -
Looking after our youngest granddaughter today and overnight, she dislocated her knee very badly and is off school. Not pleasant when A&E put it back apparently. Her Dad is away and her Mum has a day and night shift at the children’s home where she works. OH won’t mind as I expect they will find games to play, and he can have chicken and chips for tea, instead of ‘healthy’ food. But her Dad just phoned to say to remember her homework!
Went out to feed the birds, the end of the garden is now waterlogged. Our caravan site is closed for winter but completely flooded. I checked the weather forecast for the next week or so but just showing rain and more rain. Still raining now as it has been for days.
An oncology appointment at the hospital came up in a text and My Care this morning, a bit out of the blue really, it’s for this Thursday, it’s fine but they don’t give you much warning.
0 -
Took the van in yesterday for its service will hopefully pick it up on Thursday.
Ordered a new towing cover this morning. Our previous cover was 6 years old and had many faults so time to say goodbye.
Had a walk down to the beach this morning, not many ships in the river. Lovely morning for a walk
0 -
@nelliethehooker good to hear your brother is making steady progress and hope that its impact has not too severe? I spent about six weeks in rehab and found it very worthwhile in getting me ready to go home. No doubt there will quite intensive physio and help from the Occupational Therapists. Its not until you experience something like this that you realise how essential and how well organised the NHS is? Shame that he lives so far awy. We found Whats App very useful as you can use the video call function.
David
0 -
Thanks for that into about WhatsApp @DavidKlyne I will look into setting a link that way with him.
Hope there are no problems highlighted during your van's service @Oneputt Are you going to get a new cover from your previous supplier? We have had problems with the zips on our, on the whole it is a great idea but if the whole cover had been just a couple of mms wider it would have not put so much strain on them causing some of the stitching to come apart.
It managed to stay dry for most of the day but started to rain around 5:00 this evening so we had to dodge the raindrops when we went on our usual shopping trip after dinner.
0 -
The last couple of days, nay weeks, has been one long rain fest so when it looked dry enough this morning to go for a local walk we set off around the lanes. Of course it was telling fibs as there was a light mizzle. About 15 minutes into the walk we stopped to talk to a local villager who we're friendly with. OH then started feeling dizzy and nauseous and collapsed, fortunately into both of our arms. She couldn't hold her weight and almost passed out. The man friend stayed with her whilst I ran back for the car. Good to see quite a number of strangers stopped to offer assistance. We got her into the car and she started to feel less light headed so we completed an e-consult and phoned NHS111. We have an urgent appointment this afternoon in the surgery, presumably with the same lady doctor she saw yesterday when her meds were changed. New one today so we're wondering if that had an effect. She's been working too hard lately but its like talking to the wall. Hopefully a wake up call and also some investigation into what is causing such high pulse rate. B.P. is under control.
Sorry to hear of your brothers recent Stroke @nelliethehooker. Need anything give me a call.
Good luck tomorrow @DEBSC.
0 -
@Wherenext sounds scary. Hopefully it’s down to the new medication and can be easily sorted out. I do hope that she feels much better soon. Not my business, and hopefully no offence, but maybe you both need a proper break.
@nelliethehooker I hope your brother makes good progress, sudden illness like this is not nice and a worry for everyone concerned.
Going stir crazy indoors with all this rain. I have big plans for the garden but just too wet at present. So today as soon as the rain eased we went off to Marwood Gardens, all designed and planted by the late Dr J. Smart. Just opened on a few days for the new season at a reduced price. Drifts of snowdrops everywhere, a few daffs and crocus, camellias and some hellebores . All looking so lovely. Plenty of mud as well, we just about managed a wander around while slipping and sliding, I could have done with a stick like OHs. Nice cuppa in the little cafe. We just got back to the car and down came the rain again. And I bought my first plant of the year, a pink pussy willow. I planned to squeeze it in the perfect spot. Unfortunately when I got home to show it where it would be planted (when it ever stops raining) I found a philadelphus there, oops forgot I had bought it late last year and squeezed that in that very spot. Now there must be a square inch left somewhere in my garden, I just now need to find it. And apparently the pussy willow will get quite big. 🤭
0 -
@Wherenext not a pleasant experience for you both Hope OH feels better soon and it’s nothing too serious
0 -
@Wherenext hope everything is OK with your OH. Margaret has had episodes of low blood pressure in the past with similar consequences. Even ended up in Abergavenny Hospital when we were staying at the Brecon site!
