cfy je46u shr by 11qqaaZZ

TOURING ¶ CAMPSITES ¶ TESTS ¶ EVENTS ¶ TECHNICAL

WONDERFUL

Q&A YOUR TE QUESTIO CH ANSWER NS ED

WALES THE MAGICAL LAND OF COAST, LAKES AND MOUNTAINS

STUNNING CUMBRIA HEAD FOR THE HILLS THIS WEEKEND

EURO TOURING

THE ULTIMATE

GUIDE TO CONTINENTAL CARAVANNING ADDING WIFI TO YOUR CARAVAN ] ESSENTIAL TOOLS AND SPARES > 9 770268 044306

NEW GEAR • PUZZLES • NEWS & VIEWS

DISPLAY UNTIL 30 JUNE 2021

WELSH SUPER SITES 07

WEINSBERG CARAONE 390 PUH

JULY 2021 ] £4.99

SWIFT CELEBRATE SUPER QFB

THE 2021 COLLECTION

Eight models available From £22,905* | 2-5 berth

Five models available From £26,705* | 2-4 berth

Four models available From £31,615* | 4 berth

Three models available From £37,195* | 4 berth

One model available £40,455* | 4 berth

The only UK manufacturer to oﬀer hot water & heating system, Automatic Trailer Control (ATC) & Automatic Adjustment (AAA) Premium brake system as standard to all models.

Find your nearest retailer at

WWW.COACHMAN.CO.UK * Recommended retail price (inc. VAT). Price excludes delivery charge (£545 inc. VAT). Prices correct at time of going to press.

WELCOME

"Summer is singing with joy, and the beaches are inviting you with dancing waves" —Debasish Mridha

CLARE KELLY EDITOR o you remember the days when you could plan an epic escape to France or Spain, say? Book a beautiful site in the grounds of a château or head out of an evening for tapas and sangria? I miss those times! With that in mind, we've got a bumper feature about touring in Europe inside this issue which, when travel restrictions ease, should come in handy! Holiday planning is most definitely on my mind – and I'm sure it's on yours, too.

This issue, we've got some great advice pieces including how to fit WiFi to your caravan and a guide to tools and spares – the stuff you want to pack to ensure you're prepared for every eventuality. Two caravans are reviewed this month, the keenly priced Swift Celebrate Super QFB and the unique Weinsberg CaraOne 390 PUH. Both are fantastic caravans and well worth considering if you're in the market for a new caravan.

HAVE YOU GOT SOMETHING TO SAY? Visit us at caravanmagazine.co.uk and facebook.com/caravanmag

MEET THIS MONTH'S CONTRIBUTORS

Val Chapman

Lee Davey

Jim Blackstock

Claire Tupholme

Facebook /caravanmag Twitter @caravanmagazine Web outandaboutlive.co.uk/caravans

Nathan Pittam

Fiona Scott

July 2021 | 3

CONTENTS July 2021

travel

caravanning in europe

the lake district

campsite of the month

RUTLAND CARAVAN AND CAMPING, RUTLAND

6 contact us

travel & lifestyle

Warners Group Publications plc, The Maltings, West Street, Bourne, Lincolnshire PE10 9PH T 01778 391000 E caravan@warnersgroup.co.uk W outandaboutlive.co.uk EDITORIAL HEAD OF CONTENT Daniel Attwood EDITOR Clare Kelly T 01778 392450 E clare.kelly@warnersgroup.co.uk DESIGN HEAD OF DESIGN Lisa Watson-Bailey T 01778 391122 MARKETING BRAND MANAGER Lucie Cox T 01778 395016 MANAGEMENT PUBLISHER John Greenwood MANAGING DIRECTOR Stephen Warner

4 | July 2021

PARKS ADVERTISING Ashleigh Chadwick T 01778 392050 Connor Jackson T 01778 392057 ADVERTISING GROUP HEAD OF ADVERTISING Fleur Chivers T 01778 392071 KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER Zellah Knowles T 01778 392093 MULTIMEDIA SALES EXECUTIVE Sue Bullock T 01778 391079

PRINTING Warners Midlands W warners.co.uk We are not responsible for the quality and/or performance of goods and/or services advertised. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) exists to regulate the content of advertisements and can be contacted on 020 7492 2222. Caravan is published 12 times a year by Warners Group plc. © Copyright 2021 Warners Group plc.

ADVERTISING PRODUCTION & DESIGN Viv Lane T 01778 392453 PRINTED BY WARNERS 01778 395111

6 A hill-walking adventure in Cumbria 16 Ever fancied doing a caravan swap? One couple did just that! 18 European travel – your ultimate guide to post-Brexit Euro escapes 30 Campsite of the month – Rutland Caravan and Camping 34 Super sites – Welsh gems 44 Cookery with Campingaz 62 Puzzle page 76 Pitchside view 78 Kids in tow

Love caravanning? Then you need EXACT A fully searchable digital library dating back to February 2013, plus the latest issue and all future issues for as long as your subscription remains active.

every month

POCKETMAGS The ultimate digital Caravan with extras including image galleries, extra news stories, audio enhancements, live web feeds and hyperlinks.

Choose from 3 great deals

PRINT Have Caravan delivered to your door before it goes on sale in the shops – without having to leave your house – and save money on the cover price.

See pages 54-55 for more details

reviews & advice

swift celebrate super qfb

weinsberg caraone 390 puh

welsh super sites

tech, kit, tips & advice

46 Swift Celebrate Super QFB – an in-depth review of this family caravan 50 Weinsberg CaraOne 390 PUH – take a look inside this quirky tourer 56 Tools and spares – what to have and how to use it 60 Caravan WiFi how-to 64 Your questions answered 66 New kit for your adventures 68 News 74 Bailey Maru – our retro renovation series continues

Facebook /caravanmag Twitter @caravanmagazine Web outandaboutlive.co.uk/caravans

COVER Twr ˆ Mawr Lighthouse, Llanddwyn Island, Newborough, Anglesey, north Wales Alan Novelli ] Alamy July 2021 | 5

fall for the

FELLS

Tackling one Wainwright after another reaps rich rewards for our hill walking duo as they revel in the beauty of the fells 6 | July 2021

Words & Photography: Carol Kubicki

TRAVEL THE LAKE DISTRICT

hen I promised to love and cherish my partner, Anthony, I don’t remember the vow to follow him up boggy hillsides, my boots soaked and the wind whistling around my zipped-up cagoule – although what we laughingly call our ‘honeymoon’ was a hint! That long-ago camping trip to the Isle of Skye with 15 friends focused, not on romance, but the completion of the Cuillin Ridge, a two-day scramble that proved too much for the youthful Anthony. I shared Anthony’s enthusiasm for hill walking, but was still somewhat surprised when, at the age of 40, he announced his intention to join the Wainwright baggers’ club. This involves ticking off a whopping 214 hills, ranging in height from Borrowdale’s 290m-high Castle Crag to England’s highest mountain, Scafell Pike (978m). They are listed in Alfred Wainwright’s series of seven guidebooks, but were never intended as a to-do list; Wainwright insisted that fell walking was not a competitive sport. Back then we climbed the big fells and completing the rest didn’t seem too daunting – but more than 20 years later Anthony still had 47 Wainwrights to go! These were my thoughts as I plodded through swirling mist up Hart Side above Ullswater.

● Routes to the 214 fells listed in the pictorial guides W wainwrightroutes.co.uk ● Keep a log of the Lakeland fells W walklakes.co.uk

MAIN PIC The craggy Hallin Fell dips its toes into Ullswater ABOVE LEFT Squirrels guard the door at Dalemain House ABOVE RIGHT The pattern of fields and fells is distinctive of the Lake District INSET RIGHT Dark green fritillary spotted among the heather above Borrowdale BELOW Common spottedorchids are fairly common on the Lake District fells BOTTOM RIGHT Dockray Meadow Caravan and Motorhome Club Site

I squished my sodden toes and was wondering if this hardship was grounds for divorce when I spotted a short-eared owl, wings outspread, hunting low over the marshy ground. Once again these Lakeland fells had lifted my spirits with an astonishing sight. Not surprisingly, we had the questionable shelter of the summit cairn to ourselves and we ate lunch watching the ever-circling owl and the slowly clearing mist. By the time we were descending the ridge we were in T-shirts, with the glittering splendour of Ullswater below us. Skylarks sang and a ringlet butterfly flitted between flowers. Anthony is the Wainwright counter; I have no idea what my tally is, but I have been sucked into his goal. The Lake District is close to home and we generally visit for a day or two but, seeing the finish line in sight, we decided to take a longer and more targeted Lakeland holiday. Surrounded by craggy fells and with a pub, Sykeside Camping Park has been a favourite campsite for many years. It therefore seems inconceivable that we have never climbed the steep path up Scandale Pass and onto Middle Dodd and Red Screes before, but the list doesn’t lie. It was a sunny day and peering down the crags to the tiny Kirkstone Pass Inn far below, while swifts shrilled around our heads, was sublime. The weather in the Lake District is rarely settled and the next day was blustery and showery as we

Facebook /caravanmag Twitter @caravanmagazine Web outandaboutlive.co.uk/caravans

joined friends in Patterdale at the end of Ullswater to ascend Place Fell. By the time we reached the col, the gusts were strong enough to knock us off our stride. A team meeting decided it was safe to carry on and we were rewarded with views to the Pennines from our sheltered summit picnic spot. The July hail didn’t arrive until we were descending, the stones stinging my face. Our life isn’t all about hill walking and a rest day visiting the gardens of Dalemain House was a good choice. Visitors enter through a charming medieval cobbled courtyard enclosed by stone barns with arrow-slit windows. The informal gardens maintain a beautiful balance between wellkept and natural. You can explore at your own pace while keeping a look out for the huge topiary dragon. The borders are a glorious riot of colour, but Dalemain’s best feature

››

July 2021 | 7

TRAVEL THE LAKE DISTRICT

is the Rose Walk. I strolled under the archways breathing in their beautiful scent. A bush of beautiful tangerinecoloured roses with a spicy fragrance caught my eye. It's called Lady Marmalade, it reminded me that Dalemain’s owners are also passionate about marmalade (they sell unusual varieties and hold an international annual award). We moved on to Pooley Bridge, a pretty village at the northern end of Ullswater with a bustling holiday feel and quiet corners that hark back to its days as a market and fishing community. This was our first visit and, as we sat in the sun with our cornets of local ice cream, I thanked Wainwright for once again bringing us somewhere we'd never been before. The summer days settled into a pattern of wet mornings and

8 | July 2021

bright afternoons. We followed the lane by the campsite onto gently rising moorland tracks. At first glance this seems featureless, but you will soon notice it is crossed by old trading routes, including a Roman road known as High Street that climbs south over the fells. Among the bracken we found The Cockpit, a Bronze Age stone circle that is no Stonehenge, but is older than anything Roman. It is said that Wainwright described Askham as the old county of Westmorland’s prettiest village. What makes Askham special is its tidy village greens, each surrounded by picturesque cottages and farmhouses, many with dates and initials of those first residents over the doors. At Askham Hall gardens we had tea and a slice of delicious melt-inthe-mouth Spanish orange and

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT Enjoying the quieter side of Ullswater The impressive summit cairn of Hallin Fell can be seen from the lake Ullswater’s character can change by the hour INSET Castle Crag in Borrowdale is the smallest Wainwright

almond cake and sauntered happily around the rambling gardens, admiring the morning’s raindrops sitting like jewels on the array of huge hosta leaves. A forecast for a fine day saw us on the first ferry from Pooley Bridge to Howtown to tackle six Wainwrights, beginning with Hallin Fell, a small hill with stunning 360-degree views over Ullswater and the fells. The lake curled below us, dotted with gliding yachts and shuttling ferries. Number two, Steel Knotts, is a steep ascent from St Peter's Church, Martindale, and the shepherds rounding up their fellside sheep, calling and whistling to their dogs, were a welcome distraction. Below us lay the remote Bannerdale and the red roof of the old shooting lodge that belongs to Dalemain House. The next four Wainwrights demonstrate that not every one of these hills is attractive and chosen for some distinguishing feature. These grassy mounds roll into each other and would be a navigational nightmare in bad ››

Designed around you.

presents

The next generation of caravans NEW FOR 2021 Adora. Adria has taken the best-selling caravan model and taken it to the next level, with all-new generation design, inside and out. Adora, Adria’s best-selling caravan just got even better. The most aerodynamic caravan now available, with an all-new exterior shape, extra-large panoramic window, integrated lighting, storage and awning proﬁle. The Adora’s inspired living spaces means everything is designed around the way you want to live.

Please contact your nearest Adria dealership for more information: www.adria.co.uk/dealer-network

www.adria.co.uk

weather. I was glad for the bright conditions and remarked on the sunshine to a fellow walker. She responded in a broad Yorkshire accent, “Aye, but you can feel the bad weather on the breeze.” Another rather damp morning gave us a chance to visit Keswick. When the sun came out we fitted in two easy Wainwrights from Whinlatter Forest Visitor Centre. The second hill, Barf, has an unusual name and you might notice a whitewashed rock pillar known as the Bishop of Barf on its lower slopes. The fell walking from the

10 | July 2021

wooded Borrowdale campsite is unbeatable, as were our magical evening strolls around the shore of Derwent Water. Crossing the walkways over the wetlands, we were in a sea of flowering marsh valerian and meadowsweet. Swallows swooped overhead and, on the lake, goosanders dived for fish. On the River Derwent we watched a dipper preen on a rock and fly low along the water, its beating wings a blur. Our ascent of Great Crag through Borrowdale’s lush hanging oak woodlands was delightful and the open fell was a carpet of flowering heather, yellow bog

TOP LEFT The rambling gardens of Askham Hall are worth visiting CENTRE The River Derwent winds down through Borrowdale into Derwent Water INSET The lovely shore of Derwent Water is easy to access from the Borrowdale campsite

asphodel and common spottedorchids and we picked ripe bilberries from low bushes. From Great Crag and the day’s second Wainwright, the summit of Grange Fell, we looked over the hamlet of Watendlath and Watendlath Tarn. We reached High Spy, Anthony’s 180th Wainwright, by a pleasant path alongside a tumbling stream, wild flowers growing in the grassland and among the rocks, including bright yellow saxifrages. Anthony can recall details about every hill we have climbed, but many are a blur to me. Nevertheless, as we descended the ridge, detouring to the summit of Maiden Moor, I said I was sure we had been here before. It turns out that arguing with the person that keeps the list is pointless. Next we based ourselves at Dockray Meadow Caravan and

TRAVEL THE LAKE DISTRICT

Motorhome Club site and from here picked up a couple of easy Wainwrights above Loweswater, a small lake in a chain after Buttermere and Crummock Water. A steep path took us up Darling Fell; it’s not a Wainwright but, with such an attractive name and superb views over the three lakes, you have to wonder why not. Maybe Alfred Wainwright was no romantic, but I am and Darling Fell was an opportunity to kiss Anthony. We only had 33 Wainwrights to go, but marital harmony would help every step. The bad weather the Yorkshire lass had promised arrived; the

clouds were low and the wind strong as we parked along the narrow road by Blakeley Raise Stone Circle to climb Grike, a straightforward ascent. I had hoped the wind would move the clouds on but, huddling in Grike’s impressive summit shelter, we remained cocooned. We continued to Crag Fell and sat in its lee looking over where we knew Ennerdale Water to be, but never had a view. We had to trust our navigation skills to reach the track and it was a relief when we left the mist and could see our way again. More determined Wainwright baggers would include

Facebook /caravanmag Twitter @caravanmagazine Web outandaboutlive.co.uk/caravans

Lank Rigg with these two fells but, with no respite in the weather, we decided to call it a day. The rain was heavy by the time we returned to Dockray Meadow. Filling up with water, I was

TOP TIPS

TOP RIGHT Colourful borders at Dalemain House ABOVE RIGHT Handsome former brewery building in Workington INSET Ullswater ‘Steamers’ provide useful ferries and day-long cruises

The best approach to climbing Darling Fell is to drive from the A5086 from Cockermouth and along four miles of narrow lanes to the layby parking near the lake. Alfred Wainwright’s seven Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells are masterpieces of illustration and detail. Since they were first published in the 1950s and 1960s they have been revised and now include information on parking as well as route guides. ››

July 2021 | 11

TRAVEL THE LAKE DISTRICT Drew Buckley Alamy

By the time we were descending the ridge we were in T-shirts, with the glittering splendour of Ullswater below us Autumnal misty dawn looking across Ullswater in the Lake District ››

12 | July 2021

Dunnet Bay Club Campsite

So many places to explore So many memories to make

Join for just

Arrochar, Argyll & Bute, Scotland

£54 a year*

Join and book with the UK’s No.1 touring club and discover over 2,700 campsites in stunning locations across the UK and Europe. From coastal gems to hidden rural getaways, where will you go first?

Find out more about the great benefits of becoming a member, visit camc.com/getaway

*Caravan and Motorhome Club membership is £54 when paying by annual direct debit.

