to not want to go on a caravan park holiday DH won through work?

[electrofagz]

I've checked out their website and I just don't think I can do it. Basically, the caravan home is owned by another employee through a sort of time-share scheme (?) so it is not possible to upgrade to one of the nicer homes in the park. I know that it is only a week and I am effectively passing on an almost free holiday but I absolutely hate that kind of set-up having discovered the world as an independent traveller over the years.

If we don't go, the 'owner' would probably know as his friend 'owns' the plot next door and will be there when we are meant to go. He keeps telling dh about the karaoke nights, "the best cabaret shows in the UK" and the huge breakfast buffet - these are things I would actively avoid in a holiday of my choice. Dh has already confirmed that he does not have any annual leave booked for those dates.

Is there a polite way of getting out of it?

Just go!!! You might like it. If you are such an intrepid travller as you say you are you should know that being a traveller is better than being a tourist.

cleethorpes

I don't know cleethorpes but I'll grant you it could do with a namechange.

I'm sure one of the staff would like it. Not the butler or the housekeeper, obviously, but maybe one of the maids?

you lost me at "I have never cooked fish and chip suppers"

...are you Margot Leadbetter?

A remote barn in Scotland with few basic facilities would excite me actually. But from what I have heard about these places, it is not possible to get away from the noise/revelry - my dcs are under 10 but quite reserved children - you would not find them entering dance comps or such like - and they are extremely picky eaters and have always shunned food kept hot under those lamps in hotels as they are used to having everything prepared freshly.

I am a very experienced world traveller and would love it. It sounds brilliantly tacky. Have you never taken any joy in tackiness? That's a bit humourless of you - bet the kids will have a blast.

I can sympathise as DP has been offered a freebie week for all four of us in a park in Yorkshire. Well go because the boys will love the pool with waterslides and the new places to explore etc but I can't say I'm looking forward to it.
Having said that, we booked a week on the Norfolk Broads on a boat last summer and I wasn't looking forward to that either. But it turned out to be a brilliant week.

"they are extremely picky eaters and have always shunned food kept hot under those lamps in hotels as they are used to having everything prepared freshly."

Now you're just taking the piss.

You don't need to go, but you sound a bit snitty about 'sweet' men who work in the mail room who haven't "discovered the world as an independent traveller".

Not all of the world then...

I would feel better if it was Norfolk too - have done the narrow-boat holiday and loved it.

YANBU sounds hellish

oh, OP, thank you

I only have five minutes on here before bedtime and you are sending me up the stairs Tired-But-Happy

Mary I think it is...!

Is it Butlins Skegness?! If so, can I please quote Bert Baxter from Adrian Mole when Pandora is getting snobby about Adrian's holiday, "I'd give my right ball for a week in Skeggy"

I am beginning to suspect a very clever p**s take.

Ha ha you're funny

YANBU - if it's not for you, it's not for you. And FWIW, I went with a (now VERY) ex to a caravan park once. He'd been before, I was up for giving it a go (never been to anything like it before). Shock of my life when we got there - looked like a prison, felt like a prison. Never. Ever. Again. One of the most depressing places I have ever been to. (shudders)

Ah, you had me 'til the shunning...

Ladybiscuit - I suppose I could bear it if it was tacky in the right way. I love Kitsch art for instance. I'm just questioning what (if anything) the dcs would learn from the whole experience?

I've never cooked fish and chip suppers either.thats what the chippys are for surely

Hahaha, this is surely a wind up!

I think you may have to ask for the caravan to be redecorated in something authentic and local than before you arrive. You could insist they go for organice produce and textiles perhaps. And ask the cabaret to play only acoustic music.

I'm sure that would all be fine.

I had the opportunity to go on a cut price "Christmas Comes Early" weekend one October in a holiday park with chalets, evening entertainment, etc. Not my thing AT ALL, but we went and it wasn't that bad - we had a bit of a laugh about it and spent a lot of time offsite.

Is it a wind-up?