Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine – January 2020

JANUARY 2020

NEW YEAR NEW HORIZONS Set your sights on foreign fields in 2020 – lots of ideas inside MEMBER PHOTOS Your holiday highlights caught on camera

CROSS COUNTRY Enjoy a seven-site tour of Wales and England

MONEY SAVERS Special member offers on products and attractions

COMMENT DIRECTOR GENERAL

ONLY BUY THE BEST!

TWIN

XXXX

ALTEA CORAL

/ ACTION / ADORA / ALPINA

/ COMPACT / MATRIX / SONIC

CARAVAN OF THE YEAR 2019 BEST MANUFACTURER OF NEW & PRE-OWNED MOTORHOMES

WINNER GOLD AWARD

BEST MANUFACTURER OF NEW AND PRE-OWNED MOTORHOMES (Multi-Dealer)

WHY CHOOSE ADRIA? • 10 YEAR WATER INGRESS WARRANTY* AND FULLY WINTERISED FOR ALL YEAR USE • ALL MODELS DESIGNED FOR THE UK • 30 DEALERSHIPS AND 90 SERVICE CENTRES IN THE UK

*Terms and conditions apply

VIEW ALL ADRIA VEHICLES

XX November 2019

www.adria.co.uk

www.camc.com

COMMENT EDITOR

camc.com/enquiries Editorial Editor: Gary Martin Deputy Editor: John Thynne

WELCOME

Assistant Editors: Stuart Egan, Stephen Hollis Design: Michaela Millar

Postal address Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine, East Grinstead House, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 1UA Club contact details For comprehensive contact details, see camc.com/contact Main switchboard 01342 326944 (Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm) Membership services and magazine circulation 01342 318813 (calls may be recorded) Site booking (members only)/UK Club sites advance booking 01342 327490 Cover Caravan 01342 336610 Insurance Car/motor caravan 0345 504 0334 Home/contents 0345 504 0335 Travel Service 01342 316101 Brochures on Club services 01342 327410 Technical advice 01342 336611 Club Magazine editorial 01342 336640 Legal helpline 01275 378728 Advertising enquiries General number: 01342 336817 Commercial Manager Ian Lea 01342 336753 ian.lea@camc.com Commercial Executive: Adam Johnson 01342 336742 adam.johnson@camc.com Commercial Executive: Steve Walters 01342 779377 steve.walters@camc.com Production Controller: Tara Erroll 01342 779371 tara.erroll@camc.com Digital Advertising Co-ordinator: Vicky Powell 01342 779378 victoria.powell@camc.com

Patron: HRH The Prince Philip President: Thomas Coke, 8th Earl of Leicester Chairman: Grenville Chamberlain OBE Director General: Nick Lomas

Gary Martin says: Happy New Year. What is your 2020 vision for your touring adventures – will you return to favourite haunts or seek out different destinations?

Whether you are looking for inspiration for holidays in the UK or overseas, this issue of the magazine is packed full of ideas.

Heidi Fuller-Love takes you on a journey of discovery along Spain’s Costa del Sol – from Málaga, the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, to Ronda,

...will you return to “favourite haunts or seek different destinations a magnificent clifftop town with historic buildings to capture the imagination.

Continuing the travel theme, a number of European sites are offering great early-booking discounts on 2020 summer breaks for you and your family – turn to pages 44 and 45 for further details.

”

If you are setting your sights further afield, why not join us on a once-in-alifetime escorted motorhome tour in Australia? We have two incredible 36-day holidays Down Under from which to choose (pages 42 and 43).

Returning to our own shores, Jonathan Manning takes you on a seven-site sojourn in south-west England and south Wales (pages 20-28). This two-country adventure takes in some of the finest landscapes the UK has to offer, with opportunities aplenty for walking, cycling and so much more.

Wherever your travels take you over the next 12 months, be sure to let us know about them.

Enjoy the magazine!

Editions of your Club magazine – with lots of extra content – are also available via an app on iPhone/iPad and Android tablets and phones.

Cover image: Sean Pavone/Alamy

www.camc.com

January 2020 3

-Steven, Raleigh customer

Caravan and Motorhome Club members save an average of ÂŁ181* on Raleigh Bikes *Average savings calculated from members between January to October 2019.

To redeem this member offer please visit www.camc.com/raleigh

raleigh.co.uk @RaleighBikes @RaleighBikesUK @RaleighBikes_UK

20 November 2016

www.camc.com

CONTENTS

INSIDE THIS ISSUE JANUARY 2020

TOURING 20

30 34 38

UK SITES Jonathan Manning embarks on an epic journey around south-west England and south Wales DIRECTORY UPDATES Updates to your Sites Directory & Handbook ACTIVITY BREAKS A bird watching adventure with a difference FOREIGN TOURING Heidi Fuller-Love enjoys art and fine food on the Costa del Sol

PLEASE

RECYCLE RESPONSIBLY

The wrapping for this magazine is recyclable at larger supermarkets

20

TESTS 76

80

CAR Land Rover Discovery MOTORHOME Benimar Tessoro 483

NEWS 12

16 42 86

HEADLINES Club and industry updates SITES News from around the network OVERSEAS Foreign holidays and tours CENTRES Rallies and news from across the country

SPECIALS 48

LIVING SPACE An awning innovation

76

50

72 74

LIGHTWEIGHT LEISURE TRAILER AWARDS We conclude our round-up of the winners from the NEC TICKET OFFERS Discounts at vehicle shows TAKING THE PLUNGE John Rankin charts the new caravan buyer’s journey

19 46 58 60

REGULARS 7

10

DIRECTOR GENERAL’S VIEW Nick Lomas talks about our award-winning year YOUR PHOTOS The best photos from your touring adventures

80

64 66 68 70 84 87 98

THE CAMPERVAN COOK Martin Dorey rustles up a warming and tasty cauliflower soup LETTERS Your comments and views MEMBER OFFERS Exclusive deals and discounts for Club members COUNTRY MATTERS David Chapman introduces the colourful mandarin duck PRODUCT SHOWCASE Kit with environmentally friendly credentials CROSSWORD A chance to win Club gift tokens PRACTICAL Sammy Faircloth reflects on lessons learned over seven years ASK YOUR CLUB Answers to your essential caravanning questions EVENTS DIARY Pitching spots near public events CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS To advertise, call 01342 336817 TAIL LIGHTS The weird, wacky and wonderful world of touring

January 2020

5

Introducing our award winning range

2020 Special Editions

UNIQUE UPHOLSTERY

Visit us at the...

SUPERB SPECIFICATION

ELDDIS CHATSWORTH SWIFT CELEBRATE SWIFT CELEBRATION

16-19 JANUARY 2020 EventCity | MCR

COACHMAN FESTIVAL

Unique Styling – Superbly Equipped – Excellent Value

BEAUTIFUL INTERIORS

CALL US 24/7, WE’RE WAITING TO HELP YOU! Tel: 01457 868011

MIKE HODGES 07939 033 974 mike@glossopcaravans.co.uk XX November 2019

www.glossopcaravans.co.uk

WE’RE WAITING FOR YOUR CALL

EXCLUSIVE DESIGNS

EDDIE COLLINS 07956 970 383 ec1@glossopcaravans.co.uk www.camc.com

COMMENT DIRECTOR GENERAL

OPINION Nick Lomas says:

camc.com/enquiries This magazine is also available at £2.29 (Google Play) or £2.99 (App Store) per issue to non-members who download the Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine app.

Readers are asked to note that the Caravan and Motorhome Club cannot accept responsibility for the quality, safe delivery or operation of any products advertised or mentioned in this journal. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply any form of approval or recommendation. Advertisements or other inserted material are accepted subject to the approval of the publishers and their current terms and conditions.

The publishers will accept an advertisement or other inserted material only on the condition that the advertiser warrants that such advertisement does not in any way infringe copyright or contravene the provisions of the Trade Descriptions Act. All copy is subject to the approval of the publisher, who reserves the right to refuse, amend, withdraw or otherwise deal with advertisements submitted to it at its absolute discretion and without explanation.

All advertisements must comply with the British Code of Advertising Practice.

Mail order advertisers are required to state in advertisements addressed to the public, their true surname or full company name, together with the address from which the business is managed.

Calls to phone numbers starting 084 and 087 cost up to 7p per minute plus your service provider’s charge.

352,416

Circulation: Jan-Dec 2018

Printing by Walstead Bicester

www.camc.com

Having won the ‘Best in the Travel Services & Hospitality Sector’ award in the Top Companies for Customer Service programme for the past three years, the Club’s Contact Centre went one better this year, being named ‘Medium Contact Centre of the Year’.

These awards allow us to benchmark ourselves against and learn from other organisations so that we can provide an even better service to you, our members.

And one of the ways we have improved our service is by introducing an artificial intelligence system that supports the ‘frequently asked questions’ facility on our website (over 86% of the 100,000 queries we receive via the website are now answered automatically). So, not only do members

“

Our Contact Centre handles

575,000 enquiries every year

”

get the information they need instantly, Contact Centre staff are freed up to answer more complex enquiries.

Our Contact Centre handles about 435,000 phone calls, 70,000 emails, 50,000 webchats and 20,000 social media enquiries every year. We ask a selection of members to rate the service they receive and the average score so far in 2019 is 99.4%, meaning your experiences are ‘good’ to ‘excellent’.

Continuing the accolade theme, we were proud to be recognised by the Insurance Choice Awards for the second consecutive year – the Club was named ‘Best Caravan Cover Provider’ and ‘Best Motorhome Insurance Provider’ for 2019.

Turning to our own awards, we recently held our annual parliamentary reception to reward Certificated Location (CL) owners who provide the best small site destinations (as voted for by members; see the News pages for details) and to recognise Club site teams that go above and beyond to create amazing floral displays in our ‘Sites in Bloom’ competition.

While it is nice to receive and host awards, it is important to remember that we do all this for you – our Contact Centre is here to help you, our insurance and cover offerings are designed to help you protect your pride and joy, and our site staff and CL owners do their best to provide you with attractive, comfortable places to stay.

And the feedback from members, and from the external awards that we enter, shows that we are getting things right more often than not. We’ll try hard to get even better in 2020 – that’s my New Year’s Resolution. I hope yours will be to make the most of your leisure vehicle and the great outdoors with the Club overthe next 12 months.

Happy touring!

January 2020 7

Before you get out there.

Organised by

Partners

Better get in here.