TRAVEL THE LAKE DISTRICT

WHERE TO STAY PRICES COUPLE, ELECTRIC HOOK-UP, PER NIGHT

SYKESIDE CAMPING PARK Brotherswater, Patterdale, Cumbria CA11 0NZ T 01768 482239 W sykeside.co.uk OPEN All year PRICE From £23.50 HILLCROFT PARK Pooley Bridge, Cumbria CA10 2LT T 01768 486363 W hillcroftpark.co.uk OPEN 1 March – 6 January PRICE From £27 BORROWDALE CARAVAN AND MOTORHOME CLUB SITE Manesty, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5UG T 01768 777275 W camc.com OPEN April – November PRICE From £18.60 DOCKRAY MEADOW CARAVAN AND MOTORHOME CLUB SITE Lamplugh, Cumbria CA14 4SH T 01946 861357 W camc.com OPEN April – November PRICE From £16.40

14 | July 2021

The second hill, Barf, has an unusual name and you might notice a pillar known as the Bishop of Barf impatiently holding the hosepipe into the ’van. “Is it on full?” I asked Anthony, keen to get this over with. He turned the water up and, minutes later, the tank was full and the pipe whipped out with the force, soaking me. The rain pounded on the ’van the next morning so we headed into Workington; we walked through the park and ruins of Workington Hall and found the tall green-painted old brewery. The 182-mile Coast to Coast footpath Wainwright described in his 1973 guide starts at St Bees on the Cumbrian coast. The rain had stopped and we had a bracing walk along the shoreline. Away from the coast it was calmer and, at Ennerdale Water, we walked to the lake on paths through the bracken, finding rowan trees with bright orange berries and pretty pale blue harebells. Luckily, the sunshine returned for our last day, allowing us to complete our unfinished business with Lank Rigg, another unpretentious grassy hill. After all that rain the River Calder, which crossed our path, was deep

ABOVE St Peter’s Church stands at the top of Martindale Hause BELOW Looking across to Skiddaw from the slopes of Barf

enough to submerge the stepping stones. We removed our boots and paddled across, the refreshing cold water putting a zing in our steps. We were soon at the summit tarn, gazing at the clouds reflecting in the blue water and pointing out the Isle of Man beyond the Cumbrian coast. Driving home, I helped Anthony count up his Wainwright tally. We had ticked off 19 fells together during our trip, not all of them distinctive, but each enjoyable. With only 28 left to climb, I think our marriage will survive a few more ups and downs!

››

THE CARAVAN COMPANY .com

BEST PRICES PAID! WE WANT TO BUY

your caravan outright or in part exchange! Best Prices Guaranteed! Secure payment direct to your bank. We can settle outstanding finance and even arrange collection.

Midlands & North Call 01933 682888 The South Call 01202 888601 Looking to buy a caravan? Over 100 nearly new and approved used caravans in stock. Search by make, model, price, berths and layout then take a 360º video tour on our website.

VALUE YOUR CARAVAN on our website at...

www.thecaravancompany.com Open 7 Days a Week including Bank Holidays! Main A6, Irthlingborough Rd, Finedon, Northants, NN9 5EJ

Main A31, Dorchester Road, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 3HA

Tel: 01933 682888

Tel: 01202 888601

THE CARAVAN COMPANY .com

TRAVEL READER TOURS

swap SHOP Vivien Ogden swaps her motorhome for someone else's caravan ver considered an RV swap? Take RV to mean caravan and car, motorhome or similar. I can hear you take in a sharp intake of breath, “What, a complete stranger use my pride and joy? No way!” Well, that was my feeling too, until I started to investigate. Online, there are various swap sites and the one I used was rvworldwide.com costing me £25 per year (it’s currently $79.90, which is around £60). The first thing that surprised me was the number of people in America, Australia, New Zealand and Europe wanting to swap pretty new and luxury vehicles for a suitable reciprocal arrangement. I advertised on the site and approached a couple who wanted to swap their car and caravan in Australia. A positive response came back and we offered our motorhome in exchange for their 4x4 and off-road caravan. We started communicating regularly a year in advance of our exchange. In fact, during that time both parties changed their RVs; Bruce bought a new caravan, and we sold the motorhome to be replaced by a new Ford Ranger pickup with a Tischer demountable that has all the comforts of a small motorhome. The final ‘package’ looked

something like this; we used their house in Gold Coast, Australia to recover from the long flight then set off with the car and caravan. Bruce and Freddy stayed in our house and planned to return the following year to use our rig touring Scotland, the swap spanned eight weeks. At the start of the actual exchange (in September 2018) we had not met each other, though had set up a good rapport via email, messenger and Facebook. This gave both parties a chance to ask lots of questions and gain an insight into lifestyles and pastimes. We flew into Coolongatta where Bruce arranged handover of car and ’van, supplemented with a detailed checklist for setting off and information on all systems. The Titanium Gold Medal twin-axle soft off-road caravan had several differences compared to a UK ’van. The pin tow hitch that provided increased articulation for off-road use was completely different from the familiar European ball hitch, and Australian towing regulations required two crossed breakaway chains to be attached, two lighting, two rear camera leads, and an electric brake cable completed the hitching operation. Weighing in at 2.75 tonnes, the ’van had a substantial chassis,

BELOW LEFT Our Ranger Wildtrack 4x4 with Tischer 230S Trail demountable motorhome BELOW RIGHT The V8 Toyota Land Cruiser and Titanium Gold Medallion soft off road caravan we swapped for in Australia

extra suspension, grey water tank, mains water feed and tank. Inside, the white and grey interior gave a light ambience with permanent double bed, full kitchen, seating area and bathroom with shower toilet – even a washing machine. The V8 twin turbo diesel Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4 provided the necessary horsepower and comfort for towing. On our return to Gold Coast we met with our exchange partners to discuss the swap so far. Planning for their trip to Scotland, the topic turned to insurance. Coming from the UK to Australia, a full UK licence enabled Bruce to add both of us to his insurance. Insurance for an international to drive a private vehicle in the UK is much more difficult dayinsure. com will cover private motorhomes for internationals. The visiting driver has to arrange and pay for the insurance, around £350 for four weeks.The comprehensive policy is activated on payment and purchased for 1-30 days. The following August (2019), we welcomed our guests at the airport. Our vehicle was fully prepared and ready to go. The planning and work to set up a swap takes time and patience to ensure both parties are happy. Regular communication and answering questions for swappers is really important so everything goes smoothly and there are no nasty surprises. Small details made all the difference – the airport pickups and a well-stocked fridge - all resulted in a mutually valued and enjoyable exchange for everyone.

I advertised on the site and approached a couple who wanted to swap their car and caravan in Australia

››

16 | July 2021

for you r

Call for our best rates

0800 085 5000 Policy benefits can include: Agreed valuations Club member discounts Free Legal Expenses

CASSOA site discounts New for old cover £5,000,000 public liability cover on all policies

Call 0800 085 5000 For more info visit adrianflux.co.uk

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

caravanning in

EUROPE If you’re planning a European tour soon, make sure you’re clued up before you leave home – here’s what you need to know Words: Barry Norris

18 | July 2021

TRAVEL CARAVANNING IN EUROPE Alamy

f you’re an old hand at visiting Europe, you don’t need telling about the joys of holidaying on the Continent, but for newcomers to caravanning it’s an opportunity to experience a different way of life and some great campsites. For all of us, though, there are a few important things to catch up on post-Brexit, plus a reminder of the usual different continental ways of doing things.

WHY GO TO EUROPE? There are so many facets of each individual country to consider. For me it’s wide-open roads, warmer weather, exciting foods and places and people to meet. Visiting southern Spain and Portugal for some winter sun to help get through the British winter is so worthwhile, especially when you can take off for a month or two or more. Modern caravans are well insulated and winter sports may be your particular pleasure or you may prefer the cultural highlights of European cities. For families there are some brilliant campsites geared up to keep the children entertained. Whatever your passion, it’s there for the taking, but it is worth taking the trouble to prepare beforehand to avoid any problem with bureaucracy and the law in particular.

MAIN PIC View from the Camping Resort Zugspitze in Bavaria, Germany

GENERAL PREPARATIONS FOR CARAVANNING IN EUROPE For newcomers to towing, the basic rule must be to get a few UK trips under your belt so you have

mastered your outfit and know how it performs. It’s always worth checking the roadworthiness of your towcar and caravan before any long-haul trip and ensure scheduled car and caravan services have been undertaken. Don’t forget you need to be UK road legal to be legal in Europe, so if your MoT is due, get it done before you go as European garages can’t issue MoTs. European vehicle breakdown insurance is important to avoid major disruption to your holiday should a breakdown occur. Your usual UK car breakdown insurer may be able to offer European cover as RAC and AA do, but check the cover fully includes the caravan. Both major Clubs are able to offer specialised breakdown cover for Europe. DOING THINGS THE EUROPEAN WAY It’s important to remember the continentals often do things differently from us in the UK. For instance, the UK (except Scotland) has a legal drink driving limit of 80 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, while for most of Europe, including Scotland, the limit is 50mg of alcohol. The Slovak Republic, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Romania and Hungary are more restrictive with a zero tolerance of alcohol. If you’re into winter touring, certain countries like Germany and Austria require the use of winter tyres and some regions will also

DOCUMENTATION AND KIT FOR EUROPE IN BRIEF ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTATION A valid passport Towcar V5C or VE 103 certificate for a hired vehicle Valid MoT certificate where appropriate European towcar insurance certificate including green cards for car and caravan Valid driving licence and international driving permit (IDP) where required Valid EHIC card or GHIC card Towcar and caravan breakdown insurance Travel insurance Pet passport and certification

countries – two in Spain) Reflective jacket or vest (compulsory in some countries) Headlamp beam deflectors (compulsory) Spare bulbs for towcar and caravan Spare pair of spectacles for drivers who need glasses (Spain) GB sticker Continental electric hook-up adapter

OTHER DOCUMENTS AND KIT urban areas)

Camping Card International (CCI) First aid kit (compulsory in some countries) Warning triangles (compulsory in some

©Travel Spot

Emission sticker(s) (to gain entry to certain

››

Facebook /caravanmag Twitter @caravanmagazine Web caravanmagazine.co.uk

July 2021 | 19

require snow chains when driving on snow-covered roads. Once you enter the EU you can travel freely from country to country. Between most of the EU states there are no border posts as such and generally all you will see is a roadside sign to indicate you have entered another country. Despite the lack of formal border control, if there is a toll booth at or close to the border then that’s where it’s possible you’ll be stopped and asked for your documents. Speed limits vary from country to country so if you do come unstuck with the police for infringing limits or other regulations you may be asked to pay an on-the-spot fine.

pay for their motorways. Despite sat-nav and Google Maps I still prefer the use of a good paper map to help with route planning. Michelin provides some excellent national and regional European maps and guides with further online assistance which can be

ABOVE LEFT Some campsites have self-serve restaurants ABOVE RIGHT A GB sticker or a number plate with GB or GB with the union ﬂag must now be used LEFT The Caravan and Motorhome Club publishes useful guidebooks for touring in Europe

found on viamichelin.co.uk. If you’re contemplating your first foray into Europe and feel a little unsure then the Caravan and Motorhome Club offers escorted tours where you have the services of a guide to help on the way with the itinerary and campsites organised for you. Alternatively, both the Caravan and Motorhome Club and the Camping and Caravanning Club organise rallies at European campsites where a rally steward will be available to help you and organise social activities. You can also use the Clubs as a one-stop shop for booking ferries, campsites and travel insurance. DRIVING LICENCE, INSURANCE AND OTHER IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS TO PACK Despite Brexit you do not need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive in the EU, Switzerland,

PLANNING YOUR TRIP It’s worth planning your route before you depart and note many European countries use tolls to

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS COUNTRY BY COUNTRY COUNTRY

WARNING TRIANGLE/FIRE EXTINGUISHER

REFLECTIVE JACKET

FIRST AID KIT/ SAT-NAV SPEED CAMERA LOCATION

BOARD FOR SPEED LIMIT (1), OPEN ROAD/MOTORWAY OVERHANGING BIKES <3.5T >3.5T-7.5T

Austria (2 & 6)

C/N

C/P

100/130

70/80

Belgium

C/R

R/P

90*/120 (3)

90*/90

France (4)

C/R

N/B

80-90/110/130

80/100/110

Germany (6)

R/N

R/B

100/130

80/80

Ireland

R/R

R/P

60-100/120

60-80/90

Italy

C/R

R/P

C (5)

90-110/130

80/100

Luxembourg

C/R

R/P

90/130

Netherlands

R/N

N/P

80-100/130

80/80

Portugal (2)

C/N

N/P

90-100/120

70-90/100

Spain

C/N

N/P

80-90/100

80/90

Switzerland

C/N

R/B

80-100/120

80/80

C compulsory, N not required, R recommended, P Permitted, B Banned (1) Limits for 3.5t-7.5t extend beyond this upper weight in some countries: single/dual/motorway, open road/motorway (2) Dashboard cameras are banned in Austria & Portugal (3) *Speed limit reduced to 70km/h in Flemish regions

20 | July 2021

(4) It’s no longer a legal requirement to carry a breathalyser kit in your vehicle (5) Must be reflective aluminium construction (6) Winter tyres are compulsory in Germany and Austria. Other countries vary with region and conditions

TRAVEL CARAVANNING IN EUROPE

Norway or Liechtenstein as long as you hold a photocard driving licence issued in the UK. You are likely to need an IDP if your licence is a paper driving licence or it was issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or Isle of Man. An IDP can be easily obtained from main post offices at a cost of £5.50. If required then in general it’s the 1968 type of IDP required, although Andorra requires a 1949 IDP. Check your car insurance covers European travel and ask for an international motor insurance certificate, commonly known as a green card, for your towcar and caravan well in advance of your trip. Note it’s your towcar insurer which is responsible for issuing the green card for the caravan not your caravan insurer. You must carry a physical copy of your green cards when driving abroad as electronic versions are not accepted. The green card is needed if you are involved in an accident and you may need to show it along with other documents at police checks and border crossings. A CCI (Camping Card

TOP Why not camp along the Rhine? BOTTOM RIGHT A full set of documentation is required for car and travellers including a green card

International) isn’t an essential document but is useful to have. It’s recognised throughout much of Europe and it has the ability to act as an identity document and can usually be left at the campsite reception instead of a passport. Third party insurance is also provided and all for a small cost of less than £6 and can be obtained through the Clubs. TOWING REQUIREMENTS Many European countries require caravans to be registered and display the registration plate, but this does not apply to UK visitors unless it’s a commercial trailer or over 3,500kg. European caravans are normally well below this limit, but a few fifth wheel units may exceed this figure. In which case it needs to be registered with the UK government, see GOV.UK for how to register a trailer. Trailer registration for this purpose is not the same as CRiS (Caravan Registration Identification Scheme) registration; however, it’s worth taking your CRiS certificate with you as local

Facebook /caravanmag Twitter @caravanmagazine Web caravanmagazine.co.uk

police may not understand this. Speed limits are lower for vehicles when towing, much as they are in the UK, but France and Austria differentiate between towing units on the basis of the combined gross weight of the outfit (otherwise known as combined maximum authorised mass (MAM)). Any outfit with a combined gross MAM over 3.5t (3,500kg) is restricted to a lower speed limit. You can check this by looking at your caravan and car’s weight plates. Add the caravan MTPLM weight to the top figure on the car's weight plate. Don’t forget if you have just a B category driving licence obtained after 1 January, 1997 you are only permitted to tow a car/caravan outfit with a combined MAM not ››

July 2021 | 21

TRAVEL CARAVANNING IN EUROPE

Your passport must have at least six months validity and be less than 10 years old

BORDER CONTROLS, PASSPORT AND VISAS These are areas where Brexit has a big impact and you will find it’s a different experience at EU border control. Passing through passport control may take longer using the non-EU lanes and you may be asked to show a return or onward ticket and proof of funds to cover the trip.

22 | July 2021

exceeding 3,500kg. In Spain, outfits over 12m in length require marker boards complying with ECE 70 regulations. You can have one large board or two smaller ones made of aluminium with yellow centre and red outline boards which can be purchased at HGV suppliers such as hgvdirect.co.uk.

ROUNDEL Entering the EU with an empty bowl – unless he will eat eggs, ﬁsh or veg...

BELOW Post Brexit meat and dairy products cannot be imported into the EU

TOP LEFT Enjoy a beer and ice cream in Belgium

For residents of Northern Ireland (NI), many aspects of EU travel dealt with here vary because of NI’s unique status of having one foot in the EU while remaining part of the UK. Similarly, when GB residents travel to NI for many situations it’s as if you’re travelling to the EU. For more information check out GOV.UK and for NI residents nidirect.gov.uk. Your passport must have at least six months validity and be less than 10 years old. When travelling to the Republic of Ireland your passport need only be valid for the length of your stay. Your stay in the EU is now limited to 90 days within a 180 day period unless you have a visa to stay longer. In 2022 it’s anticipated that the EU will introduce an electronic travel authorisation called ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) likely similar to the USA ESTA system. Pi

TOP Quaint French villages

PETS Pets also need documentation and this has changed with Brexit. You

can no longer use an EU pet passport issued in Great Britain for travel to an EU country or Northern Ireland. Now you will need an animal health certificate (AHC), and show proof of their microchip and rabies vaccination. Proof of tapeworm treatment is also required for travel to Finland, Ireland, Norway and Northern Ireland. The AHC must be obtained no more than 10 days before you travel and is valid for four months for EU travel and four months for re-entry to GB. For further information, check out GOV.UK website, “Taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad”. The EU has stringent measures on importing food, including pet food such that only limited quantities of pet food, are permitted and for health reasons only. The best option is to get your pet to eat fish, plant or egg-based products, see fish4dogs.com. PERSONAL IMPORTATION OF FOOD INTO THE EU Even small quantities of food for personal consumption are now

››

ENJOY THE 2021 SEASON WITH US

Don’t miss out on all this...

WANTED pre-owned caravans to purchase! Look out for our new camping trailers

Excellent range of pre-owned caravans, all layouts and prices

The latest news, exclusive features,, competitions and special offers delivered direct to your inbox

Main agents and stockists for ...

SPRITE CARAVANS WANTED. TOURING CARAVANS BOUGHT, OR SOLD ON YOUR BEHALF.

PLUS

T: 01869 242343 M: 07711 425284 (Sales)

MUCH MORE!

