Haven holiday I'm so worried :-(

sarah*a

tinkerbellsmum wrote: »

in the club just buy the kids cordial in a glass or do what we do buy there refill bottles then refill them in the carvan and take them with you.

We buy the 'Yard' flasks - which have a lanyard on them for easier carrying - and just fill up at the caravan before we head out for the night. If it gets emptied one of us pops back and fills them up. No body says anything - there's so many places on site to get them filled that they can't prove you haven't filled them at their silly prices. Last year they were £3.95 to buy - filled - and take about a litre of pop. Even cheaper to refill if you use squash and water after the initial purchase

(Our DD stopped coming with us 2 years ago and I still get a Yard Flask on the first night and fill it up with soft drinks as I don't drink - this year I'm taking the one we bought last year as I've managed to keep it intact )

hippygran wrote: »

Tiger Club for the young ones at Haven was excellent - our family still remember the songs!

OH and DD still know all the songs and the dances - OH especially Tiger Club (or whatever it's called now!) is great fun ... and FREE!!

If you can ring the site and ask if they will be doing anything 'fancy-dress'ish (ie: easter bonnet parade) as an afternoon can be taken up making them (using craft stuff from £land or whatever you already have). If either of them are talented find out if they will be doing 'Haven's got Talent' while you are there as thats an afternoon auditioning and then an evening planned to watch the finals.

Definately look at £land for glowsticks - or even the glow wands if you can find them.

borderlakland wrote: »

Take washing liqued, towels and dishcloth along with things like clingfilm for packed lunches. also took our own sharp knives as the ones provided are useless.

if i had room i would prob stick the slow cooker in so can get back to a meal already .

Don't forget loo roll salt, pepper, sugar etc - we 'collect' sachets throughout the year to take with us

I'd love to be able to take our SC with us - such a good idea :T We go by train - with two dogs - and take everything we need for the week - food, cleaning stuff, dog food & toys, bed linen, toiletries, clothes (agreed - the Laundrette is hideously expensive just to wash a few bits and bobs :eek: - but I still take some washing powder with me in case something desperately needs doing or to give swimming cossies a refresh - it can be done in the caravan sink) - it all goes into one large case

Only thing we buy on site is a loaf of bread, milk, a couple of bottles of pop for me and some wine (generally on 3for£10) for OH. We have a daily budget and stick to it - and if we have a few £'s left over from one day we may treat ourselves to fish and chips - but we won't starve if we don't

Have fun - and remember that even though they might groan a bit at the time the kids will remember the good bits and not the fact that you couldn't buy them a flashing hat/cuddly toy etc.

rich_shot2003

We are going to Marton mere near Blackpool tomorrow and am looking forward to it and staying in a private Van but is there anything to do without having to buy a pass?

Also if we went into the bar at night could we get away with taking some cans of pop in my wifes bag to top up sons drink?

liney

rich_shot2003 wrote: »

We are going to Marton mere near Blackpool tomorrow and am looking forward to it and staying in a private Van but is there anything to do without having to buy a pass?

Also if we went into the bar at night could we get away with taking some cans of pop in my wifes bag to top up sons drink?

You will need a pass to show security and walk into the entertainment and bar areas, particularly at night.

DS always uses a water bottle for drinks and we have never been confronted.

Quenastoise

Here is my standard check list for caravan holidays:

- batteries for camera
- beach stuff
- beear and bottle opener
- books/activity stuff
- breakfast for the fist morning
- camera
- charger for phones
- coffee/tea/sugar stuff
- dinner for first night in the caravan
- washing up liquid/brushes/tea towel
- hairdryer
- holiday booking form
- linen
- lunch/snacks for travel to the site
- matches for BBQ
- Pegs
- petrol in the tank the night before
- post code for sat nav
- sat nav fully charged up/itinary planned the night before
- milk for breakfast
- spare plastic bags/bin bags
- swimming gear
- toilet roll and kitchen paper
- wetsuits

The list is in my phone and I go through it when packing.

I also go through the fridge and pack perishables. I don't take too much with me because I want to have some food ready to eat when we come back and I know we'll go and find a local supermarket when we're there

I do a load of laundry before we go because I know I'll have one or two loads to start when I come back.

