To be scared we're off to haven *gulp*

[booomy]

DP has just announced his parents have booked a last minute caravan in a haven park. I know i'm being stuck up, but I'm really afraid it's going to be filthy! I don't know if i'm more upset about staying in a caravan or the fact I might see FIL in his pants on the way to the bathroom...

we'll have to arrange an MN Haven meetup Usual, vile people only natch, to compare our tats, and cans of special brew.

Thanks Fairylea, I'm off to Wild Duck on Friday and you have put my mind at ease.
Then again, if it had been dire I'm only 30 minutes away from home.

Ungrateful.

I'd be up for a Haven meet up. I play a mean game of air hockey.

I have been to Haven, John Fowler, Park Resorts and Parkdean. (Also stayed at Pontins at Brean Sands, NEVE AGAIN!).

Parkdean is by far the best and the lodges are great if you can afford them. I have only used them out of season as cant afford them otherwise.

I stayed at a Haven park in Weymouth and it was fine.

As with all places, there are some good and some bad. You can read reviews on Trip Advisor and some people hate places and other people love them, it is all a matter of opinion.

But I have never stayed in a bad caravan yet. The last one I stayed in with Parkdean Ruda, had ensuite bathroom, cd and dvd player, tv in bedroom, proper furniture and was perfectly clean and tidy.

Close your eyes for 10 seconds. Imagine you live in a very poor area where chances of employment are virtually nil.
Imagine for a while, that you have never even had enough money to take your kids to the seaside for the day.
Imagine as well, not being able to even treat your kids to a day at the zoo or a theme park.
My friend had her iPhone and purse stolen from the babycare room in Harrods, so please don't use that as a justification for your sneering.
Maybe you ought to leave right now, go home, and have a long hard think about how fortunate you really are.

I can be a right old Margo Leadbetter but I've had some lovely holidays at Haven and the caravans were fine.

For a few years the holidays they offered suited our family to a tee and the dc loved them.

I used to think at the time that Rory, Anxious and the gang (dc were mesmerised) were probably more than my sanity could endure. But thinking back, now that my dc are probably way beyond all that malarky, it does make me feel that those holidays were really special to us. I do have a Rory the Tiger greatest hits cd somewhere.

It was holimarine when I was small.

I've got lovely memories, luckily for me they are not of my mum being horrified and pulling cats bum faces all day.

We go to Haven every year unless we go to Park Resorts.
I have found the cleanliness has improved a lot in the last few years.

The clientele are fine. Normal people doing normal things.

It sounds as if the OP had made her mind up before she went and then looked for reasons to be right.

I am glad you wont be going back. I dont want to be stuck in a caravan next to you spoiling my holiday.

I'm off to Haven Perran Sands next Monday and I can't wait. We were hoping to go abroad but finances won't stretch that far so this is the next best thing. All I care about is the cleanliness of the caravan. I don't even mind if it chucks it down all week!

ohlimp what a bizaare comment! You have no right to complain ever because there are starving children in Africa.... really weird.

I'm not ruining anyone else's holiday actually! Staying in our lovely caravan, cooking meals and packed lunches as have no money to dine out, then doing stuff off-site in the day! Amusements, beach etc. Even if its a bit rainy, still fun!

DS isn't having a great time onsite. Smacked in the face with balls in the infant soft play section by a gang of 14+ year olds. Freezing cold swimming pool with no hope of a changing room because everyone has about 30kids.

I would holiday in the UK again, just not a haven!

It would ruin mine to have someone watching us through her net curtains worried that my kids might mug her.

You are a snob. You know it, we know it.

I wouldn't dare watch anyone through the curtains, they might set it on fire or attack me as we run from van to car on our way home tomorrow

Everyone has 30 kids do they?

You are a massive huge snob.

Yabu

It will be lovely - been for the weekend for last few years and always had a lovely time

Yeah, you are hilarious.
And with every post you write you make me glad you will not be at any Haven I frequent.

You are like one of those people who move out of the city to get away from the riff raff, little realising that with your departure one place is becoming more pleasant an another more burdened with arses.

Oh for goodness sake you're being ridiculous now OP.

Flaming. Much?

Hafan Y Mor was a firm favourite with us too. Closely followed by Thorpe park.

Who said anything about children in Africa? I merely suggested that you do not realise how lucky you are, actually having the opportunity to have a break with your children.
Yes, I do moan about things from time to time, but I always catch myself by reminding myself how lucky I am.
I am disabled, and with all the will in the world there are some things it restricts me doing, I'm bloody grateful that I can walk, albeit with sticks.
Every time a negative thought goes through your mind, always try and find a positive one to balance it.
Although you obviously consider Haven to be beneath you, it's hardly a prison camp. You're not that hard done by. I was trying point out that there are people a lot worse off. In this country.
As the ever-wise Mrs deVere points out. You are a snob. Get over yourself.

If I was your in laws I'd be really annoyed. They have paid for a nice treat for u and u aren't even onsite to use them.
No need for u to worry tho, I doubt they'll bother again.

I have been to Haven in Poole and it was lovely. We just avoided the bar/ restaurant and entertainment. Took advantage of the indoor and outdoor pool. It was lovely. I wear hoop earrings, but they are Stella and Dot. I smoke, but I do not push a pram (son is 12) - based on a previous poster's comments I am one hell of a 'chav' and I come from North Lundun, dontcha no....

Bar was too noisy, small kid not into entertainment of that sort and the restaurant was a bit mundane (we had brought food so no big deal) Oh and the caravan had a regular dog in residence - a great big fat smelly mutt. The caravan did not smell AT ALLLLLL.... it was also pristine, so there you go. Open your mind to a different experience FFS...... Can I do it???? my very first.....

bit of advice about Perran Sands.The beach is fucking miles away.Lovely place but oh my gosh the beach.They make it sound like its a short walk away.No good for people with disabilitys

I'm not a snob though. I'm not commenting on how little money people have, what they're wearing, what they do for a living. I'm saying the majority I've seen (not all) of the people here are behaving badly. As in smoking whilst pushing prams, theft, kids spitting and dropping litter.generally vile behaviour!