Whether you’re looking to get into the leisure vehicle lifestyle or already enjoy it, your holiday, short break or outdoor adventure starts here! Not only will you be able to see all new-for-2020 leisure vehicles and caravan holiday homes, you’ll also be able to browse tents of all shapes and sizes all pitched under one roof. Plus, all the accessories and gadgets for the great outdoors that you could ever need. With lots of free features and attractions, it really is a great day out for the whole family!

Parking Included FREE Show Guide FREE Entry for Kids* Tickets from £6.25* with code CMC3.

For more information and to book tickets visit ccmshow.co.uk or call 0844 873 7333† *£6.25 Senior (over 60s), £7.25 Adult when booking before 23:59 hrs 17/02/20 after which time prices revert to the on-the-door price of £9.00 Senior (over 60s) and £10.00 Adult; a £1.25 transaction fee applies.

Car parking included in ticket price. No dogs (except assistance dogs). Children 15 years and under go free when accompanied by a paying Adult/Senior. Tickets are non-refundable. Free show guide and tuition is subject to availability. †Calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge.

SPECIAL MEMBER PICTURES

YOUR PHOTOS

Your most memorable touring moments caught on camera South-East France

PEAK SEASON Here we are on an awe-inspiring walk on Mont Blanc in the French Alps. We took the Aiguille de Midi cable car up the mountain then walked down to the famous little Montenvers railway station – not knowing how far it was. This is one hike that will live long in the memory.

Sue Holroyd

FREE PRIZE DRAW

Send us a photo and you will automatically be entered into a free monthly draw, giving you the chance to win some fantastic prizes! See camc. com/competitions for full prize draw terms and conditions

TRY THIS FOR SIZERGH! The garden at Sizergh Castle in Cumbria comes alive in autumn, the colours just begging to be captured on camera.

Interestingly, in 2016 the estate of this National Trust property was included in the newly-extended Lake District National Park. Sizergh is right on the doorstep of Kendal Club site.

Mark Hebblewhite 10 January 2020

Lake District

CHILD’S PLAY Our youngest daughter, Holly (aged three), loves flicking through the Club magazine.

When she spotted your ‘Family Values’ article in the August issue, she was desperate to go to the site pictured with “the big yellow slide”! Fortunately, the site in question – Scarborough West Ayton – is not far from us, so we decided to book and make it happen for her. Here she is with her eight-year-old sister Hayley on that slide! We had a great weekend and plan to return for a longer stay.

Jenny Iseton

BRIDESHEAD VISITED

North Yorkshire

During a recent, enjoyable stay at the Club’s York Beechwood Grange site, we spent a beautiful autumnal day at Castle Howard.

Some members will probably remember it as the fictional ‘Brideshead’ in the 1980s TV series, Brideshead Revisited. Simply stunning!

Jo Gotheridge

LIGHT FANTASTIC

Dorset

Shining since 1906, the 135ft-high Portland Bill Lighthouse is just one highlight of a tour of Dorset. Finished in distinctive red and white stripes, it and its boundary walls are Grade II listed. Still a functioning lighthouse, it is also open for public tours – a fascinating place to visit. Nearest Club site: Crossways.

Jan Brown

Yorkshire

Want to see your photo in a future issue?

Send your images to camc.com/ inspiringadventures or tag us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using

#inspiringadventures

RED SKY AT NIGHT... ...caravanners’ delight! While staying on a lovely Certificated Location in the East Devon village of Rousdon, we were blessed with this incredible sky. You feel so close to nature in your caravan on a quiet little site.

Eileen Charlton

South-West England

WEB SITE Autumn is the perfect time of year for a stroll in Moors Valley Country Park on the Hampshire-Dorset border, particularly if you love nature and wildlife. I like spotting the intricate work of spiders on my walks – here is one such impressive web. Nearest Club site: New Forest Centenary.

Andrew Pattenden www.camc.com

Devon

January 2020 11

NEWS CLUB AND INDUSTRY

Headlines

The latest stories from the touring world CONTACT CENTRE: 2020 OPENING TIMES

BRUNETTE COTTAGE IS CL OF THE YEAR

We are pleased to report that the winner of the Certificated Location (CL) of the Year Award 2019 is Brunette Cottage near Whitchurch. The Welsh CL – situated close to the border with England – is owned by Paul and Helen Clarke, who received their award during a ceremony at the House of Commons in November. Cherry Cottage in Dorset took second place, Marylands in Pembrokeshire came third and

Barn Owl Meadow in Suffolk was named ‘Best Newcomer’.

CLs are privately-owned sites with a maximum of five pitches, and many can be found in idyllic locations or close to exciting attractions. The competition rewards some of the hard-working owners who provide fantastic places to stay, and votes are cast by Club members, whose use of the CL network provides a valuable income stream for many local communities – thank you to

everyone who took the time to vote this year.

Speaking at the ceremony, Club Chairman Grenville Chamberlain said: “Our network of CLs provides members with unique stays up and down the UK, and whilst each one is special, they unfortunately cannot all win! I’d like to congratulate all of the winners and thank all our CL owners for their tremendous work.”

For more details on the winning sites and owners please visit camc.com/clvote.

MEET THE WINNERS

Brunette Cottage Motorhomers Helen and Paul are no strangers to these awards, having previously been named regional winners on three occasions. They enjoy sharing their tranquil spot with other Club members and, as well as fresh cakes and locally-made jams in the information room, there’s even a mini croquet lawn on site!

Cherry Cottage This CL to the south of Sherborne was opened by long-term caravanner Lynn Pearcey in June 2019. The mix of hardstanding and level lawn pitches are positioned to make the most of countryside views and sunsets. All have EHU and Wi-Fi, while the site also has a toilet, laundry room and micro shop.

n Please note that on Wednesday 29 January the Contact Centre will operate with reduced staffing levels due to training. Apologies in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.

Marylands Owners Jane and Ray Chilvers have been Club members for over 30 years and have run Marylands for just over a year. It is conveniently located for the lovely beaches and coastal paths of Pembrokeshire, while the nearby county town of Haverfordwest is bustling with shops, pubs and restaurants.

VIDEO

Barn Owl Meadow Lying in idyllic countryside, this site – owned by Roger and Pauline Dixon – is named after the many barn owls that swoop overhead. An amenity building boasts two large and well-equipped bathrooms, one of which is wheelchair accessible, and pitches are spacious.

12 January 2020

During 2020, the Contact Centre will be open on weekdays between 8.45am and 5.30pm in January, February and from September to December, while from March to August we will be open until 6pm.

In addition, the Contact Centre will be open every Saturday morning between 9am and 1pm in January 2020 to help with your enquiries.

Also, from 1 February to 29 August 2020 we will be open on Saturday mornings to answer queries from members about Caravan Cover – so it will remain just as convenient for you to take out new cover, renew or make amendments.

You can also email the Club and chat with our experts online on weekdays; web chat is available until 9pm.

Full details of how to contact us can be found on the website at camc.com/contact. Any further changes to our opening hours will be communicated, in advance, through both the Club magazine and the website.

On the MAGAZINE APP this month: a cycle route from Sandringham Club site, videos to accompany our main touring feature (see page 20), a video review of the Land Rover Discovery and extra Tail Lights! www.camc.com

NEW YEAR... NEW CHALLENGE? Do you share our passion for the great outdoors? Would you love a volunteer role on Club Council? Whether you are a novice or experienced tourer, we are looking for members like you!

We currently have vacancies for Nominated Members on Club Council.

Club Council helps to shape the direction of the Club, and conveys the views of the wider membership to the Executive Committee which is, in effect, the Board of Directors. The Council meets twice a year, usually on a Saturday in the spring and autumn, with the next meeting taking place on 4 April 2020 in London. Nominated Members also have the potential to be selected to serve on the Executive or other Committees of the Club.

We are particularly interested in applications from members with

knowledge of the automotive industry and technical expertise, but we also want to hear from you if you have a background in property, finance, estates, insurance or travel and you are a regular user of our sites, CL network or Club products.

For more information about how the Club works, visit our website and explore the ‘About Us’ section. If this is of interest to you, please submit your CV, along with a covering letter of no more than 200 words explaining what you could offer the Club, by noon on 14 February 2020 to the Head of Governance (governance@ camc.com). Shortlisted candidates will be invited along to the Club’s head office in East Grinstead in March to meet members of the Executive Committee and Club Directors. We look forward to hearing from you!

SITE FRIGHTS! A motley crew of ghosts, ghouls and other gruesome guests paraded around Wharfedale Club site on Halloween – with site staff leading the festivities. Many children bobbed for apples and lemonade was enjoyed by all!

2020 training courses – book now Our 2020 caravan towing and motorhome manoeuvring courses are now available and you can book a place at camc.com/training.

Attendees receive expert tuition from our friendly trainers and courses are held at a selection of conveniently-located venues across the UK. Prices start from just £155 per person, and after you complete a course you’ll receive a 5% discount on the Club’s Caravan Cover, motorhome insurance or car insurance (terms and conditions apply – see Club website).

We want all members of the Club to feel confident when out on the road, and our training courses can give you a boost or a refresher if required. We’ve trained over 50,000 members since we started offering courses in 1978 and feedback is consistently good. www.camc.com

“

Excellent course. Covered exactly what is wanted and the rest is down to practice.

”

Chris Hockey

“

Instructor was very knowledgeable on all aspects of the course content. Extremely patient and encouraging. Good confidence booster.

Gillian Burke

“

”

Really useful course.

Excellent use of time and exactly fit my needs as a relatively new caravanner who recently took the B+E course/ exam.

”

Laurence Baxter

MILESTONE RALLY A rally is being held next summer to celebrate 75 years of The Scottish Caravan Club. Taking place from 25-30 June 2020 at Cultybraggan Camp, Comrie, there will also be a follow-on even hosted by West Centre from 30 June-5 July.

Booking forms and further information are available at thescottish caravanclub.com. n The Scottish National Rally, hosted by the Fife & Tayside Centre on behalf of The Scottish Caravan Club, is being held on the May bank holiday weekend from 1-5 May 2020 at Scone Palace, Scone, near Perth. Booking forms are available from the website mentioned above.

FREE MEMBER WEDNESDAYS!

If you are thinking about trying our Experience Freedom glamping options in 2020, remember that as a Club member you can take advantage of the fantastic ‘Free Member Wednesdays’ offer.

Simply go to experiencefreedom. co.uk, choose a midweek stay of two nights or more in a camping pod, glamping pod or Airstream caravan before 31 March 2020*, enter your membership number at checkout and your Wednesday night will be free. Happy glamping! *Other terms and conditions apply – see website for details.