• Workshop Services • New awnings display • Newly refurbished cafe • New, larger accessories and camping shop • We have up to 100 new & pre owned caravans, • We also take part exchanges • Servicing, repairs, warranty and insurance work

Don’t miss out on Caravan’s FREE e-newsletter

• On-site secure storage available • Good selection of popular brands of awnings • Finance available

T: 01869 242343 M: 07711 425284 (Sales) www.bicestercaravanandleisure.co.uk Find us along the Aylesbury Rd 1.5mls from Bicester (on A41 towards Aylesbury) OX26 6RA

Mobile 3G/4G Wi-Fi System

Bicester Caravan & Leisure Campsite opening soon! Keep a look out on our website for details.

Now with App Control!

STAY CONNECTED wherever your adventure takes you! Internet on the move Our latest Antenna technology provides a powerful 3G/4G solution & now 5G READY! Designed to provide uncompromised internet connectivity whilst travelling, even in remote & rural locations.

Turn this

Discover more www.maxview.co.uk

Download our detailed product & internet guide

Facebook /caravanmag Twitter @caravanmagazine Web outandaboutlive.co.uk/caravans

Into this!

5G READY ANTENNA July 2021 | 23

TRAVEL CARAVANNING IN EUROPE

©Travel Spot

restricted. Normally I like to stock up the fridge and cupboard with a few days' supplies to get me to my destination, plus a few British specialities like bacon, cheddar cheese and fresh milk. Now you are not permitted to take any meat, milk or any products containing these items into the EU. There are exceptions for powdered baby milk, baby food, or

pet food required for medical reasons. Limited amounts of fish, fruit, vegetables, eggs and honey are permitted. Details are available on GOV.UK and europa.eu When you are returning from EU countries to the UK there are no restrictions on personal imports of meat, dairy or other animal products. Plants and plant products for your own consumption and free from disease are also allowed, but controls on these are due to be phased in later this year. Coming back to GB, duty free allowances for alcohol and tobacco will apply as for non-EU countries now. Basically it’s 42 litres of beer, 18 litres of wine and 200 cigarettes, but refer to GOV.UK for details. EHIC HEALTH CARD An EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) within its expiry date is still valid in Europe. If not, apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which gives you the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the

24 | July 2021

ABOVE Distinctive Holland ABOVE RIGHT TOP TO BOTTOM You can use a mains tester to check for reverse polarity Beam adapters are essential to be legal and avoid dazzling other drivers Aire service point

European Union (EU) the same as an EHIC. You can apply for a GHIC on the NHS.UK website. It’s worth noting that you may still be liable for the cost of medication and other health facilities so ensure you have proper travel health insurance. Check your insurance covers length of your stay and the countries you are visiting. FERRY/EUROTUNNEL EXPERIENCE Ferries offer numerous routes into Europe from the short Dover/ Calais crossing to the Portsmouth/ Plymouth crossing to Santander/ Bilbao. There are also crossings from the east coast such as Harwich, Hull and Newcastle to Holland. If a short crossing to France is required, then Eurotunnel is also a quick and easy way to cross the Channel. While there is a ban on LPG-fuelled vehicles using Eurotunnel, the ban does not extend to the carrying of gas cylinders for habitation purposes as long as there's no more than 47kg per container and no more than 50kg per vehicle if more than ››

1885 FOLDING ELECTRIC BIKE

EELO 1885 IS THE IDEAL CHOICE FOR A CARAVAN OR MOTORHOME OWNER E-DRIVE

MOTOR

E-Drive takes e-bike riding to the next level with fully automated power assistance, leaving you to simply enjoy the ride.

The brush-less 250W Motor and eelo's Intelligent controller gives you the most responsive and energy efficient ride experience.

BATTERY

LCD DISPLAY

EELO 1885 is fitted with a LG battery to ensure lasting performance, one charge can last up to 40 miles.

Designed to keep the rider aware of their current speed and current battery status.

FOLDABLE

LIGHT WEIGHT

At a folded size of 60cm x 38cm x 58cm the EELO 1885 is the most compact foldable e-bike on the market.

EELO 1885 is one of the lightest electric bikes weighing just 16.6 Kilograms.

INCLUDES COMPLIMENTARY ACCESSORIES PACK ( LIMITED TIME ONLY )

EELO LED SIGNAL BACKPACK

VISIT:

EELO PANNIER LUGGAGE RACK

www.eeloproducts.com

EELO 1885 TRANSPORT BAG

CALL:

EELO TOP TUBE BAG

01792 304773

one container. Cylinders must be no more than 80% full (which is the normal situation) and they must always be switched off when you are travelling. Ferries also have rules on carrying gas but check terms and conditions on individual ferry websites. One thing to remember when travelling on a ferry is not to put your car or caravan alarm on if it incorporates a motion sensor as this will set off the alarm once you’re at sea. If going for winter sun in Spain or Portugal, it’s worth looking at the Brittany Ferries routes to northern Spain as driving through France is not ideal in winter and much of the extra cost in ferry fare will be recouped from savings on campsite fees, tolls and fuel. ON THE OPEN ROAD Once you get started driving, you should find you will adapt to driving on the right-hand side of the road fairly easily because the continental roads and especially the motorways tend to be much quieter than at home. Admittedly in the big towns and cities it’s busy, but elsewhere it’s quieter to give you a chance to think carefully before you manoeuvre. Whilst the UK is good at signing a 30mph speed limit at the approach to an urban area, many countries just indicate the start of the urban speed limit with a village/town name sign and as you leave the limits a sign shows the name crossed out. Within the urban area the speed limit will be 50km/hr (30mph) unless specified otherwise. As in the UK the speed limit outside urban areas varies

26 | July 2021

TOP LEFT Have a beer in Bavaria CENTRE Attractive Spanish towns and cities

a Tr

l Sp

according to the type and the size of vehicle. Radar speed camera detectors are banned throughout Europe and, in France, Germany and Switzerland, sat-nav speed camera location warnings are also banned so it’s best to disable this POI function. Always aim to book campsites so you don’t spend too long at the wheel each day and risk your safety through tiredness. Frequent stops during the day are also recommended and certainly in France and Spain there are plenty of service stations and picnic areas along the motorways. However, do not be tempted to use them for overnight stops as these areas have a reputation for night-time break-ins. There are also reports of tourists being flagged down by other drivers along quiet stretches of motorway by indicating that there is a problem with their car or caravan. The other driver appears friendly but they turn out to be an opportunistic thief, so be cautious and keep your

doors locked and valuables and documents out of sight. ENVIRONMENTAL ZONES If you are proposing to enter major cities it’s worth checking on the environmental restrictions operating in that country before departing from the UK. There are many schemes now which restrict vehicular access into urban areas according to size and Euro rating throughout Europe. In most cases you need to apply for a windscreen sticker which will indicate your environmental rating and entitlement to enter (or not) specific areas. Germany has its Umwelt stickers and it’s Crit'Air stickers in France. See urbanaccess regulations.eu for further information. Normally the stickers can be bought online, but make sure you buy from the national government or city authority as there are third-party sellers who may sell you a genuine sticker but at much inflated prices. It is always worth doing your research before you head off on your holiday to avoid paying more than you should.

TRAVEL CARAVANNING IN EUROPE caravan gross combined weight is over the limit. In Switzerland, towing vehicles over 3.5t are subject to a heavy vehicle tax (purchased at the border), with cost assessed by combined gross weight, time period and is applicable for use of all roads. See asfinag.at/toll/ vignette/ and ch.ch/en/swissmotorway-sticker/ for further details.

VEHICLE NUMBER PLATES, GB STICKERS AND OTHER KIT A registration plate with the EU stars and GB marked on is no longer accepted for EU touring, nor is a national flag of England, Scotland or Wales. Now a number plate requires the GB identifier on its own or with a Union flag, if not then you will need a GB sticker on your towcar and caravan. But drive into Spain and irrespective of what number plate you have, you must have a GB vehicle sticker, but for Republic of Ireland a GB identifier is not required.

urbanaccessregulations

TOLLS Many European motorways are funded by tolls which are often costly and they will vary according to the class of vehicle which generally goes by gross weight, height and number of axles. There are websites which will price up the tolls payable on your journey like viamichelin. In most cases, toll booths offer a selection of payment by cash, debit or credit card or automatic electronic tags which need to be obtained before travelling. For general information, see tolls.eu

ABOVE Enjoy social events rallying in the Spanish winter sun

Portugal has two toll road systems, mixed toll roads where electronic tolls and cash/card payments are accepted and fully electronic toll roads where you must register your vehicle and debit or credit card beforehand. See portugaltolls.com for further information. For electronic payment in France, Spain and Portugal, see emovis-tag.co.uk Ireland motorways are pay as you go except for one spot on the M50 which is automatic with number plate recognition cameras, refer to eflow.ie Austria and Switzerland require you to buy a vignette to display in the windscreen for vehicles up to 3.5t gross vehicle weight (GVW) for use of motorways and semi motorways. In Austria the one vignette covers car and caravan, but in Switzerland there is an additional fee for caravans. Towing vehicles over 3.5t are required to have a GOBox in Austria which calculates the toll payable by number of axles, Euro emissions rating and distance travelled. This toll system only applies where the towing vehicle exceeds 3.5t, not where the car/

Facebook /caravanmag Twitter @caravanmagazine Web caravanmagazine.co.uk

CAMPSITES Campsites tend to operate seasonally as in the UK and if travelling in winter the help of the two major Clubs can be useful with their winter en route sites. In summer it’s worth booking campsites in advance, but out of main season I usually take a couple of campsite guides to provide a good selection of sites. One useful guide, especially for low season camping, is the Camping Card ACSI scheme campsites book with a card providing discounted rates. Both major Clubs can book sites for you which have been inspected and the Caravan and Motorhome Club European Touring guidebook contains numerous campsites which have been reviewed by its members. Do not expect campsites to always be as you expect to find in the UK. Often pitches will be smaller or you pay a premium for larger pitches. In southern Europe especially, grass may be a little sparse on the pitch, which may be little more than compacted soil and grit. The range of facilities will vary enormously just as at home, with quiet sites and those aimed at the family caravanner with swimming pools and an array of other facilities to entertain children – at least in the summer months. GAS AND ELECTRICAL HOOK-UPS If you use exchange gas cylinders, such as supplied by Calor and Flogas, it’s important to remember cylinder exchange is not available in Europe. The only cylinder available in the UK which is also exchangeable throughout most of Europe is Campingaz. The disadvantage, though, is the capacity with the largest (907) cylinder containing just 2.7kg. ››

July 2021 | 27

TRAVEL CARAVANNING IN EUROPE

Many European hook-ups will provide only low-rated power supplies – perhaps only 6A and occasionally the supply is metered If you think you will need more than the two cylinders, you need to consider refillable cylinders which can be refilled at service stations which sell autogas. Some long-stayers over the winter period purchase a local exchange cylinder. Like at home, this will require a deposit and also a different adapter/pigtail to connect up to your normal regulator. Don’t be tempted to try to fill up your exchange cylinder, which in most countries is illegal as they do not have an 80% overfill valve. Most European campsites now use the European standard electrical blue plug and socket hook-up we are familiar with but sometimes you will find a continental-style two-pin hook-up point. You can buy an adapter to fit onto your normal electric cable plug. Many European hook ups will provide only low rated power supplies, perhaps only 6A and occasionally the supply is metered. Sometimes you will find reverse polarity on continental sites irrespective of the type of hookup. This can mean that when switched off, even at the socket, equipment will not be isolated. Use a mains tester which plugs into a socket to test for reverse

28 | July 2021

polarity before using electrical power. If reverse polarity is indicated, press your RCD test button to see if it still functions (it’s good practice to test the RCD every time you set-up even in the UK). If it doesn’t work then you should not use your power, but try another hook-up; it can vary even within the same bollard. If the RCD does work, then you can use the power with caution and remember with reverse polarity the only way you can be sure of equipment being electrically dead is to unplug it or disconnect the hook-up. TV AND MOBILES Once you’ve left the UK, terrestrial UK TV disappears, although satellite TV will keep you going until near Bordeaux. Ever since UK satellite TV was changed to a very focused beam, the size of dish does little to help as you go further south. Satellite TV will, however, bring in other non-UK stations. There are also problems with downloading catch-up TV from the internet as normally the system will recognise you are operating outside the UK and prevent access. As of January 1, 2021, free

ABOVE LEFT Europe has campsites geared up for family holidays – this one with a funfair and self-service restaurant on site ABOVE RIGHT Outﬁts over 12m long must have marker plates at the rear in Spain BELOW Take a continental hook-up adapter A reﬁllable gas cylinder can be useful for extended stays in Europe

roaming for UK mobile phones in EU and EFTA countries is no longer guaranteed. Although mobile phone companies have said that they will not bring back roaming charges, this could well change in the future. The UK Government has introduced legislation that requires mobile operators to apply a financial limit of £45 per monthly billing period to protect mobile users from unexpected charges. FINALLY While this article outlines many facets of European touring, it cannot cover details for each and every EU country. Both major Clubs have a wealth of knowledge within their travel sections and on their websites. At the time of writing the UK is starting the process of opening up with the success of the Covid vaccination programme. Europe is somewhat behind us, but some countries which are heavily dependent on tourism are keen to open up on the basis of vaccination certificates. Hopefully by the time you read this, things will have moved on. Check out Foreign Travel at GOV.UK website and the EU ›› reopen.europa.eu/en

FIND THOUSANDS OF GREAT SITES AT caravan.ma/campsitefinder

A rural campsite, open all year, with adults-only and family-friendly areas along with an indoor swimming pool utland may be England’s smallest county, but as its motto ‘Multum in Parvo’ declares, there’s a lot to see – and Rutland Caravan and Camping is an ideal base from which to explore its pretty villages. Situated on the edge of delightful Greetham, the site comprises two large separate areas, both with spacious hardstanding and grass pitches, and heated toilet blocks. There's also a large dog walk area and an indoor dog shower. The amenities are well maintained and a small shop sells all the basics you will need during your stay. Greetham itself is only a five minute walk away and boasts a shop, post office and three pubs – all of which offer extensive menus. The 3,000-acre Rutland Water has all the watersports you could possibly want – from cycling and walking to sailing, windsurfing and fly fishing. The picturesque stone villages surrounding the park are well worth visiting during your stay. There are more crumbling churches and characterful pubs per head of population than you’ll find in the Cotswolds, without the hustle and bustle of numerous coach parties. Also close by is Oakham, Rutland's county town, and over the border in Lincolnshire is Stamford, with its stone architecture impressive enough to rival that of Bath or Oxford. Burghley House and Belvoir Castle are also both within 30 minutes' drive of the park.

SITE DETAILS RUTLAND CARAVAN AND CAMPING Park Lane, Greetham, Oakham, Rutland LE15 7FN T 01572 813520 W rutlandcaravanandcamping.co.uk OPEN All year PRICE From £23

CAMPSITE FACILITIES Laundry Dog showers Heated toilet/shower blocks WiFi Children's play area Indoor swimming pool

30 | July 2021

TRAVEL \ RUTLAND Rutland Water: Normanton Church VisitEngland Discover Rutland

RUTLAND CARAVAN AND CAMPING Rutland Facebook /caravanmag Twitter @caravanmagazine Web outandaboutlive.co.uk/caravans

July 2021 | 31

SUPER SITES with the welsh wow factor ICE EACH PR S D INCLU E S, ULT TWO AD D PITCH AN ELECTRIC

Perfect sites for exploring all that wonderful Wales has to offer Words: Claire Tupholme

DAISY BANK TOURING CARAVAN PARK Montgomery, Powys SY15 6EB T 01588 620471 W daisy-bank.co.uk OPEN All year PRICE From £22

Montgomery credit bonandbon adobestock

An adults-only site set in seven acres of countryside, just one and a half miles into Wales, between Bishop's Castle in Shropshire and Welshpool in Powys. The small market town of Montgomery is 10 minutes’ drive away and has the ruins of a castle perched on the side of a cliff and there are plenty of quaint cafés for a cuppa and some cake. A little further is Welshpool with more facilities and the main supermarkets. Head over the border into Shropshire and you can visit Bishop's Castle where there are two microbreweries! Daisy Bank has fully serviced pitches spread over four separate areas, with some pitches having views of the Camlad Valley and others with trees and shrubs for screening. Facilities include two toilet and shower buildings with individual wet rooms, a launderette, a secure dog walking area and a pitch ’n’ putt course. There’s also a small shop stocking essential groceries and tempting cakes.

WYESIDE CAMPING AND CARAVANNING CLUB SITE Rhayader, Powys LD6 5LB T 01597 810183 W campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk OPEN 1 April – 1 November PRICE From £15.10

34 | July 2021

shower blocks, plus a launderette. Pitches are a choice of grass or hardstanding with electric hook-up. The site is located within the International Dark Sky Park (so perfect for night-time stargazing) and therefore a torch is a good idea as lighting is limited at night. Elan Valley Dam Pixabay

A countryside site on the edge of the market town of Rhayader in Powys and on the banks of the River Wye. Rhayader is the home of the Red Kite Feeding Centre at Gigrin Farm. This working farm is just one mile from the Wyeside site and every day hundreds of red kites feed at the farm and you can enjoy this breathtaking spectacle from the many bird hides on the farm. For a longer trek you can walk from the site to the Elan Valley and follow the Waterfall Trail and walk around the reservoir. Llandrindod Wells is a pretty spa town with a great selection of shops and restaurants and it is only a 15-minute drive away. This Club site has two toilet and

SUPER SITES WALES

For a longer trek you can walk from the Wyeside site to the Elan Valley and follow the Waterfall Trail and walk around the reservoir Elan Valley

Facebook /caravanmag Twitter @caravanmagazine Web outandaboutlive.co.uk/caravans

2 July 2021 | 35

››

SUPER SITES WALES

BRYN GLOCH CARAVAN & CAMPING PARK Betws Garmon, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL54 7YY T 01286 650216 W northwalescamping.co.uk OPEN All year PRICE From £25 Set close to the foot of Mount Snowdon, this site is ideal for walkers with the path

Caernarfon Castle Pixabay

3 up the mountain just two miles away. Bryn Gloch occupies a tranquil location on the banks of the River Gwyrfai with plenty of open space. You can walk down by the river and across the local countryside. The coast is also a short drive away if you fancy a day at the beach. The town and port of Caernarfon is just a 15-minute drive away or there is a bus stop right outside the site gates if you don’t fancy driving. Caernarfon

is home to a mighty castle which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bryn Gloch has a choice of grass or allweather pitches with electric and there are super pitches with water, drainage and electric. Facilities on site include toilets and showers with individual wet rooms, a launderette, shop, motorhome waste point and designated dog walk. There’s also a games room, mini golf and table tennis.

