Tell the Grim Reeper I've gone Caravanning

johnhinch
johnhinch Forum Participant Posts: 5
edited April 2017 in Introductions #1

Hi everyone,

I'm brand spanking new to Caravanning after having spent every spare weekend and holiday for the past 35years pottering about on the canals. I built my own narrowboat on 1988 but sadly as my wife now has difficulty walking we have had to sell it.

Whilst taking stock of our situation we decided that I was useless at gardening, took ages decorating, rubbish at trying to get all the pots in a dishwasher but  was able ( under supervision) to do the shopping and light dusting,

As I cannot just sit at home, my wife suggested a caravan. After searching around we found a 2001 Elddis Avante 524 to our liking. It was old but well cared for, everything worked and it was free from damp, which in fairness is more than can be said for me.

Being nearly 80yrs old I had some trepidation at first but then thought 'what the hell'. I reckon if I get 5 years out of it or me I'll be well pleased.

 

So looking forward to seeing you soon

JohnHinch

Comments

  • IanTG
    IanTG Forum Participant Posts: 419
    100 Comments
    edited April 2017 #2

    Well done you! Welcome and enjoy. But you will have to learn some new duties in addition to shopping and light dusting. Someone has to fetch water and empty waste! Good luck with drawing up the demarcation lines.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #3

    Thanks John for the early Wednesday morning humour.  Welcome to the big wide world of vanning and also to CT.  Hope it goes well and remember your on holiday so dusting is something to keep to a minimumwink

  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #4

    Welcome John, enjoy your caravan ,and don't forget to take your humour laughing

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited April 2017 #5

    Enjoy John

  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
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    edited April 2017 #6

    Loving the attitude JH, with that outlook I reckon you'll do goodsmile, I wish you well in all your future adventures. Enjoy.

  • triky auto
    triky auto Forum Participant Posts: 8,690
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2017 #7

    laughing ,Good on you John.Enjoy ,it's a whole new world out there for you.The 'Grim Reeper 'has plenty more to scythe down !!Go and make hay while the sun shines !!wink.

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,192 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #8

    Hello and welcome. Love your sense of humour. Go local - so you can collect anything vital you forgot to pack on your first trip. Keep your hand in your pocket until you know it is NECESSARY 😉. If you need any ask for assistance or help, we fellow vanners are a helpful lot. Looking forward to hearing how you get on. Enjoy.

  • bandgirl
    bandgirl Forum Participant Posts: 440
    100 Comments
    edited April 2017 #9

    Made me laugh too.  Welcome laughing

  • JillwithaJay
    JillwithaJay Club Member Posts: 2,485 ✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #10

    Great introductory post John.  I wish you both well in your new caravan and hope you enjoy the new venture.

     

  • PhilHeller
    PhilHeller Forum Participant Posts: 267
    100 Comments
    edited April 2017 #11

    After a life on the canals you should find caravanning simple with easier access to water, electricity and toilet blocks etc😂👍

  • millie8
    millie8 Forum Participant Posts: 54
    First Comment
    edited April 2017 #12

    We came to caravanning quite late in our early sixties and now my husband has just had his 70th.  Yes you will find it easier than boating, which we did many years ago, followed by static caravans and on to touring.  Enjoyed them all and loving touring.

    Caravanning is very flexible, just take your time towing and find a site that doesn't require pulling your aqua roll up hill, find a spot near the water tap, or you can have a service pitch on some sites.

    A motor mover on your caravan is a godsend.  We wouldn't be without ours.  Wish you many happy years with your new pastime.

     

  • commeyras
    commeyras Club Member Posts: 1,853 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #13

    Welcome John liked your post and your approach to life.  This caravanning should be a doddle after boating.  Go local for your first trip and you may feel you want to fit a mover to save the old back.

    Good luck and we look forward to hearing how you get on.

  • Extugger
    Extugger Forum Participant Posts: 1,293
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2017 #14

    Ahoy! and welcome John! smile

    Like you, I was a 'man of the cut' some years back and weirdly, also built my own narrowboat. I did, however, enjoy more time on dry land and caravanning due to the 'previous' not having her sea-legs!

    Hopefully, you'll never have to use a fender again (or a barge pole - we're a nice bunch, in the main!) and you'll find the steerage is much easier with a caravan! You'll not have any trouble mooring or lashing down the awning and it's surprising how similar all the electrics and gas are!

    I still refer to the rear of the 'van as the stern, the galley (in my 'van) is midships and forward is the hook up thingy!

    I wish you many happy times, calm seas and a fair wind. smile

     

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,138 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #15

    Hi, John. I love your humour and admire your outlook. May you and your wife have many happy years of vanning. smile

  • artyboo
    artyboo Forum Participant Posts: 457
    edited April 2017 #16

    Oh welcome welcome, how lovely. I do hope you enjoy it as much as all of us do on here. I am a Newbie to motorhoming (having chipped the caravan in). All in our stride. If you can handle a boat I am sure you will be great with a Caravan and will be giving us all advice very soon xxxxx

  • johnhinch
    johnhinch Forum Participant Posts: 5
    edited April 2017 #17

    Thank you all for your welcome.

    I have scoured the pages of this Forum for advice and tips and in theory am 'Well Informed' as to what to do. A motor Mover was one of the first things I installed. Just waiting to get away now and find a decent mooring. |The though of  'NO LOCKS, NO MOORING SPIKES. NO TYING UP. NO WORRIERS ABOUT ROCKING A MOORED BOAT WHEN PASSING'  are starting to become distant memories.

    Thank you all again,

    Johnhinch

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,138 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #18

    Ah, but there are pitch marking pegs, pitching rules, unruly children, rabid dogs, speeders on site, noisy neighbours, grumpy wardens, pitch crossers, flag flyers, those who thoughtlessly trundle their water containers around at 6am...... What have I missed?undecided

    You'll be fine, John. Enjoy.laughing

  • G Cherokee
    G Cherokee Forum Participant Posts: 402
    100 Comments
    edited April 2017 #19

    Hi John,

    Love the sense of humour! Good luck to you and yours.

    Hope you have decades of fun matey

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2017 #20

    Very best of luck to you both.  I am sure you will enjoy!

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,666 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #21

    HI John and welcome to Club Together.  Great to hear from you and a wonderful first post.  Do keep us up to date with how you are getting on with the caravan.

    David 

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