Christmas in the caravan. Possibly a bit squashed and fraught but Christmas is meant to be like that no matter where you are, with relatives fitting in and turkeys over cooking. The thought of all that didn’t put us off inviting family to camp beside us again this year. I knew I wasn’t going to be cooking turkey and as long as the prosecco and gas bottle didn’t run out it would be fine.
However family members declined our invitation and other arrangements have been made. This year the caravan will be celebrating alone.
Possibly the thought of last Christmas, and the one before, helped our family decide to decline our invite this time.
As hosts we have always wanted the day to go well for all concerned. As noted, Christmas day can be fraught and to our way of thinking a soothing dip on this yearly intergenerational day can bring some relief. So at this time of year we endeavour to be near some type of water release.
Two years ago we were persuaded, through surfing the web and viewing the lovely picture of campers frolicking in the river flowing through the Glentunnel camp, to book ourselves in there through the Christmas period. However on arrival visions of a fun filled day of splashing and lolling about in the river were dispelled by a big sign banning anyone entering the water due to algae.
Christmas became a bit of a tortuous time. It was very hot. Many children were with us plus a number of dogs and there was no relief in swirling currents. Happily, as rivers can be treacherous, no one got swept away in the currents but no one either could be cooled by them.
The next year we decided being by the sea was the answer to our desire to be in water on Christmas day. Dutifully others agreed and camped with us at Leithfield. Now I am not saying the camp was not clean and functionable, but again our Christmas brief was not achieved. We camped there as the camp accommodated dogs. Everyone had a dog. Our family member with the dog was happy and the beach was very close. No fine sand though or smooth, rippling waves. Lots of hot rocks to walk over plus gravelly black sand and a scary backtow meant another long, tortuous day in the sun.
So to this year. We are celebrating the birth of Christ in suburbia. The closest I think we are going to get to a soothing dip on ‘The Great Day’ will be a garden sprinkler, as long as there is no water ban.
Footnote: Christmas has been and gone and no water source was necessary. Christmas Day was overcast and cool.