So
We did our first night last Friday.
It was tough getting in anywhere as it was apparently winter wonderlands and Christmas light turn on everywhere and you have to join the CC or CCC for a few of the sites we wanted.
In the end we managed to get a Friday night at the Castleton site
Link Removed
This is one of my favourite places on the planet anyway so I was thrilled for it to be our test night.
We left home just after 3pm loaded up with everything we needed
Or so we thought.
The Drive down there was just stunning
Arrived on site just before 4pm and was greeted by a very nice lady in the reception. Told her it was our first night ever in our own van and having only done a few nights previous to take her time and treat us with kid gloves.
She did a stella job letting us know what how and when and where everything was and needed doing. It was only 30% full at the time but expected full capacity so we were able to drive round steadily and pick the pitch we wanted rather than been told this is yours. That was nice. We got a great spot away from the road but nice and close to the amenities looking inwards towards all the other set ups which was great to gather info and ideas.
After setting up the Van ready for bed and the evening (this is now 90% done for next trip which is nice) We walked up the road into Castleton to the Castle pub for dinner.
There we spent about an hour and a half having a very nice meal and a cheeky pint before heading back to the site.
As luck would have it the factory over the hill (Tunstead Lime?) Was having a huge firework display that night and the whole walk back we had the best view of the most amazing display I have seen in years. Our little girl loved it and has since not stopped saying "Daddy Pop Pop!" (she's 2)
We put the little girl to bed in her new super cool bunk bed and tucked her in with Whinnie the poo for the night and then we retreated to the lounge area for a glass of warming red wine.
What I did forget! was a bottle opener! So off I went to knock on the side of someones else's van to beg for forgiveness. Was met by a very lovely group who were having a great time in there awning partying away with friends and were only to happy to have a chuckle at me and then assist.
The night went very smoothly. It rained cats and dogs all night which was such a comforting sound on the roof of the van. I only nearly killed myself once climbing down off the over cab double bed to go to the loo in the night and woke in the morning about 0730 very well rested.
The little girl had woke about 0645 and mum got up with her and they were both sat in the lounge looking out the window having morning milk and coffee when I peered over the top to look down.
I trotted off to the shower block to test the facilities and found them to be excellent. So much better than I had remembered as a kid going to these god awful places in the 80's. They really have upped there game.
I decided to try the shower in the motorhome rather than the site so I can fully test the van out and it was great. A nice temperature and great water pressure. Very easy to dry off the wet room after also. Just used a decent sim microfibre cloth and took less than 2mins to be pretty much bone dry.
I then did breakfast on the hobs and grill which was sausages. Bacon and Fried eggs. which me and the missies threw onto some bread for a nice sandwich. It was very easy to cook in and the kitchen space was ideal. even with the limited set up time we had with the van it all worked out so I imagine as we settle in to the van more it will just get better and easier to cook up some good meals.
After breakfast my missis went to the wash area with the pots while our little girl happily watched Disney's The Good Dinosaur on the iPad while I tidied up the kitchen and loose items.
We then unhooked the power. Loaded up and hit the road via emptying the waste water at the drain and chemical toilet.
All in all a great first nights test. No issues or Oh Please!! moments. All 4 of us had a great time (Smudge the Labrador been the 4th)
We are booked to go again for another test night on the 30th of this month at the same site and I dare say it will be a similar repeat of dinner at the Castle again.
Great site. Great People. Van worked a treat. I have bought and ticked off a few items from my immediate things needed this week that we put together. Lets see how many things we add to it next Wednesday.
Thanks people for the help and advice/tips before we went. Really helped us out.
We did our first night last Friday.
It was tough getting in anywhere as it was apparently winter wonderlands and Christmas light turn on everywhere and you have to join the CC or CCC for a few of the sites we wanted.
In the end we managed to get a Friday night at the Castleton site
Link Removed
This is one of my favourite places on the planet anyway so I was thrilled for it to be our test night.
We left home just after 3pm loaded up with everything we needed
Or so we thought. 
The Drive down there was just stunning
Arrived on site just before 4pm and was greeted by a very nice lady in the reception. Told her it was our first night ever in our own van and having only done a few nights previous to take her time and treat us with kid gloves.
She did a stella job letting us know what how and when and where everything was and needed doing. It was only 30% full at the time but expected full capacity so we were able to drive round steadily and pick the pitch we wanted rather than been told this is yours. That was nice. We got a great spot away from the road but nice and close to the amenities looking inwards towards all the other set ups which was great to gather info and ideas.
After setting up the Van ready for bed and the evening (this is now 90% done for next trip which is nice) We walked up the road into Castleton to the Castle pub for dinner.
There we spent about an hour and a half having a very nice meal and a cheeky pint before heading back to the site.
As luck would have it the factory over the hill (Tunstead Lime?) Was having a huge firework display that night and the whole walk back we had the best view of the most amazing display I have seen in years. Our little girl loved it and has since not stopped saying "Daddy Pop Pop!" (she's 2)
We put the little girl to bed in her new super cool bunk bed and tucked her in with Whinnie the poo for the night and then we retreated to the lounge area for a glass of warming red wine.
What I did forget! was a bottle opener!
So off I went to knock on the side of someones else's van to beg for forgiveness. Was met by a very lovely group who were having a great time in there awning partying away with friends and were only to happy to have a chuckle at me and then assist. The night went very smoothly. It rained cats and dogs all night which was such a comforting sound on the roof of the van. I only nearly killed myself once climbing down off the over cab double bed to go to the loo in the night and woke in the morning about 0730 very well rested.
The little girl had woke about 0645 and mum got up with her and they were both sat in the lounge looking out the window having morning milk and coffee when I peered over the top to look down.
I trotted off to the shower block to test the facilities
and found them to be excellent. So much better than I had remembered as a kid going to these god awful places in the 80's. They really have upped there game. I decided to try the shower in the motorhome rather than the site so I can fully test the van out and it was great. A nice temperature and great water pressure. Very easy to dry off the wet room after also. Just used a decent sim microfibre cloth and took less than 2mins to be pretty much bone dry.
I then did breakfast on the hobs and grill which was sausages. Bacon and Fried eggs. which me and the missies threw onto some bread for a nice sandwich. It was very easy to cook in and the kitchen space was ideal. even with the limited set up time we had with the van it all worked out so I imagine as we settle in to the van more it will just get better and easier to cook up some good meals.
After breakfast my missis went to the wash area with the pots while our little girl happily watched Disney's The Good Dinosaur on the iPad while I tidied up the kitchen and loose items.
We then unhooked the power. Loaded up and hit the road via emptying the waste water at the drain and chemical toilet.
All in all a great first nights test. No issues or Oh Please!! moments. All 4 of us had a great time (Smudge the Labrador been the 4th)
We are booked to go again for another test night on the 30th of this month at the same site and I dare say it will be a similar repeat of dinner at the Castle again.
Great site. Great People. Van worked a treat. I have bought and ticked off a few items from my immediate things needed this week that we put together. Lets see how many things we add to it next Wednesday.
Thanks people for the help and advice/tips before we went. Really helped us out.
it was almost as bad as forgetting the wine for goodness sake.
