Member Since: 13 Apr 2018
Location: Radstock, Bath
Posts: 564
Road trip........possibly
Ok.... Bit of a long explanation and then seeking advise,
I work for a national charity. They aren't getting any donations at the moment. We don't have shops, and don't get any government funding.
Just been given the option of redundancy or change to part-time as of July 31st. It is only 5-10mins from the house, so has been ideal. At present I don't think the part-time will work. They have already alluded that they would require me for x hours Mon-Fri. Really going to mess me up trying to get another part-time with reasonable hours. I had already been half-heartedly looking around for a change.
Wont be much of a redundancy. Might get the equivalent of couple of months wages.
SWMBO has just thrown me a major curve ball.
She works in a school, and has been there every day since this all started. We have 3 school aged children, whom I have been home-schooling for the last 2 months. My eldest may go back for some 1-2-1 lessons, but doubtful. So as of 17th July, they are off for the whole summer.
She has suggested that I take redundancy, and we have a bit of a Road trip around parts of England...providing the lockdown has been eased enough to open caravan sites and the shower blocks. We wouldn't get this opportunity again with the children.
At present the Caravan club is saying that they are aiming for July 4th opening, subject to government guidance.
We have a few stipulations.
4 days on a site near Windsor area, so we can do the theme parks.
Hardwick Park, near Oxford for 4 days.
We want to visit:
Lake District
York and N York Moors
Northumberland (Maybe)
Snowdonia (Maybe - Depends on what Wales decides)
We are not going to have too much time to see much, but the initial idea is to have 3 full days on each site. Travel/arrive day 1, Day 2-4 sightseeing, Day 5 depart/travel/arrive in next place.
Depending what is to do in the area that interests us, we may stay a bit longer. It will probably be a bit fluid, therefore pre booking specific dates on specific sites could be an issue. I also realise that everyone could be trying to book sites, and we may have to be more specific.
There is also talk of sites opening, only if you are self sufficient, i.e. shower blocks remaining closed. This isn't a deal breaker for, but since upgrading from a tent to tin tent, we have never used the shower or toilet in the caravan.
Are we crazy to be thinking about this at the moment?
Has anybody done this sort of thing?
Recommended things to see, sites to stay at in these areas.
Doesn't have to be Caravan club sites. We were thinking of joining again, but Oxford and Windsor area wouldn't be their sites.
Thanks in advance.MY07 Freelander2 SE Santorini Black - Gone
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14th Jun 2020 8:28 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72778
Also thinking re RT. To Crete.
14th Jun 2020 8:55 pm
Brian_DL13
Member Since: 25 Aug 2013
Location: Teesdale
Posts: 1418
Go for it.
CMC (as normal) take bookings with no deposit and free cancellation up to 72hrs before and C&CC say that whilst there is the current uncertainty bookings are 'fully flexible'. Both are planning on reopening on 4 July, though some will have no facility blocks open.
Private sites vary, but my experience so far is that they'll happily reschedule but won't refund - and some don't want tents at the moment.
4 nights on each site is what we tend to do, works well.
Look at the C&CC site at Slingsby, it's well located for N York Moors and York, facilities block will be open and still has some pitches available - a lot of sites are fully booked already. Also the CMC and C&CC have sites near Barnard Castle which again is very well located, Durham, Teesdale, Swaledale etc all not too far.
15th Jun 2020 10:03 am
JackNorris
Member Since: 06 Jul 2012
Location: Beds/Bucks Border
Posts: 1877
If sites are open id say why not. But... Sites on CC are booking very quick and availability already limited on many for the summer.MY2023 Discovery 5 R-Dynamic 3.0
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15th Jun 2020 10:25 am
Farmer Chalk
Member Since: 07 Mar 2013
Location: Independent Republic of Kentishshire.
Posts: 4156
Do it....kids grow up too fast and you’ll never get that time back with them!
