We’re back from our road trip!

We’re home!

Did you miss me?

No, well, never mind, I’m back anyway whether you like it or not.

I’m going to be writing all about the trip over the next couple of weeks but before I distract you with tales of ancient monuments and rainy walks I just wanted to say a massive thank you to Bailey, who lent us the motorhome for ten days, allowing us to visit 12 counties in all and to tick ‘visit every county in England’ off my list of 40 things to do before 40.

I was really nervous before we set off about how I was going to manage a motorhome, but I actually loved driving it. Here I am, looking rather pleased with myself having successfully got us to our first Caravan Club site:

Bailey Approach Compact

We had the Bailey Approach Compact, which although very spacious inside, is fairly small as far as motorhomes go – 7’7″ wide and 20′ long – and even fits into a supermarket car parking space. Just.

Bailey Approach Compact

I don’t think I so much as clipped a curb and there was something very exciting about being so high up – I felt pretty sexy and powerful behind the wheel of something so big. Fuel economy was impressive too; we travelled a total of 907 miles and it cost us £182. Not bad right?

As well as being very easy to drive, it was incredibly simple to live in. We only stayed one or two nights in any one place, but it only took a matter of minutes to connect and disconnect ourselves at each end – it was really just a matter of plugging in the electric, switching on the gas, and away you go. For Belle and I it was absolutely perfect and she thoroughly enjoyed herself.

Here she is with a very professional, albeit slightly rattly, video:

I also want to say thank you to The Caravan Club, who put us up along the way and were endlessly patient with my inability to connect a hose.

What do you think of when you think of the Caravan Club?

If you had asked me five years ago I would probably have thought of elderly people in small caravans, sitting watching television while it rained outside, matching pacamacs on the back of the door. To be honest I thought I would be more suited to something a little more in the luxury family holiday line like Tots Too.

More recently, I have to confess that my first thought was more likely to be this:

Since our road trip though, my opinion has shifted a second time, and the images of Jay’s dad in the caravan toilet have been replaced by fantasies of owning my own van, impressing people with the size of my awning, and generally having a lovely time lounging around on the grass in the sunshine drinking cups of tea and reading books.

Cup of tea

I was really impressed by the consistently high standards across all the Caravan Cub sites we visited. All of the staff were friendly and helpful, the toilet blocks were always spotless and I loved that you knew exactly what to expect wherever you went. We also stayed at one of the Certified Location sites – small sites with just five pitches and basic facilities – and this was actually one of our favourites. Belle loved the peace and tranquillity, and the fact that there was a dog and horses to play with.

Bailey Approach Compact

So thank you Bailey and the Caravan Club, we love you!

Caravan Club

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8 Comments

  1. 12 August, 2014 / 12:12 pm

    Always impressing people with the size of your awning…matron!

  2. 12 August, 2014 / 12:51 pm

    I love the idea of a motor home holiday, with a 5y/o and an 18m/o it seems like a very smart way of having all you need to hand. However when ever I look around online it always seems very expensive.

  3. 12 August, 2014 / 3:29 pm

    Looks great fun and good video, very informative! x

  4. 12 August, 2014 / 9:39 pm

    Sounds like you had a brilliant time! I can’t imagine driving anything that big, I can only just about manage a Mini.

  5. 14 August, 2014 / 10:39 am

    What a truly heartfelt review. Love that you had a good time. You both deserve it. Is her leg better? Xx

  6. 18 August, 2014 / 8:17 pm

    I have wanted to do a motor home road trip for a while now. There’s something that looks so free and easy about it, plus cosying up all together in a small space is always fun on a trip. I think being able to park up and let the kids run free sounds brilliant, and to have everything you need in the back right there with you takes away the stress of packing, and finding your feet on arrival.
    I bet a girl’s road trip with Belle was so much fun :)

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