Differences between "here" and 'there'
Comments
-
T! Can you get decent tea on the Continent? That is a worthwhile comparison. Also, water quality for making of said Tea, very important. Crucial factor for my OH, he swears all water tastes foul with Yorkshire Tea, outside of Yorkshire!
Funny that. It works the other way round, too. I've had difficulty in getting loose tea of the sort I like in England, and if at all only in bags, but I'm convinced one can't make a decent cup of tea with tea bags so I bring mine over. I guess it's what
one is used to. Having said that, it's the water makes the most difference.0 -
Sorry ,but i can't see where anyone is "imposing" their view on wether over "there" or "over" here is better or worse ,i'll listen to anyone views
HD, I think you could be the missing link atwixt 'over there' & 'over here' you will have had feet in both camps plus you are very open minded to the adventures you will encounter without the old & deep anti attitude that is sometimes displayed here. You
don't go in for the tiresome 'my LV is bigger/better/more expensive than yours' mantras. I wish you nothing but contentment in your travels, I look forward to reading your adventures. I reckon both You & Mrs HD will have a blast0 -
We van both at home (mostly CL's) and overseas and split our time roughly equally. Each have their plus and minus points. Because we have to van mainly in school holidays the price we pay when we go abroad is significantly higher. This year for example Red Pennant is quoted at £280.00 before we turn a wheel or pay ferries, campsites, desiel etc. The picture below was taken by me in Holland last August. The CC would have closed the pitch down. Due to this mud bath we left the site a day earlier then attended.
0 -
.....goodness me, Rocky, where do you get this stuff from.....
you just seem to revel in posting antagonistic comments, are you trolling this thread to get it closed?
0 -
I don't see R2B's post as antagonistic I thought it quite balanced and he wishes HD all the best and looked forward to reading his account. Not becoming a tad paranoid BB
" the old & deep anti attitude that is sometimes displayed here. You don't go in for the tiresome 'my LV is bigger/better/more expensive than yours'
....i dont think so.....anyway, Ive checked with a third party for an impartial opinion.....
0 -
I don't see R2B's post as antagonistic I thought it quite balanced and he wishes HD all the best and looked forward to reading his account. Not becoming a tad paranoid BB
Spot on, One. I thought it a post of generous wishes to Husky.
0 -
I don't see R2B's post as antagonistic I thought it quite balanced and he wishes HD all the best and looked forward to reading his account. Not becoming a tad paranoid BB
Spot on, One. I thought it a post of generous wishes to Husky.
Off topic apparently
Whereas
[quote] you lucky pair....
[/quote]isn't
0 -
But as is mentioned soo many times "over there " is fine for long haul several weeks off peak, but as we should all know as Oneput has said ,its a very expensive option for the Family Holiday if you can only take your peak time annual leave and you want a "nearly" go as you please tour,and certainly would not chance a no booking tour in the peak when time is a problem
0 -
I don't see R2B's post as antagonistic I thought it quite balanced and he wishes HD all the best and looked forward to reading his account. Not becoming a tad paranoid BB
Spot on, One. I thought it a post of generous wishes to Husky.
Off topic apparently
Whereas
you lucky pair....
isn't
.i didnt say that was off topic, i said it was antagonistic and i referred to the uncalled for little aside in the middle of the post....
....of course, my three words you quoted were the entire content of my posts, whereas you conveniently missed out the remainder of the other post....the words i highlighted earlier, neatly hidden away in the 'have a nice one Husky' comment...
anyway, ill happily await arbitration.....
0 -
But as is mentioned soo many times "over there " is fine for long haul several weeks off peak, but as we should all know as Oneput has said ,its a very expensive option for the Family Holiday if you can only take your peak time annual leave and you want a "nearly" go as you please tour,and certainly would not chance a no booking tour in the peak when time is a problem
I don't agree with the assertion that it is too expensive for families. Prior to 1993 we had always used Canvas Holidays or Eurocamp, holidaying at Spring Bank Holiday or the last two weeks in August, and had got very good value by adding a day or two to a bank holiday. When my eldest son went to Grammar School they no longer encouraged time out during term-time. We found the prices during the longer school holiday in August high, doing whatever sort of holiday, so we bought a caravan.
