At long last it's here! Forums

Chrisv

Hi Everyone,
We ordered our Burstner Nexxo T660 / Ford 2.2 130 at the October NEC show and six months later we picked it up from Discover Leisure Darlington. On Friday to be exact. During that six months I have been reading the posts on this site in order to be up to speed when it arrived. This is our first motorhome although we have caravaned for many years in the past. The whole experience so far has been very positive. The Ford is great to drive (with no stalling) and although we haven't stayed overnight in it yet we have found nothing to disappoint now that we have it on the drive.
We are off to Taunton/Vanbitz next Friday to have a Strikeback alarm fitted and hopefully a couple of other bits and pieces. Soon I will post a review of the MH and our dealings with the dealer etc.
Oh and also our experience with a jobsworth car park attendant at Trowell motorway services on the M1 (sorry there was one negative)
Thanks
Chris

Telbell

Congrats Chris- Glad you're happy so far and long may it last.

carolgavin · Quiz Queen

Congrats and happy motorhoming!

Steamdrivenandy

JockandRita

Suenliam

Hi Chris - may your good experiences so far, extend to many years of safe and happy motorhoming.

Sue

pastymaker

Hello Chris,
Also picked up our new Nexxo on Easter weekend, from Discover Darlington who were extremely helpful. To date have had 3 weekends away and we are thr Question

illed to bits with it, only one query, we want to fit a T.V. aerial in, has anyone any idea which one would be best. We are mainly going to be in the British Isles but with occasion forays to France and perhaps when we get a bit braver into Spain, we are confused as there seems to be so many conflicting opinions, also would whatever aerial we choose be a D.I.Y job or best left to the experts. Thanks
Joan

Chrisv

Hi and thank you for your good wishes.

Well Jock, this is what happened and I can tell you it took me by surprise.
I was faced with a long drive from Darlington to Southampton and to be honest was still a bit jetlagged from flying in from Las Vegas the day before. Because of this we thought we'd have plenty of stops along the way. At our first stop (not sure which services) followed the signs for Coaches/caravans and everything was fine.
At Trowell we pulled in and as far as I can remember cars and coaches were directed one way and lorries another. We followed the cars and coaches which then divided to cars one way and coaches another. There was no mention of motorhomes or caravans from this point and as the car park looked quite full I followed the coaches sign. Unfortunately there were no MH's or caravans parked up to help me out. There were about 10/12 bays all empty so I pulled into one nearest the building.
We were still in our seats no longer than 2 to 3 minutes when suddenly a hand appeared around the passenger side of the van and slapped a parking ticket on the windscreen (£80!). The attendant started to walk off quickly (not quite a run) I asked him what the problem was and he said I was in a coach bay (which I was) and that was that. I said why didn't you tap on the window and tell us the correct place to park. He wasn't interested and said that he'd heard all sorts of excuses before.
I asked my wife to take a photo of where we had parked for evidence while I went into the services to find the manager. The staff in there told me that he did it to staff as well. When I came back out I found that my wife had misheard me a went off to photograph the attendant! Which surprised him. She also pointed out to him that he had the words 'Here to help you' on the back of his yellow reflective jacket.
I then went off to track him down to get a phone number because the one on the ticket was for payment only (automated). I found him walking back down the car park. He told me that he had contacted his manager and that they had decided to take back the ticket, which was good. He said I should have parked with the cars and that I was allowed to take up 2 bays. I told him that I had no way of knowing that. I also said that I thought he should have advised us and that the way he gave us the ticket wasn't on. He appologised and we went on our way (unrested).
I have used motorway services many times before with caravans and cars only and never experienced a problem. Is there a place where motorhomers go when using service areas? Does it vary from one place to another?
I wonder how many people had got a ticket from this man and paid up. I understand that people can't just park where they like but it seems that employing outside contractors to do this sort of job always causes problems.
Sorry to go on.
Thanks
Chris
ps everything else was brilliant!

Chrisv

Hi Joan,
We haven't stayed over in ours yet but can't wait. We are going to have a Status 530/5 fitted to the van as soon as we can. I don't think I could face drilling the hole myself so I'm going to pay someone else to do it. What TV have you chosen? I'm just at the measuring up stage but like the look of the Avtex 153D, expensive but lots of features.

Chris