IN GOOD VOICE

Do you love to sing? If so, perhaps you would like to join the Caravan and Motorhome Club Singers.

The Singers meet around six times a year for weekend rehearsals, usually in central England as members come from all over the UK. Those who would like to find out more are welcome to attend (or get in touch via the website camc-singers.co.uk).

The Singers will perform at The National in May, and the concert will coincide with the 15th anniversary of the formation of the choir. Later, on 11 September, the Singers will join the Chippenham Male Voice Choir before performing with the Stuart Singers in Minchinhampton the following evening. All proceeds from the latter concert will go to a hospice that cared for a former member of the group during 2018.

January 2020 13

NEWS CLUB AND INDUSTRY

ASK AWAY...

The Welsh Division and the Central Region will be holding Question Time events in March, both of which offer Club members the chance to discuss matters of interest with panels including representatives of the Executive Committee and head office staff.

The Central Regionʼs event takes place on 14 March from 10am-12pm at St George’s Park (below) – the home of the Football Association and the training complex for Englandʼs national football teams – near Burton-on-Trent. There is free parking and a tour of the National Football Centre is also included, although the number of places for this part of the day is limited. Please respond via email to Vince Mott (secretary@centralregion.org)

SHOWTIME JANUARY IN THE KNOW...

if you would like to attend. The nearest Club site is Uttoxeter Racecourse.

Members are also welcome at the Welsh Division Question Time event, which will begin at 1.30pm on 21 March 2020 at the National Botanic Garden of Wales (NBGW; above) in Llanarthne, Carmarthenshire. Once again, free parking is available at the venue.

As well as having the chance to hear from a guest speaker from the NBGW, those attending will also be able to see the rare and unusual plants of the botanic garden, housed within the worldʼs largest single-span glasshouse. A British bird of prey centre and butterfly house can also be found on site.

If you would like to attend the Welsh Division event, please contact Donna Pritchard (secretary@cc-welsh-division. co.uk). The nearest Club site is Pembrey Country Park.

Tips for members from site staff across the network.

This month: Willingcott Club site “The Morte Point and Bull Point walk is about six miles along a stretch of coastline around Morte Point, which was once notorious for smugglers.

Enjoy the stunning and dramatic scenery of rocky headlands, cliffs and sandy coves.

Watch out for the seals basking on the rocks below as you head out to Bull Point and the lighthouse.”

Ray Rainford

16-19 Manchester: Caravan and Motorhome Show, EventCity, Manchester (Clarion Events, see caravanshows.com) 24-26 Cambridgeshire: The Motorhome and Campervan Sale, East of England Arena and Events Centre, Peterborough (Warners Group, call 01778 391123 or see outandaboutlive.co.uk) 24-26 Devon: Caravan and Motorhome Show, Westpoint, Exeter (Apple Tree Exhibitions, call 01805 603943 or see appletree-exhibitions.co.uk)

FEBRUARY 6-9 Glasgow: The Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show, SEC, Glasgow (QD Events, call 0141 248 3000 or see caravanshowscotland.com) 18-23 Birmingham: Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show, National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham (NCC Events, call 0121 780 4141 or see ccmshow.co.uk) Note: details subject to change – please check with event organisers in advance for up-to-date information.

FROM THE ARCHIVES Stories from the Club’s Collection This month at the Club’s Collection, hosted at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, we have completed the professional digitisation of a number of audio tapes that contain the voices and memories of former Club Committee and staff members.

Recorded in the 1990s, the tapes contain interviews that provide a wonderful first-hand insight into the development of the organisation during the second half of the 20th century.

Numerous past Chairmen feature in these recordings, including Bob Black, Frank Collins, David Knight and Ken Dolton, who all recall their time with the Club and the changes they

14 January 2020

witnessed while holding the position.

In addition, there are also interviews with former Directors General John Chapman and Trevor Watson, plus the colourful recollections of managing events from Major Derek Cartmel.

These many hours of interviews will now be listened to in full, and transcribed in order to continue to build the story of the Club from the voices of those who helped to shape it. We hope to eventually share some highlights of the tapes online.

Find out more about the Collection at nationalmotormuseum.org.uk or follow us on Twitter @camccollection.

Angela Willis

Retiring Club Chairman Frank Collins (right) passes the Chairmanship to David Knight in 1967

www.camc.com

FINE ART

Congratulations to Charlie Evans (Under 6), Frederick George (6-9) and Chloe Thomlinson (10 and over) – the three winners by age group of our 2019 Wildlife Art Competition!

The winning artworks were chosen by a panel of judges, who had a difficult job, given the high standard of entries. Congratulations also go to runners-up Florence Winder (Under 6), Emma Preen (6-9) and Amber Hyde (10 and over).

Many thanks to everyone who entered and to Volvo for donating prizes. To view comments by the judges on the winning artworks, as well as the pictures by the runners-up and a selection of others, please see camc.com/artcomp.

YOU RECOMMEND… Caravan and Motorhome Club sites in or next to country parks

Charlie Evans

“

Walking and cycling from the site could not be easier and the trails go through some wonderful countryside and lovely villages along the Dee Estuary.

(Club site: Wirral Country Park)

“ Frederick George

”

The country park next door has plenty of places to cycle, a beautiful beach, big children play park, small train ride at weekends, ski slope/ toboggan run and tubing.

(Pembrey Country Park)

“

”

We took a picnic and did the three-and-a-half mile walk around the loch which made a really nice day out.

(Strathclyde Country Park)

Irish National As mentioned in the October 2019 issue, the next Irish National will take place from 9-14 April 2020 in Galway – one of the two current European Capitals of Culture.

Please note that booking forms are

Excellent fishing in the ‘visitors only’ lake, the site and facilities are spotless and there is a nice dog walk around the perimeter.

(Wagtail Country Park AS)

“

Chloe Thomlinson

”

now available to download from the Irish Division’s website – see thecaravanclub.ie.

A pre-Easter rally will take place from 4-9 April at Lough Key Forest in County Roscommon, where

Ireland’s only tree canopy walk is one of the many attractions and activities to enjoy. Again, a booking form can be downloaded from the Irish Division’s website if you would like to attend.

“

”

Just off site is an excellent little tea room in the country park which itself has lots of water bird life on the lake (herons, swans, geese, Canada geese and ducks to name just a few) and lots of walking opportunities.

(Poolsbrook Country Park)

”

TAKE FIVE!

Museums in the Great Savings Guide Have you picked up your copy of the Great Savings Guide yet? As a member, you can use it to take advantage of offers at hundreds of attractions across the UK. There are five examples below, but you can find out more at camc.com/greatsavingsguide...

1 The Mary Rose Museum, Hampshire

Marvel at Henry VIII’s flagship, rescued from the seabed over 400 years after it sank (20% off tickets, pictured right).

Nearest site: Rookesbury Park

www.camc.com

2 National Museum of Flight, East Lothian Explore the history of aviation from the First World War to the present day (two for the price of one).

Nearest site: Yellowcraig

3 British Motor Museum, Warwickshire

Home to the world's largest collection of historic British cars, with nearly 300 models on display (£2 off per person).

Nearest site: Harbury Fields

4 Biggin Hill Memorial Museum, Kent

Discover the inspiring story of the RAF’s famous fighter station and those who served there (10% off exhibition price).

Nearest site: Crystal Palace

5 Head of Steam

Nearest site: Richmond Hargill House

Located on the route of the Stockton and Darlington line – the world’s first steampowered passenger railway (two for the price of one).

(Terms and conditions apply to all offers.

See Club website for details.)

(Darlington Railway Museum), County Durham

January 2020 15

NEWS UK SITES

HAPPY DAYS As a Club member, you can enjoy discounts on fantastic attractions while touring – ideal for winter excursions!

With more than 55 Club sites open all year, getting away during the winter months is easy... and at the same time you can make savings on brilliant days out thanks to the Great Savings Guide.

A great source of inspiration, the guide lists hundreds of offers for Club members at attractions all over the UK and Ireland – inside you’ll find famous favourites such as Alton Towers and

Chessington World of Adventures alongside less-widely-known local gems like Thirsk Bird of Prey Centre and Glencoe Folk Museum. There are also deals on historic house visits, heritage railway lines, boat trips and more, while the guide is set out in a way that makes it easy to see what’s available near each Club site. Here are a few suggestions...

TAKE HISTORY LESSONS

The Jorvik Viking Centre in the heart of York (stay at York Beechwood Grange Club site this winter) has been a major draw for tourists for decades. Take advantage of 20% off standard admission tickets and learn all about the city’s Viking heritage in this informative and innovative space.

Meanwhile, history buffs staying at Ferry Meadows Club site in Peterborough should seek out Oliver Cromwell’s House in Ely, where re-created period rooms in the former Lord Protector’s family home offer a fascinating taste of 17th-century life. Club members can take advantage of a two-for-the-price-ofone ticket offer.

GET ACTIVE

VISIT BEAUTIFUL GARDENS

An exotic subtropical jungle and atmospheric Victorian pleasure grounds are among the highlights of The Lost Gardens of Heligan (above), near Carnon Downs Caravan Park AS. Club members can take advantage of a two-for-the-price-of-one offer.

Or, if you are staying at Moreton-in-Marsh or Broadway Club sites in the Cotswolds, you can save 10% on the price of entry at Batsford Arboretum & Garden Centre. It’s a favourite with members who stay at these locations.

At Burnby Hall Gardens and Museum – near Bridlington Club site – you can explore the stunning estate created by Major Percy and Katherine Stewart, containing two lakes, a rockery, an aviary, a stumpery and a Victorian garden.

Thanks to the Great Savings Guide you can enjoy two for the price of one or 50% off for single members here.

16 January 2020

If you or your family members have energy to burn, why not try one of the amazing Go Ape! high ropes centres?

Venues can be found across the UK, but you could stay at Crystal Palace Club site and try the one in Battersea. Members can get into the swing of things with a 10% discount.

e prices This winter, sit 5* per 1.3 £1 m fro t star om/oay c.c m ca it night – vis Booking App or use the Sites pitch. to secure your adult and *Based on one pitch at Ferry one standard stleton Meadows or Ca 6 Jan een Club sites betw 20 and 12 Mar 20

ENJOY A TRAIN RIDE

Stay at Poolsbrook Country Park Club site and see beautiful Peak District scenery from your carriage with Peak Rail (above), which offers 10% off train fares for Club members. Or, if you would like to take a ride on the famed East Lancashire Railway, pitch up at Burrs Country Park Club site and hop on board a steam or diesel service – the offer is two for the price of one with a ‘Freedom of the Line’ ticket.