TRAWSDIR TOURING CARAVANS & CAMPING PARK Llanaber, Barmouth, Gwynedd LL42 1RR T 01341 280999 W trawsdir.co.uk OPEN 1 March – 6 January PRICE From £24

Barmouth Pixabay

Overlooking the coast of Cardigan Bay, Trawsdir is on the edge of Snowdonia National Park, three miles from the coastal resort of Barmouth. With sea views in front of you and the mountains behind, this is a top location. There are hardstanding pitches with electric hook-up, fresh water and waste water connection, and large vehicles can be accommodated. Trawsdir’s facilities include toilets and showers, a launderette, shop, play area and large dog walking field. A 10-minute walk away is sister site, Caerddaniel Holiday Home Park, where you can access the beach and use the site’s takeaway if you wish to. Along the same road but only a fiveminute walk away is the Norbar Restaurant and Bar and a takeaway fish bar. When you reach Barmouth (if you don’t want to walk the whole way there is a bus stop half a mile from the site), you will be greeted by a traditional seaside resort with a picturesque harbour. A land train runs along the promenade and there is a full range of ›› shops, cafés and pubs in the town.

36 | July 2021

PARKS

Enjoy your holiday - choose a Best of British park! The Best of British Touring & Holiday Parks Group is an elite group of prestigious privately owned parks throughout the UK, providing you with a variety of holiday options - touring pitches for caravans, motorhomes and tents, self-catering camping pods or lodges and caravan holiday homes to hire or own - all with the reassurance of the Best of British brand and exceptional customer service.

Discover

LUXURY TOURING

Countryside holidays by the sea Paignton, South Devon Holiday Caravans Lodges Touring Camping Pods

Wareham Forest Tourist Park North Trigon, Wareham, Dorset. BH20 7NZ

Dogs Welcome

www.warehamforest.co.uk 01929 551393

Call us 01803 782338 Visit & book online whitehill-park.co.uk

OPEN ALL YEAR

5 Star Holiday Park

Creating holiday memories since 1975 Bude, Cornwall wooda.co.uk

CORNWALL

BERKSHIRE Have you discovered our family run Park by the River Thames?

Hurley Riverside Park Hurley, Berkshire, SL6 5NE • 01628 824493 • info@hurleyriversidepark.co.uk

Exclusively Adults Only Touring Site in Cornwall Open from 1st April - 31st October Special Rates For The Over 40’s £111.00 Per Week Standard Pitch £126.00 Per Week Fully Serviced Pitch www.chacewaterpark.co.uk Tel: 01209 820762

Situated on the River .hurleyriversidepark.co.uk

Thames, our family and dog friendly park is the perfect way to enjoy the British countryside. With all the facilities you need for a perfect staycation.

www.hurleyriversidepark.co.uk Image credit: Pixabay

For the ultimate holiday experience … go to premier-parks.co.uk to find the 100 Premier Parks for 2021 @PrmParks

@PremierParks

Facebook /caravanmag Twitter @caravanmagazine Web outandaboutlive.co.uk/caravans

@premier_parks

July 2021 | 37

SUPER SITES WALES

PITTON CROSS CARAVAN & CAMPING PARK Rhossili, Gower, Swansea SA3 1PT T 01792 390593 W pittoncross.co.uk OPEN All year PRICE From £30

HOME FARM HOLIDAY PARK Marian-glas, Ynys Môn, Anglesey LL73 8PH (use LL72 8NE for sat-nav) T 01248 410614 W homefarm-anglesey.co.uk OPEN 26 March – 31 October PRICE From £26.50 Moelfre Lifeboat Station Pixabay

A campsite with privately owned holiday homes, Home Farm also has a selection of pitches for touring and camping on the east coast of the Isle of Anglesey. The site is just over a mile from the closest beach and there are many stunning and secluded coves and walks along this coastal stretch of the island. The site is divided into three different areas and pitches range from standard grass with electric, up to fully serviced hardstandings. Facilities on the site include toilets, showers, a launderette, a tennis court and reception stocks basic essentials. Nearby Moelfre, one and a half miles away, is a former fishing village with a long maritime history and situated on the coastal path. Being located on a small island means many attractions are within easy reach. Beaumaris Castle is half an hour’s drive away and the stunning beach and pinewoods of Newborough Warren National Nature Reserve are 40 minutes away.

Beaumaris Castle Pixabay

If you love the coast and beaches then you need to be visiting this campsite. Pitton Cross is just over a mile from Rhossili Bay where a three-mile-long sandy beach awaits you, overlooked by The Old Rectory, now a National Trust holiday cottage. From the top of the highest point on Gower, Rhossili Down, you can see the Gower Peninsula and across the sea to west Wales. The Down is home to a variety of wildlife, too. In Rhossili village there is a shop and visitor centre and from here you can walk along the grassy clifftop to the Old Coastguard Station and if the tide is out you can cross the causeway to the tidal island of Worm’s Head and look out for grey seals lazing on rocks below. Pitton Cross has hardstanding pitches with electric, a laundry room, toilets and showers, a disabled room, shop and play area. There is a bus stop at the site entrance.

››

38 | July 2021

PARKS DORSET

DEVON

Discover the Landscape - Treasure the Memories Camping in Every Season

www.bagwellfarm.co.uk 01305 782575

Chickerell, Weymouth, Dorset DT3 4EA

Fully-serviced pitches - Well-stocked shop open daily - Bus stop half a mile

DORSET

THE INSIDE PARK Touring Park Blandford Dorset

You

! ing ave lax e e L R So t To Wan t ’ Won

Extra Large Pitches Ideal Family Site Quiet & Secluded

Children’s Play Area Country Walks & Wildlife Caravan Storage

www.theinsidepark.co.uk 01258 453719

Heathﬁeld Farm Camping

ISLE OF WIGHT

NORFOLK

RELAX IN NORTH NORFOLK

• Level marked pitches • Excellent facilities • Camping, Touring & Motorhomes • Close to beach & shops

SPECIAL OFFERS & PACKAGES AVAILABLE - SEE OUR WEBSITE

Set up camp surrounded by rare heathland, pines and woodland. Explore self-guided trails, ride your bikes and swim in the lovely indoor and outdoor pools. Enjoy a game of tennis, try fishing or hop on a steam train. You can stay in a holiday home or lodge too. ®

Heathﬁeld Road, Freshwater, Isle of Wight PO40 9SH • Tel: 01983 407822 • www.heathﬁeldcamping.co.uk Located in the peaceful West Wight with easy access to spectacular coastal & downland walks.

Pixabay

@PremierParks

@premier_parks

Image credit: Pixabay

@PrmParks

To book a wonderful holiday call 01263 588181 or visit kellingheath.co.uk Nr Weybourne, Norfolk

For the ultimate holiday experience … go to premier-parks.co.uk to find the 100 Premier Parks for 2021 Facebook /caravanmag Twitter @caravanmagazine Web outandaboutlive.co.uk/caravans

naturally NORTH NORFOLK…

For camping with magnificent sea views, the perfect location to enjoy the North Norfolk coast and countryside. Or stay in a luxurious holiday home. To book your holiday by the sea call 01263 512242 or visit woodhill-park.com East Runton, Norfolk

July 2021 | 39

BODNANT CARAVAN PARK Nebo Road, Llanrwst, Conwy LL26 0SD T 01492 640248 W bodnant-caravan-park.co.uk OPEN 1 March – 31 October PRICE From £24

7 Bodnant Garden Pixabay

Llanwrst Gail Johnson stock.adobe.dot.com

BRYNOWEN HOLIDAY PARK Borth, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY24 5LS T 03301 234984 W parkdeanresorts.co.uk OPEN 22 March – 1 November PRICE From £14 Brynowen Holiday Park sits on the west coast of Wales, six miles north of Aberystwyth. There is direct access to Borth Beach from the site and it’s within walking distance of The Great War Memorial, which is half a mile down the coast. The touring area comprises of electric pitches on hardstanding areas, with a toilet and shower block, a launderette and dishwashing. On the park is a heated indoor pool, a bar and restaurant and a convenience store. There are also more shops and places to eat in nearby Borth (half a mile) plus a train station and bus services. Aberystwyth is a coastal university town with a thriving town centre full of independent shops, restaurants and cafés. There’s a mile-long Victorian promenade and the seafront boasts the oldest pier in Wales. You can also catch the Vale of Rheidol steam railway from here and enjoy a trip through the stunning countryside to Devil’s Bridge.

40 | July 2021

This campsite is situated just half a mile from the ancient market town of Llanwrst in the beautiful Conwy Valley. Flowering features abound and the whole place looks like a garden. On site are hardstanding pitches with electric, some of the pitches are multi-service. There are toilets and showers, a dog walk, and a variety of wildlife around the site. The historic market town of Llanrwst is just a short stroll from site with its famous bridge, and the pretty tea house, Tu Hwnt i’r Bont. Llanrwst is also the gateway to the Snowdonia National Park and Betws-y-Coed is just four miles to the south with an abundance of forest trails to explore. Eight miles away is the worldfamous National Trust Bodnant Garden with year-round colour. It is particularly beautiful in the spring, when the azaleas and rhododendrons are in flower. Should the relaxing ambience of the site not suffice then nearby Conwy 10 miles, with its castle and ancient walls to tread, will make a good day out.

SUPER SITES WALES Vale of Rheidol credit Vale of Rheidol Railway

You can catch the Vale of Rheidol steam railway and enjoy a trip through the stunning countryside to Devil's Bridge

8 ››

Facebook /caravanmag Twitter @caravanmagazine Web outandaboutlive.co.uk/caravans

July 2021 | 41

SUPER SITES WALES BRECON BEACONS CARAVAN AND MOTORHOME CLUB SITE Brecon, Powys LD3 7SH T 01874 623325 W caravanclub.co.uk OPEN 29 March – 1 November PRICE From £21.65

9 Brecon Beacons credit VisitBritain Adam Burton

The Brecon Beacons Club site has grass and hardstanding pitches with electric on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park, close to the River Usk and the historic market town of Brecon. Site facilities include toilets, showers, a shop, a launderette, and a dog walk route leading to a stream and woodland area where there’s an adventure course for both kids and adults. A local pub is about 10 minutes’ walk away. And you might need that refreshing drink, as the foothills of the Brecon Beacons are nearby where you can walk to your heart’s content or try other activities such as climbing, mountain biking and caving. If strolling around towns full of character is more your thing, head to nearby Brecon. Lose yourself in the narrow streets and passageways lined with Georgian and Jacobean buildings. You can access the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal from the town and take a gentle walk along its towpath.

SOUTH WALES TOURING PARK – LLWYNIFAN FARM Llangennech, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire SA14 8AX T 01554 820420 W southwalescaravansite.co.uk OPEN All year PRICE From £18

42 | July 2021

10 Llanelli Seafront zen_light /stock.adobe.com

The hardstanding touring pitches at adultsonly Llwynifan Farm are beautifully landscaped on three tiers across the hillside to make the most of the countryside views. The pitches are a mixture of standard with electric hook-up and fully serviced. The heated amenity building comprises individual shower rooms, washing-up sinks and a freezer. The touring park is also dog-friendly, with a dedicated exercise area and a local circular river walk. Located on the edge of Llangennech, close to Llanelli and just 15 minutes’ drive from the lovely Carmarthen coast, Llwynifan Farm provides an excellent base to explore the Gower Peninsula and the Brecon Beacons, including Carreg Cennen Castle. The Brecon Beacons National Park opens up all sorts of adventurous opportunities. There are walking routes for all abilities, cycle paths, and you can arrange to go canoeing, kayaking, caving and potholing.

››

PARKS SUFFOLK

WALES

BRON DERW

Perfect for Snowdonia and the North Wales Coast

TOURING CARAVAN PARK

Bron Derw, Llanrwst, Conwy, North Wales LL26 0YT

www.bronderw-wales.co.uk 01492 640494

A.A 5 pennant, gold award, premier park Secluded, serviced, tourer and motorhome sites with some hardstandings. Good choice of caravan holiday homes for sale; owner occupiers only. Superb, tranquil, landscaped 85 acres parkland & 100 acres of woodland. 9 hole compact golf course, 3 hard tennis courts, volleyball, basketball. Sandy beach, woods. Dog walks, cycle trails. Attractive lounge, bar, restaurant and shop. Located unspoilt Coastal Suffolk. Close to Woodbridge & River Deben.

THE FINEST CAMPSITES IN THE UK & IRELAND For the ultimate touring experience with 100 campsites in the UK and Ireland visit premier-parks.co.uk

www.moonandsixpence.co.uk Tel: 01473 736650 e-mail: info@moonandsixpence.co.uk

YORKSHIRE

• Main caravan park • Caravan storage • Caravan Club certiﬁed location • Self catering apartment sleeping 4

YORKSHIRE

Fangfoss Park York

Small friendly site just outside York. Covering 4.5 acres the park enjoys the advantage of grassed and hard standing pitches on the old railway line and a well drained field, offering 75 pitches, all with electric hook up. Seasonal pitches now available for 2021. 01759 380491 • info@fangfosspark.co.uk www.fangfosspark.co.uk

YORKSHIRE

WALESWOOD CARAVAN & CAMPING PARK AT ROTHER VALLEY COUNTRY PARK

Open All Year “An excellent campsite with exceptional facilities”

2020

10% discount for stays Monday to Thursday, when you book online. Use the code PPCM21. Valid for arrivals between June and November 2021

www.waleswood.co.uk Facebook /caravanmag Twitter @caravanmagazine Web outandaboutlive.co.uk/caravans

July 2021 | 43

Caravan

Cookery Three delicious recipes to try next time you are away IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Your say Do you stock up on food before you leave home? I try to go and do a big supermarket shop before we go away in the caravan – it saves us a lot of money and we make sure we pack plenty of treats Lisa Ford We always have the intention of being organised but it rarely ever pans out so we end up eating out most nights – not that anyone minds a trip to the pub! Colin Miller I’d say we do a bit of both – I tend to get a few staples before we go like pasta and tins, etc, but we always buy some sausages from the farm we stay at James Burton We always have a barbecue and that always feels fun, not at all like cooking at home. We like supporting local businesses so will often go into the nearest town for supplies William Crowe

Asparagus Risotto INGREDIENTS 1 bunch asparagus (about 200g) 800ml vegetable stock 1 tbsp olive oil 25g butter 1 small onion, finely chopped 175g risotto rice 25g parmesan, finely grated Salt and pepper to taste

METHOD 1. Snap the woody ends off the asparagus stalks and put the stock on to simmer in a saucepan on a low heat. 2. Add the asparagus tips to the stock and simmer for 1 minute before scooping them out and setting them aside. 3. Heat the oil and half the butter in a frying pan or your Culinary Modular Paella Pan. Cook the onions gently for 5 minutes until soft, stirring often. 4. Add the rice and continuously stir for a few minutes until it turns semi-transparent and makes a hissing sound. 5. On a low heat, start adding the stock, a little bit at a time, stirring between each addition until it is absorbed by the rice. 6. After about 15 minutes, try the rice. It should feel just cooked with a slight bite to it. Then, stir in the asparagus tips and the last bit of stock and cook for 1 or 2 minutes more. 7. Remove from the heat and top with the remaining butter and the parmesan. Season with salt and pepper and leave for a few minutes before tucking in.

To discover more recipes that are perfect when you are cooking on your caravan tours, and to enter monthly competitions with great prizes, make sure that you follow Campingaz on Instagram.

@Campingaz_UK Pixabay

44 | July 2021

To see the full range, visit campingaz.com/uk

Welsh Cakes

Honey-Soy Salmon

INGREDIENTS

225g self-raising flour 110g butter, chilled and cubed, plus extra for greasing 85g caster sugar, plus extra for dusting 50g sultanas or currants 1 free-range egg, beaten Milk, if required Pinch of salt

2 salmon fillets 2 tbsp olive oil 4 cloves garlic, minced 2 tsp ginger, minced 80ml soy sauce 115g honey Sesame seeds

METHOD

1. Sift the flour and salt into a bowl then add the chilled, cubed butter. 2. Rub with your fingertips, or pulse in a food processor, until you have breadcrumb consistency. 3. Add the sugar, sultanas and beaten egg then mix well to form a stiff dough, add a splash of milk if required. 4. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured board until 5mm thick and then stamp out rounds with a 7.5–10cm cutter. 5. Rub your griddle or heavy-based pan with butter, wipe away the excess and place on the hob until it is heated through. 6. Cook the Welsh cakes a few at a time for approx 3 minutes on each side, until golden brown and risen gently. 7. Remove from the griddle, serve immediately sprinkled with a little extra caster sugar.

1. In a small bowl, mix 1tbsp of olive oil with the garlic, ginger, soy sauce and honey. 2. Place the salmon in a sealable bag and pour half of the marinade mix on the salmon. Save the other half for later. 3. Let the salmon marinate in a coolbox for at least 30 minutes. 4. In a frying pan, heat the remaining 1 tbsp of olive oil. Add salmon to the pan but discard the used marinade. 5. Cook salmon on one side for about 2-3 minutes, then flip over and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes. 6. Remove salmon from pan. Pour in remaining marinade and reduce it. 7. Serve the salmon with the reduced sauce and sprinkle with some toasted sesame seeds.