Our first holiday in Franc in our caravan in 1993 was a roaring success, and compared to the cost of hiring accommodation, hotels, or rent a tent, provided us with a cheap holiday. Last year we 'went as we pleased' from 27th July for four weeks and we had no problem finding sites. We stayed on a municipal site in the Loire area, a three star site in the Aveyron, a four star site down by the Med, and another four star site further around the Med and found pitches available on all of them. None of them cost much - I think the most expensive was the one by the Med at 16.40 euros for the two of us, pitch, caravan, car, and electricity. Children would be 2.50 euros each on top of this.
We still holiday in France - as do my sons. Yes, you always have the additional cost of a ferry, but site fees are cheaper, fuel is cheaper, and you don't pay a fortune for car parking or 'attractions' so this can be offset. There are sites charging just a few euros (eight including electricity) where some families who like CL's would be perfectly happy, then there are 'discount deals' such as Camping Cheques, where a family of four can holiday for less than £20 a night on a site with a pool DURING the July/August school holidays.
It is pefectly possible, and doable, to take a two week holiday in France (ie 'over there') without it breaking the bank. Even breakdown insurance can be had with other organisations than Red Pennant, for less £100 covering both this country, and Europe - and they will tow your caravan back if it is separated from the caravan during an incident (accident or breakdown).
There are many families who do take their caravan to France for two weeks - including friends of mine with two young children. The problem is that the Club Together forum contributors are mostly 'mature' with time on their hands so threads like this one are dominated by retirees or at least by people with time on their hands during the day.
0 -
BB, I respect your right to seek arbitration
. You have read way too much into a supportive post to HD. I deeply believe HD will be
able to enjoy His MH'ing without the usual baggage we see. The highlighted sections you mention are true(as I see it) you was never mentioned, you have taken it upon yourself to identify yourself & then lay an accusation against me. That is your right, I accept
that. To HD I still say-you are the future, tread wisely HD0 -
I have just spent some time reading through a lot of the threads on the overseas section. Though it would give me a good idea of touring abroad on the continent, as opposed to flying across, etc.....
In all truth, having read through quite a few threads, in essence there isn't that much different really, visitors still encounter the lovely countryside, interesting places, varied cultures and customs as we do on this much, much tinier island. There are
also lots of mentions of poor weather, bad sites, bad experiences with site staff and locals. Similar to here.Given that Europe as a whole is gigantic compared with UK, I would think that for anyone new to overseas touring, such as HD and myself for instance, the key appears to be doing some good research, make a list of things needed that are not required as much
over here, such as ferry/tunnel fees, insurance and breakdown, pet restrictions/advice, any areas where weather can be a mitigating factor, perhaps on the initial visit to maybe have a few recommended sites booked. From a personal point of view, I would be
trying to learn a few basics in whatever language was appropriate as well. With all this and no doubt more covered, just let the good times roll and enjoy! Not better, no worse, but hopefully different in culture and history.0 -
But as is mentioned soo many times "over there " is fine for long haul several weeks off peak, but as we should all know as Oneput has said ,its a very expensive option for the Family Holiday if you can only take your peak time annual leave and you want a "nearly" go as you please tour,and certainly would not chance a no booking tour in the peak when time is a problem
I don't agree with the assertion that it is too expensive for families. Prior to 1993 we had always used Canvas Holidays or Eurocamp, holidaying at Spring Bank Holiday or the last two weeks in August, and had got very good value by adding a day or two to a bank holiday. When my eldest son went to Grammar School they no longer encouraged time out during term-time. We found the prices during the longer school holiday in August high, doing whatever sort of holiday, so we bought a caravan.
