California is not fun any more in UK weather!

[bigmac77]

These two pictures sum up the last week for us.....a wet week in Northumberland, followed by a day today cleaning and drying everything......... The wife and I and our five that old have had a great week!

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You're lying to yourself.

 

[Gasgas]

Have I mentioned that I have a drive away awning for sale ...

 

[Calimeup]

+1 for driveway awnings we now have a Vango Galli and it has totally transformed our camping! It's HUGE and with 2 kids you need the space. Before this l was thinking of switching to a MH for the luxury and mentioned it to the kids and my 8yr old burst in to tears! l was out voted and we have now found the perfect balance. In May half term we did 9 nights in Cornwall and it rained most days, but the awning was great. We would of cut the holiday short for sure if we hadn't had it. As the weather in Britain is pants most of the time, you just need to make sure you're prepared and apply the same rules as you would at home i.e. shoes off at the door. And remember that it's all about making memories

 

[hubert72]

A big plus 1 for a drive away awning. We just had a lovely trip down South, Wednesday morning it was raining quite heavy, we zipped up the awning and headed out in no particular direction, every time the rain stopped we just parked up wherever we were and went for a wonder with the dog until the next grey cloud appeared and headed back to the van. We ended up finding some really nice places by randomly stopping whenever the rain stopped.

 

[DM]

I totally get all the comments here. I think we have tried all camping options over the years. Backpacking with a lightweight 2 person tent, big family tent, multiple tents (as the kids got older and demanded privacy), rented motorhomes and now the Cali. I think it all goes back to that you are looking for out of a holiday. If your thing is / has been camping then the Cali us going to be luxury whatever the weather. The motorhome is more of a moderately mobile holiday cottage. Both have their place,

Looking back I wish we'd got a Cali 20 years ago. The Cali + driveaway awning with an inner bedroom would have been ideal for us. But then again I couldn't afford it then. Its only the scrimping over all these years that mean I can afford it now. So the kids had to put up with camping and Mrs DM and I can now enjoy the Cali which is perfect for the two of us.

That's life I guess.....

 

[Teejay]

I totally get all the comments here. I think we have tried all camping options over the years. Backpacking with a lightweight 2 person tent, big family tent, multiple tents (as the kids got older and demanded privacy), rented motorhomes and now the Cali. I think it all goes back to that you are looking for out of a holiday. If your thing is / has been camping then the Cali us going to be luxury whatever the weather. The motorhome is more of a moderately mobile holiday cottage. Both have their place,

Looking back I wish we'd got a Cali 20 years ago. The Cali + driveaway awning with an inner bedroom would have been ideal for us. But then again I couldn't afford it then. Its only the scrimping over all these years that mean I can afford it now. So the kids had to put up with camping and Mrs DM and I can now enjoy the Cali which is perfect for the two of us.
That's life I guess.....

Similar story to us, small tent, larger tent then California, we've been down Cornwall way and it has rained more than I was expecting. I mentioned getting a Quechua, but don't think it would work for us.

To the original poster, there are other options which will increase your flexibility rather than restrict your movements.

Hope you find a solution that works for you.

.. Message ends..

 

[B J G]

pod caravan may be an answer. might be best suited to Beach owners with cooking and toilet facility.

https://www.go-pods.co.uk/

 

[ChrisB]

I do feel sorry for those suffering the crap UK weather. We came over last August for our sons wedding in Taunton and had to completely revise our plans due to atrocious weather conditions, which cost us a small fortune to do at short notice. After we get our Cali in November we will be visiting the UK more often to see relatives etc so the vehicle will have to be 'winterised.' for regular UK use. Mind you, keeping cool is the biggest problem out here. Temp's in our area between mid July to mid Sept don't drop below 30C very much. Hence we will head north to the Pyrenees or Atlantic coast to the cooler weather.

 

[B J G]

It's easier for a Cali to adjust to the cold than the heat. If you have Ocean spec that is.

 

[T6 CFO]

It's easier for a Cali to adjust to the cold than the heat. If you have Ocean spec that is.