Campingaz Party Grill 400 CV A powerful and versatile stove that offers the choice of 5 different cooking surfaces. Choose between pan cooking, barbecuing on the cooking grid, a reversible grill and griddle plate, and the lid even doubles up as a wok for making tasty noodle dishes. The Party Grill 400 CV is powered by compact and portable CV300+ and CV470+ gas cartridges for ultimate convenience.

Facebook /caravanmag Twitter @caravanmagazine Web outandaboutlive.co.uk/caravans

July 2021 | 45

Swift Celebrate Super QFB ] T 01457 868011 ] W glossopcaravans.co.uk ] £26,461 including delivery

SWIFT CELEBRATE SUPER QFB Super in name and super in nature, this eight-foot-wide family caravan has value at its core and spec and style in spades Words: Val Chapman ❚ Photography: Richard Chapman MAIN PIC XX ABOVE XX

fact file O Berths 6 O Length Body 6.27m Overall 7.98m O Width 2.46m O Headroom 1.95m O Heating system Truma O Weight MIRO 1,545kg MTPLM 1,725kg

46 | July 2021

or generations, Sprite has been the benchmark of affordable caravans. Light in weight and price – and, in the early years, light on equipment, too, Sprite has always been the icon of budget touring, especially for families. One of the longest-running names in caravans, today’s Sprites (made by Swift) have undergone a huge evolution from the basic ideals of their ancestors, of course. But Sprite remains a name that symbolises great value. Today, not all Sprites are called Sprite, though. The marque is a favourite for up-speccing; retailers put their own stamp on Sprite, give it a different name and a raft of extras – and know that these ‘Sprites’ will easily find buyers. There are more than 20 special edition ranges of Sprite. Among them is one of the three special edition ranges made for Glossop Caravans. Our review example not only illustrates the degree to which Sprites change their

TOP LEFT This is a caravan with a strong identity – the word 'Celebrate' is neatly stitched into the upholstery

character with additional spec, it illustrates the rise in popularity of the maximum-width tourer concept. The Swift Celebrate Super QFB is Glossop’s version of the Sprite Super Quattro FB. It has twin axles and beds for six.

TESTED SWIFT CELEBRATE SUPER QFB

xxx xx x x x

With three distinct sleeping areas, this is a truly versatile family caravan, ideal for six and super spacious for four

The double bed is in a secluded position behind the kitchen, with the shower room alongside it; this layout arrangement is only made possible by the extra width of the Supers; at 2.46m wide, they are 21cm wider than the standard

ABOVE The triple-aspect living area lets in maximum light and there's a separate dining area, too

Facebook /caravanmag Twitter @caravanmagazine Web outandaboutlive.co.uk/caravans

››

July 2021 | 47

Sprite Celebrate Super QFB ] T 01457 868011 ] W glossopcaravans.co.uk ] £26,461 including delivery

Sprites (and Celebrates). The extra width also gives rise to a large dining area amidships. The difference between the standard FB and the Celebrate version is a raft of extra equipment, a slight rise in weight (21kg) and a rise in cost, of £1,201. The extra equipment includes curtain fabric that’s double the width of that in the standard model, pleated blinds, an additional TV socket (in the bedroom), an external mains socket, a barbecue point so that you can take gas directly from the cylinders you have in the caravan, an alarm system with a key fob control from which you also switch on and off the awning light, a 100W solar panel and heavy-duty corner steadies. The additional equipment amounts in value to £2,958. Included in that is the change in fabric scheme compared to the standard models. The Celebrate range has a sophisticated fabric scheme; a blend of textures and bronze and blue hues that create a classic look.

48 | July 2021

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT Dining space for at least four – and a cosy bedroom far beyond As you step in through the door, this is your ﬁrst impression There's plenty of shelf space in the bed area – and a mains socket beside the bed, ideal for charging phones Two single beds or a massive double in the lounge; the choice is yours INSET We love the handweave suggestion in the cushion and backrest-top pattern

our thanks to... Review location: Glossop Caravans Glossop SK13 6JF

The standard Sprite version of the Celebrate QFB has a price tag of £24,715, plus the delivery fee of £545, making £25,260. So, the difference in price between the Celebrate and standard Sprite version of this model is £1,201. The buyer then gets £2,958worth of equipment for just £1,201. The appeal of the Super Celebrate QFB, though, goes far deeper than extra kit. This is a practical tourer for six, with three distinct areas. The dining area seats four and possibly more, around the square monopod table, which, unlike other similar monopod tables, is not fixed to the floor and so can be moved to suit requirements, be it inside or outside. This sector of the caravan is as equally suited to tabletop pursuits as it is to mealtime conviviality. The kitchen’s strong points are

the generous size of the sink, at 38cm in diameter; washing up for six would be no problem here. A drainer is provided, of course; it stows away in its own slot inside the cabinet between the oven and the fridge. The microwave with, auto cook functionality, sits alongside the two smart, white-doored top cabinets. Kitchen storage is limited to the two top cabinets and the 39cm-wide central cabinet that contains a good-sized cutlery drawer plus a small shelf on one side but would have benefited from a shelf placed midway. What the kitchen lacks in storage, though, is made up for elsewhere; it would be easy to use the three lockers over the dining area for kitchen apparatus. On the topic of storage, this tourer has a major plus point, or should we say two, for there are two wardrobes, opposite one

TESTED SWIFT CELEBRATE SUPER QFB

another, in the entrance to the secluded bed area. One provides 46cm of hanging width; the other 39cm. Both have sizeable areas below for footwear. The underbed storage space can be accessed from an exterior hatch as well as from the end of the bed. Three large top lockers are in the bedroom and there are six lockers over the lounge. The extending sides of the dining seating that enable you to make up a good-sized (1.90m by 1.34m) double bed inevitably compromise the ease of access to the storage areas. But that’s no problem because there is plenty of storage space under the lounge, where access is easy. Our day at Glossop Caravans was chilly enough to illustrate the efficiency of the Truma heating system in warming the caravan quickly; the shower room, in particular, was toasty

ABOVE LEFT The word 'Celebrate' is engraved into the mirror – just to remind you! ABOVE RIGHT The shower room is alongside the bed

within minutes. And if you imagine that a shower room alongside a bed (rather than spanning the width of a caravan) might be tiny, think again, for this is more than adequate in size. There’s only one cabinet, though (under the sink), but there are shelves on the wall. So, what of the Celebrate’s allimportant unique fabric scheme? This is, after all, the component of a special edition that most visually distinguishes the brand and grabs the attention. The seating is plain grey, at first glance. But when you look closer you see that this fabric has fine

silvery threads in the weave, along with white and a suggestion of indigo. The result is anything but plain – and the material gives us the impression that it’s hard wearing. The diamond pattern of the backrest tops, two of the four cushions and tie backs, brings in hues of blue, pale moss green and fawn. It’s a pleasing scheme; the irregular pattern creates a suggestion of hand-weave style; a thoroughly modern, yet natural look that works impeccably with the dark grey tabletops and kitchen surface, creating a warm modern theme.

verdict The value is obvious; the efficiency of the QFB layout as a holiday environment for six is pretty clear, too. But how about the ambience? Our day at Glossop Caravans gave us ample opportunity to evaluate the Celebrate’s appeal. We love the silvery threads running through the grey seat base fabric and we love the natural hand-weave suggestion in the backrest top pattern. Showering and washing facilities tick all the boxes and so does storage, especially considering that there are 14 overhead lockers and two wardrobes. With three distinct sleeping areas, this is a truly versatile family caravan, ideal for six and super spacious for four.

Facebook /caravanmag Twitter @caravanmagazine Web outandaboutlive.co.uk/caravans

››

July 2021 | 49

Weinsberg ] T 01977 621918 ] W weinsberg.com ] £21,120

WEINSBERG CARAONE 390 PUH A double bunk bed, a comfortably large lounge and a kitchen with phenomenal capacity – all in a caravan little over four metres long Words: Val Chapman ❚ Photography: Richard Chapman MAIN PIC XX ABOVE XX

fact file O Berths 4 O Length Body 4.02m Overall 5.93m O Width 2.32m O Headroom 1.96m O Heating system Truma O Weight MIRO 990kg MTPLM 1,200kg

50 | July 2021

einsberg has always been known for innovative layouts – and for cleverly designed compact caravans. The latest caravan from this German manufacturer to arrive in Britain firmly ticks those boxes – and is also the first caravan in this country that has a drop-down bed. Until now, drop-down beds were only found in motorhomes. Now, Weinsberg (part of the giant Knaus Tabbert group) brings the concept into caravans – and the first one to arrive in the UK is now on display at Barnsdale Leisure, near Pontefract. The CaraOne 390 PUH stands out from the crowd for another reason: its kitchen is at the front. We know of only one other 2021 caravan in Britain with a front kitchen and that’s also a Weinsberg; an enormous caravan destined for seasonal-site use – and that model is also a new arrival at Barnsdale. These are not the first caravans to have front kitchens, though. Slovenian manufacturer Adria’s Astella models (imported to the UK before

TOP LEFT The tap is on a hose that pulls out to create the shower rose TOP RIGHT Beautiful textures make cosy lounging

the arrival of the current flagship range Alpina) had front kitchens. These models, though, were large and heavy. The compact, lightweight CaraOne 390, therefore, breaks new ground. This is an innovation that will appeal to first-time caravanners

TESTED WEINSBERG CARAONE 390 PUH

xxx xx x x x

This is a caravan in a class of its own, ingeniously designed and priced to entice new people into caravanning

who are completely open-minded and looking for the unconventional. Maybe buyers who have cut their outdoor leisure teeth on tents and now want something that they can use yearround; maybe people who have owned campervans and now want

ABOVE The CaraOne 390 PUH is one of only a very few caravans that has its kitchen at the front

Facebook /caravanmag Twitter @caravanmagazine Web outandaboutlive.co.uk/caravans

››

July 2021 | 51

Knaus ] T 01977 621918 ] W barnsdale-leisure.co.uk ] knaus.com ] £32,839 including delivery

a unit that they can leave on a pitch when they go out exploring by car, rather than packing up everything because a campervan is also your transport. Yes, it’s a niche sector, by conventional caravan standards. But, in a year when holiday focus is firmly set on Britain and, even as restrictions lift, on the safety of self-contained accommodation, the 390 PUH is destined to find many fans. So, what about its star element, the drop-down bed? It’s over the lounge, almost totally disguised into the roof. You might imagine that this would compromise headroom but, surprisingly, it’s easily sufficient for average heights, at 1.8m. And the rest of the layout? The combined shower-toilet room is amidships on the nearside (the door is on the offside, in continental style). Immediately forward of the shower room is the tall, slimline, 106-litre capacity fridge/freezer, adjacent to the kitchen. Opposite, the wardrobe, above the Truma heater, gives you

52 | July 2021

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT The kitchen surface spans almost the entire width of the caravan The capacity of the 390's kitchen cabinets in phenomenal for a compact caravan A beautiful, large and comfortable loungedining area A towel rail hinges down from the ceiling

our thanks to... Review location: Barnsdale Leisure, Pontefract WF8 3EQ

34cm of hanging width plus space in the base for footwear. Storage for folded clothing is limited to four over-lounge lockers. In a small caravan, the kitchen is an astonishing size. Weinsberg describes it as a ‘panorama bow kitchen’. That’s because it stretches the full width of the caravan and extends into the corner, with a slightly curved surface. Cooking equipment is simply three burners. There’s no oven or grill – but there is a generous amount of kitchen storage space in cabinets below the kitchen and a full-height, sixshelf unit alongside, close to the door. So much space, in fact, that we decided to set ourselves a challenge. Could we stash away, in the diminutive 390’s kitchen, all of the kitchen kit that we have in our own Bailey Unicorn Barcelona’s big kitchen? So, we packed the stuff from the Barcelona into the car for our CaraOne 390 day at Barnsdale Leisure... To our delight, the 390’s kitchen swallowed all of the kit we’d normally put in our big Bailey

with space to spare. Praise indeed for the 390’s kitchen capacity. So, to the details of this phenomenal capacity: three 50cm-wide drawers and a threeshelf cabinet, 1.30m wide, with shelves disappearing off to the left of the 60cm-wide door; a clever, if hidden, use of space. In addition, there’s a tall, six-shelf cabinet, 26cm wide, by the door, plus a shelf above the fridge/freezer, a cabinet below the fridge and another above the kitchen window. We loaded in two lots of pasta, a hand blender, loads of biscuits, an American pancake muffin mix, a large grater, three porcelain serving bowls, a set of plates, bowls and mugs, plus pans… We could have hidden away much more, and we didn’t even use the space that hides away to the left of the main cupboard door. The combined shower-toilet room is also impressive in terms of hideaway capacity. There are two cabinets, one under the (surprisingly large) basin and one on the wall, together providing more than adequate space for all

TESTED WEINSBERG CARAONE 390 PUH

showering accoutrements. There’s shelving aplenty, too, running along the whole width of the compartment, alongside the basin and also below this shelf, in a recess which is handy. The tap extends on a hose to form the shower rose. A curtain tracks around the shower area to confine shower water and there’s a hinged towel rail mounted in the ceiling, plus two hooks on the walls for robes, etc. There’s another surprise in the washing department: the toilet has a ceramic bowl; that’s a feature usually only found in high-end caravans, yet the 390 is not much over £20,000. The U-shaped lounge seating is splendidly spacious, and the table is nice and large, at 85cm by 80cm. It has a robustly engineered mechanism that enables it to be lowered to form the base of the main double

ABOVE LEFT A double bunk bed! ABOVE RIGHT Two good-sized cabinets – and a ceramic-bowl toilet!

bed, which is 1.97m by 1.89m. Four spotlights in the bed base plus concealed lighting above the rear window and two oblong bright white lights set flush into the ceiling together provide enough illumination for evenings. The pretty, high quality voile curtains and panels add to the continental ambience. Then there’s the 390’s defining feature. Do you call it a double bunk bed? Certainly, there are two double beds one above the other. Weinsberg calls it a ‘lifting bed’. Whatever terms you prefer, this bed measures a generous 1.96m

by 1.42m. You transform the lounge into a double bunk bedroom by pressing a release button and pulling the bed down. It’s simple and quick. The lounge backrests come down and complete the mattress of the lower bed and, it is very comfortable. There’s a sturdy wooden ladder provided but, when it’s in place, it’s not possible to open the washroom door, so a little organisation has to take place to ensure you don’t need to do that when people are in the top bed. That, though, is the only downside to this ingenious arrangement.

verdict An amazing amount of kitchen surface, a phenomenal quantity of storage space, two double beds, all in a caravan that’s just over four metres in body length, weights only 1,200kg (MTPLM) and costs a mere £21,120. Value? Definitely. Quality? Top class, everywhere. You’d expect a caravan of this length to be a two berth. Yet the 390 answers the need to sleep four within its compact length and still gives you a large comfortable lounge plus a kitchen bigger than many larger caravan. This is a caravan in a class of its own, ingeniously designed and priced to entice new people into caravanning.

Facebook /caravanmag Twitter @caravanmagazine Web outandaboutlive.co.uk/caravans

››

July 2021 | 53

Love carav Do you want to be inspired by UK and overseas travel, top campsites, caravan tests, honest buying advice, technical guides and much, much more? magazine. Then you need

Choose from 3 great deals:

1 Exact Enjoy access to a fully-searchable digital library of every issue of Caravan since February 2013, plus enjoy the latest issue and future issues before they go on sale in the shops for as long as your subscription remains active. Read any feature from Caravan during this time – travel, sites, road tests, reviews, buying guides and more – they are all immediately available with this subscription to Exact Editions, from just £3.49.

Visit caravan.ma/exact

54 | July 2021

anning? 2 Pocketmags The ultimate digital Caravan with all the extras including access to stunning image galleries to inspire your travels, extra news stories with audio enhancement, live web feeds and hyperlinks. Plus, each issue is yours to keep and download with this subscription to Caravan on Pocketmags. Get your first issue for just £2.99, with future issues at £3.99 monthly or 12 issues for only £39.99

Head to caravan.ma/pocketmags

3 Print Prefer paper? Have Caravan delivered to your door before it goes on sale in the shops. Enjoy everything you know and love about Caravan without having to leave your house. Get Caravan delivered to your door for £11.99 a quarter or 12 issues for only £49.99.

Visit caravan.ma/july21 call 01778 392017 quoting ref: CARA/JULY21 Whichever option you choose, you will enjoy all these great benefits: ● No minimum term – cancel at any time ● Save on the shop price ● Choose the option that’s right for you – digital or print ● Free delivery to your door or device ● Get every issue before it hits the shop

Print offer is open to UK residents and closes on 31st July 2021 Exact is a membership service, once your membership expires you will lose access to all issues.