Our first holiday in Franc in our caravan in 1993 was a roaring success, and compared to the cost of hiring accommodation, hotels, or rent a tent, provided us with a cheap holiday. Last year we 'went as we pleased' from 27th July for four weeks and we had no problem finding sites. We stayed on a municipal site in the Loire area, a three star site in the Aveyron, a four star site down by the Med, and another four star site further around the Med and found pitches available on all of them. None of them cost much - I think the most expensive was the one by the Med at 16.40 euros for the two of us, pitch, caravan, car, and electricity. Children would be 2.50 euros each on top of this.
We still holiday in France - as do my sons. Yes, you always have the additional cost of a ferry, but site fees are cheaper, fuel is cheaper, and you don't pay a fortune for car parking or 'attractions' so this can be offset. There are sites charging just a few euros (eight including electricity) where some families who like CL's would be perfectly happy, then there are 'discount deals' such as Camping Cheques, where a family of four can holiday for less than £20 a night on a site with a pool DURING the July/August school holidays.
It is pefectly possible, and doable, to take a two week holiday in France (ie 'over there') without it breaking the bank. Even breakdown insurance can be had with other organisations than Red Pennant, for less £100 covering both this country, and Europe - and they will tow your caravan back if it is separated from the caravan during an incident (accident or breakdown).
There are many families who do take their caravan to France for two weeks - including friends of mine with two young children. The problem is that the Club Together forum contributors are mostly 'mature' with time on their hands so threads like this one are dominated by retirees or at least by people with time on their hands during the day.
...Valda ,can you show in my post where i said it is "TOO" expensive i said it is expensive compared to the "long time" tourers going "over there",please do not start going down the same avenue of others who read into posts things that are not said ,as your posts as some one with years of "over there" travel is a mine of info for the "vrgins"
0 -
Apologies - it's not 'too' expensive, but neither is it 'very' expensive, and to reiterate again, you can go as you please, you don't have to book, and you can move with the weather or if you don't like the site or your neighbours, or you just fancy a change.
I hope I've made it clear that I'm not trying to 'go down the same avenue' as others and I apologise that I used the wrong word.
0 -
Excellent posts by both Val and TTDA, and Val's experience is very similar to our own. When our children were still at school, we had no option other than to holiday in peak periods. We did not find it particularly expensive to go abroad.
Now we are retired we can please ourselves and take as much time as we like.
We enjoy touring in both UK and the rest of Europe, we have visited many places we could never have afforded to visit using hotels.
We enjoy the differences.......food, culture, language, scenery, climate.......after all, why would you go abroad if it was just the same as here?
I think really what HD needs are tips on the possibily unexpected things he may encounter, like the lack of decent teabags, as well as information on possible differences in caravan/MH related things like smaller/larger pitches, MH aires, sites closing at lunch time, unisex facilities, waste and water disposal, pitch surfaces etc.
0 -
Apologies - it's not 'too' expensive, but neither is it 'very' expensive, and to reiterate again, you can go as you please, you don't have to book, and you can move with the weather or if you don't like the site or your neighbours, or you just fancy a change.
I hope I've made it clear that I'm not trying to 'go down the same avenue' as others and I apologise that I used the wrong word.
...It is compared to what the "off peaker" long timers keep going on about, for a family on restricted mostly Two week annual leave,who do not have time "time on their hands" during the day,when we did "over there" and tinternet was in the future,we had all bookings done by cc as it was the best and most reliable way of ensuring that it was problem free,we tried a go as you please but it was not the best of holdays, as i said in in an earlier post, in the peak there are plenty of sites,both good and terrible,and when on a two week break there is not time to turn up and wish you had not
0 -
Things are however relative. When I was still working I had over twice the income I have now. We can only afford the long trips these days because we no longer have a mortgage to pay for or children to keep.
We could afford to go in the peak period if we wanted, but we don't enjoy really hot weather, so stay home in July/August and catch up on house/garden matters.
