Well having been up since 4am this morning with one of my lovely children I thought I would take this opportunity to write my last blog before the Christmas break is upon us.

The Caravan season has well and truly ground to a halt and we find ourselves adding all the final preperations for the 2009 season which will soon commence under the most difficult trading conditions we are agoing to have experienced for many years.

We are all feeling the effect of the recession in good and bad ways – none more so than the 30,000 staff of Woolworths who find themselves without employment in 2009 – a dreadful situation reminding us all to find the time to ensure we are reinventing our businesses on a regular basis to ensure we are operating to the best of our abilities.

All I am left to do now is to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

For those of you travelling over the festive period pleae drive safely and look after your Caravans!

Richard

I thought it was about time that I jotted down a few words for you as we are near Christmas and the end of 2008.

I attended Dagenham’s game on Saturday for my Mothers’ birthday but, low and behold, the lights went out near to half time and the game was abandoned! Not the best present but we get to go again.

I hope all of our Touring Caravan clients are in good health and looking forward to the festive season. I gather from some sights that, in these lean times, young families are looking at purchasing a Touring Caravan as they are cost effective compared to the old fashioned overseas holiday. Whilst there is the initial outlay, in the longer term a Touring Caravan will save money and open up a whole new set of adventures and memories for the family. Many families are going to the Touring Caravan shows to get a feel for what they want before they “take the plunge” and, having been to shows myself, I know that the staff on hand are very knowledgeable and willing to give advice. And once you’ve done that, you can give us a call for your Touring Caravan Insurance!

Merry Christmas

Mike

Part of our rate negotiations for 2009 will see us widen our acceptability for many Eurpoean Manufactured Touring Caravans.

Eurpoean Manufactured Touring Caravans have suffered for many years from Insurers either applying higher rates or simply not offering terms at all.

We have been working hard with our Insurers and this has seen a change in our rating for 2009 which is good news for us all.

We are still struggling with some makes and models but we will be asking owners of these caravans to help us prove to insurers that the cost of repairs is decreasing but more importantly helping us to demonstrate how and why the theft risk has reduced.

The deepening recession worries Insurers as we may see a surge in theft claims but hopefully the industry will work hard to spot the trends quickly and offer the right advice to our policy holders.

If any of you have some experiences you would like to share please post them aginst this blog.

Christmas is almost upon us and I just cannot believe where this year has gone!

Richard

What can I say?

Following my return from holiday in November I have simply not had the breathing space to put on a blog.

The children have been sick with what can only be described as some form of “Super Bug” and keeping everybody happy at home has been an interesting game.

Add to that watching my Watford perform dismally  – excluding the Carling Cup game against Spurs things have been hectic all round!

Rate negotiations for 2009 have gone well with new deals agreed with our main Caravan Insurers and add to this the excitement of a new Static Caravan Insurer joining us in 2009 things are really look good for next years season.

As I love being punished I find myself off seeing Watford against Norwich tomorrow night with my friend from AXA Insurance – perhaps we will see the team win for a change!

I hope this finds you all well and be rest assured normal service will now be resumed – with the fun of Christmas just around the corner – now it can only get better surely!

Richard