Here on the caravan park the entertainment ramps up a bit at this time of year, the Halloween Party went well, with children and adults taking part in a fancy dress competition. The following week the huge bonfire and magnificent fireworks display went with a very suitable bang and a flash. But now it's that time of the year when some of the older residents close down their vans for the Winter. Signs appear in the windows saying 'No Valuables or Electrics Left in this Van' as one by one they load up their cars and drive off not to be seen until next Spring.
The park winds down bit by bit, the swimming pool closed first at the end of September and is now is looking dirty, cold and very uninviting, the office working hours shrink and shrink, although there's always someone available for emergencies. The shop, which up until this week had been open daily, is now just open for two hours each day on Saturday and Sunday for weekend van visitors needing milk, bread or a newspaper.
The more hardy of us and those that live in the Vans for most of the year are still here, watching the winding down process and changing our living patterns to suit. Newer vans, like ours, have full central heating, a little more insulation and are just a bit more comfortable for cold weather living. It costs more in gas bottles to keep warm and snuggly while cold winds blow and the rain pours down … but I think it's a small price to pay to be cosy and happy. The fifteen minutes walk to the village shop can be combined with a doggy walk if necessary or it's just a ten minute drive into the nearby town to pick up shopping or to mooch around other shops.
Today I started a wind down of my own, and went through the kitchen drawers, throwing away rubbish that has acquired, things not used and things not needed. Cleaning the drawers as I went and checking we had all that we need. We do, we don't need much.
Each day this week I'll choose a different area and empty and clean it, slowly getting the Van ready to be left empty and forlorn as we abandon it for the Winter in December.
We had a different printed sign that we put in our window last year ... a picture of a car piled up high Beverly Hillbilly style with the words 'We couldn't find any valuables so we took all our rubbish home with us'. It raised a smile or two, but I can't find the image anywhere.
But I think this one will be suitable this year, you've got to have a smile 😁
Sue xx
I imagine it can get really nice and snug in a modern caravan.
ReplyDeleteIt is when the heating is on. Loses heat after about three hours, so I snuggle down with hot water bottles at night. Suky has one too 😃
DeleteI remember packing up my father's van at the end of a season. There was always an owner's ball with free food.
ReplyDeleteIt's the Van Owners Christmas Party this Saturday ... and yes there's food 😃
DeleteI hope winter in Wales is not too badly impacted by the work you are having done on the house. xx
ReplyDeleteIt's the work we're having done that will keep the house dry and warm this year. The new radiators are in every room, new interior plastering and exterior rendering done, now it's all painters and electricians doing their stuff.
DeleteFingers crossed for carpet fitters doing their thing as planned in December,then we should have cracked it.
I was wondering if you'd have to leave the van in the winter. I always thought you couldn't stay in a caravan all year - possibly to do with council tax or something. The caravan we stayed in on holidays wasn't available from the end of October until April again as the park closed for winter. I thought they all did! Enjoy your last few weeks of van life. x
ReplyDeleteYes, holiday parks have to close for at least eight weeks each year otherwise they would be classed as residential parks and then each and every caravan owner would be liable for Council Tax. Instead we pay a share of the caravan park owners business rates, which works out at under £300 a year and vacate our Vans. This year we leave on 8th December and can return on or after 28th February 🙂
DeleteFingers crossed for you that all the work in Wales is completed by December:) Before you know it Sue 28th February will be here♥ It's been so lovely reading about smaller life in your cosy van with Suki. Enjoy your party on Saturday night and I love the sign:) I'm wondering if you will still put the odd post on here, I do hope so:) xx
ReplyDeleteI'll still be here. Although the house is bigger at home, we are still minimising our possessions so I guess it fits into the 'smaller life' heading ... and what we are moving into after the sale definitely does 😄
DeleteLove the image. I think it is perfect.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Haha … it really is :-)
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