"...AND now, here's the weather forecast. It will remain cloudy and dull with rain on the hills later. Temperatures will be no higher than..."

It is at times such as these - listening to the local weather bulletin - that I turn off the radio, get out the big book of caravan sites and dream about where we could take our van when the days eventually do lengthen and the clouds at least brighten.

We are a family which loves to be outdoors and, latterly, that has been achieved through caravanning, although we are often asked the question: "How on earth do you manage?" The answer is that we have learnt to manage by ditching our traditional family holiday, which was no longer working for us.

Holidays had always been active affairs. We had introduced the children to youth hostelling, camping and self-catering holidays to indulge our love of cycling and rambling in luscious landscapes from the Scottish borders to North Wales. Gradually, as my MS encroached, each activity and type of holiday accommodation became less and less practical until, about four years ago, we realised our holiday plans needed a radical overhaul.

One winter, we debated the practicalities of caravanning (hitherto never attempted), decided it was worth a gamble and, in May 2001 we found a second-hand van we really liked and bought it. Then we were committed, while not knowing even the first thing about this whole new world.

In those early months we discovered some unforeseen advantages to owning a caravan. We could pack our gear directly into the van without the need for unwieldy suitcases. We could store four bikes and my wheelchair inside it as we towed to our destination - better than any trailer. Need a convenience stop? Just pull up in a layby and use the caravan's facilities, so conveniently at hand.

Things were going swimmingly and, a mere few months after purchase, it was beginning to look as if the gamble was paying off. OK, so manoeuvring was initially a problem - (rumour has it that they are still falling about laughing at Blackmore, Worcester after I fuddled my first attempt at reversing onto a plot) - but, after a manoeuvring course at Darlington, things have improved.

One of the main advantages inside the caravan is that everything is so close together. For someone with balance problems, having everything within easy reach is a huge advantage. Those who would cope better if adaptations were made can consider adding, for example, wider or concertina doors to create more internal space for wheelchair use, or even install a hoist or platform lift if required. Other aids available are powered jockey-wheels and electrically-operated hitching and levelling systems.

I get by inside the caravan by holding on to fixtures, whilst the family always pitch in to help with other physically-demanding jobs.

Another factor to consider is how to get around sites. We always ring a site in advance to ask about the state of the paths; if we can book a nice plot reasonably near to the toilet/amenity block (but not directly next to it); how accessible the toilets are and whether the reception area is accessible too. We object to being plonked right next to the toilets and we run a mile from deep gravel and 1:6 descents down to the site from the main road... yes, all these things have happened. But there soon emerges a personal list of sites that suit your particular situation and to which you would undoubtedly return.

In our experience, the Camping and Caravan Club sites are either disabled-aware or they are getting there and some private sites have been exceptional, although I would never presume that this would be the case so always ask relevant questions before booking.

Other issues for us have centred around the accessibility of the attractions near to the site. If the site is spot on but the local attractions are wanting, then the holiday in general suffers. For example, we found an excellent private site in the Vale of Pickering but were very disappointed in the facilities at nearby Flamingoland. Conversely, an average site can be boosted by superb facilities nearby. We found this to be the case at Kielder. The site had pot-holed tracks and run-down toilets but there were loads of accessible facilities and terrain around the reservoir which made the visit memorable.

Caravanning with a disability has to be recommended at least as something to think seriously about. Those of us who stumble and wobble as we try to get around have learnt to appreciate wheels and the variety of priceless aids that come with them. So, how about buying a holiday home on a couple, getting away cheaply most weekends and experiencing a new way of life? The world is a caravanner's oyster.

FACT FILE

* The Camping and Carvanning Club, Greenfields House, Westwood Way, Coventry, CV4 8JH 024 7669 4995 www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk. The club has produced an excellent guide called Camping and Caravanning For All, a guide to who makes, sells, converts and supplies everything the disabled camper and caravanner needs.

* Disabled Drivers' Motor Club, Cottingham Way, Thrapston, Northants NN14 4PL has specialist advice for caravanners who are disabled.

Published: 03/02/2004