BACK in the days when camping was our only affordable option for holidays we made sure we had our wellies and waterproofs and that the three young kids were properly protected from exposure.
So sure were we of the heavens continually being open while we were away, we even made a virtue of it by trekking in the wettest part of England - the Lake District.
Things moved on, camping under canvas became an affordable option in France and we were able to sail to the continent and enjoy a markedly better, but still far from perfect climate, with the convenience of ready erected tents and camping facilities to put anything in Britain to shame.
The trouble was, although we could afford better holidays, we still had to get to the continent in what were, for most people most of the time, old jalopies in danger of giving up the ghost at any time. On top of that, carrying two adults, three young children, provisions and even sleeping gear made it a far from confortable experience.
How I used to envy those clever French campers and their spacious Renault seven seaters.
That's when I first saw the Espace. The gleaming French machine that could swallow the whole family, their holiday gear and enough food from the supermarche to keep them going for a year.
Like so many great inventions, the Espace was quickly copied, emulated and improved upon until the point that the full-size MPV market is one of the most competitive. The Espace has taken many shapes in the last 20 years or so and the latest is the best yet.
We tested it in similar circumstances to 20 years ago, this time substitute young grandchildren and the difference is phenomenal.
The Espace, especially the Grand Espace, is a huge car. A full seven-seater with a half decent boot area when fully occupied, it seats seven adults in comfort.
All the rear five seats can be taken out to create a full-monty load lugger, or removed individually, stacked together, folded to make storage or used as tables, the list is seemingly endless.
It retains the distinctly Renault lines that run through the car maker's range and is definitely one of the better looking people movers around.
It is also packed full of goodies. We tested the 2.2-litre in the top of the range Initiale livery.
This combines a powerful but frugal engine with the last word in comfort for driver and passengers. Leather seats, climate control in front and rear, a huge optional sliding electric sunroof, plus the usual array of electrics.
Trouble is it took me a while to find a lot of the controls as they are placed in unusual areas.
The heater controls are on the door as are the door mirror controls. This allows for even more storage cubby holes on the front fascia, one of which houses the standard satellite navigation.
Everthing works well, but there is a distinctly economy class feel about the plastics. A couple of squeaks developed during the journeys and I had the feeling the durability could be a problem. I am not a huge fan of the digital speedo and fuel readouts either, but then that is obviously a matter of taste.
The 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel is a bit on the noisy side, but offers plenty of pulling power with steady if unspectacular acceleration.
Good mid-range pulling power meant it proved a more than able performer on the motorway and we achieved more than 450 miles of motoring on a full tank, not bad considering the amount of weight we were carrying .
Handling is good for such a big car and the ride is exceptionally comfortable, spoiled only by a hint of tyre noise.
We try and head for warmer, drier climes these days, in the Espace the cramped boots and squawking children are just a distant memory.
FAST FACTS
Renault Grand Espace 2.2dCi Initiale
Price: £31,000
Mechanical: 150bhp, 2,188cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 6spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 117mph
0-62mph: 11.5 secs
Combined mpg: 35.8
Insurance group: 12
CO2 emissions: 211g/km
BiK rating: 32%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 3yrs paint; 12 yrs anti-rust