EXPLORE GRAND RESIDENCES

If you would like a packed day out and you are staying at Black Horse Farm Club site in Kent, Leeds Castle (below) is a must (Bearsted Club site, near the castle, is open until 6 Jan 2020 and reopens on 13 Mar 2020). Club members can get 20% off the admission price to this former residence of King Edward I and Catherine of Aragon.

Alternatively, The Bishop’s Palace & Gardens in Wells is a medieval gem that makes for a great day trip from Cheddar Club site, especially so with a two for the price of one offer in your back pocket, or 20% off a family ticket.

Visit camc.com/ greatsavingsguide to find out more, order your copy and see full T&Cs. www.camc.com

Get a guaranteed £25 off your existing Motorhome Insurance renewal premium* Created just for you

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£25 off your existing renewal premium so get a quote today* Visit camc.com/insurance/ motorhome Call 0345 504 0334

*Premium Saving Guarantee. Subject to proof of an existing renewal, including cover and price (e.g. a copy of your renewal notice) and when cover is on a like-for-like basis. Offer applies to new customers only. Subject to terms and conditions and the underwriter’s acceptance of the risk. Please note, terms, conditions and excess(es) may vary from your current insurer and excludes Breakdown and Legal cover, which needs to be purchased separately. A sample policy, including the terms and conditions that may apply, is available upon request.

The Club’s Motorhome Insurance is arranged by Devitt Insurance Services Limited, Insurance Brokers. The Caravan Club Limited and Devitt Insurance Services Limited are authorised and regulated by The Financial Conduct Authority.

Cook

COLUMN MARTIN DOREY

The Campervan

Writer, cook and campervan owner Martin Dorey continues his gastronomic journeys around the UK and beyond. This month: a hearty soup for winter warmth

I

t’s January... and that means resolutions. This year I want to embrace a way of eating that’s healthier, better for the planet and better for the places I visit. As caravanners and motorhomers we have a certain degree of responsibility, and by eating locally and seasonally we can provide vital support to farmers, growers and producers while reducing our ‘food miles’ – something that’s going to be increasingly important.

At this time of year the humble cauliflower comes into its own as an ingredient. It’s cheap, chunky, versatile and tastes lovely. It can be fried like a steak, steamed as a side and blitzed into a puree.

It’s also easy enough to transform into a fabulous soup without the use of

THE COOK RECOMMENDS...

The Steam Bistro, Coniston. Consistently brilliant, this cosy eatery keeps winning all kinds of accolades, and it’s just a 20-minute walk from Coniston Park Coppice Club site (although you might need to take a very good torch for the journey home).

AND AS A TREAT...

The sticky toffee pudding is to die for!

Need I say more?

MEMBER SINCE...

Campervanner Martin Dorey joined the Club in 2016

www.camc.com

a whizzer. Happily, with a masher and a bit of elbow grease, it’s easy to make my chunky spicy cauli soup in the ‘van in about 30 minutes.

This dish was inspired by a recent visit to the Kendal Mountain Festival in Cumbria.

I stayed at the Club’s Coniston Park Coppice site, a great location that’s open all year and is just a short distance from Coniston village. There is some great walking available there, and, when you get CUT OUT back to the site after a January ramble in the mountains, this delicious soup will RECIPES warm you up!

AND KEEP

RECIPE NO. 24

Thick and spicy p cauliflOower sou SERVES TW

INGREDIENTS t into florets (discard the cu 1 small cauliflower, core and leaves) , finely chopped 1 small white onion ely chopped fin , 4 x cloves garlic opped ch ely fin illi, ch 1 red n 1 tsp cumi conut milk 1 x 400ml tin of co er nd ria co 1 tsp 100ml soured cream ely ful of coriander, fin A further small hand chopped ning 2 tbsp oil and seaso

METHOD

medium a saucepan over a First, heat the oil in for a few fry d an ion on d pe heat. Add the chop arters of -qu ee thr d ad Next, minutes until soft. to fry for e nu nti the garlic. Co the chilli and all of

d so. Add the choppe another minute or e frying for nu nti co d an n pa cauliflower to the ated with , stirring until it is co about four minutes n and the mi cu the cook. Add oil and beginning to every thing til un x mi d an er teaspoon of coriand ng to a coconut milk and bri is coated. Stir in the r florets we flo uli king sure the ca gentle simmer, ma nutes, by mi 15 for g rin me sim are covered. Keep rt to break uliflower should sta which point the ca this point, At er. nd ria co d pe up. Add the chop er, but a , you’d use a blend if you were at home unky and ch , ely give you a lov potato masher will t and pepper sal of nty ple th wi n rustic soup. Seaso e serving. d cream just befor and stir in the soure rest of the the , am dollop of cre Garnish with a little sty cru th wi rve se d an chilli and coriander tter. sourdough and bu

January 2020 19

TOURING UK SITES

The view over Porlock Bay on the Bristol Channel

20 January 2020

www.camc.com

Chopping hannel This fantastic ‘tour of two halves’ takes in the coast of south-west England and south Wales. Jonathan Manning skirts the expanse of water that separates the two regions

Anna Stowe Landscapes UK / Alamy

D www.camc.com

aybreak, day one, and with keener eyes and better weather I would be able to see the final destination of this tour around the Bristol Channel. As the gull flies, it’s barely 40 miles across the brine to the Gower Peninsula in south Wales, but by road it’s 150 miles from my current vantage point.

That is Selworthy Beacon, high on Exmoor and a thigh-burning climb from Minehead. Out across the channel all I can see are grey waves, grey sky and a drab, grey coastline.

Inland, Exmoor tumbles away in a cascade of contours. Thick-coated ponies snort steam into the dawn air as they graze. It’s tempting to head away from the sea towards the warmth and comfort of villages, where smoke rises from the chimneys, but there’s a centrifugal force to this tour that will keep pushing me out to the coastline, and the tidal waters of the River Severn.

Zipping up my jacket I follow the path downhill, through gorse and woodland, until I reach January 2020 21

TOURING UK SITES

1

Minehead Club site

DID YOU KNOW?

This quiet, private, pretty site has numerous attractions nearby, including one of the finest Indian restaurant and takeaways in Somerset (a two-minute walk).

Pitches: 49 Open: all year

You can book Club site pitches via the UK Sites app, at camc. com/searchandbook or by calling our Advance Booking Service on 01342 327490.

Please call Affiliated Sites (AS) directly

Member view “Me and my 17-year-old twin sons are keen mountain bikers, so we’re going to take the bikes onto Exmoor and try the trails.”

Michael Float

Site view “Head to Lynton on Exmoor, from where the Valley of the Rocks is amazing.”

Tony and Helen Jay

Food & drink Alcombe Tandoori, 67 Alcombe Road, Alcombe, Minehead TA24 6BD Contact: alcombetandoori.co.uk, 01643 706591

Outdoor fun National Archery – Taunton, Heywood GREAT Estate, Nynehead SAVINGS TA21 0BP GUIDE Contact: national archery.co.uk Member offer available: camc.com/greatsavingsguide

For the family Exmoor Owl and Hawk Centre, West Lynch Farm, Allerford, Minehead TA24 8HJ (sat-nav TA24 8HH) Contact: exmoorowlhawkcentre.co.uk, 01643 862816

22 January 2020

Loop Images Ltd / Alamy

Culture Dunster Museum and Doll Collection, Memorial Hall, 17 High Street, Dunster TA24 6SF Contact: dunstermuseum.co.uk, 01643 821493

Minehead’s attractive Higher Town. Narrow streets with characterful houses cling to the slope. Eventually I reach the sea wall and pass a striking metal statue of a pair of hands holding a map, which marks the start of the South West Coast Path. The national trail hugs the coast for 630 miles, from here in Somerset all the way around the tip of Cornwall to Poole Harbour in Dorset. My journey, however, takes me east.

’HEAD START

Minehead Caravan and Motorhome Club Site is pretty and private, its pockets of pitches spread between trees. There’s no circuit road here, which adds to the calm in the cul-de-

sacs, where planter after planter helped the site to a runner-up spot in the Club’s most recent Sites in Bloom competition.

Site staff Tony and Helen Jay quickly spool off a mesmerising array of local attractions and events; no wonder the site’s occupancy rate is so high throughout the year. As we speak, Exmoor is hosting a three-week Dark Skies Festival for stargazers, while during the daytime walkers fan out across the national park, many seeking the stone slab river crossing of Tarr Steps or the high point of Dunkery Beacon. For campers who would rather let the train take the strain, the steam www.camc.com

2

Langlands Farm Certificated Location

A well-equipped CL with far-reaching views over Somerset. The grass pitches have electric hook-up, and there’s fresh water, as well as grey water and sewage disposal.

Open: all year Contact: 01278 722175 Sites Directory & Handbook p443

Site view

“

Sir John Betjeman once described it as the ‘most beautiful pier’ in England, and with a golden sunset tumbling beyond the slender, elegant structure it’s hard to argue with the former poet laureate

”

The pier at Clevedon engines of the West Somerset Railway huff and puff their way for 20 miles down the longest heritage line in Britain, from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard.

Their first stop is Dunster station, from which a 20-minute uphill stroll leads to the gorgeous medieval village of Dunster. An ancient, open-sided ‘yarn market’ marks the start of a high street, where a film set-worthy array of shops, tea rooms and pubs line the wayside. Its olde worlde charm intensifies on the first two days of December when the village switches off its electric lights and illuminates by candle and oil lamp. www.camc.com

At the top of the high street a road leads into the grounds of Dunster Castle, a magnificent National Trust property perched above broadleaf woodland. The views of the castle are splendid, while the panorama from inside looking out across the parkland to the coast is even more spectacular. The castle’s gardens have lost their razzle dazzle by autumn, but the spectrum of golds, gingers and coppers in the tree canopy is captivating, and watching fallen leaves surf along the mill race proves hypnotic Back in the towcar, I travel along the A39, a road designed to give caravans and caravanners a bad name. Sharp bends, tall hedges and a relentless rise and fall of

“Some families come here and stay on site all week, walking to the pub and the shop. Or you can take longer walks across the farm down to the Wildlife Trust’s Catcott Nature Reserve or the Hawk and Owl Trust reserve at Shapwick Moor.”

