Our 1st Year in our 1st Motorhome is coming to an end and I'm just recalling all the fun we had, much better than 2 weeks in the sun/year.

We started with a trip down the Gower, only 5 Miles away. Greenways Leisure Park, Got to the site after work, the wife was met by the owner with a can of larger in his hand, told to park in the top field and that was that.

Never having used the motorhome, a little shocked not to be shown to a pitch. 1st place we parked the wife said i was to close to the tents, moved to park between Caravan, a good 6 meters away. Put the 2 Children to bed and then crashed out around nine. Half ten the disco starts, then the rain, then the wind, No sleep for me and the wife. Had breakfast then left the site. I wasn't looking forward to a summer in the van.

Had a look on the web, find a site with a good review,  Manorbier Country Park. Heated pool, childrens entertainment, fully serviced pitch. £22 for a good nights sleep, Priceless.

The day started well, wife checked in, told that any noise after 10.30 will not the accepted, then shown to our pitch and shown the power, water, waste and fire station. Much better start that Greenways. Parked up and had a walk to the club house, lovely welcome - childrens party at six, Great night had, 7.30pm put Children to bed. 11.30pm club house closes and everyones singing, children out on there bikes 2.30am the noise stops. If it wasn't raining a walk to find the warden would have followed. Breakfast and a swim in the lovely heated pool, then pack up. On the way out the wife told the owners about the noise, they replied that it was the static caravan's and nothing they could do. Still Raining.

12th July, 2 night stay at a CL in Cardiff then down to the Food Festival. Hook up and Hard standing £11. Best nights sleep, lovely site and then sunday down at Cosmeston Lakes Country Park lovely weekend.

21st July Royal Welsh show, didn't take the van due to last years poor weather. Really shame it was lovely

9th August, Weston Super Mare, C&CC site. Lovely site, Only problem when we asked about the bus service into Weston, I was told don't bother its hit or miss if the bus even stops. Taxi in to weston, very heavy rain. Sunday we called to the Bristol Ballon show, excellent day out - next year will try and go with a rally to the show.

30th August, Chatsworth House, Country Fair. 1st really distance travel, the Van went well, Children got fed up, £70 for a long weekend, really tested the batteries no Hook up. Great Weather fantasic show, booking of next year.

6th Sept, Bristol CC site, We parked up no problem, the inlaws had been given a pitch 45degs to everyone else, Jobs worth warden, much moving to get the pitch marker in the center of the Van, then to close to the Caravan with wedding type awning. Moved to another pitch, site only 70% full. Took the river ferry to the food festival, Raining again. Nice weekend.

12th Sept, Shepton RV Show, Our first Show! Parked miles away. Great show, fantasic fireworks. Another nice weekend.

20th Sept, Abergaveny Food Festival, Stayed in lovely site, Pyscodlyn farm Caravan and camping. A lovely walk into town. One of the best Food Festivals around, great weather.

27th Sept, Folly Farm Tenby, CC&C Rally. 1st Rally -only 6 other vans. The children loved the farm and great discount due to the rally. Ended up getting stuck after driving down to the waste point, even with help from the rally steward, Front wheel drive was never going to get us out, but a Jolly Folly Farmer and his tracter pull us out no problem.

The above are just the highlights of a great way to spend weekends with the children, lots of fresh air and muddy puddles. In total we spend 20 weekends away - I didn't want to bore you to much with all the trips.

Looking forward to taking the van to Spain boxing day, and a full program of weekends for 2009, hope to meet a few MHF members on the way.

Steve & Sharon