15th Jun 2020 4:40 pm
knwatkins
Member Since: 19 Sep 2018
Location: Poole, Dorset
Posts: 716
As above Richard, go for it. You may not have the opportunity again...Kev
MY2014 L405 RR Vogue SE 4.4 SDV8 in Corris Grey
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15th Jun 2020 7:03 pm
Hot Tub
Member Since: 15 Aug 2017
Location: Milton Keynes
Posts: 1071
The site we go to is a CL and he is getting lots of bookings think people will tend go more basic sites rather than pay more but not able to use the on site showers etc I'd say go for it enjoy going away on mini road trip but get searching for sites and book ASAP enjoy
You've invested in tin tent with shower and toilet no real hassle just plan ahead full aqua roll or rolls when showering Welsh Collie Chauffeur Service To Barney & Rooney.
15th Jun 2020 7:12 pm
Rnclayton
Member Since: 13 Apr 2018
Location: Radstock, Bath
Posts: 564
Thanks for the answers so far.
Bought one of those auto stop-cock things for the aquaroll last year. Always keeps it topped up on a serviced pitch.
I would hope that sites would adjust their prices a bit, if there are no facilities open.
Think we can cope with the toilet, but the shower is tiny and right in the middle of the caravan. Privacy could be a problem, with 2 teenage daughters. Will just have to sort shower rota's out.
Any recommendations for sites over Windsor/Slough way?MY07 Freelander2 SE Santorini Black - Gone
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15th Jun 2020 8:50 pm
knwatkins
Member Since: 19 Sep 2018
Location: Poole, Dorset
Posts: 716
Quote:
Bought one of those auto stop-cock things for the aquaroll last year. Always keeps it topped up on a serviced pitch.
That's very posh. I made one out of a toilet cistern float when I lived in my van for 6 months. It was bliss. My own pad Monday to Friday then home for the weekend.Kev
MY2014 L405 RR Vogue SE 4.4 SDV8 in Corris Grey
MY2010 L320 RRS HSE 3.0 TDV6 in Stornoway Grey
15th Jun 2020 8:58 pm
Rnclayton
Member Since: 13 Apr 2018
Location: Radstock, Bath
Posts: 564
Basically the same Kev. Didn't have a spare at the time. Think it only cost about £12 in the end. That its with 20m of Flat hose as well.MY07 Freelander2 SE Santorini Black - Gone
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15th Jun 2020 9:23 pm
Hot Tub
Member Since: 15 Aug 2017
Location: Milton Keynes
Posts: 1071
Good luck with the hair drying sharing your life with three young ladies Welsh Collie Chauffeur Service To Barney & Rooney.
Member Since: 13 Apr 2018
Location: Radstock, Bath
Posts: 564
Hot Tub wrote:
Good luck with the hair drying sharing your life with three young ladies
Thanks for the sympathy...
Thanks drmcw. We have Merlin passes, so will be going to all 3, if they are open.
Campsites are only somewhere to sleep etc.MY07 Freelander2 SE Santorini Black - Gone
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16th Jun 2020 11:00 am
Rnclayton
Member Since: 13 Apr 2018
Location: Radstock, Bath
Posts: 564
Well, arrived at campsite 4 yesterday.
4 nights in Chertsey for the theme parks.
4 nights in Hardwick Parks, Oxford for a bit of a relax.
Had 6 nights in Scarborough. Not the best site, a bit cramped.
Arrived in Kendal for the Lake District yesterday. Here for 7 nights. Really nice looking site.
Lovely looking Airstream on site, then noticed the tow car was a new Defender.
Looks really nice in a dark bronze with black roof. Quite a few D4’s as well.
Walked to the shower block this morning, to see Land Rover Assist next to the Defender. MY07 Freelander2 SE Santorini Black - Gone
MY10 D4 XS Buckingham Blue
MY06 D3 HSE
4th Aug 2020 10:17 am
Brian_DL13
Member Since: 25 Aug 2013
Location: Teesdale
Posts: 1418
I believe JLR have been towing an airstream around for a while now with various vehicles to do publicity / short film things. Could it be that ?
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