0 -
No balance to redress AD, I can tell from the Overseas threads that visitors have just as wonderful a time on the Continent as they do here, and I hadn't intended to give the opposite impression. I know certain aspects, certainly the weather at times, will
be more extreme, but that is geography and climate, beyond anyone's control. Having been abroad, I found some instances of culture difficult to cope with, in particular the indifference to animal suffering, (southern Med, Eastern Europe) but only because it
is a different culture and not as hidden as in this country. That is what some different cultures are and I cant expect them to change for me.I am looking forward to eventually touring abroad, but will do a lot of research prior to going. Like the millions of others who do it yearly, I just want to make sure I do it right and get the most from it, same as I do when going somewhere new here.
0 -
Just to clarify and to bring some balance to this thread. We are retired but due to commintments we can only take our longer holidays during school holidays. Going abroad at this time is not cheap. Red Pennant and Ferry costs are over £530 before we even
turn a wheel. Campsites until the end of August will be anywhere between 25 and 40 euros/night! Please don't let anyone run away with the idea it's significantly cheaper than staying on UK sites, after all I can stay on CL's for 5 weeks approx £525. I reckon
our 5 week trip will cost over £1800 before spending money/socialising etc. By the time we get home I estimate we will have spent nearly £3k and I don't think thats particularly cheap but I don't begrudge a penny of it. Just hope the weathers good
0 -
I suppose this year we will spend a similar amount of time in the UK as we will in Europe, all being well. I enjoy going to different places in the UK but it is just normal as far as I am concerned. Even having travelled in Europe for the best part 25/30
years with a caravan and now a motorhome it is still an adventure and I think, for me, that is the difference. There is always that element of uncertainty going abroad which does not exist when in the UK. It could be just me of course!!!David
0 -
Just as a humorous aside, but still on the "here and there" theme, many years ago, I took my elderly Mum and Dad on our first holiday together, since we were children. We chose Cornwall, because they had never been before. All packed, we went by train, picking
up a hire car in Cornwall. I had to deal with the luggage, and noticed that Mum's case was exceptionally heavy. I hadn't checked her case over, but just left packing to her. On arrival, my sis and I helped unpack. Imagine our astonishment when various tins
of nice things to eat were found wrapped up carefully in with the clothes and other things! Mum is a careful planner, and not knowing Cornwall, had silently worried in case my Dad would have to go without some of his favourite things! It was 2002! This is
England! Mum was so pleased to see shops she recognised! We howled with laughter all holiday!0 -
We keep some records of costs, these include pretty much everything .....ferry, insurance, sites, fuel, food, sightseeing......when we divide that by the number of days away we find that for a shorter trip (50 nights) we average £55-£60 per night, depending on the country, and for a longer trip ( 70 nights+) it comes out at about £50-£55.
We don't just pop across to France, we go much further, so fuel is a significant expense.
Our trips in UK cost pretty much the same per night.
0 -
But as is mentioned soo many times "over there " is fine for long haul several weeks off peak, but as we should all know as Oneput has said ,its a very expensive option for the Family Holiday if you can only take your peak time annual leave and you want
a "nearly" go as you please tour,and certainly would not chance a no booking tour in the peak when time is a problemIt wasnt too expensive for me and I can just imagine the reaction of my family if they were told they would be spending the annual holiday elsewhere
. BTW we did not book sites or get turned away
I think the point is that it is significantly more expensive in peak for a couple of weeks than a camping holiday in this country. When our kids were at secondary school we always kept within the school holidays. We were lucky, our income meant we could
afford to take them to Europe, even if it was under canvas. However, to compare the costs to staying here for the same period because, fuel and sites are cheaper is ridiculous. Two weeks in 1992 at a site we used to stop in at Hawes cost about £90 to £100,
plus petrol to get there. The municipals in France at that time were roughly half the cost, however even in the 90's the ferry used to cost us several hundred pounds, plus the insurance for four people and auto route charges if we wanted to get to the south.
Wether going is too expensive or not depends very much on your means.0
, all i asked in my OP was what are the differences and what to expect, i,m not bothered wether its