Geoffrey Barnett

Food & drink The Crown, 1 Nidon Lane, Bridgwater TA7 9HQ Contact: crowninncatcott. com, 01278 722288

Culture The Bishop’s Palace, GREAT Wells BA5 2PD SAVINGS GUIDE Contact: bishopspalace. org.uk, 01749 988111 Member offer available: camc.com/greatsavingsguide

Outdoor fun Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve, Avalon Marshes Centre BA6 9TT Contact: avalonmarshes.org, 01458 860120

For the family Wookey Hole Caves, Wookey Hole, Wells BA5 1BB Contact: wookey.co.uk, 01749 672243

January 2020 23

TOURING UK SITES

3

Hurn Lane Club site

With good play facilities and flat, neatly-tended pitches, this family-friendly site is just a quick walk from a seemingly endless beach.

Pitches: 138 Open: 13 Mar-5 Nov 2020

Member view “We’ve come here several times with our grandchildren. They love Brean Theme Park and the beach is an easy walk through the dunes.”

John Ball

Site view “This is definitely a family destination with Brean Theme Park and the indoor and outdoor pools and slides of Brean Splash very close by.”

Matthew and Kathryn Painter

Food & drink Sundowner Café Beach Bar, Beachside Holiday Park, Coast Road, Brean TA8 2QZ Contact: beachsideholidaypark. co.uk, 01278 751550

Culture The Helicopter GREAT SAVINGS Museum, Locking GUIDE Moor Road, Westonsuper-Mare BS24 8PP Contact: helicoptermuseum. co.uk, 01934 635227 Member offer available: camc.com/greatsavingsguide

Outdoor fun Cheddar Gorge and Caves BS27 3QF Contact: cheddargorge.co.uk, 01934 742343

For the family Brean Theme Park, Coast Road, Brean TA8 2QY Contact: breanthemepark.co.uk, 01278 751517

24 January 2020

asphalt impede speedy progress, so it’s a relief to reach Bridgwater and cross the M5.

I’m heading for Langlands Farm, a new Certificated Location (CL) that opened last September. Owner Geoffrey Barnett has been caravanning for more than 30 years and knows exactly what tourers want; a long, wide driveway to let new arrivals get off the road immediately, electric hook-ups, fresh water, grey water and waste disposal.

“I paced out a CL that I liked to make sure I got the dimensions right,” says Geoffrey, waving an arm across the generously-sized paddock and fields, beyond which lies the unmistakeable profile of Glastonbury Tor.

DREAM CATCHERS

In Glastonbury itself there’s no shortage of crystals and dream catchers for any camper looking for a New Age vibe for their tourer.

But the climb to the tor dispels my mystical scepticism, the conical hill standing proud of

the Somerset Levels, where ditches and dykes slice and dice fields into neat patterns. Pagans and Christians have made pilgrimages to this ancient site for over 10,000 years, and even today there’s a united nations of tourists traipsing up the 301 well-made steps to the top. From the summit it’s easy to see why – the views over Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire from the foot of the 14th-century St Michael’s Tower are spellbinding.

Long-reaching vistas are available near my next stop, too: the vast, seven-mile stretch of dog-friendly beach at Berrow is just a 10-minute walk through the dunes from Hurn Lane Club site.

This is a lovely, family-friendly place, with a play park and basketball cage. Just down the road, squeals of excitement rise from the roller coasters and log flumes of Brean Leisure Park, while to the west the epic promenade of Burnham-on-Sea stretches along the Bristol Channel, offering mile after mile of smooth, www.camc.com

4

Orchard Bank

Certificated Location

Site view “The Park and Ride to Bristol is 20 minutes away, and Bath’s Park and Ride is an hour away. There are bus stops to Bristol, Clevedon and Weston-super-Mare half-a-mile from the site in Claverham, and the Strawberry Line cycleway (plus café) is five minutes’ drive through Yatton or half-an-hour’s cycle ride over the (flat) moorland lanes.”

Diana Higgins druvo/getty

Tarr Steps on Exmoor

VisitBritian/Ben Selway

This immaculate adults-only site has large hardstanding pitches, electric hook-ups, water and Wi-Fi. Please note that no dogs are allowed.

Open: all year Contact: 07814 022352 Sites Directory & Handbook p423

traffic-free path for buggies and wheelchairs with views to south Wales.

Twice a day the sands are covered in a fast-advancing tide – the River Severn has the world’s second greatest rise and fall of tide – creating currents that restrict safe swimming, so please check local information sources for advice.

Food & drink The Plough Inn, High Street, Congresbury, Bristol BS49 5JA Contact: the-plough-inn.net, 01934 877402

Culture Clevedon Court, Tickenham Road, Clevedon BS21 6QU Contact: nationaltrust.org.uk, 01275 872257

www.camc.com

VisitBritian/Ben Sel

The Grade I-listed Victorian pier at Clevedon, a few miles to the north, faces this same salty onslaught twice a day. Sir John Betjeman once described it as the “most beautiful” in England, and with a golden sunset tumbling beyond the slender, elegant structure it’s hard to argue with the former poet laureate. Clevedon turns out to be a swanky place with a stylish terrace of cafés and eateries looking out over the pebble beach, and handsome houses throughout.

Barely 15 minutes’ drive inland, Orchard Bank CL is tucked up a quiet lane next to

way

PIER PERFECTION

Inset from top: the impressive eddar orge ic ae  Tower atop Glastonbury Tor

Outdoor fun Clevedon Marine Lake, off Old Church Road, Clevedon BS21 7TU Contact: clevedonmarine lake.co.uk

For the family Puxton Park, Cowslip Lane, Hewish BS24 6AH Contact: puxton.co.uk, 01934 523500

January 2020 25

TOURING UK SITES

Tredegar House Country Park Club site

50% OFF

MIDWEEK Located on a National Trust estate, this leafy site has 90 acres of parkland on its doorstep, and a brilliant bus service into Cardiff.

Pitches: 79 Open: all year Tent campers welcome

Member view “The fact that Tredegar House is on the doorstep and you can go around the grounds for free is amazing, and with the closeness of Cardiff it’s a double thumbs up.”

Stephen, Vikki, Rose and Terry Kean

Site view “St Fagans National Museum of History is a brilliant day out and it’s just £5 to park. Entry is free.”

Dave and Brenda Moore

Food & drink The Dragonfly (10% off for Club members), Lakeside Drive, Coedkernew, Newport NP10 8BB Contact: vintageinn.co.uk,

Culture

GREAT

SAVINGS Llancaiach Fawr GUIDE Manor, Nelson, Treharris CF46 6ER Contact: llancaiachfawr.co.uk, 01443 412248 Member offer available: camc.com/greatsavingsguide

Outdoor fun Fourteen Locks Canal Centre, Cwm Lane, Rogerstone, Newport Contact: fourteenlocks.mbact. org.uk, 01633 892167

For the family Techniquest (science museum), Stuart Street, Cardiff CF10 5BW Contact: techniquest.org, 029 2047 5475

26 January 2020

some stables. The site is exceptionally well-equipped for a CL, with wide hardstanding pitches, electrics, water and Wi-Fi. A walk from the site to Cadbury Hill Fort (sorry, no chocolate) serves up sweeping vistas over the local area, including Congresbury where there’s a fine selection of places to eat, while Bristol and Bath are within easy reach.

WELCOME TO WALES

Heading north along the M5 then west on the M4, I soon pass ‘Croeso i Gymru’ signs, and wind down the steadies at Tredegar House Country Park Club site on the outskirts of Newport. The site’s ‘dog walk’ is in the 90 acres of parkland that surround Tredegar House, a National Trust property that was still family-owned into the 1940s, giving the interior the upstairs-downstairs feel of a Downton Abbey.

Built on the agricultural wealth of the Morgans, the family found even greater riches underground in the black gold of coal, to the point where the estate was earning £1,000 per day in the era of Godfrey Morgan (1831-1913), a soldier who survived the charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War. It’s the proximity of Cardiff and its capital appeal that account for the site’s high, year-round occupancy rate, however.

“The bus from the site to the city costs just £3.70 return,” says site staffer Dave Moore. In addition to all the concerts, football matches and rugby events that take place in Cardiff, he rolls off a list of attractions that includes the striking Senedd building of the Welsh Assembly in Cardiff Bay, the amazing St Fagans National Museum of History (a walk-through village of recreated buildings from different eras) and the Big Pit National Coal Museum, which commemorates the country’s mining heritage.

Old and new signs of Wales’ economic life are starkly evident on the drive from Newport to Swansea, where the chimneys, towers, steam and smoke of heavy industry in Neath Port Talbot contrast with the turbines of a wind farm on a hilly ridge above.

A multi-acre Amazon warehouse on the outskirts of Swansea is a further illustration of the changing times, so it’s great to see the celebration and preservation of mechanical machinery in the city’s free National Waterfront Museum. The engineering precision and innovation of the wheels, cogs, chains and pulleys hold a rare beauty.

ett VisitBritain/Andrew Pick

5

Behind the museum, yachts bob at Swansea Marina, a sort of water-borne campsite with added seasickness. I turn my back on the sea for a mini-pilgrimage to the birthplace of poet and national icon Dylan Thomas. The home where he was born and lived for 23 years turns out to be an unremarkable semi-detached house high in Swansea’s suburbs.

On the way back to the docks I pause for a drink on Wind Street and use the free Wi-Fi to download Richard Burton’s narration of Thomas’ classic Under Milk Wood. Later that evening, with pinpricks of stars shining through the van’s skylight I begin to listen to the 90-minute poem.

Truth be told, my concentration wanes www.camc.com

The Second Severn Crossing

6

Gowerton Club site

This level site offers gorgeous sunset views over the estuary, and easy bike and train links to Swansea, Cardiff and the Mumbles.

Pitches: 128 Open: 13 Mar-2 Nov 2020

Michael Roberts/Getty

Site view

Inset from left: Wales Millennium Centre; the Mumbles; Rhossili Beach Nicola Allen, Club member

within a few minutes, but Burton’s voice is gorgeous even as background noise.

GOWER APPEALS

It takes just a quarter of an hour to drive from Swansea to Gowerton Club site, where the ‘Teletubbies Hill’ by the entrance provides the perfect vantage point for dreamy sunsets across the estuary of the River Lliw. It is conveniently located for any camper who wants to park up and leave their vehicle, with an old railway line providing a traffic-free cycle route to Swansea (and on to the Mumbles), and a new railway line that whisks people to Cardiff in just 40 minutes.