That's our thinking but then we are just two and retired so much easier than with kids to just hunker down with tea or wine. Difficult though if it's too hot so will plan our trips to try and avoid.

Thinking so far is summer in the U.K. with Europe trips being done in the spring and autumn.

Mike

 

[Israel]

So we had been waiting excitedly for our weeks holiday on the South coast for six months now and when it arrives it rains every day for us! This is not the first time this has occured, last year we had the same problem in Cumbria!

We have now come to the conclusion that the California is really not suited to UK weather, when it rains we are all stuck inside a very confined place playing board games with a wet and smelly dog and two kids, it is no fun at all.

On our journey home we looked at some larger motorhomes that were the same price as a Cali but had a proper lounge area and bathroom etc.. and thought this could be the solution.

We realise we lose the flexibility of the compact size of the Cali which would restrict where we could go, we would also not be able to just pop out for the day but we are now feeling the advantages of a small motorhome outweigh the things we don't like about the Cali.

We are still undecided and before people tell us to head to France or Spain, this is only an option for us once per year due to our jobs and shift patterns.

Well, it could be worst... you could be stuck in your call with 47°C outside during the day and 30°C !!! (Oh yes, this happens) at night, not being able to enjoy out at daylight or sleep at night (I know what I'm talking about, I'm from spain)
I think camper vans only work on salesman's brochures.
"The grass is always greener ... "

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[soulstyledevon]

Don't get a drive away awning, to bulky and a pain to setup and pack away. Get a Quechua Base Seconds pop up base. I can get a full erection within 2 minutes.

Rain is a pain, I've had it in Austria 3 days heavy. We just don our waterproofs and brace the elements. It can be quite invigorating. Saying that the campsite facilities are way better than the UK, which helps.

We never book our camping ahead, we turn up and see what's available. If we can't find a campsite or the weather is miserable we find a decent hotel or guesthouse.
That's the advantage of California camping.
No motor home is as flexible.

 

[GrannyJen]

I have a lot of sympathy with the OP.

The weather doesn't bother me, half the time I'm camping in Winter anyway, but I'm on my own. Trying to keep two kids amused in a camper whilst the rain trickles down the window is miserable. Yes, drive off somewhere, but there are only so many indoor amusements and even then the kids boredom levels will soon be reached.

 

[Hotel California]

Weather is one of the main reasons we never book sites up front , that way you have no options but sit out the rain or lose your money....

 

[Lost Boy]

I have to say I've been looking at a Westfalia Columbus, its only a bit longer about a metre and only a little wider too, still might be a bit tight with 4 and dogs?? Worth a look?

 

[Victor]

I am very fortunate in that I have access to both my California and a 6 Berth Swift Kontiki that my parents own but no longer use.

I think the positives of a motohome do outweigh the California ( for us anyway )

The motohome is:
Great in summer as it has air con that can be used on hook up, where as the Cali is terrible in hot weather for whoever has to sleep downstairs.

In winter it is nice to get back to the motorhome and cook dinner and put our feet up in the lounge and dare I say, we watch some TV.

It has an oven and a grill and full size sink

It has a full size fridge and freezer (similar size to one at home) I hate the Cali fridge, especially if you want something that is at the bottom!

Fixed double bed so no worries of having to make the bed up before you head off for kip, also nice if you fancy an afternoon sleep.

Bathroom is the best thing as you don't have to do the dreaded walk to the toilet block at 10pm ( also the 2pm wee is much more of a pleasure)

Huge amount of storage in lockers, under seats and in the garage

On the downside of a motorhome as mentioned above you do need to plan where you park up for days out or supermarkets however we have never had a problem as we always go to campsites that are within a village or town or on a bus train route, or we just bike it.

I doubt if I would sell my Cali but I do camp less in it these days, especially in the UK for the same reasons as above, it is more a day van for us.

 

[bigmac77]

Just want to say that I don't think UK weather is that bad and I live on the west coast of Wales.

 

[Eileen]

Just want to say that I don't think UK weather is that bad and I live on the west coast of Wales.

It is bad, it is nearly August and it is 16 degrees on my temperature gauge and I am wearing a sweater and jeans!

