Best Christmas Touring Memories (UK)

I have none of those romantic memories- it was always sheer endurance.  

I recall driving from Devon year after year to visit parents who lived near you.  Five of us in one unheated bedroom while we were there - two single beds and stepping over three camp beds . Then the occasion when it took us three days to get back home on icy roads from there and an awful B&B in Taunton as an emergency stopover on the way.

We rented cottages twice in the Lake District as alternatives - but the beds were damp and the owners had doctored the Rayburn to stop us using fuel. So instead we actually went to live near Penrith for a few years, but quickly saw the folly of living head on to the Helm wind in winter and came south again.

Yesterday I was shopping in preparation for the invasion about to happen here. By Boxing Day I will be cooking and pulling corks out of bottles for ten. My thoughts remain as always - Thank god when Christmas over.

 

 

Great post TDA, we've never toured at Christmas although near to it but I agree 100% with it’s one of our favourite times of the year to be out. Everything just looks better and there's no doubt in my mind though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!

Had 5 nights one year between Christmas Day and New Year at Meathop Fell where the temperature didn't get above freezing after the first night.

Early caravanning days for us then. Had to travel back to Cheshire for a days work. Great walking though. Skiddaw was an ice rink on the loose slate. We brought home a full water bucket that had frozen solid.

Went to a CL last year in the week before Christmas to try out our new bikes. High Peak Trail in freezing fog, with snow lying on the fields. Magic.

I suspect we’ve all had Christmasses we'd rather forget and that’s the best thing to do with them.

Although we've never been away in the van at Christmas itself, when we lived further away we did once spend a few days between Christmas and New Year at the Looe site. Until then I’d never realised that people went to town decorating their vans and awnings with lights. It was quite something  - magical. 🎄

Good thread, TDA, and I’m sure there will be interesting tales to come from others.

When I was working it was never an option to go away at Christmas. Lucky to be home by 18.30 on Christmas Eve and was back in work the day after Boxing Day. Since retirement I suppose we have carried on as before.  Having said that we have "camped" in either the caravan or motorhome in the back garden when we have had a house full of visitors, much prefer them to have the house and us to have the peace of the van! Nearest we get to Christmas in the van has been visiting the likes of Chatsworth, Warwick and Blenheim in the weeks before Christmas day. 

David

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We've  never actually been away for Christmas Day itself,  but have enjoyed a few December trips. Have also stayed at Castleton to see the lights and meet up with with youngest son to do the Mam Tor walk and then a few drinks in one of the many pubs.🍻

We have also enjoyed staying on a couple of CL'S in December to visit some Christmas Markets. 

 

Yes, we will be on the drive in the van as we (as ever) will have a house full.

agreed, we would rather be in the van with family in the house...we can have a morning cuppa in peace before the panic starts!

in fact, I've just filled up with water (loo, tea, shower) as we will also be heading off for New Year break with pals on Thursday.

Soon after that we will leave the cold weather behind..🙂☀️🕶️

We have been away in our caravan over both Xmas and NYD for nearly every year since before I retired over 20 yrs ago, so stacks of good memories. We usually take a packed lunch out with us on Christmas day and have had sat at the top of Ingleborough, Shutlingsloe, White Edge above Curber & The Roaches to name a few. As we are getting on a little bit in years sitting out in the open at this time of year does not appeal as much as it used to. However we will see what tomorrow brings.😁

🤣🤣 Yorkshire has improved a bit since then EuroT.  We’ve always had proper 4x4’s, so love the snow and ice, but that’s a heck of a trek if you were in a conventional car. We love going away in cottages as well, have done a few Chrismases that have been lovely and welcoming. 

This will be our first Christmas for years on our own. Not by choice.😢