Hopping behind the wheel, however, I follow the recommendation of site staffers www.camc.com

Corinne and Darren Fisher and head to a new ice-cream parlour in Penclawdd – GG’s is doing a roaring trade despite the nip in the breeze. The parlour is set next to a pub and a fish and chip shop, so all essentials are covered, and there’s even a pharmacy next door for anyone who over indulges.

There are plenty of opportunities to walk it all off at the final stop of this tour, just to the west at Nant-y-Wrach Farm CL. Located on the edge of a salt marsh, where ponies graze freely, this is a blissful haven for birdwatchers, and owner Diane Thomas nonchalantly reels off an impressive list of frequent visitors – kingfishers, owls, red kites and choughs – to the site.

Nant-y-Wrach only opened last year, and

“Singleton Park in Swansea hosted a brilliant Proms in the Park, and holds lots of concerts. Plus, the Wales Airshow at Swansea Bay (4-5 July 2020) is massive.”

Corinne and Darren Fisher

Food & drink Papi’s Pizzeria, 135 Mumbles Road, The Mumbles, Swansea SA3 4DN Contact: papis-pizzeria.com, 01792 369037

Culture

GREAT SA

VINGS Dylan Thomas GUIDE Boathouse, Dylan’s Walk, Laugharne SA33 4SD Contact: dylanthomas boathouse.com, 01994 427420 Member offer available: camc.com/greatsavingsguide

Outdoor fun Caswell Bay Beach, Caswell Road, Gower SA3 3BS Contact: visitswanseabay.com

For the family 1940s Swansea Bay Museum, Baldwin’s Crescent, Crymlyn Burrows, Swansea SA1 8PT Contact: visitswanseabay. com, 01792 458864 Member offer available: camc.com/greatsavingsguide

GREAT SAVINGS GUIDE

January 2020 27

TOURING UK SITES

7

Nant-y-Wrach Farm

Certificated Location On the edge of a salt marsh, this birdwatcher’s paradise has hardstanding pitches, electrics, fresh water and a large field for dogs.

Open: 1 Mar-31 Oct 2020 Contact: 01792 391584 Sites Directory & Handbook p563

Site view “A lot of the people who come here like walking.

For a longer walk, follow the Wales Coast Path past Weobley Castle to Whitford Beach – even the locals walk there.”

Diane Thomas

Food & drink Dolphin Inn, 4 Mill Lane, Llanrhidian, Swansea SA3 1ER Contact: 07807 093744

Illustration: Louise Turpin

its camper numbers have more than doubled within 12 months as first-time visitors have swiftly become regulars.

And no wonder. Beyond the extensive walks from the gate, the Gower boasts three of the finest beaches in Britain at Three Cliffs Bay, Oxwich and Rhossili Bay. I opt for Rhossili, where Lloyds Bank’s black horses galloped, and it exceeds my every expectation.

At one end of the beach, the peninsula of Worms Head snakes its way into Carmarthen Bay, a curled bracket around

a mind-blowing three miles of flawless sand and breaking waves, flanked by a steeply-raked grassy cliff. A five-mile circular walk along Rhossili Down and back across the sand turns out to be the highlight of this outstanding tour. I’ve inadvertently saved the best to last!

Cycling | Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal

Walking | Brean Down circular

Outdoor fun Swansea Footgolf, Ashleigh Road, Sketty SA3 5AU Contact: swanseafootgolf.com, 01792 207544

For the family Go Ape Margam, GREAT Margam Country Park, SAVINGS GUIDE Port Talbot, SA13 2TJ Contact: goape.co.uk Member offer available: camc.com/greatsavingsguide

28 January 2020

This peaceful waterside ride (or walk) on the National Cycle Network takes you 11 miles from Newport to the Pontymoile canal basin, at the southern tip of the Brecon Beacons. After an initial stretch along the River Usk, passing Newport Castle as you go, you’re soon on the wide canal towpath – a green corridor passing valley villages, hills and meadows. What’s more, lucky bird fanciers may spot a kingfisher along this nature-rich canal.

Route plan: sustrans.org.uk/find-a-route-on-thenational-cycle-network/monmouthshire-andbrecon-canal-newport

Use the ViewRanger walking app to enjoy the Brean Down circular, a three-mile wander around a 100m-high rocky outcrop centred between the sandy bays of Brean and Weston-super-Mare.

There is a car park and café at the start/end; look out for the ruined, Bronze Age fort at the tip of the headland. (Following the seven-day free trial, Club members save 12% on a PREMIUM + Ordnance Survey Maps for Great Britain subscription. Visit camc.com/viewranger for details.) www.camc.com

Nigel Nudds /Dreamstime

Culture National Waterfront Museum, Oystermouth Road, Maritime Quarter, Swansea SA1 3RD Contact: museum.wales/ swansea

NE W

Club Shop

Simply enter the size and weight of your motorhome or towing outfit and the Avtex Tourer Two with its new advanced Dual Core Processor will guide you to your destination avoiding height, width and weight restricted roads.

Providing you with route warnings such as sharp bends or steep hills, the Avtex Tourer Two will even advise you of traffic jams and offer alternate routes when available.

Satellite Navigation for Caravans & Motorhomes • 7” Frameless Display (pinch-to-zoom) • New Dual Core processor for complete enhanced performance • Enhanced Specific routing for Caravans & Motorhomes – Customised routes created for the size and weight of your caravan or motorhome.

– Camper specific speed limits tailored to your vehicle.

• Road Warnings – Caravan / Motorhomes specific road warnings for bridge heights, weight limits, sharp curves, steep grades, narrow roads and more.

– Elevation map tool – be prepared for upcoming steep gradiants.

Unlimited updates for Safety camera alerts.

• Find the right campgrounds and stopover places with Tourer Two EXCLUSIVE data bases – Exclusive pre-loaded Caravan and Motorhome Club Site rich data bases including Certified Locations and Overseas Sites with detailed information.

– Trailer’s Park’s database of 8,500 of cost-free motorhome parking places across Western Europe (NEW).

– 17,000 NKC customer rated campgrounds and stopover places in 38 countries.

– 9,000 European campsites inspected by ACSI every year and search results based on amenities.

– Get information about prices, facilities, terrain, maximum number of places and more and filter by amenities. Contains pictures of most of the sites.

– Easily pan the map to search for Campgrounds (NEW.) – Shows camp sites, rest areas, attractions or fuel stations up ahead and milestones along your route.

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November 2016 XX

TOURING CERTIFICATED LOCATIONS

CL SITES UPDATES CL SITES

Also see the CL section of the Club website (camc.com) for the most up-to-date details on all CLs. Pitch fees may be subject to variation – check with the CL owner before booking.

NOTE: CL entries are identified by a unique reference/map number in the 2019/20 Sites Directory & Handbook. They are listed here using the same number, unless otherwise shown.

NEW CLS Mark Williamson

ENGLAND

CAMBRIDGESHIRE

ELY (7m SW) – Linden House, Mrs Marie Burgess, 40 Wilburton Road, Haddenham CB6 3SX. 01353 740820; linden.house.cl@mail.com.

52.354091, 0.155961. Open 1 Apr-31 Oct; 0.66 acre; adults only; dogs; adv bkg req; drive over waste disposal for MH’s; pond; battery charging; grass; enhanced pitches (EHU with water & grey waste disposal); 16A; peaceful; views; lawned; storage facs on site; info rm; dog walk fr site; town, shop & pub in 1m; watersports in 5m; fr £17.50 (pitch + 2 ad).

LINCOLNSHIRE

LOUTH (4.7m NE) – Northolme Farm, Mrs Sue Hodds and Mr Peter Chilvers, North End, Alvingham LN11 0QH. 07590 115765; northolmefarm@ aol.com. 53.408153, 0.035914. OAY; 5 acres; adults only; dogs; battery charging; grass; 16A; peaceful; lawned; wc (sh); info rm; shop on site; dog walk fr site; shop 1m; watersports in 5m; sandy beach in 5m; fr £12 (pitch + 2 ad).

IRELAND

COUNTY ANTRIM

BUSHMILLS (4.7m E) – Moycraig, Mr Alistair Hutton, 70 Moycraig Road, Bushmills BT57 8YB. 07803 189729; 02820 730311; alkencabin@gmail. com. 55.206473, -6.422626. OAY; 1.5 acres; dogs; sl pitches; levelling blocks req; battery charging; hdstdng; 16A; peaceful; views; 30 January 2020

Ely on the River Great Ouse lawned; self catering accommodation on site; disabled facilities; dog walk fr site; game & coarse fishing, golf & watersports in 5m; sandy beach 1.5m; fr £12 (pitch + all occ).

UPDATES

IMPORTANT: Nightly fees may differ from those published in the Directory due to a change of facilities or ownership. It is therefore essential to confirm current fees when enquiring or making a booking. Not all CLs accompanied by a pub symbol in the Directory are located on the site of a public house – some are near to a pub (up to three miles away), so please check with the owner before visiting. CL reference numbers refer to the Directory.

125 BUDE – Burn Farm. Adult only site as of October 2019.

421 ILFRACOMBE – Hore Down Farm. New email: shirleyjoybarnes@ gmail.com.

521 WAREHAM – Swalland Farm.

New email address: enquiries@ clavellsresturant.co.uk.

530 WIMBORNE MINSTER – Dorset Springs. Site now offers electric hook-ups.

828 HORNBY – Bridge Inn. Toilets now available at all times, not just during pub opening hours.

1060 FAKENHAM – Compton Hall.

Change of certificate holder – Mr N Gardner; 01328 823224; koisrus@ hotmail.com.

1268 BRIDGNORTH – Woodcock Lodge Farm. New email: andrewdigwood@btinternet.com.

1635 BEWDLEY – The Bumbles.

Site now seasonal, 1 Apr-31 Oct, pre bookings available all year.

2032 MENAI BRIDGE – Pen-yGarnedd Farm. Email no longer in use.

2216 BRECON – Cambrian Cruisers.

New email: info@cambriancruisers. co.uk.

2217 BRECON – Pentwyn. Landline no longer in use, please use mobile – 07814 189810 – or email.

October Magazine CAMBRIDGE – Lost Acres. This new CL is now open all year.

October Magazine MATLOCK– Sleepy Hollow Farm. Correct email: katechapman27@btinternet.com.

CLOSURES The following five-pitch CLs are closed and no longer certificated by the Club. This does not affect any other business that a landowner may be operating.

