The Lawns proved a good show with crowds of over 14,000 on the first day.

Well the Lawns Show at Cottingham, near Hull proved a relatively successful caravan show, with the latest’s 2012 caravan models all being on public display and getting their first airing.

Elddis reported better sales with the Buccaneers and Crusaders touring caravans especially proving strong sellers.

The Lunar stand was also busy with the Lunar Delta and Clubman proving as popular as ever, while the new Coachman VIP, Pastiche and Lasers were also finding caravan sales doing well.

When was the last time a volcanic cloud disrupted your caravanning? It’s hard to believe sitting here in Lincolnshire on a glorious day that the atmosphere is so potentially dangerous that planes still can’t fly.
It is fair to say that this is an unprecedented World event and seeing the Dunkirk spirit of people does restore a bit of faith in humanity.
My son is stuck in Australia and it could be at least another 12 days before we have any chance of getting him home. Is he bothered? Not a jot! I’ve asked his school to email homework for him – that went down well!
It’s interesting that the ash is actually having an effect on people going caravanning and some of my caravan insurance customers are having the odd problem. For example, the no-fly zone has packed more traffic onto ferries. People who didn’t make bookings, thinking that there’s always space at this time of year, are now struggling.
One customer I spoke to yesterday decided to abort his flight-based holiday to Spain and take the caravan across to France…

Just got back from a brilliant NCC (National Caravan Council) Forum in soggy Scunthorpe. This is an opportunity for everybody in the caravan industry to get together and network and discuss many of the issues surrounding caravanning in all its forms.

I sat in a morning session on the state of the park home (residential) and luxury lodge sector. This has been one of the most seriously damaged sectors in the current recession.

The other day I worked out that I have spent over 18 months of my life inside caravan shows! I can see myself sitting there with the grandkids asking “Grandad what did you used to do at work?” Telling them that I spent a year and a half of my life at a caravan show isn’t exactly going to help me reach hero status!