David
0 -
Thanks for thoughts. Low blood pressure not a problem @DavidKlyne but high pulse is. Currently sitting in A&E car park having a coffee after taking OH a cup of tea (nearby Costa, needs must). She's quite perky at present but her dizzy spells going on for a while now.
As for a break, well, we agree but will have to work around quite a few medical appointments notwithstanding any OH picks up. It will be discussed though.
0 -
Hope that your OH is feeling better now @Wherenext and that seeing the doctor this afternoon helps to reassure you both that it was nothing too serious. You both are in need of a relaxing break, even if it is for only a few days.
That sounds a bit ominous @Goldie146 I hope the person who is ill is soon on the road to recovery.
Fingers crossed that all goes well with your hospital appointment tomorrow @DEBSC
As it has been raining here for much of the day I took the opportunity to paint the inside of our panty, a job I have been trying to avoid doing for a while, but needs must and hopefully it won't want doing again for a fair while.
0 -
Sent you an email WN, hope OH is doing ok.
Like others, we are stir crazy here with the weather. No chance of getting onto garden, far too wet. We set out on a scenic drive yesterday, but the fog was so thick we changed our plans and sat in a nice cafe instead for a few hours. Hoping it might pick up soon, cold but dry would be a welcome change.
0 -
https://clubtogether.caravanclub.co.uk/discussion/comment/887781#Comment_887781
Thank you @nelliethehooker - it’s me (it is I). I’ve been in hospital for 15 days now. Recognising symptoms and having the courage to dial 999 - despite the on call doctors diagnosis- saved my life. The infection is a terrible thing and I’ve lost a lot of tissue in surgery. Read all about it -such as -
A note - my typing is worse than ever.
0 -
@Goldie146 I'm so sorry to read this. It's a dreadful thing and despite 'the awareness' campaigns it seems we need to vigilant ourselves and for others. Keep us posted, best wishes for recovery.
@Wherenext thinking of you and Mrs Wherenext, again keep us posted as you can.
RReally Feeling poorly myself, and OH, cold/flu/aches etc. Not helped by not having anywhere to chill..... Decorators in but seems to be the worse part of the lot! Almost over 🤞. Need to be out again today, as yesterday, as glossing all skirtings/architraves/doors - yesterday it was undercoat.
OOn the upside I drove to collect grandson from school yesterday, we camped at their house - not fancying again today 🤐, there was the most beautiful rainbow I've seen for a long time. I never noticed any sun 🫣🤔
Take care folks
0 -
So sorry to here this @Goldie146. All our good wishes for your recovery. Also good wishes to others who are poorly too.
It's been a really difficult couple of weeks for many on here (and family members), including us. Our good news is that the MIL (aged 94) has recovered well from TIA's and is due out of hospital today. She still lives,on her own, so is going to need carers and lots of support over the coming weeks.
All the best for the hospital appointment @DEBSC. Thinking of @Wherenext and your OH - hope she makes a speedy recovery.... and @nelliethehooker 's brother too.... thinking of yourself and Margaret, too, @DavidKlyne.
My episode of AF, which resulted in a hospital stay a few weeks back seems to have settled down with changes in meds. I'm still keeping a close eye on heart rate and SAT's (although only through my smart watch).
Looking forward to better weather now... all this rain and dullness is quite depressing. Roll on the spring and summer weather....
David
0 -
My word @Goldie146 that sounds a horrendous experience. I assume you'll be hospital bound for a while. Best wishes.
Still at hospital ourselves but at least OH has had all of the tests. Just waiting to see a doctor to see what's what.
Still raining. I know how you feel about looking forward to some good weather @DSB. I don't know if I'll recognise it though.
Thanks to one and all for their best wishes to OH.
1