10 BEDFORD – Mr P & Mrs K Chessum, Rookery Caravan Park 34 BUCKINGHAM – Mr W Hilsdon, Huntsmill Farm

802 BLACKPOOL – Mrs M D Caulton, Puddle Cottage 1626 TROWBRIDGE – Mr & Mrs B Pearce, Raydown Leaze 1911 BRODICK – Sheila Sams, Ardlui 1969 KINLOCHBERVIE – Mr G J M Manson, Hamnavoe

Please remember that CLs are privately-owned businesses. If you make a booking and subsequently don’t show up, a 20% loss will be incurred by the CL owner if that pitch cannot be resold. So, if you have to cancel your booking, please give the CL owner as much notice as possible. CL owners have individual cancellation policies so charges may be incurred if you cancel or don’t turn up.

Routes – an important note. Routes provided by autoroutes or satellite navigation systems may include roads unsuitable for vehicles towing trailers or caravans. There may also be specific weight, width or height restrictions. For caravan-friendly local routes to Club sites, CLs and commercial sites, we would advise using the standard directions published in the Sites Directory & Handbook and on our website. The reference numbers on this page relate to the 2019/20 edition of the Sites Directory & Handbook.

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November 2016 21

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ACTIVITY BREAKS BIRD WATCHING

WILD GOOSE CHASE!

LET’S GO ON A...

Jonathan Manning gets up early in the hope of seeing the dawn flight of pinkfooted geese – but will he be rewarded?

34 January 2020

www.camc.com

A

narrow procession of headtorch beams cuts through the darkness along the top of a shingle bank. In a different world we could be miners traipsing to work, but this is an outdoors adventure and we’re striding along a sea wall for a grandstand view of one of nature’s most spectacular daily rituals, the dawn flight of pink-footed geese.

There’s an urgency to our pace as we race against the sun to reach our destination before the first light breaches the horizon. It’s a still morning with a clear, starry sky, and the noise is building. Small flocks of greylag geese are already airborne, honking abrasively as they pass overhead. More birds squabbling and splashing in the gravel pits to our left send Halloween shivers down my spine. The dark plays games with the imagination.

With pupils dilated to saucer-size, my eyes have adjusted to the low light and shapes start to take form – a wooden bird hide on one side of the path, the staves of a ruined wooden jetty on the other. But the mudflats are one vast, ominous expanse to the west, part of the 600 square kilometres of The Wash, a shallow bay and estuary that separates Norfolk from Lincolnshire. There’s no distinction between the end of the treacherous marsh and the start of the sky. It’s just an empty, amorphous horizon of brown.

Or at least it appears that way until the light improves and a peep through a telescope reveals the brown to be a seemingly endless feathered carpet of pink-footed geese.

“There are about 20,000 of them out there this morning,” says our RSPB guide, Ryan, who fizzes with enthusiasm.

He adds that, in peak mid-winter last year, about 47,000 pink-footed geese roosted here nightly.

He’s excited about the conditions today, suggesting they’re perfect for watching the geese leave their muddy overnight sanctuary (where no predatory foxes can reach them) and fly inland to feed. The birds feast on the post-harvest stubble of sugar beet and cereal crops in Norfolk’s fields, as well as on winter cereals, potatoes and grass.

www.camc.com

January 2020 35

ACTIVITY BREAKS BIRD WATCHING

BOOK

ON THE

WHERE TO STAY

The Sandringham Estate Club site is less than a 15-minute drive from RSPB Snettisham reserve

“

APP

My eyes have adjusted to the light and shapes start to take form

Autumn/winter spectaculars 1. Whooper swans, Martin Mere, Lancashire

Witness 2,000 whooper swans, migrants from Iceland, feeding at Martin Mere Wetland Centre in Lancashire. Feeding sessions bring the swans close to birdwatching hides at 3pm and 3.30pm (24 December 2019 until 29 February 2020).

There’s also the chance to see the swans floodlit on the lake in the evening.

Info: wwt.org.uk/martinmere Stay at: Southport Club site

2. Starling murmurations, Aberystwyth

Watch the extraordinary acrobatic displays of giant flocks of starlings swooping, turning and wheeling in perfect harmony, as they return each evening to roost under the Royal Pier in Aberystwyth.

Stay at: Shawsmead Club site

Above: a ‘flying V’ formation Below: Jonathan looks to the skies

The pink-footed goose is somewhere between mallard and swan in size, and, as you would expect, takes its name from its pink feet (although it might just have well have been called pink-legged or pink-billed). It spends the spring and summer in its breeding grounds of Iceland, Greenland and Spitsbergen, before making the 3,400-mile migration to Norfolk. About 85% of the world’s population of pink-footed geese spend the winter in this country, and Snettisham RSPB reserve in North Norfolk is one of the best places to see them.

SKEIN ATTRACTION

A high-pitched chatter rises occasionally from the massed ranks of geese on the mudflats, like the distant echo of a primary school at playtime, before the birds start taking to the air.

Slowly but surely, V-shaped skeins begin to create striking black silhouettes against the soft pink-purple sky.

Pink-footed geese are masters of formation flying, their slipstream approach saving them up to 40% of the energy required to fly – an enormous boost for their migration from the Arctic Circle.

36 January 2020

”

Unfortunately, they are also wild creatures that ignore the best-laid plans of mice and men. So today, the vast majority follow a different flightpath from normal, avoiding the RSPB reserve and instead flying north, no doubt towards fields where they enjoyed rich pickings yesterday.

The result is a series of smudged black lines, low above the horizon, that edges steadily away from us. A few hundred birds do decide to fly overhead, their excited babble and elegant wing beats offering a tantalising taste of what might have been; the experience is memorable nonetheless.

Gradually The Wash clears of birds and we start the mile or so walk back to the car park.

It feels as though we’ve enjoyed a full day’s adventure yet my watch shows it’s only 8.15am.

We’ve been outside for a couple of hours and, even though there’s not much breeze, I feel chilled to the bone – a spaniel in our group shivers so intensely that its owner picks it up and cuddles it!

Desperate for a hot drink, a Google search locates a garden centre close by in Dersingham with a tearoom that’s about to open.

Nursing my cuppa, I scroll through the photos I’ve taken. They reveal that my eyes had adjusted to the glimmer of first light much more sensitively than the camera. The colours are there, but the images are grainy, so I make immediate plans to return. The £14 RSPB tour has been interesting, but the reserve is freely open to everyone (there is a parking charge – and a height barrier that would block motorhomes) and it would be easy to self-guide along the Access trail and Beach trail to a viewpoint close to the Rotary Hide. Then it’s simply a question of shifting left or right on the shingle bank to stand below the flightpath. The only hard part will be setting the alarm again for such an early wake-up call!

www.camc.com

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FOREIGN TOURING SPAIN

SOL

searching Heidi Fuller-Love chases the winter rays on Spain’s sunniest costa

Frank Anschuet z

O hway like El Caminito del Rey: a pat you? are ve bra how . er.. no oth

38 January 2020

ur toes sunk luxuriously into velvety sand as we strolled towards a beach shack selling espetos – sardines grilled on skewers. The sky was a brilliant blue and it was so hot we were in T-shirts – an ideal start to a week-long winter sun trip along the Costa del Sol, where residents enjoy more than 320 days of sunshine each year.

Our first stop on this jaunt was the city of Málaga, birthplace of artist Pablo Picasso. It’s easy to get lost in its labyrinth of marblepaved streets and cobbled alleys, which are littered with lively flamenco bars. Luckily we

always had La Manquita – ‘the one-armed lady’ – to guide us. That’s the affectionate nickname Malagueños have given to their city’s 276ft-high, 16th-century cathedral, because ‘she’ is missing one of ‘her’ towers.

A happy hour was spent admiring the impressive collection of drawings, sculptures and ceramics at the beautiful Buenavista Palace, home to the Málaga Picasso Museum since 2003. Afterwards, feeling peckish, we made our way to the long-established café, Casa Aranda, to enjoy local-speciality sugar pastry churros served with a bowl of hot chocolate, before following the lanes down to the busy port to visit the city’s most innovative art museum. www.camc.com

1

Cabopino (E21) Close to the seafront and surrounded by restaurants, this friendly site has plenty of shaded pitches and two large pools.

Pitches: 270 Open: all year

Visitor view “My top tip is not to miss the little local restaurants where you will find great Mediterranean dishes for a very good price.

Camping Cabopino is a very beautiful site with trees and very well maintained. Staff and guests are like a family for us as we spent half a year in our caravan here.”

Hubertus Van Liempd

Site staff view “Our park is like a little village where people are always willing to help, share, and smile.

We also organise activities like yoga, Pilates, dance and Spanish cooking classes.”

Tiscar Sanchez

Marbella

Like its famous Parisian parent, the Centre Pompidou Málaga is a quirky building; this modern gallery has a massive, multi-coloured cube sitting on top, while inside marvellous works by the likes of René Magritte and Frida Kahlo hang on the walls.

Having bought handmade sombreros at Sombrerería Del Cid (where they’ve been making the stylish hats for decades) and indulged in massages at the historic Jewish quarter’s steamy Hammam Al Ándalus Arab baths, our day ended at Lo Güeno, a backstreet tapas bar where we feasted on gambas al pil pil (flash-fried prawns) and lomo embuchado (sausage skin stuffed with cured pork), washed down with chilled tumblers of sweet Málaga www.camc.com

Virgen wine. “Remember,” warned our waiter as we ordered a second glass, “the sweeter it is, the stronger it is, so drink carefully!”

BIOPARC AND RECREATION

At this time of the year, the resorts along the stretch between Málaga and Marbella are quite peaceful. We made our way westwards along this beach-lined coast and stopped at the much-talked-about Bioparc Fuengirola.

A new type of wildlife and safari park with a strong focus on conservation, this vast space is so beautifully landscaped that you feel as if you’re walking through tropical forests. The animals – including endangered Sumatran tigers, crocodiles and leopards –

Westend61

Food & drink Hermosa Bistro, Local 1A, Puerto de Cabopino, Marbella, 29604 Málaga Contact: hermosabistro.com, 0034 952 83 74 83

Culture Alcazaba (Moorish palace), Calle Alcazabilla, 2, 29012 Málaga Contact: malagaturismo.com, 0034 95 92 60 20

Outdoor fun Tivoli World, Tivoli Ave, S/N 29631 Arroyo de la Miel, Benalmádena Contact: tivoli.es

For the family Interactive Music Museum, Conde de las Navas Palace Calle Beatas, 15, 29008 Málaga Contact: musicaenaccion.com/ en, 0034 952 21 04 40

January 2020 39

FOREIGN TOURING SPAIN

2

La Bella Vista (E06) Overlooking pretty beaches, this family-friendly site has excellent, modern facilities including a restaurant.

