<sob> may be moving to The Dark Side :(

[TheRobbingBastards]

All in the name of getting old turning 40
I will be 40 next year and we planned to go away but, as my birthday is in December we have opted for the summer instead. I have vetoed plans for hotels and AI's and had angled extensively for 2-3 weeks in Europe with my tent and assorted paraphernalia.
However while DH had cunningly plied me with alcohol it has been bought to my attention that actually a caravan would be more practical for such a long trip.
Now logically I know this to be true. We would be packing up and moving multiple times, it will (hopefully) be hot, I would have better cooking facilities (I love cooking so this could be the clinching factor) We also have a selection of dogs and it would be easier to keep them cool and contained in a caravan than a tent.
So no downsides (apart from it not being a tent of course!)
I cannot believe my life has come to this

We've just got a vintage caravan and done it up and love love love it. Proper bed is delicious.

We reckon it is 20mins from arrival at pitch to set up - and hour if putting up the awning. Beds already made up and all crap in the boot. We travel with everything in situ. We hardly take anything and it is teeny.

Love it

We are going to buy an old caravan and do it up. If I am to join the dark side then I intend to do so with full bunting :o

DH has agreed to install a log burner and allow me to put down that lovely checked floor that I covet. I suspect that if we wait a couple of months till the holidays are over then prices will drop a bit?

Exciting!

We have bunting! My lovely neighbour sourced original 70s fabric in the right colours and made it for me. I also have a set of lovely cotton ball/globe fairy lights in similar autumn tones to the interior that give off a lovely glow in the evening.

You'll need to check weights carefully if you're going for a log-burner and even if your vehicle is strong enough to be to able tow it, you can't exceed the van's maximum load. (MAM/MPTLM) It will also affect the way it tows and will need to be mounted over the axel/wheels. I thought I'd never get the hang of all the weights and terms when we first go ours, having initially thought you just bought a caravan, hitched up and off you go, but it's actually very simple.

Prices are definitely at their highest at this time of year - we bought ours in October. Best days to look on Ebay for vintage vans are Friday and Sunday evenings and you will need to look at lots and invest in a damp-meter. You wouldn't believe the state of some we went to view, that looked ok on Ebay, but you could literally smell from several feet away. [green]