Love Freecycle and Gumtree!

Well after our holiday in our caravan we came to the conclusion we need an awning - its ok for 3 of us but if my partner comes as well it mucks up our sleeping arrangements so I am quite happy to sleep out in an awning (we have camped for the last 10 years so its no biggy - lurrve my air bed!) So had a look at some of the awnings on the campsite - went home and looked them up on the net and nearly fainted at the price of them!!! It has to be said on the site they were all brand new vans with full canvas awnings - must have cost thousands and thousands so presumbably they are all paying them up.....we on the other hand have a 17 year old van that was paid for cash. Yes, its a bit ropey, but its warm and dry and we love her. We also had a wonderful selection of mis-matched camping stuff we use that we have gathered over the years (no matching Lafuma chairs here!) so we do look a bit gypsy like.
So I put up a a request on Freecycle to see if anyone had an old one - bit of a long shot but worth a try - didnt hear anything so been looking on Ebay and Gumtree. Up popped the exact one I wanted (porch type, not canvas, puts up with flexible tent poles) - they are around £170 and I wanted the inner tent bed awning too (£35) and then you have to buy the skirt round the van seperate - this lovely lady was selling hers for £95 - used twice and then they got a bigger one! I was delighted and dispatched eldest dd to get it.
So the next thing it to try and put it up!!!!
THEN - got an email from a lady on Freecyle whos aunt was getting rid of a canvas awning and did we still want it! So off to get that one - much bigger than the first one - proper canvas with heavy poles (and no instructions!) but hey, it was free!
So tomorrow weather permitting, we will be trying out 2 awnings - wish us luck!