Don’t miss out – subscribe now! Red Kite

Facebook /caravanmag Twitter @caravanmagazine Web outandaboutlive.co.uk/caravans

July 2021 | 55

ADVICE SPARES & REPAIRS

Socket set

It’s always a good idea to have a basic tool kit and some spares with you. Jim Blackstock looks at the essentials Set of spanners SPANNERS Like a socket set, these don’t need to be professional quality but a roll of different-sized combination spanners (openended at one end and ring at the other) will help tackle any nuts or bolts that the sockets are too clumsy for. I also include a large adjustable spanner for the gas bottle connection. Generally I wouldn’t advise using an adjustable spanner on a tight fitting but gas bottle connections don’t needs to be overly tight.

owever well prepared you are for your trip away, something can – and often will, particularly at night when it’s raining – go wrong. But with some careful planning – and a handy tool box or two full of essential tools and spares – that crisis can quickly be resolved and life can carry on as normal. You really don’t need to carry another caravan with you in component form to make sure that a problem doesn’t become a crisis. But there are a few key spares that will make life a lot easier if something does go wrong and a selection of essential tools will make sure that you can use the spares you brought with you quickly and effectively. The kit I take away with us has evolved over the years. Here’s what I make sure is always in the caravan when I hook up…

56 | July 2021

GET THE TOOLS I have built a small but effective tool kit from previous experience on cars, bikes and caravans and combined this with a good crawl around each new caravan as I get it, to familiarise myself with not necessarily every fastening but to identify a general trend. For example, does it use Phillips or Pozidriv screws? Are bolts external hexagonal versions or internal-hex ‘Allen’ style or six-pointed Torx variety? Does it use Nyloc-style locking nuts or spring washers? SOCKET SET I take a small 3/8in drive socket set with me, because it is easily portable and so useful. I don’t bother with a proper 1/2in drive set, as I’m not going to tackle anything that needs the kind of clout that offers while away, though I might include a couple of sockets and some extensions in case I need to change a wheel or the dog eats the corner steady winding handle.

SCREWDRIVERS Inevitably, many of the fastenings around the caravan will be some form of screw and you’re bound to need a screwdriver somewhere. I also always make sure I have a couple of small ones, in particular a flat blade for electrical connections. A selection of drive bits and a handle can also be useful in case you encounter a fixing that isn’t a traditional flat or cross head. PLIERS If you need to grab, cut or straighten something, then a set of pliers will be essential. I usually carry normal pliers plus a pair of long nose, side cutters and water pump pliers and I’ve also got a pair of electrical strippers/crimping pliers as well. ALLEN KEYS Hexagonal-headed drive bits will get to any ‘cap head’ bolts you may encounter. A set of Allen keys is a useful addition, while, if you come across any Torx fittings, for example, then you should have a compatible drive bit in your set.

TECHNICAL SPARES AND REPAIRS

Wheel brace

Mole grips

checking resistances to see if particular components are working, voltages and charge rates for batteries and more.

Screwdrivers Hammer – best to get yourself a universal wheel brace and leave it in the caravan so you know it’s there if you need it.

Jim’s pliers

Allen keys are always useful MOLE GRIPS You might not need these very often but when you do, they can be a godsend, especially if you end up damaging a screw head, for example. Technically known as self-locking grips or pliers, they use an over-centre mechanism to exert force on a fitting and can help turn damaged fixings or hold others in place. HAMMER Sooner or later, you will need some form of ‘percussive maintenance’ and a couple of different-sized ‘persuaders’ can prove useful in all sorts of situations, including getting pegs for your awning into stony or hardpacked ground. WHEEL BRACE Probably the single biggest tool you are likely to need, a wheel brace will be essential if you get a puncture and need to change a wheel. The wheel nuts on the caravan may be the same size as your tow vehicle but they may not

Ratchet gun

JACK Like the wheel brace, hopefully you’ll never need to use this but if you do get a puncture, then you can’t do anything about it without a jack. If your caravan manufacturer doesn’t supply or recommend a particular jack, then a simple mechanical scissor jack, available from most caravan retailers or car stores like Halfords, should do the trick. TEST LAMP/MULTIMETER A test lamp – and ideally, a multimeter – can be really useful for tracing electrical problems. Note that you will need specific ones for the 12V and the 240V systems (though we would advise you use a professional to resolve problems with the mains-powered 240V system). A test lamp will indicate the presence of a live, earth or circuit while a multimeter will offer far more insight, including

Multimeter

Jack

Facebook /caravanmag Twitter @caravanmagazine Web outandaboutlive.co.uk/caravans

RATCHET GUN If you aren’t a fan of winding down corner steadies (or have physical limitations that mean you can’t) then a ratchet gun will do the hard work for you. Just add as many extensions as necessary to reach the winding nut and pull the trigger and away you go. Set the torque before you go so that it doesn’t go mad and wind the front of the caravan off the ground, and you won’t even have to worry. It could also help with removing a wheel’s nuts if you need to change a flat tyre. MISCELLANEOUS BITS There are also a few other bits and bobs that sit better under tools than spares. If it should move and doesn’t, a squirt of light oil will help. If it shouldn’t move but does, then tank tape or superglue will stop it. If you have run out of the right connectors, then twisted wires wrapped in insulation tape will hold together at a push until you can do the job properly. SPARES Some elements of your caravan will eventually run out – that’s just physics. So to make life easier, I carry a selection of spares with me as well so that whatever the issue, I stand a chance of getting out of it. Best to be prepared! GAS Our caravan uses twin propane bottles and can accommodate either the 9kg or the larger 13kg bottles. However, I choose to run with one of each; this means I can ›› get more in the front locker,

July 2021 | 57

TECHNICAL SPARES AND REPAIRS

Gas cylinders

including the water container and it also cuts down on the noseweight slightly. I always make sure at least one of them is full and when one is empty, I replace it as soon as is practical. If I am away for a weekend, then I do it when I get back but if it goes early in a longer trip, then I replace it locally when I can. BULBS You should have two types of bulbs. I carry a shop-bought selection of external 12V bulbs for the caravan’s running lights. I also carry a selection of bulbs for the internal lights. Some time ago, I replaced the normal bulbs with energy-saving LEDs and now keep the originals as spares.

Spare bulbs

Leisure battery

Water pump

Gas regulator

Spare keys – a real must-have

58 | July 2021

FUSES Essential electrical protection comes from the fuses, in both the 12V and the 240V systems. If a fuse pops, then before replacing it, have a look to try to work out why. If you replace a blown fuse and that one blows immediately, then clearly you have a problem and it requires attention before you use that system again. If you replace the fuse and it works fine, then it may just have been a spike – sometimes bulbs blowing can trigger fuses, for example. LEISURE BATTERY Some argue that a spare leisure battery can be useful in case the main one goes flat. This is possible if you’re off-grid and using, say, solar charging and the weather is appalling. However, if you do take a spare battery with you, you need to make sure it’s fully charged before you head off, otherwise it’s useless and is just dead weight. If your leisure battery has a habit of going flat, then get it checked and if necessary, replace it. BATTERIES FOR GADGETS TV remote controls, gas heater ignition systems, torches; there are plenty of systems around the caravan and that you take with you that will need replacement batteries at some point. SMALL POWER BANK/SOLAR CHARGER Something I came across a few years ago was this solar charger/

Batteries for gadgets

Fuses

Spare wheel and tyre

power bank pack. Designed for motorcycle adventure tours, you charge the power bank during the day via the solar panel and then, charge your gadgets (phones, tablets, cameras) during the night from the power bank. It can be a really useful addition to the green energy armoury. WHEEL AND TYRE It should go without saying that you should carry a spare wheel and tyre with you. While you may be disinclined (or physically unable) to change it at the roadside, a repair service should be able to change it for you and allow you to carry on your journey (via a tyre shop for a repair or replacement). However, if you don’t have one with you, then roadside recovery is likely your only option and this will put the brakes on your trip away. WATER PUMP Our caravan came with two plugin external pumps so, presumably, the previous owners subscribed to the view that a spare water pump – either generic or branded – can help in case yours fails in the middle of washing up or a shower or while you’re away and miles from a relevant dealer or supplier. GAS REGULATOR Depending on the gas system your caravan uses, a spare regulator can be very useful for the same reasons as a spare water pump. If it fails – rare but not unknown – it can leave you high and dry if you’re any distance from a retailer.

DISCLAIMER ● Advice given by consultants and contributors within Caravan is designed to be by way of suggestion only and does not negate a reader’s responsibility to obtain professional advice before acting upon it. Any such advice is not a recommendation on behalf of the Editor or Publisher and is followed entirely at the reader’s own risk. Consequently, the Editor, Consultants and Publisher shall not be responsible for any loss or damage incurred by a reader acting upon such advice.

SPARE KEYS I can guarantee that on every trip away with the family, at least once there is a frantic 10-minute trawl of every nook and cranny while everyone looks for either the car keys or the caravan key so we can lock up and go out for the day. We have found them every time but what if we couldn’t? I now keep a caravan key in the car and a car key in the caravan, just in case. ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS AND CRIMPS I always keep a box of electrical connections: spade terminals, bullet connectors, ‘chocolate block’ connectors and other bits and bobs. You never know…

››

Easy To Fit?* You Tell Me

* Actual covers require no scissors to ﬁt but are just as easy

HOW TO FIT PORTABLE 4G WiFi INTERNET

DIY Supercharge your internet connection with a DIY-fit 4G WiFi system Words & pictures: Jim Blackstock

ome time ago we looked at options to stay connected when you’re away. A 4G mobile broadband connection with an aerial-equipped modem was one of the most cost-effective and useful ways to do this, so we decided to look at how to fit the most basic and DIY-friendly version from Falcon Technology. At the same time, we also decided to show how the more in-depth system, that combines a TV aerial with a 4G antenna and boosts the signal to both, is fitted. It would be possible to DIY-fit this system but as it means drilling holes in the roof of the caravan, we felt that it would be better to show how the professionals fit it. Hardware supplier, Falcon Technology, photographed the process as they fitted one to a customer’s caravan; though, if your caravan has a TV aerial already fitted, similar to the one in the photos, then the process would be simpler, as there would already be a hole through the roof for the cables to run in.

what you need to know

ALL FOR THE DIY INSTALLATION

minutes

● DIFFICULTY 1/5 ● TOOLS None

● COSTS DIY-fit 4G internet £210 Boosted 4G with roof aerial £500 Boosted 4G and TV, roof aerial (pro install) £600

You’ll need a SIM card for the mobile broadband router. Falcon supplies giffgaff cards, which use the O2 network in the UK

With the rear cover now in place, we ﬁred the modem up to check that the battery was connected OK and everything worked

The modem is supplied with a short power lead so it needs to be close to the outlet; in this case, at the front of the caravan

For an even more powerful connection, you can use a roofmounted antenna. Start by marking out the position with the base

This is the part that most may not be comfortable with – drilling a hole in the roof to allow the wiring to go inside

The main hole allows the TV signal lead and the wiring for the 4G antenna into the caravan

Next, the base is screwed to the roof of the caravan using the pilot holes drilled in the preceding step

This is where it can get tricky. To activate the SIM, I went to W giffgaff.com and clicked ‘Activate’

I then input the activation code that came with the SIM card – it was printed on the cardholder

I then had to register with my email address and create a password for my giffgaff account

Then I had to choose a plan, or ‘Goodybag’. This looked a good bet – 100GB of data for £20 – sold…

60 | July 2021

ADVICE WIFI 2

SIM cards nowadays can be used in up to three sizes, depending on what device they are to be ﬁtted to

The Huawei modem uses the largest of the three SIM card options – this will be the familiar to most readers

Once the SIM card had been installed, we inserted the battery to the slot in the back of the modem

As a precaution, we took a photo of the WiFi connection password before we put the rear cover back on

Moving outside, we started to work out where to locate the antenna. It comes with a magnetic mount…

… as well as a suction mount to ﬁt to windows or bodywork. We started at the front as this is where we planned to ﬁt the modem

The wiring for the antenna is ﬂexible enough that it can be fed in through a window, even when the window is shut

We decided to plug the router’s USB power supply into the output of the controller for our solar charging system

Once plugged in, the display ﬁres up and we checked that it was charging the battery – all was good

It was now time to connect the antenna. There are two plugs that connect to the modem – a stiff ﬁt but easy enough

The modem was now in full swing – the screen displays the status as well as the WiFi name and password – handy

I paired my mobile phone with the WiFi connection from the modem and tested that it connected – it did

A generous bead of ﬁller is applied around the edge of the mounting base (as well as under it) and over the top of the screw heads

Cables for both the TV and 4G signal are fed down the main hole and the TV aerial ﬁtted to the base

The 4G antenna is then screwed onto the top of the TV aerial and the external unit is now complete

The TV signal can be boosted by a powered ampliﬁer inside the caravan while the 4G signal can also be boosted to improve the connection

Ah, the old ‘Payment details’. Like many people after the past year or so, I pretty much know these off by heart

We needed to turn the modem off for a minute or two then power it up, ready to set up our connection

We downloaded the Huawei HiLink app and used it to set up a new APN (Access Point Name) with the giffgaff settings and we’re off…

Facebook /caravanmag Twitter @caravanmagazine Web outandaboutlive.co.uk/caravans

DISCLAIMER ● Advice given by consultants and contributors within Caravan is designed to be by way of suggestion only and does not negate a reader’s responsibility to obtain professional advice before acting upon it. Any such advice is not a recommendation on behalf of the Editor or Publisher and is followed entirely at the reader’s own risk. Consequently, the Editor, consultants and Publisher shall not be responsible for any loss or damage incurred by a reader acting upon such advice.

July 2021 | 61

››

s r e s a e t n brai n the carava n i r o e m when at ho d n i m 1 2 3 r u ise yo c r e x e o t s 8 puzzle 9

sudoku 1 3 1 6 4 3 6 5 8 4 2 8 2 8 2 6 7 3 7 9 5 6

5 7 6 4

just for fun Find the names of 16 items of clothing

C S G O T H A T F P R

A O T R E L W O B E M

S C A R F O C L T A Z

L K M T H M O R S J U

E R B C L O A K B A K

R R N I M G E I T C T

A O T E R E B L O K R

P M R T M A E M O E I

P S I U S B S P I T H

A C F N P E G T O P S

C F S U I T V M I T T

12 13

crossword

When you have fully solved the sudoku you should have three ﬁgures in the coloured squares, reading from the top to the bottom

17 18

20 21

ACROSS 1 Dutifully polite commonly spoken American valediction (4,1,4,3) 9 Audacious robbery (5) 10 North American reindeer (7) 11 Flip in the air (4) 12 Diabolical (8) 14 'Uniform' often associated with ASBO offences (variant spelling) (6) 15 Prehistoric communal Native American culture (6) 18 Those who manage property, etc, for someone else (8) 20 Midge, mosquito (4) 22 Is Annie? (Anag) (7) 23 Shoulder wrap (5) 24 Act submissively and apologetically, admitting an error (3,6,3)

DOWN 2 Italian Renaissance poet (7) 3 Victuals (4) 4 Scored (6) 5 Intricate twist (8) 6 One of the UAE and its capital (5) 7 Inexpensive supervised lodgings (5,7) 8 Lazy designation when a title eludes (5,3,4) 13 Italian sponge pudding (8) 16 Ethnic group and language of NE Indian subcontinent (7) 17 Word that modiﬁes something other than a noun (6) 19 Declaration (5) 21 ---- of Dogs, Thames peninsula (4)

your scribbles

ANSWERS ACROSS: 1 Have a nice day, 9 Heist, 10 Caribou, 11 Toss, 12 Devilish, 14 Hoodie, 15 Pueblo, 18 Stewards, 20 Gnat, 22 Asinine, 23 Shawl, 24 Eat humble pie. DOWN: 2 Ariosto, 3 Eats, 4 Nicked, 5 Curlicue, 6 Dubai, 7 Youth hostels, 8 What's his name, 13 Tiramisu, 16 Bengali, 17 Adverb, 19 Edict, 21 Isle. 62 | July 2021

Jump start your summer...

Upgrade to Yuasa

Whether you camp with full electric hook-up or use no mains supply, Yuasa’s range of YBX Active batteries give you the freedom to go anywhere. Specially designed to provide dependable, stressfree power and long life. Jump start your summer and Upgrade to Yuasa today! Discover more and win a Fortnum & Mason hamper and leisure battery at www.yuasa.com

JAPANESE OE manufacturer FOR OVER 100 YEARS

QUESTIONS & answers This month our DIY expert Lee Davey talks tyres, trickles and touring

recommends Approved Workshop

just a trickle

I’m trying to sterilise the water system in our Bailey caravan in readiness for our first trip away this year. However, when I turn on the taps, all seem fine in the washroom (basin and shower), but the kitchen tap only trickles. I’ve checked the usual things such as Aquaroll level, pump/hose connection, etc, but it doesn’t make any difference. Can you help?

If your Aquaroll is full, the pump working and the basin and shower taps are both preforming well, this suggests a localised issue with your kitchen tap. Very occasionally, when a caravan has been sat for a period of time, it’s possible for thicker substances to build up in the water pipes which can then block taps that have a gauze fitted to the spout. Look at the end of your tap to see if the end of the spout unscrews. If so, remove it and run the tap to see if the water flows freely. If it does, give the gauze a thorough clean and replace. With the problem solved, be sure to treat the water system with Puriclean and rinse thoroughly afterwards.

in the pink

Our caravan has a Thetford C260 toilet and the flush refused to work during our last trip away. The flush tank is full of pink liquid but no matter how many

got a query? Our expert team is happy to answer your questions whether they relate to touring or towing, DIY or disasters! Whatever it is that's been causing you bother or making you scratch your head, we are on hand to help!

64 | July 2021

We’ll start with the most common type of problem, so please let me know if this doesn’t work. Have you noticed if the lights dim ever so slightly when the flush button is pressed? If so, this usually means the circuit board is OK and power is reaching the pump that’s located inside the flush tank. It’s not uncommon for the pump impeller to stick, so we’ll concentrate on removing the pump and freeing this impeller. The flush button and silver surround is glued in place and this can be removed

email Send your questions and any images to caravan@warnersgroup.co.uk

by carefully prising it away from the main body of the loo. New ones are available if it tears, but they can come away cleanly if time is taken. With the switch and circuit board lifted away, remove the two cross-headed screws from the white cover, remove said cover and lift the pump assembly from the tank. At the bottom of the pump is a small impeller (usually white) and these can usually be freed by turning with a small screwdriver until it spins freely. Before reassembling (in reverse order of above), it’s worth trying the pump to see if works. This is the most common type of pump problem, but we can go a bit more in-depth if it doesn’t work.

post Write to Questions & Answers, Caravan Magazine, The Maltings, West Street, Bourne, Lincolnshire PE10 9PH

follow Find Lee Davey on these social networking channels TinTent TinTent Tin.Tent W

times we tried the flush, it just wouldn’t pump any of the pink liquid into the bowl. Any suggestions would be great.

