HAPPY MEMORIES

My wife and I recently returned home after spending two very enjoyable weeks at the lovely Bourton-on-the-Water Club Campsite (above). We had only been home about an hour when we received an unexpected delivery. The package was quite thin, A4 in size, very carefully wrapped and marked fragile.

Not knowing what to expect, we opened it and, to our absolute delight and surprise, it contained a glass-mounted and personalised certificate commemorating our 50 years’ membership of the Club. This immediately prompted many recollections of our caravanning years. Our first van, a five-berth Sprite (didn't everyone start with a Sprite in those days?) Musketeer bought new at a sale price of £528. We travelled with our three young children, usually two dogs and, on occasion, a guinea pig and tortoise.

We also recalled three years ago when, en route home from Ireland, we stayed at Sunnybank Farm CL near Chepstow which had been the very first site we visited in that Musketeer on 27 July 1973 – I have logs of all our journeys and sites stayed at, including visits to France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark.

How things have changed over those 50 years. The Musketeer had only gas lights (after they had been lit the mantle would usually shatter and need replacing after the next journey), no water system, heater or fridge (although I installed these later).

So many very happy memories –thank you to the Club for the beautiful certificate and badges and for being there for us in so many ways during the past 50 years.

John and Fay Sweeney, West Sussex

CAN YOU SPARE A MINUTE?

It’s disappointing that as I look out of my caravan I see other vehicles passing by at well over the 5 miles per hour speed limit on site. Some appear to be going three times or more over the recommended speed. Most pitches are less than 200m from the barrier. Travelling at 5mph would take around 1 minute 30 seconds to make the journey. At 15mph the journey time is reduced to 30 seconds, a saving of 1 minute. Surely there can’t be many members who desperately need to save 1 minute travelling around the site. Most people walk at between 3 and 4mph – even in a hurry it is hard to sustain a speed of 5mph, so if you can’t walk as fast as you are driving please slow down and spare a minute.

Neal Thornton, Lancashire

Editor’s note: Thank you for your letter Neal. We urge all members and guests to stick to our 5mph speed limit – it’s there to keep everyone safe!

What a weekend. It catered for the whole family. I even climbed a wall on my 70th birthday and did the 5k run (or walk) with a pushchair in 44mins. Not bad as we haven’t run in years. Well done to all staff and volunteers who kept the site so clean. Looking forward to next year now.

Helen Umlandt, via email

Reading the letter from Miss Smith in June’s magazine, I was making comparisons between her dilemma and my own. In late 2021 my husband had to surrender his driving licence for medical reasons. Like Miss Smith decisions needed to be made whether to continue with me towing or pack in caravanning.

As the caravan was only 12 months old, I wanted my money’s worth so plunged straight in. This year saw us heading to Whitby (1½ hours away) for our first trip, then as my confidence built we have ventured to Norfolk, Devon and Scotland. We always stay on CLs and entry points are not always the best, but Google Maps is great for satellite images so there are no nasty surprises on arrival.

So, even when you’ve always left the driving to your partner, it doesn’t mean you can’t do it – give it a go, you may surprise yourself.

Christine Marsh, via email

E Is For Excellent

After reading your article in the June 2023 magazine regarding e-bikes [pages 71-72], it gives us great pleasure to share our 100% agreement with the game changer these bike have given us. We are proud owners of a motorhome with a garage where these two bikes fit with ease overnight. No dismantling to do – just one in forwards into a home-made frame and the other backwards, all within 60 seconds.

My advice would be don't buy cheap, go for a good make and choose what type you need – hardtail, full suspension etc. Do some research and ask those that have experience with e-bikes in a motorhome or caravan. Also look at where you are going to store the bikes, and transportation. A garage is perfect as ‘out of sight, out of mind’.

Our little dog travels with us in a front carrier and covers hundreds of miles on tracks, letting her out to stretch her legs.

Hope you enjoy the e-bike trend as it’s fantastic.

Jim Teague, via email