Enjoy your hols - once you get there and see how excited the kids are you'll start to enjoy yourself.

paul2468

We have been to the Presthaven site a few times and like you are on a tight budget..as soon as we get there i make a trip to the local asda...to stock up on beer wine and kids drinks and sweets...and every time we went to the club we took our own stuff...it saves us a fortune....as soon as you get there pop in the club to see what drinks they are selling..i got my self a case of budwiser..cost £13 in asda...in the club £3 per bottle...a massive saving...hope you have a good time.....:beer:

t4mof

We've been to Riviere Sands every year since 2008 - we actually usually go the Fri-Mon that Easter falls this year but it's my mum's 60th this year on Easter Saturday so we booked to go first weekend in June.

The basic caravans are fine, usually clean and tidy which is the most important thing IMO. The first one we stayed in we liked so much we asked for the same one for 2009... and got it.

You won't have heating and at this time of year it can be cold in the mornings. But there is a fire in the living area and a gas hob - I kick OH out of bed and get him to turn on the hob and the fire to get the main living area warmed up before me and the kids get up. Kids then get dressed in front of the fire so you'll get by.

We like St Ives which is our main reason we go to Riviere Sands. You will have to pay for parking but it is a lovely town. Someone has already mentioned Lidl and Co-op in Hayle itself and if you drive to St Ives you will pass a Tesco so plenty of places to buy cheaper food than the on site shop.

Some of the activities do cost extra but we don't go to Haven just to stay on the site. The beach is free and Hayle beach is huge. Plenty of things to do in the local area and then we get back to the caravan, cook tea and then go to the club for fun party games, singing and dancing etc. Drinks are what you would expect to pay in a public bar but we tend to limit ourselves to 2 or 3 a night. Take felt tips to play the bingo coz they charge you for the pens.

I'm sure you'll have a great time. Kids will love it and the bonus is you will get offers to book again for next year if you book on site before you leave. Last year we got a free upgrade and had a gorgeous caravan complete with central heating and patio doors for only a touch more than a standard caravan. We didn't go for that again this year because of going in June and we're hoping we won't need the heating!

Enjoy yourselves - actually a little bit jealous because we are usually getting excited by mid-April and now I have to wait till June! If you want any more info about Riviere Sands itself, just PM me.

greenface

This site is superb and how encouraging for someone to talk no funds only to have so many positive post to back up the facts > RELAX you and your kids will love it. It can be expensive if you have it .It can be fun on a budget . Your kids will value and remember their holiday and all the good things you do to make it special. We used to go to Llangollen in my Dads motorbike and side car. Mum dad 3 brothers nan & auntie (not kidding) best memory was playing in a tree by the river for about 5 days solid. free and priceless. Take stuff that will be expensive (glow sticks and bucket & spade from poundland)big bottles of pop & crisps . Enjoy your time your on yer Ols

Flyboy152

We go to Butlins every year at Whitsun half-term and I don't think the drinks are any more expensive than they are in the pub. We get a large one litre cup each, for the boys and fill them with squash, before we go out in the evening, this lasts them for the night. Mrs Flyboy and I are not great drinkers and we can make two pints each last the evening. The entertainment is included, as well as the activities during the day. We bring a lot of self-prepared food with us and plenty of groceries, although there is a Tesco next door to the resort. So all in all, we hardly spend anything at all, above what we would spend at home.

greenface

rich_shot2003 wrote: »

We are going to Marton mere near Blackpool tomorrow and am looking forward to it and staying in a private Van but is there anything to do without having to buy a pass?

Also if we went into the bar at night could we get away with taking some cans of pop in my wifes bag to top up sons drink?

There are places to go on & off site without buying a pass . Passes are a little bit done thing now as with the price of a pint and the low cost of the holiday people are not going out as they used to. So buy a pass we will put on a show but it will cost you big time. Round & round. You are not really allowed to take any drinks into any pub/bar but you wont be the only one. A bottle of lemonade for the kid would save about £1.50 . Fill that water bottle with vodka and buy the lemonade whayhay quids in. We've all done it dont go there.:rotfl:

Scarlet_88

Don't worry and you will have a great time, especially the kids.

My mum used to take me on Haven holidays when I was younger and cash was tight. We didn't even take the luxury of a caravan - oh no - we camped! They had ready set up tents and that was enough for my 9 year old self!

There is so much to do for children and all's I remember is happy memories. The Tiger Club and still the songs!
My mum used to go to the super market and stock up, we also took a lot of food with us in the car.

Have fun! I loved Haven when I was younger.