New to autumn and winter touring
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Mmm, it pays to watch the sky and the forecasts I think you’ll find. You’re not likely to get caught out by the odd shower then.
Shame you went home and missed the sun. 😕
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Yes, just one of my numerous talents👍🏻
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As Atlantic gales go, today was distinctly average by Cornish autumn/winter standards. If all my roof tiles stay on it’s just another breezy day. Surfers and kite surfers go mad for these sort of conditions and there’s nothing better than an invigorating walk on a wild beach in such ‘fresh’ conditions. A pint in the local without the crowds finishes things off nicely. For me, the best time of the year to be here. You won’t need your snow chains or pipe lagging either!
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Torpoint?
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i suggested touring away was not just an alternative but an additional way to tour in winter.
Perhaps it wasn't your goal but you made many negative points about touring in winter in the UK and not one positive one? And mentioning several times the 'option' to leave the country?
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We’ve never had Butane as was told it was no good in cold weather when we first bought a van (a motorhome at the time), and it was snowy on our very first trip away. Have stuck with Propane ever since. If you say Butane works OK in sub zero temperatures, then clearly it does. 😊
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We don't need to go away in the van to walk in snow or frost, or to see the lakes glisten with winter sun. We can see that any day within a 5 minute walk of the house. It is beautiful but its not always like that is it. The majority of the time these days its wet, dull, windy and flipping horrible.
Give me sun and warmth any day of the week, so like BB, DD, AD, WTG and many others I choose to head South for some of the Autumn/Winter months.
We were just on the border of Spain a few days ago, where the temperature was 26c and lovely sun. In fact the 3 weeks we were in France the weather was pretty perfect. Unfortunately we had to come home, so our trip to Spain once again has had to be shelved.
Still we can always sit in the van in the rain and wind pretending we like it like that .
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That's all good, but not the point of this thread at all?
And who has said they 'pretend' they like it? Or expect anyone to pretend they like it Are you one that cannot believe that people enjoy touring over here in the winter? Are all the posters who have said they enjoy touring over here in the winter not been telling the truth then? That they are just pretending they do?
I think it was about asking people for their help, advice, tips for those who do tour over here in the winter and/or in colder conditions. I just think it is a shame that all some can do is say I don't do it, go where it is warmer. How does that help?
Don't take this the wrong way but I do feel sorry for people that can only appreciate mountains (or indeed any landscape or place) in good weather conditions. You are all missing out on a lot
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I think the fact that Hannah opened her post by talking about the drop in temps in the UK was a huge clue that her following comments about folk touring in autumn and winter was indeed about the UK. After all, people going to warmer climes would hardly need tips or recommendations as there is already plenty of info about going over there in the Overseas section.
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In my book, winter does not start till at least November, and ends at the beginning of March, so still Autumn at the moment!
We use the van usually between mid March and end of October, whether here or over there, though we were in France till late November once, and in once in Harrogate in early November, neither were very cold, but the days were short.
My advice would be to ensure you have decent tyres on the car, just in case, take plenty to keep you entertained in the long evenings, and make sure you have plenty of gas onboard.
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Did i say others are pretending, no, i said 'we' could always pretend.
Did i say others are not telling the truth, no.
Can I believe that people enjoy touring in winter, yes I can, we do it most winters.
Neither did i say dont do it, i said we prefer to have a bit of warmth and sun for some of the autumn/winter.
There is no need to feel sorry for for people who only appreciate mountains etc in good weather. We have spent many winters in mountains appreciating them, mountains much bigger than in this country so we have not missed out on anything thank you.
The fact that nowadays we prefer a bit of autumn/winter sunshine rather than throwing ourselves downhill on 2 planks does not give you and others the right to tell us that we are missing out.
As to the fact of the origins of this post, it had already gone off thread.
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yes I thought it was abundantly clear too.
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I’m not a stifler, DD, and I’d be very happy for you and your mates to extol the virtues of over there in the right place but there’s no fun in that for you, is there?😆
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What are your top tips and must-have items?
so OK if that is true (and it isn't) remind me what advice was actually given about touring over there? Apart from it's warmer and use Spain, Portugal and Sicily? I think that is all I got to help me, those are people's top tips. All of them? that's it?
Was journey times discussed? which route? ferry crossing? site prices? Best campsites, best cooling devices, what dress? The temperature in southern Spain was actually brought up by me!
You would think that if they took it as you suggest that would all be there?
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well as said, where are these "over there" recommendations, top tips and must-have items?
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Until I read this by TG and I see that she counted me amongst the “Go South” advocates. Yes, that would be my response to anyone wishing to tour in Winter.
Hope you don't mind me counting you in the 'go south' group, I remember you posting on another thread recently that like us you are not a lover of the dark, dull grey skies of winter, and when possible you will go south for a few months.
We to have spent winters in the van touring UK, in fact we prefer to tour UK at that time as the sites are not busy and you can 'tour' the way we like without having to book months ahead. We have left home in snow, frost and ice so are not 'afraid' of the conditions, we do of course have the appropriate clothing
Winter to me is December through to the end of February.
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We do head for winter sun but we also keep our van at the ready ( a real advantage to owning a motor caravan) and will take advantage of available weekends or short break throughout Autumn and winter. Not only to go walking but will visit events, sports and seasonal markets etc. Fun in the van all year round can be had and it's good for the van too!
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We love Autumn and Winter touring. One big advantage is there are less folks around, both on sites, and visiting interesting places. In this day and age, almost every outfit is equipped to be a warm comfortable nest to return to after a nice day spent exploring in whatever way individuals choose. There are a few basics to remember, such as the right fuel that doesn’t freeze, prep your outfit against chances of freezing pipes, use decent tyres, carry a few emergency supplies such as warm clothing, couple of hot water bottles.
We have caravanned down to -15c temps, and still been warm and cosy. Been out in snow as well a few times. Atmosphere on Club Sites in run up to Christmas is always fun, lots of Xmas lights, plenty of nice places to stay. Castleton was always one of our favourites, crisp frosty mornings, a walk up on hills, a look around the village, back to site for a nice evening shared with friends.
Winters in North of country can be harsh, but whilst colder, they are often much dryer. We’ed rather have cold and dry than warmer and wet any day. We’ve done Cornwall in February a few times in past, and been entranced with how early flowers start to bud up and appear. Watching Spring tides and the pounding surf are interesting as well, great walking a beach looking for washed up treasures.😁
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