New to CAMC and wheelchair user with motorhome
Hi! I thought I'd introduce myself in the hope of meeting others who share my situation. We bought a used (2014) motorhome (Rollerteam Zefiro 690G) last year and initially joined the CCC because I used to be a member many years ago when tent camping. I recently found that CAMC has more sites in places I go regularly, so now we're in both.
I had a spinal injury in 2012 and am a wheelchair user, though I can walk a little and don't use a wheelchair inside the motorhome. The motorhome has a big garage, which is great for carrying my normal wheelchair plus mountain trike, which means I can choose which is best for each outing.
My assistance dog (Canine Partner) comes with me everywhere I go... and usually my husband does too (though not always). I'm trying to gradually work out how to get the best holidays, weekends away and general days out with as much independence as possible.
My aim is to explore the UK for the next few years and then gradually start touring northern Europe, probably starting with the Netherlands. My ultimate aim is to drive to Oulu (Finland) where we used to live and then up into Finnish Lapland to revisit some of our former holiday favourites. I might have to wait until I retire though, as it could take weeks!
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Welcome to CT, we too are members of both Clubs for the same reasons you have joined the C&MC but we did it the other way round and have been members of both for over 20 years. However, we did not waste any time in travelling to the Continent going over there almost as soon as we got our first van. Initially we used to go alternate years, then every year until recently when health problems and COVID hampered our travels.
Enjoy your travels while you can.
peedee
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Hello and welcome to the club and, more particularly, Club Together. Lots of adventures ahead for you.
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Welcome to CT Finberrys! So interesting to hear about you and I don't think you'll find yourself alone as a wheelchair user on here. I'm sure there will be plenty of travel ideas and advice to help you on your way. Just ask.The trike sounds good, would love to hear more about that. Good luck with your plans. Finland will be waiting for you!
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Loving the whole CAMpRA gig PD, if it’s not there fight for it👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻. Very fitting on the Finberrys thread-standing up & fighting for what you want, I sincerely hope you get what you want🤙🏻🤙🏻🤟
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I'm a BritStops member and I've used some of the overnight stops on SearchForSites. It really would help if there were more places we could park up but it would also help if more motorhomers behaved responsibly and left no trace. Sadly, this year has seen some stories of very poor behaviour and then we all get tarred with the same brush.
Thanks all for the warm welcome! I'm looking forward to some great breaks, particularly through autumn and winter, which I love!
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Hi Finberrys. Welcome to Club Together and the CAMC. I have also heard some of the 'irresponsibility stories'.... I'm not hopeful that there will me any significant increase in the number of 'park up' places - whenever there is a spare bit of land, local authorities seem to be allowing houses to be built like they are going out of fashion!!
Welcome, once more and look forward to reading your posts.
David
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Welcome to the club and CT, we have noted several with mobility problems on club sites, even on their own and towing and driving both motor caravans and touring caravan combinations all doing their own thing
When we had our last motor caravan. We quite often took a friend out for the day(sadly no longer with us)who had quite severe mobility problems,
The one thing we found when visiting ,attractions was the assistants that was given too us by most attractions when she was with us with parking very close at times or allowing me to drop off both OH and her very close, and then parking near by with the motor caravan
With OHs mobility problems, the staff at venues seem even more helpful than in the past, they even when visiting Churchills House and grounds ,sent us to some private gates through which , allowed me to park right outside the house. and were met by one of the NT volunteers with a wheelchair, to enable OH to enter the house and was given a private virtual tour via a TV in Lady Churchill lounge
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I agree. We have had a lot of days out this year and have noticed that most places are doing everything they can to be as helpful as possible. We have also found more places that allow a carer to go free. This is good for us and we usually end up going back to those places more often.
What I have noticed since getting the motorhome is that very few venues mention whether they have parking for motorhomes. I kind of assume, if there's a coach park, we're fine, but it would be useful to be able to find this information on their web pages.
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Sadly, parking is 'the' major issue with motorhomes. All too often councils treat us like pariahs with no suitable bays or height restrictions when there was somewhere suitable. One has to sometimes get a bit creative which may present additional issues for you.
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Oh! That was the first place we ever went in Finland. We had a skiing holiday in Levi. I remember landing at Kittila airport and thinking I wish I lived here. And then, one day, we did.
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