My earliest memories of caravan holidays were at Crimdon Dene in the early 70s. They were week long holidays with our local Boy’s club (of The Idiots fame) and it was a carful of boys with the Club leader (Doug, who apparently was a kiddy fiddler). The caravans were a lot more basic back then, having only calor gas for cooking and lighting. Water was from a communal tap, sanitation was from a communal toilet block and we made our own entertainment.
Ironically, I enjoyed the rainy days best, as the Boot of the car was full of various board games and we all enjoyed ourselves around the big table. In the evenings, we converted the caravan into a dormitory, with various seating areas converting into sleeping areas.
If I had to list the bad things about caravans in the 70′s, it would revolve around their general feel of the fit-up, having to turn everything around for eating, sleeping and general relaxing. They were always a bit cold and damp, a bit too narrow to be useful without having to climb over each other, the fixtures and fittings rather cheaply assembled, the inconvenience of the muddy walk to the loos and finally, the deafening noise on the roof when it rained stair-rods.
Over the years, we have stayed at holiday camp caravans and they have gradually improved. They started to get toilets, hot & cold running water, TVs, fridges, electric lighting and even showers. Their beds have always been a bit ropey though and they end up very cold if you wake up in the middle of the night.
However, after a week in a very smart caravan indeed in a camp near Scarborough, I think I have finally put most of my demons to rest. This one had discrete furniture, en-suite, an actual bath, therostatic shower(s), elegant lighting, tons of cupboard space and a kitchen better equipped than at home. It was double glazed with thick, insulated walls, central heating, hot water on demand and a dolby digital sound system for the flat screen TV.
After a week, though, you start to realise that whilst it is indeed a luxury caravan, it is still essentially a pressed steel box on wheels with designer styled fixtures that are constructed in a similar manner to MFI flatpack furniture. You start to miss the little home comforts, like curtains that block the light so that you can sleep past dawn and spin cycles on the washing machine that don’t make you feel slightly nauseous. You also miss walls and ceilings that don’t have screw caps and light switches that are where you actually want them. Grandma missed a bed that you didn’t fall out of (or crash into the wall) when turning over and migrated to the Sofa Bed after a couple of nights.
That is just nitpicking though, the only demon it hasn’t totally chased away is the noisy roof issue, when it rains heavily it will wake you up. (Not that it did, but Grandma Pat experienced heavy rain when we were out and confirmed it was very noisy). It is the best caraven we have ever stayed in and I’m not surprised some people buy them as holiday homes. However, the Circa £50k price tag puts me off!
It was a very cool Caravan but it seems that it is already last year’s model, Messrs Willerby have already redesigned it for the new season. Open Plan is now in…
Amble,was our caravan holiday’s(cheap and not far from home)I loved it ,but as you say the travel to the bogs ,sometimes i can still smell them.
I seem to remember a row of sinks, cold water only, Izal shiny toilet roll in the cubicles.
I can also recall a visit to Hampton Court, Izal printed with “GOVERMENT PROPERTY” on each sheet. A suitably poignant way to show contempt to the authorities.
I’ve been camping all my life, but never in a caravan.
Even if the tent is the size of a shoebox, I love the sound of rain during the night, drumming inches away from my head when I’m inside. Must be the Mole in me.
Mind you, I’m not so keen when it’s still chucking it down in the morning, even though it may complement the bucket of water thrown over the head.
Never fancied a tent,i would be kept awake thinking someone was out there with a big knife and just a slit in the canvas and they would have you! i know ,to many scarey movies
Were Living In A Box playing in the caberet bar? Heaven 17 and Go West usually make an appearance at caravan parks and Butlins.
I’m very much a fair weather camper. I used to go camping at some 18+ events (notably the Bedford Raft Race and the Trentham Annual Gathering) but sleep was strongly assisted by alcohol in those days. I also had a large 6 man tent and (most) mod cons like a portable colour telly, a chiller coolbox & a tent portaloo.
There was no-one famous playing in the entertainment shed, although there was a resident band (a four piece called Jinx who played along to backing tracks) and the Team Stars did highly energetic party dances. They also did some cheesy shows & we also saw a touring cabaret one night. £4.05 for a bottle of Magners…
There was a poster saying that Chico was coming next month though.
Just take your own smuggled drinks in. Everyone else does.