KNOWLEDGE Q&A current charges

We’re hoping to book our very first caravanning holiday soon and I wondered if electricity is included in the price of the pitch?

If you’ve booked your pitch through one of the main UK caravanning clubs – the Caravan and Motorhome Club or the Camping and Caravanning Club – and have a standard pitch with electric hook-up, your

electricity should be included in the price. It’s possible to book an Affiliated Site or Listed Site through either Club, but these also tend to include electricity within the specified pitch fees. As electricity costs can be high, a number of independently owned sites do charge an additional fee for electricity, with some that I’ve stayed at taking a meter reading before and after our stay.

no-frills site

Q A

We have booked a very basic campsite with no electricity. Our fridge and cooker can run on gas, but would we be able to use the lights and sockets in the caravan?

Some of our favourite campsites haven’t had electric hook-ups and I’m sure you’ll have a great time. The majority of caravans are designed to be selfsufficient, keeping us comfortable off gas and leisure battery alone. You’re correct in saying that the cooker, fridge, and hot water should run on gas, so be sure to check how much is left before you leave or carry a spare bottle. The leisure battery will power things such as the water pump, heater fan, gas ignition, etc, as well as the lights. Domestic-style 3-pin plug sockets won’t work as these do need an electric hook-up, but if you have a 12V car-style socket, this will power things like a 12V TV, etc. As a rough guide, without a solar panel, we can get five nights from a 110Ah battery without being overly cautious.

has-been hitch

We’ve recently bought an older caravan and I’ve noticed a ‘clunking’ noise when accelerating or braking. When I took a look, I can

push the hitch backwards and pull it forwards without much resistance. Would this be a good place to start looking for the clunking noise or is it likely to be something else?

The symptoms you describe fit perfectly with a tired, or broken hitch damper. Looking like a miniature car shock absorber, this damper

performs a similar task by damping the forwards and backwards motion from the hitch while towing. Without this damping effect, the hitch runs the full length of its travel, clunking away as it does so. You don’t state the make and model of your caravan but changing a faulty damper is broadly similar across various models. With a new hitch

damper purchased, look underneath the hitch and you’ll see where it’s fixed at either end. In principle, undo these fixings and install the new damper in reverse order, but fitting one to a 1960s caravan meant I had to remove the hitch head to gain sufficient access. It can be a fiddly job but one that’ll transform your caravan’s towing manners.

tread carefully

We bought a new (to us) caravan over winter and we hope to use it very soon. I’ve just checked the tyres and the number stamped on the side suggests they were made in 2015. Do we need to change them?

The Caravan and Motorhome Club recommends changing tyres after five years and says that tyres older than seven years

shouldn’t be used. An abundance of tread isn’t a great indicator of tyre health and it’s rare for caravan tyres to reach the legal tread depth limit before they need to be changed. Rubber can degrade – especially when left in one position and under attack from UV rays – which can weaken the structure. Cracks can form along the sidewall and between the tread blocks so it’s worth checking for

this from time to time. If it was me, I’d change them automatically after five years, especially if there’s any doubt. As an example, my mother-inlaw’s seasonal caravan's tyres began to show cracks just before their fifth birthday and it’s not the sort of thing I’d recommend towing with. A tyre issue can impact the holiday, so it’ll be money well spent. ››

Facebook /caravanmag Twitter @caravanmagazine Web outandaboutlive.co.uk/caravans

July 2021 | 65

GEAR \ NEW PRODUCTS

new stuff Need somewhere to sit? Something pretty to eat off? Some new boots? Step this way! muck boot forager

We’ve reviewed many wellies from the Muck Boot Company over the years and, as a result, have a whole cupboard full of them. That’s because they last forever so you don’t really need more than one pair, which is just as well because they’re not cheap – well, not compared to those useless things sold at festivals, which are also not cheap but only because you’re at a festival… The reason we’ve reviewed so many pairs is because there are so many varieties – welly shoes, ankle boots, kinky boots (or was that a different review?), but the new Forager offers the best of all worlds, as it’s a three-inone boot. It can be worn as a full-height wellington boot with a gaiter collar, meaning you can go in some really deep puddles, or the collar can be rolled down for a medium-height boot. Being made from soft rubber, this can also be tucked under the gaiter to make a short boot. The Forager is available in three colour choices and in unisex sizes 4–13. PRICE £80 W muckbootcompany.co.uk

bo-camp industrial relax chair

OK, so this chair surprised us. It’s pretty much got the style angle licked as it wouldn’t look out of place in a modern apartment. The brown diamond-stitched fabric actually looks a little like suede/leather from afar and contrasts well with the black frame. The aluminium frame is incredibly light and easy to unfold and the padded cushion simply slots onto all four corners. And because the cushion is separate from the frame, it actually folds up a lot smaller than expected. It’s not ever going to be called compact, but it is good for the size of the chair at 14cm by 9cm by 118cm. You even get a carry bag and a pillow. Yes, the price is a not inconsiderable £149 but what price do you put on comfort? Plus, relaxing on site never looked so cool. There is a similar black and a grey version also available (and currently on offer), but we love this one.

66 | July 2021

PRICE £149 W glamoutdoorleisure.co.uk

dometic thermo drinkware

Awnings, air -conditioning and ventilation, fridges, toilets, windows and doors; what do all these things have in common? They’re all pretty technical big bits of kit made by Dometic. Well, in a surprise move, Dometic has just announced a drinkware range, a first for the company, with five products to choose from. All are stainless steel and designed to reduce the need for disposable bottles and cups; plus, there’s a choice of three colours: subtle grey (Ore), muted green (Moss) and bright orange (Mango). If you want a day out on the hills or away from the caravan, go for the bottle, which is insulated and vacuum sealed with two sizes (480ml and 660ml). Cold drinks stay cool for up to 24 hours, while warm drinks will stay hot for up to 12 hours. The tumbler is also insulated (hot for six hours and cold for 12 hours). Choose between a bladder-stretching 600ml or the smaller 320ml. The lid will stop big spills and it has a removable gasket for easy cleaning. PRICE £9 (cup), £17 (480ml bottle and the 320ml tumbler), £22 (660ml bottle and the 600ml tumbler) W dometic.com

easy camp comfy lounge set Apparently, there’s something about this inflatable chair and footstool set that reminds certain members of Team Caravan of 1970s scifi shows like Space 1999 and Logan’s Run… If these references mean anything to you, then congratulations on being among the first people in the UK to have received a covid jab. If not, fret ye not – most of Team Caravan has no idea what our old colleagues are on about, either. Anyway, between the shape and colour scheme, we are all at least in agreement that the Comfy Lounge Set somehow manages to look retro and futuristic at the same time, which is no mean feat. But, as well as conjuring up

images of polyester-clad, interstellar space travellers, this is actually a really comfortable and convenient set-up. You just inflate and literally put your feet up. The flocked surface is soft against the skin, too. It’s perfect for the campsite, of course, but also for festivals, on picnics, or even in the back garden. PRICE £31.99 W easycamp.com

industrial melamine tableware

4 kelty folding cooler

5 They say that we eat with our eyes. Not literally, of course, because that would involve some pretty weird science. However, what that means is that yummy food has to look yummy, too. There are some clever chefs out there that can knock up a five-course tasting menu with a single gas burner and a knife, but there is an easier way to liven up your food and that’s with pretty plates. It’s been all about the bamboo recently, but this melamine set from Glam Outdoor Leisure, priced £59.99, gives the wood a run for its

outdoor revolution premium bed lounger

money. There’s 16 pieces – plates, side plates, bowls and cups for four. They come in striking black with a soft-touch matt effect. They are scratchproof, too, but don’t use scourers when dishwashing. You can put them through a dishwasher, but they’re not suitable for microwave cooking. Please also note the cups are not suitable for use with boiling water, but who wants to drink tea out of melamine anyway? PRICE £59.99 W glamoutdoorleisure.co.uk

We talk about day beds in reviews all the time, promoting those models which have mattresses that tip up at the head end to allow you to chill out in the awning with your feet up. But what if you want to do that outside in the sunshine, when a simple reclining camping chair just doesn’t meet the level of relaxation you need? That’s when a lounger like this one from Outdoor Revolution comes in. It’s designed to be higher off the ground than most for ease of access, while the backrest is fully adjustable from flat to upright. The padded fabric is 600 denier PVC, while there’s also a padded headrest cushion. It folds pretty flat and weighs 7.3kg if space is at a premium. PRICE Expect to pay £139 W outdoor-revolution.com

Facebook /caravanmag Twitter @caravanmagazine Web outandaboutlive.co.uk/caravans

The blurb that accompanied this soft-sided cooler advises that the 45L version holds 70 cans of beer* – which sounds a bit like a challenge to us. Of course, packing it to the brim with tinnies means no space for ice, so if you want a cold drink you’ll need to sacrifice a few of those cans. That said, the insulation keeps ice cold for up to 36 hours, so you should be able to get by! When it’s not in use, the coolbox’s semi-rigid sides can be collapsed for easy storage. And for added convenience, there are carry handles and four cup holders on the lid. *For clarification purposes, you don’t have to fill it with cans of beer. Wine will also work. PRICE £90 W kelty.com

July 2021 | 67

NEWS & VIEWS eurotunnel opens new pet reception in UK Eurotunnel has opened a new space in its UK terminal for pets and their families before travelling to France Checks have always taken place, but now, with the new facility, any pet travelling to France via Eurotunnel will undergo these checks prior to departure and not on arrival in France. Eurotunnel tells us that 10% of its customers using the Shuttle service travel with pets. A tripartite agreement between Getlink, the parent company of Eurotunnel, and the French General Directorate of Customs (DGDDI) plus the French General Directorate of Food (DGAL) was signed on 1 January 2021 to allow this. Eurotunnel’s specially trained pet reception staff will carry out the required document checks, with random checks and controls by French Customs services based at the British terminal. New regulations brought about by the UK leaving the European Union mean that animals must now hold a European Union pet passport or a new animal health certificate issued by a UK approved vet within 10 days of departure. There are also rabies vaccinations stipulations. Yann Leriche, Getlink CEO, said: “Each year, more than 300,000 of them [customers] cross with a dog or a cat aboard our Shuttles. When traffic is back to normal, everyone will appreciate being able to go to France with their animal, with the peace of mind that they can drive straight off a Shuttle onto the motorway.”

multi-million pound investments for club The Caravan and Motorhome Club has announced it is investing over £5million in its sites. Upgrades include bringing 100Mb broadband to 70% of its campsite network, facility block upgrades, new pitches and resurfaced roads among other things. Much of the work has been completed but some work is ongoing and visitors may be affected. Brighton is getting new pitches, while Coniston Park Coppice sees upgrades to services across the site. River Breamish is getting extra pitches as well as the conversion of some grass pitches to hardstanding. Teesdale Barnard Castle will be getting extra pitches and improvements to the dog walking area. Pitches at Moreton-inMarsh are being upgraded and new serviced pitches will be installed. Finally, grass pitches at Wharfedale will be upgraded to hardstanding. Affected areas will be fenced off to prevent disruption to visitors and other sites will see a range of upgrades and maintenance projects. Harvey Alexander, Director of Marketing and Membership Services at the Caravan and Motorhome Club, said: “When scheduling the developments, we listen to feedback from members

68 | July 2021

to make sure we’re investing in the right campsites at the right time. I am confident that this latest programme of upgrades will mean the campsites are in top condition for what will undoubtedly be a busy season.” The Club has also partnered with BT to upgrade the WiFi (camc. com/wifi) on many of its campsites. Currently 149 of its sites have WiFi and 107 of these will see the provision upgraded to 100Mb during 2021, with prices frozen for this year.

Coniston Park Coppice Caravan Motorhome Club Site

caravan towing training courses announced for 2021

The Caravan and Motorhome Club has announced a new series of driver training courses for caravans for 2021. Whether you’re new to caravanning or just want to increase your confidence towing, a training course can help. The Caravan and Motorhome Club has a range of courses (camc.com/courses) taking place at 14 locations across the UK until October. The Club is also partnering with Go!Driving to offer B+E driving licence courses and tests. All courses will be Covid-secure. CHOOSE FROM Practical Caravanning: aimed at people who are completely new to caravanning (cost £189) Caravan Manoeuvring (cost £159) The latter manouevring course take less than seven hours, while the practical caravanning course involves 10 hours of training over two days. Subjects covered include: manoeuvring advice, straightforward safety checks and understanding the law as well as

Halfords advises to check leisure batteries

manoeuvring practice. The caravan course will also cover hitching and towing safely as well as loading. For drivers who passed their test after 1 January, 1997 wanting to tow larger vehicles, a B+E licence is commonly needed and the Club can now offer combined towing training and tests (gotowing.co.uk) at nine Go!Driving centres. Prices vary with a one-day course costing £390 (£444 in London and southeast locations), plus a £115 test fee. Two-day courses are £720 (£822 for London and southeast), plus the test fee. If you want to do the course as a couple, there’s a threeday option priced at £1,200 (£1,308 London and southeast), plus a £230 test fee. Harvey Alexander, Director of Marketing and Membership Services at the Caravan and Motorhome Club, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer this excellent range of courses to new and seasoned tourers alike, as we know everyone is excited to get back out on the road. These Covid-Secure courses provide great value for money and mean that people have the confidence to relax and enjoy their touring adventure with real peace of mind.”

Irregular car usage in the past year has led to a rise in flat batteries and motoring services company, Halfords, predicts a similar issue may occur with leisure batteries as many caravanners head out for the first time in months this summer. Leisure battery units provide a reliable and regulated source of 12V power for the lights, water pump and refrigerator while static or on the move and those new to caravanning are urged to check their batteries before they travel. “Leisure batteries tend to have a longer lifespan than what we are used to with cars, but they do go flat which is why we’re urging those who will have to get theirs replaced to look into it before their vacations to avoid any stress during their well-earned breaks. Batteries use up a little power every day even as caravans stay idle, which is why we recommend regularly recharging them even if a vacation is weeks or months away. We also advise all caravan owners to make sure not to discharge their leisure batteries too much while on their trips to avoid damage – a good rule of thumb is to ensure that they do not fall below 50% capacity,” says Scott Douglas, Halfords’ leisure battery expert. Shop the new range of leisure batteries at Halfords W halfords.com ››

SPECIALIST CARAVAN INSURANCE FROM THE EXPERTS Our Insurance Products Include: • New for Old, Agreed Value, or Market Value cover. • Repatriation and driver illness cover. • Discounts available up to a maximum of 67.5%.* Get A Quote

shieldtotalinsurance.co.uk/cvn

or call us on 0800 980 6846 * Subject to Insurers’ risk acceptance criteria. Please visit our website for full details. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Facebook /caravanmag Twitter @caravanmagazine Web outandaboutlive.co.uk/caravans

July 2021 | 69

CLASSIFIEDS ACCESSORIES

BEDDING

SEALS NEW CATALOGUE

Rubber seals and trims for caravans & motorhomes

ISSUE 16

FREE, fully illustrated catalogue Please visit our website or call

01425 617722

SOLVE YOUR SEALING PROBLEMS

MARINEINDUSTRIALCARAVANAUTOMOTIVE

Seals+Direct Ltd, Unit 6, Milton Business Centre Wick Drive, New Milton, Hampshire BH25 6RH Email: sales@sealsplusdirect.co.uk

MARINEINDUSTRIALCARAVANAUTOMOTIVE MARINEINDUSTRIAL

• Screen Protectors in all TV Bags

www.sealsdirect.co.uk

DEALER DIRECTORY

• Made in the UK • Many other types of bags to protect interiors & equipment

COSYBACK MEMORY FOAM MATTRESS TOPPER WITH AIRFLOW HOLE TECHNOLOGY Ideal for the leisure sector, camping/motorhome or simply for that uncomfortable bed at home. With a thickness of 3cm and a zipped easy removable washable anti-slip cover complete with an easy to stow travel bag.

www.bags2cover.co.uk Tel: 01509 814 271

CALL US ON 01789 209992 OR VISIT US AT WWW.HOMEANDCOSY.CO.UK

SUFFOLK OAKS CARAVANS Waldringfield Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP10 0BJ T: 01394 448609 www.oakscaravansales.co.uk Suppliers of quality pre-owned touring caravans, caravans underwritten, full workshop services & damp repair specialists.

INSURANCE

Specialist insurance for your touring caravan, folding camper or trailer tent Call 01422 396 758 or visit www.caravanguard.co.uk/caravan

LEVELLING

Lock’n’Level

21st Century Caravan Levelling

Caravan Guard Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Video demonstration available on our website

SERVICE & REPAIRS BRITAIN’S PREMIER CARAVAN & MOTORHOME REPAIR SPECIALIST

CROSSLEYS • Selected Insurance Approved Workshop • Independent Repairers • Approved Alu-Tech Repairer • Approved Swift Smart Repairer • One Piece Side Panel Bonding Press • Direct Manufacturers Parts Delivery • Service Including Damp Checks • Recovery Arranged Nationwide Unit 33A, Comet Road, Moss Side Ind. Estate. Leyland, Lancashire PR26 7QN.

