Star letter
In March last year, like many others, I started suffering with anxiety for the first time in my life. I constantly felt scared and I stopped leaving the house. I tried everything – medication, herbal remedies, homeopathy, cognitive behavioural therapy. Around August, after hardly leaving the house for months, we visited my mother’s caravan in Harlech. I was sold.
The idea of being able to get away but still be in my own space was the answer to my prayers. We bought a van and I was given a new lease of life. We joined Instagram (@our.caravan.diaries) and I was introduced to a new community and support network. We have lots of breaks booked for 2021. I am in a much better place!
I have been reading through the very excellent Top 100 Sites Guide 2021 and am starting to become concerned about the number of adults-only sites.
I have noticed that many good sites we have enjoyed staying at, after finding them in the Top 100 Sites Guide, are now disappearing from our list of destinations as they have gone adults-only, and we are a family of four.
Obviously, if a campsite is adults-only, it’s going to be easier for it to keep a higher standard than ones where there are children running around having a fun holiday.
Yes, we all know water gets splashed in the toilets, footballs break flowers and kids love to climb; but how, I ask you, can we put sites that aren’t for everyone in the same league?
Some campsites operate an adults-only section, which as I get older, I will probably appreciate more; but the whole idea of a caravan holiday for me, since I began as a small child, staying with my grandparents, is the ‘family’ time.
After a rubbish 2020 for holiday fun, let’s all hope more restrictions other than Covid-19 don’t start putting a damper on family holiday times.
Big congratulations to all of the sites in this year’s Top 100 Sites Guide, but let’s hope the extra publicity and popularity the guide will bring doesn’t make them take the easy route of going adults-only.
Simon Hill
Just reading your generally excellent magazine, I thought I should make you aware of an item in issue 438 which could cause problems for people taking a caravan to Spain and Italy.
The tip about travelling to those countries (p42) is rather misleading, in my view. Regarding the 12m rule, it says: “Only the biggest van and car combos should exceed 12m”, which is not strictly true.
Our combo comprises only a single-axle Crusader caravan plus Hyundai Santa Fe (which is not a long vehicle, compared to most tow cars) and exceeds the 12m overall length.
This has been checked using a tape measure, which confirms that it is overlength. Although by only 20mm, the Spanish police would not hesitate in fining drivers for this breach of the regulations.
I’m worried that some people might read the article and not bother to check the overall length of their car and van. Nigel Hunt
I am writing to you to expose one of the seemingly best-kept secrets in caravanning!
A unique touring organisation will be celebrating its Sapphire Anniversary this year.
The Retired Caravanners’ Association is a group for retirees who all share the same passion for their leisure pursuit and wish to continue to do so for as long as possible.
This national association rallies across the country, using a wide variety of venues, from fields to five-star commercial sites, from April to October.
Each rally has its own unique character, offering a range of activities which might include walking and cycling rural trails, dancing the night away, boules, varied social evenings, meals, watercolour techniques – or if you prefer, just relaxing.
If this might appeal to you, please visit our website at retiredcaravanners.co.uk. Our Sapphire Celebration is planned for September, at Woodland Waters, Lincolnshire. Hopefully, see you there!
Judith Lesley Bradshaw, General Secretary, RCA