 

[Sad]

It is bad, it is nearly August and it is 16 degrees on my temperature gauge and I am wearing a sweater and jeans!

This is standard British Summer weather!

 

[leightonjthomas]

"I can get a full erection within 2 minutes."

Always useful in bad weather!

 

[Jay20cali]

I have to say I've been looking at a Westfalia Columbus, its only a bit longer about a metre and only a little wider too, still might be a bit tight with 4 and dogs?? Worth a look?

We just sold our Westfalia Columbus .i must say
It was a fantastic van,we sold it to a dealer in hayling island ,now were buying another Cali,we started with a Cali 8 years ago then decided to buy a new Karmann motorhome that spent most of its life with us sat on the drive depreciating .A LOT
Definitely better for holidays.
from there we went to a new Westfalia Columbus on a fiat ducato.the Westfalia side of it was fantastic but the quality of the actual base van left a lot to be desired, the quality of the paint was dreadful but I suppose your not buying it for that.we actually rejected our first one it was that bad! Now we have ordered a new Cali just because it's easier to live with .just jump in at the drop of a hat and have a night or 2 away.easy...I would own a motorhome again but maybe when we're retired

 

[Erbster]

Most of these posts have covered the main points: any motor home is a compromise; your view of the Cali depends on your expectations/previous experience and it's not a big vehicle for four.

I would add from experience, with small kids, I like a drive away awning for family camping where we will be in a fixed location as a base;for short trips or touring, the awning is too much faff to be worth it. If it take more than about 20mins to erect, then its not a very good one (we've got a Khyam Motordome, which is not without fault, but is quick to put up).

I would say to the original poster (again from experience) don't sit in the van in the rain. Either drive away for the day (we leave the damp stuff in the awning, if we brought it) and do something interesting (indoors), e.g. Cinema, museum, etc; or else go out and get wet, then have a hot shower/hot chocolate/pub meal.

Depends on your outlook and expectations. It does make us appreciate the better weather. Having a Cali means we can "strike" when the weather's good for an impromptu weekend away.

Oh yes, and the east coast is usually drier than the west


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[Flood51]

We've had an amazing summer in the SE UK this year June and July were fantastic. +20% on our solar panels from 15 &16. Never understood why the school summer hols are in August the wettest month of the summer.

 

[Verity]

We've had an amazing summer in the SE UK this year June and July were fantastic. +20% on our solar panels from 15 &16. Never understood why the school summer hols are in August the wettest month of the summer.

Agreed. When I was a kid, summer was August. Now I'm (quite) old, summer has moved to June/July. I have noticed this since my son has passed through his school years (just off to uni in Sept, grades permitting ... bites nails ...). Over the years, I have managed to get all my quality sunbathing done in the garden before school broke up, then spent the summers cooped up indoors with a scratchy boy or on wet campsites!

 

[calicasas]

So we had been waiting excitedly for our weeks holiday on the South coast for six months now and when it arrives it rains every day for us! This is not the first time this has occured, last year we had the same problem in Cumbria!

We have now come to the conclusion that the California is really not suited to UK weather, when it rains we are all stuck inside a very confined place playing board games with a wet and smelly dog and two kids, it is no fun at all.

On our journey home we looked at some larger motorhomes that were the same price as a Cali but had a proper lounge area and bathroom etc.. and thought this could be the solution.

We realise we lose the flexibility of the compact size of the Cali which would restrict where we could go, we would also not be able to just pop out for the day but we are now feeling the advantages of a small motorhome outweigh the things we don't like about the Cali.

We are still undecided and before people tell us to head to France or Spain, this is only an option for us once per year due to our jobs and shift patterns.

I feel your pain also. As beautiful as the UK is, I can never bring myself to 'holiday here'. We have been to Sweden/Denmark this summer. Had to return to the uk for one very pressing commitment and promptly booked ourselves back out to the continent for the last week of hols. Here in Belgium we have 22-24 Degs where my home town in Sussex in basking in 16 degrees of rain. Doesn't even pass my mind to stay in uk for my hols....