We're back ! Despite the dodgy Dartmoor weather we would do it again and had a great time. (So did the teenagers and grandparents who stayed in civilisation !). For a proper taster of Cali life, we decided on basic sites and no meals out. We didn't manage to use either the awning or roof bed as it was way too windy. I thought others may like to hear our verdict.
Plus points :
We found the downstairs bed really comfy with just our self inflating mattresses, no topper required.
Bacon butty and a brew for breakfast while a storm raged outside, fab.
Dogs slept on drivers and passenger seat, and didn't bark in the night... Phew.
Did not get stuck in the mud like the motorhome on the same site.
Went down little lanes and up big hills, no problem, a nice vehicle to drive (140 manual)
Lots of places to put stuff, but we couldn't remember what got stuffed where, we weren't very organised.
Camped off EHU at pub and a basic camp site and took our own stew / curry etc to warm up.
Great freedom to go anywhere anytime
Fridge and hob great, but not sure we really needed a sink.
Dogs had a fab time, only found 1 tick so far !
minus points :
Still getting over the need to let off handbrake to swivel driver's seat ! It was a 15 reg van, so they really ought to have an electronic handbrake.
As it was our first hire we had too much bedding with us.
We didn't use the heater as when we opened the sliding door a lot of diesel fumes entered, most unpleasant. We didn't want to sleep with that smell.
So in the morning we had a lot of condensation, but were snug as a bug.
We also had too much cooking kit from the hire company, and should have taken some of it out of the van before departing, making more room in the cupboard.
Wet dogs and walking boots are smelly !
Too many beers resulted in 2 trips to the loo in the storm for Mr T in the night. (Will get him a bucket for Christmas, as he's unlikely to give up beer !)
We kept forgetting to get things out of the cupboard and drawer before putting up the table and loading it up, with the dogs settling underneath it. This is something I guess you get used to.
Seats had no covers and were marked, I would get seat covers or leather seats !
So :
Would we hire again ? Yes, although it does restrict the flexibility as it was a 90 mins drive to pick the van up and you have to book well in advance. We would have gone a weekend earlier if we had our own van, as the weather was much better. Our house is still full of wet washing ! I will keep an eye on the Cali club hire project.
Would we buy now ? No - partly because we need the teenagers to be old enough to stay home alone if they don't want to come along and partly due to the cost; we want to keep our Landy too and at a push could use it instead for short trips. Has Mr T started planning a bed for the Landy ? Yes.....help !
I hope you guys don't mind if I stay a forum member, there's always something interesting to read even though we're not looking to buy at the moment. Mrs T.
site Woodland Springs (no not one of those!!) and it was great as the facilities were fantastic and it wasn't too busy. 
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