Alko locks easily fitted No ramps No jacks

Tel : 01772 623423 Website : www.crossleycoachcraft.co.uk E-mail : repairs@crossleycoachcraft.co.uk

The simplest way to level ANY Touring Caravan or Trailer Tent

Locknlevel co k e

70 | July 2021

e n

Tel: 01525 378622 01525 375271

COUNTY DURHAM NORTH EAST MOTORHOME REPAIR CENTRE Our accident repair services include: • Accident Repair Centre • Light & Major Crash Damage Repairs • Habitation service & Damp Repairs • Mechanical Service & Repairs • MOT Centre Groups 4 & 7 • Free Estimate and Serving Customers across UK • AWS & VBRA Approved • Approved to Fit MA-VE Self Levelling System (Aphiam) T: 01207 297 458 E: nemhrc@gmail.com W: nemotorhomerepaircentre.com Unit 4, Morrison Industrial Estate North, Annﬁeld Plain, Stanley. DH9 7RU

TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS ON THESE PAGES l

en l

CALL SUE ON 01778 391079

CLASSIFIEDS WANTED

CALL NOW 07919 961115

Image credit: Pixabay

MOTORHOMES AND CARAVANS WANTED

UK NUMBER ONE BUYER, COME DIRECT TO US FOR A PROFESSIONAL AND RELIABLE SERVICE!

UK WIDE COLLECTION

We will buy any motorhome or caravan, any age, any model, any condition.

image: Pixabay

www.adwickcaravans.co.uk Toll Bar Garage, Doncaster, South Yorkshire DN5 0QN

Summer is here, the perfect time to book your 2021 touring holiday with Campsite Finder

Search on

outandaboutlive.co.uk 72 | July 2021

THINKING OF BUYING A CARAVAN? DOWNLOAD and get all of this:

• Top UK campsites • Caravan towing tips • How to set up on site • Choosing the right layout • Finance and insurance • Plus, a complete 2021 buyers’ guide and dealer directory AND MUCH, MUCH MORE!

GET IT NOW FOR JUST £4.99 caravan.ma/byfcdigi21 Get your printed issue for £5.99 + p&p caravan.ma/byfcprint21

Abbeyford Leisure’s Elie Holiday Park, Shell Bay, Fife

Touring caravan

tent budget

This month, Lee Davey and son, Charlie, tackle some nitty-gritty jobs on their Bailey Maru ast month, Charlie and I tackled the distinctly unpleasant task of wire brushing and repainting the A-frame and chassis. With the underside ship-shape once more, and with grease and Hammerite washed from our hair, our attention turns towards the Bailey Maru’s braking system. Cars of the time – such as the Ford Escort and Morris Marina – were fitted with fairly rudimentary brakes, meaning an emergency stop was more of an emergency slow-down. One the plus side, such systems were easy to work on, and with caravans operating an even simpler rod system, drum brakes from the 1970s were easy to maintain. Even though we’re trying to keep costs as low as possible for this project, this is not an area to be skimped on. Charlie and I would be doing the brakes

Part 9

COST SO FAR... Caravan: £5.99 Roofing batten: £10 Evo-Stik Polyurethane Wood Adhesive: £7.99 9mm ply (found in shed) £0 Folding bunk including cushions and ladder: £98 ● 3x sheets of hardboard: £18 ● 4ft plasterer’s bath: £33.35 ● 12mm ply (found in shed): £0 ● Paintbrushes: £6.97 ● ● ● ● ● ●

THIS MONTH ● New wheel bearings: £24.65

Total: £204.95

74 | July 2021

by the book. Before we’d even removed a wheel, I’d decided to change the wheel bearings as a matter of course, irrespective of condition. With the caravan level and handbrake on, a trolley jack under the axle raised the wheel from the floor, to be secured with the corner steadies. With the other wheel (and jockey wheel) chocked, I ‘cracked’ the wheel nuts, released the handbrake and removed the wheel. A screwdriver pried he centre cap from the brake drum, snips removed the split pin from the castellated nut and a socket removed it. As long as the brakes aren’t binding, the drum should pull away, rotating if necessary as you pull it towards you. This job would be split into two parts as the aim for day one was to order fresh wheel bearings using the numbers stamped on the side of the existing items.

ABOVE Charlie cleans the brakes – a fun job!

With the brake drum removed, the inner bearing that sits behind the castellated nut falls to the floor in defeat while the remaining bearings require more force. A particularly stubborn seal held the other inner bearing in place, but once pried free with a large flatbladed screwdriver, only the outer races remained. Thankfully, drum brakes of this era were designed with maintenance in mind so slots and/or protruding outer bearing races allow hammer and screwdriver removal by tapping opposite sides in succession. Typing the imperial bearing number into W simplybearings. co.uk secured new bearings for both brake drums. With new bearings in hand, work resumed on the brakes. Upon closer inspection the brake shoes displayed little signs of wear, the inner surface of the brake drum wasn’t scored or

CARAVAN QUIRKY ’VANS PREVIOUS PROJECTS ON CARAVAN MAKEOVER PART 1

Bearing numbers stamped on the side

Brake clean up begins

Brake cleaning 'kit'

Lee introduced his Bailey Maru project caravan purchased for the sum of £5.99

PART 2 Lee showed you how to assess the damage and create a plan of action for the renovation

PART 3 Fitting new wheel bearings

Maru brakes adjusted via this hole

New and old wheel bearings

Lee showed you how to repair the caravan's rotten framework

PART 4 Lee showed you how to tackle the caravan floor

PART 5 New bearings love grease

New split pins are a must

The Maru looking resplendent in the sunshine

pitted and nor did it show signs of excessive use. I always keep a few tins of aerosol brake cleaner handy (for cleaning the towball before towing modern caravans), so a simple clean-up operation reinforced our previous findings. Charlie moved the handbrake up and down a few millimetres at a time (be careful when doing this without the drums fitted), which allowed me to check overall operation and to apply brake lubricant to moving metal parts. Being sat for some time, the inside of the brake drum was covered in a fine layer of surface rust, but a few passes with 80-grit sandpaper soon sorted this, with any dust, debris, or grease removed by more brake cleaner. Popping the new wheel bearings in the freezer beforehand allows for easy fitment, with the new outer races being tapped into place. We thoroughly greased the inner bearing cage before fitting the two together. With the oil seal tapped

back into place, the drum simply slips onto the stub axle, the outer slotted washer fits betwixt bearing and castellated nut, allowing the bearings to be adjusted. Turning the drum by hand, tighten the castellated nut until resistance against rotation can be felt. Slacken the nut slightly until the drum spins feely (but with no sideways movement in the bearing), and secure the castellated nut with a new split pin. After checking and greasing the linkage that runs from the hitch to both brakes, brakes on the Maru are adjusted via a hole in the front of the brake drum that reveals a screwdriver slot behind. With the handbrake pulled up and down to centralise the brake shoes, I adjusted the brakes by rotating the adjuster until locked on. Then, turn the adjuster in the opposite direction one ‘click’ at a time, just enough to allow the drum to rotate freely. With the procedure perfected, now’s the time to apply

new-found skills to the other side. With both brakes cleaned, tweaked and adjusted, it’s time to check the operating rod. With the handbrake on, push the hitch mechanism (the part that fits onto your towball) towards the rear of the caravan. This should slide forwards and backwards with resistance from the hitch damper. If not, apply grease via the grease nipples until grease emerges onto the shaft. The end of the hitch should engage with the brake actuator towards the end of its travel. Engaging too soon will make the brakes snatch, while no engagement at all equals no brakes. This rod is adjusted by a turnbuckle with locking nuts at either end, or by a threaded portion of the rod towards the handbrake. This month’s task was somewhat technical, but oh-so important. A gentle tug from the caravan when slowing for traffic lights and roundabouts is a reassuring part of every journey, one which we hope to make in the near future. Fingers crossed! Next month we hope to give the Maru a splash of colour!

NEXT MONTH Lee and Charlie look at painting and wallpapering the interior of the Maru

Facebook /caravanmag Twitter @caravanmagazine Web outandaboutlive.co.uk/caravans

Lee showed you how to add some modern touches

PART 6 Lee and his son began work replacing the wallboard of their bargain retro Bailey Maru

PART 7 Lee worked on the bunks and the bath

PART 8 Lee discovered what lies beneath the surface of his van

Popping the new wheel bearings in the freezer beforehand allows for easy fitment July 2021 | 75

››

pitchside

VIEWS

The Scott family is once again free and escape to wonderful Wiltshire for a weekend in the caravan – just 20 miles from home URRAH! With a spring in our step, we set off in our caravan at the first opportunity in 2021 – heading off to a site just 20 miles from our Swindon home. Ask yourself this: how well do you know your own county? We’ve made it a little personal mission to get to know Wiltshire. Therefore, our first trip took us to Devizes. A small market town, Devizes is packed with history, mystery and is home to a fabulous site, catchily known as the Devizes Caravan and Camping Club in Spout Lane. Devizes has one big draw for tourists which you’ll see behind many of its streets, shops and lanes – the Kennet & Avon Canal. This site is worth anyone’s time, with or without children and it’s very dog-friendly. It’s a large site with both hardstanding and grass pitches, a small play area, a big walking field with small woodland and clean and tidy human

LEFT Jess loves visiting the pub on holiday

Caen Hill Locks BELOW Arriving on site

facilities, too. However these were not open in April so I’m afraid it was a case of being entirely selfsufficient when it came to personal care! The hardstanding pitches are quite small. You have no chance of having a caravan, awning and a car side by side and

you’ll be glad of having a motor mover. However, as it was April with just the two of us and our lurcher, Jess, it worked for us. The one thing which makes this site stand out is the fact it backs straight onto the Kennet & Avon Canal and this means you can walk in either direction for the most wonderful rambles. This stretch of canal is full of barges so it’s a carnival of colour, wildlife and barge owners who often sell their craft wares, from ornaments to cards to handbags. Go right along the path from the site and after 30 minutes you’ll reach The Barge Inn at Seend Cleeve (a hamlet). My advice is to pre-book this pub, especially while social distancing stays in place. We booked for the Friday evening and they had

info O W campingandcaravanningclub. co.uk/campsites/uk/wiltshire/ melksham/devizes-camping-andcaravanning-club-site O W bargeinnseend.co.uk O W canalrivertrust.org.uk/placesto-visit/caen-hill-locks O W foxhangers.co.uk O W parkme.com/en-gb/devizesparking O W devizes-tc.gov.uk/images/ Medieval_Town_Trail.pdf O W nationaltrust.org.uk/avebury O W hengeshop.com

76 | July 2021

TRAVEL READERS' ADVENTURES

One of our favourite antique shops 500 people and were turning some away. At the time of our visit, you had to sit outside, under a substantial canopy which looks really inviting. The joy of that

OUR TOP FIVE TIPS FOR DEVIZES Kennet & Avon Canal walk to The Barge Inn at Seend Cleeve. A visit to Caen Hill Locks but dress appropriately as it’s a long walk up (or down) a steep hill. Shopping in Devizes town centre for its eclectic mix of shops. Take the short Medieval Trail around the town and immerse yourself in a little history. Avebury – park in the National Trust car park, clearly signposted and it’s about £7 for the day (free if you are an NT member). There is no other parking available except for residents. There’s a museum, a manor, a café and a quaint street of shops to browse in, too. Our favourite is The Henge which backs onto one of the stone circles.

Medieval plaque

Entrance sign freedom to eat out again, disappeared within two hours as it became increasingly cold and we envied those who had had the foresight to bring their own blankets! The food was lovely, though, and kept off the chill. Within a very short distance by car are the world-famous Caen Hill Locks with 29 locks – 16 in a single flight, with barges moving up and down. It’s a wonderful walk and, if you're lucky, a barge owner may well invite you aboard to enjoy the experience. My advice is to drive out of the site, head for Devizes and follow the brown signs for Caen Hill Locks. You will turn left into Rowde and take a windy route to the small pay and display car park. Here you are alongside the locks (about halfway up) and next to the locks café. You pay for parking in the café and you can picnic here, or just wander up into the town. The whole site is run by the Canal & River Trust – and don’t think of not paying – staff make frequent visits. For shopping in Devizes, head for the long stay Station Road car park which charges £2.80 for five hours. A five-minute walk up a steep hill and you are into the marketplace. Wander around those streets and you’ll see so

Fiona and Jess take it all in their stride!

Many of the shops and cafes are dog-friendly, too, so it’s always worth asking if you cannot see a sign

Canal cat

Facebook /caravanmag Twitter @caravanmagazine Web outandaboutlive.co.uk/caravans

many small independent shops (and some recognisable names). I’d challenge anyone to visit every antique shop, independent store, charity shop and not come away with a lighter purse! Many of the shops and cafés are dog-friendly, too, so it’s always worth asking if you cannot see a sign. Devizes has its own Medieval Trail which you can follow to get a real sense of the town’s heritage and the beauty is that the old homes are still lived in today, so there’s a strong sense of living history here. Another day trip from here, less than 10 miles away, is Avebury. Locals tend to prefer this to its famous cousin, Stonehenge. An awe-inspiring place to visit if you are interested in ancient history or if you are spiritual in nature. This will meet both needs! There’s no doubt that you can feel spiritual here even if that’s not your ‘thing’.

info See more of the Scotts' adventures in the UK and abroad, on their YouTube channel – Beyond that Blue Door https://cutt.ly/1cBnpFe

Medieval street

››

July 2021 | 77

TRAVEL \ THE PITTAM FAMILY

KIDS in tow appy summer to you all. Great to be back out there on the campsites enjoying all it has to offer. We have just got back from our first caravan trip of the year to a little site about 20 miles up the road. I spoke to a few fellow caravanners, and the universal theme is that a) we are very lucky to have a caravan and b) that the price of a used caravan is currently ludicrously high as everyone jumps on the caravanning bandwagon and realise that we are not likely to get foreign holidays this year. I look around me on the campsite, though, and realise one thing – the Pittam family are an anomaly. There just are not that many young families out there caravanning anymore. My impression was that caravanning was the ideal family holiday with the freedom to play, the facilities and the holidays in the UK at an affordable rate, but this is not the case – the caravan sites are empty

If I had been 10 months’ older would I automatically be regarded as a better towcar driver and have the ability to tow up to 8,250kg?

INSET Ben enjoys going away in the caravan LEFT Margot loves breakfast al fresco!

78 | July 2021

Alamy

Nathan Pittam argues that driving licence restrictions are denying younger families the opportunity to caravan – without taking the B+E… of children and this is something we have noticed both out of school holidays and in the school holidays – we have spotted this before but hadn’t taken much notice until we were driving back yesterday and then the reason hit me. I think it comes down to a decision that was made back in the mid 1990s. That decision was to remove the ability to automatically tow certain caravans from those that did not pass their test before 1 January, 1997. I was born in October 1980 and, therefore, the earliest I could have passed my driving test was ten months after the ruling came in and, as such, by dint of my age, I am restricted to 3,500kg combined car and caravan plate weights. If I had been 10 months’ older would I automatically be regarded as a better towcar driver and therefore would have the ability to tow a combination up to something around 8,250kg? I believe that this is behind the drop-off of caravan ownership amongst people my age. Now, lets take the example of my Uncle Ralph, he passed his test in 1962 – a mere four years after the first ever motorway was built, a road he would never have driven on as it was 179 miles from his house. The last time he drove a car was on the day of his test but has, for some unfathomable reason, maintained his driving licence into his 80s. My Uncle Ralph can tow

a significantly bigger caravan and car combination than myself with my 150,000+ miles of driving in both the UK and Europe and three years of experience of towing with a caravan. I am using Ralph as a rather ridiculous, but true, example, but there are many others on the road who are in no way capable of towing a caravan and is that in any way logical? As a very strange coincidence, I’m writing this as James May is on The One Show and has just asked both Alex Jones (44) and Michael Ball (58) (who both could have an automatic right to tow above 3,500kg) a simple multiple choice theory test question about towing on the motorway. And both got it flat wrong. Now, I am not saying that people would get all the answers right all of the time but there is nothing unique about me being four years younger than Alex Jones that means I would be more likely to get it wrong. Why do I complain, I hear you ask? I have a caravan and a car that is legal to tow with. One of my issues is that we are currently at the limit of what we can have in a train weight. When we come to trade in the car we are restricted to nothing heavier than we are currently driving and ultimately the

info O Follow the Pittams' adventures on Instagram at @shed_pulling_ with_kids

TRAVEL READERS' ADVENTURES

move to the larger SUV-type towcars will push us into getting a heavier car. A bigger car for us would be a safer combination and bring us under the 85% guidance, but to do so would exceed our weight combinations, despite being safer for us and every other road user. It is just a nonsensical restriction that stops us younger residents from either getting a caravan or having a combination

ABOVE The Pittams' set up BELOW LEFT Nothing better than waking up and realising you're on holiday! RIGHT Caravanning is good for kids

that is as safe as we can make it, which is surely counter to the objective of the restrictions. I know that I could go and take a B+E test to enable me to get the right that was gifted to all older drivers but I’ll be upfront and say that I resent having to spend hundreds of pounds and the full driving examination to enable me to get to the level that every other driver was gifted for free. The test did not suddenly get easier in 1997, the contrary in fact, it was around this time that the theory and hazard awareness tests were introduced. Did caravanning all of a sudden get more dangerous to the young? Arguably, caravans are safer now that ever before with the universality of stabilising technology so how is any such arbitrary restriction justifiable? I’m not saying that you should be able to tow automatically the minute you pass your test, it would seem reasonable to restrict towing to people with, say, five years' driving experience, after which you can automatically apply to get the towing part of your licence and assume the rights of all pre-1997 drivers. I know that this column is not funny, it’s not light and its not particularly about kids. Except that

Facebook /caravanmag Twitter @caravanmagazine Web outandaboutlive.co.uk/caravans

it is, I want as many children to have the same experience that my children are currently having in our caravan but I feel that this arbitrary restriction is likely to significantly impact on the caravanning industry long term, safety of our towing and removing for generations the joy of emptying a chemical toilet.

what do you think? Let us know your thoughts about licence restrictions at caravan@warnersgroup.co.uk ››

July 2021 | 79