Pitches: 130 Open: all year

Visitor view “There’s so much to see and do in this area that we never get bored.

Make sure to visit Ronda and Gibraltar.”

Ian Carter

Food & drink Venta La Choza Restaurant, 29690 Casares, Málaga Contact: ventalachoza.com, 0034 952 89 09 25

Culture Museo del Bandalero, Calle Armiñán, 65, 29400 Ronda Contact: museobandolero.com, 0034 952 87 77 85

Outdoor fun Thermal Baths of Hedionda, 29690 Casares Contact: malaga.es, 0034 952 89 55 21

For the family Los Toros Beach, Manilva

40 January 2020

live in semi-liberty, contained by natural barriers such as bridges and riverbanks, as opposed to cages. It’s an easy day-trip to make from Cabopino, a well-equipped campsite with pine-shaded pitches and friendly staff.

Cabopino is close to Marbella, where we spent several days strolling through the charming old town, its streets lined with sweet-scented orange trees and chic boutiques. We also visited Puerto Banús – where the rich and famous disembark from giant yachts for dinner and cocktails.

Friends had told us about El Chorro, where steep cliffs and sparkling waters attract mountain bikers, hikers and campers. The drive from the coast into the mountains is along winding roads, fringed with fragrant thyme bushes and sweet-smelling pine trees.

After an hour we caught our first glimpse of El Caminito del Rey, a breathtaking narrow bridge spanning the Guadalhorce River gorge.

Better known as ‘The King’s Pathway’, this three-feet-wide catwalk was constructed for the visit of King Alfonso XIII, who came to celebrate the creation of the region’s three artificial lakes in 1921. Today, the terrifying 100m-high walkway is known as one of the world’s most dangerous aerial pathways.

Unable to resist, we paid our entrance ticket and crossed the bridge, which quivered like jelly. (As did we, whenever we glanced down at the opaline waters below.)

Our next spot, La Bella Vista, is a friendly, beachfront campsite. It is said that Julius Caesar once wallowed in the hot springs at nearby Manilva, which we visited one

Mario Galati / Alamy

Site staff view “La Bella Vista is the perfect place for your stay with its beachfront location, superb facilities and so much to do in the area. Whether you’re looking to put your feet up and relax or go out and about this is the best place to base yourself.”

Scott McNeil

Centre Pompidou Museum Of Art in Malaga afternoon. We also joined a coach trip to see the Barbary apes and other sights on Gibraltar – just over 30 minutes’ drive away.

Our final day was spent following another spectacular winding road through pine forests to Ronda. This dazzling clifftop town is famed for its 13th-century baths, modelled on those of Granada’s Alhambra, and the beautifully conserved 14th-century Mondragón Palace, where Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand once lived. The bells rang out from the town’s ornate Santa María la Mayor church later that evening as we sipped wine and watched the sun descend in a blaze of colour... safe in the happy certitude that tomorrow would be another sunny day.

MEMBER SINCE...

Motorhomer Heidi Fuller-Love joined the Club in 2017

www.camc.com

www.camc.com

November 2016 XX

TOURING OVERSEAS TRAVEL

Aussie gold Priceless memories are the reward when you embark on an escorted motorhome tour in the land Down Under

Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge; meet koalas (left); Whitsunday Islands (below left) Duration/type: 36 days/escorted motorhome tour Departure: 21 August 2020, 20 September 2020 Price: from £5,799pp for 21 Aug 2020 departure (based on two sharing)

DRIVING DOWN UNDER This incredible tour takes in the jaw-dropping scenery and exciting cities of Australia’s south and east coasts.

Starting in Adelaide and concluding in Cairns (the September 2020 trip runs in reverse), this adventure is led by highly-knowledgable local tour leaders who will help you get the most from your Australian experience.

Following a two-night stay in Adelaide’s Majestic Roof Garden Hotel, you will pick up your motorhome and set off through the Coorong National Park for the town of Robe on South Australia’s Limestone Coast.

Afterwards, many guests will want to visit the spectacular Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve – declared neighbouring state Victoria’s first National Park in 1892, it is home to the likes of emus, koalas, kangaroos and wallabies.

Another early highlight is the Great Ocean Road. One of the most iconic drives in the world, it features numerous breathtaking views, capped off by the sight of the Twelve Apostles rock

formation. It’s then on to Melbourne – during your time in this fantastic city you’ll enjoy the Melbourne Hidden Secrets Tour, with lunch included!

Heading north-east, via the early goldmining ‘boomtown’ of Beechworth, picturesque Lake Hume, and Corryong, you will make for Canberra. Highlights to look out for in the Australian capital include the striking Chinese Embassy and the long-house style building of the High Commission of Papua New Guinea.

STYLISH SYDNEY

Iconic Sydney is next on the itinerary, where you will enjoy a harbour lunch cruise. You might want to add Bondi Beach or the Opera House to your list of must-visit locations.

Continuing up the eastern seaboard, guests will stop at Port Macquarie, the surfing hotspot of Byron Bay and the whale-spotting mecca of Hervey Bay. A trip to fascinating Fraser Island is part of your package. Measuring 76 miles long by 14 miles wide, it is the largest sand island

in the world and boasts beautiful rainforest as well as half of the globe’s ‘perched lakes’ (bodies of water formed in the depressions in the dunes).

By day 28 you will reach Airlie Beach – gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and the famed Great Barrier Reef. From here you can enjoy one of the many day trips out to the Whitsundays, while there are also activities to keep you busy on the mainland.

Your tour concludes in Cairns, where the worlds of tropical rainforest and coastal reef collide. Here you will enjoy a farewell dinner, where the conversation is guaranteed to flow as you reminisce over your holiday of a lifetime.

Price includes: 29 days motor ome hire, return flights, all transfers, hotel stays in Adelaide and Cairns, 28 nig ts pre boo ed campsites, Melbourne Hidden Secrets tour, Sydney Harbour Cruise with lunch, full day ranger guided tour to Fraser Island, welcome and farewell dinners

For more information on these tours please visit camc.com/worldwide or call 01342 488059 42 January 2020

www.camc.com

Barramundi Gorge, Kakadu National Park; discover the Outback (left); Uluru (below left)

OUTBACK AUSTRALIA Enjoy a true Outback experience as you journey through the heart of this incredible country. Beginning in the wine-producing regions around Adelaide, travelling through the ‘Red Centre’ and concluding in tropical Darwin, this is your chance to soak up a magnificent mixture of scenery and culture (the May tour follows the same itinerary in reverse).

After three nights’ rest at Adelaide’s Stamford Plaza hotel, you set off for the Flinders Ranges National Park, home to some of the most breathtaking scenery in South Australia. Options include an aboriginal cultural tour, a flight over the Wilpena Pound mountains or a four-wheel-drive tour.

As you travel northwards, you will stop at Coober Pedy, Australia’s largest opal-producing centre and one of the hottest places in the entire country ( er e er re o 5 re no unknown). Visit an underground home or an opal mine, or perhaps venture further afield to see the ‘Moon Plain’.

Duration/type: 36 days/escorted motorhome Departure: 6 April 2021, 7 May 2021 Price: from £5,699pp (based on two sharing)

The next highlight is Uluru (Ayers Rock).

Held sacred by aboriginal peoples, this immense red sandstone monolith has to be seen to be believed. Enjoy champagne and canapés before a ‘Sounds of Silence Dinner’ beneath the setting sun and embark on a short transfer to a remote desert location where you can take in the immersive ‘Field of Light’ experience.

SPRING STEP

Soon you will arrive at Alice Springs, where attractions include a visit to the Old Telegraph Station and the opportunity to find out about the famous Royal Flying Doctor Service. It’s then on to Tennant Creek – the embodiment of true ‘Outback Australia’. From here you could visit the ‘Karlu Karlu’ (Devils Marbles) rock formations or head for an authentic Aboriginal Australian art gallery.

Katherine Gorge, one of Australia’s natural wonders, awaits. In this beautiful region we have included a cultural cruise on which you will learn about the indigenous Jawoyn people.

Your final leg ends at Darwin, the Northern Territory’s modern capital, where you can unwind for two nights before your flight home. But first you have the delights of two National Parks to discover. Kakadu is a region of wetlands and ancient escarpment with a vast array of birdlife, while Litchfield has extraordinary waterfalls – a fitting conclusion to your adventure.

Price includes: 28 days’ motorhome hire, return flights, all transfers, hotel stays in Adelaide and Darwin, 27 nig ts pre boo ed campsites, local tour leaders, Sounds of Silence Dinner at Uluru, cultural cruise, Yellow Water Cruise, Coober Pedy Opal Tour, welcome and farewell dinners

For more information on these tours please visit camc.com/worldwide or call 01342 488059 www.camc.com

January 2020 43

TOURING OVERSEAS TRAVEL

FAMILY VALUE It’s time to start planning those summer touring holidays!

Check out this selection of overseas sites that are great for families and offer top early-booking offers

S02 SWITZERLAND

Aaregg

e o re er re er n fits the bill. Situated on the banks of Lake Brienz and surrounded by hills and mountains, this must be one of the most attractive locations on the network.

Visitors have direct access to the lake and kids will love the inflatable play area in the shallows. A restaurant, shop and dren ro nd dd o e e family-friendly credentials.

Site code: S02 Special offer: 20% discount if booked by 31 December 2019; 10% if booked between 1 January and 28 February 2020

SPAIN

Cypsela E36 H13

NETHERLANDS

Duinrell

The main attraction at this huge site is that guests receive free entry to the adjacent Duinrell Amusement Park. With more than 40 attractions, including the Dragonfly roller coaster, Splash water ride and Kikkerrad ferris wheel, there is something here for everyone. Please note that entrance to the Tiki Pool water attraction is a separate cost.

Site code: H13

44 January 2020

Located close to the ancient village of Pals and just five minutes from one of the largest beaches on the Costa Brava, Cypsela is a great holiday option. On-site facilities include a pool complex with water slides as well as ten-pin bowling, a restaurant, shops and a café. Should you wish to venture further afield, the walled city of Girona is less than an hour’s drive.

Site code: E36 Special offer: book by 31 December 2019 and save 10% on stays between 20 May and 19 September 2020 (save 5% by booking between 1 January and 31 January 2020).

www.camc.com

FRANCE

LʼOrangerie de Lanniron

This lovely site sits within the grounds of a beautiful 17th-century manor.

Children will enjoy the great pool o e nd e o d

e keen golfers can take advantage of a nine-hole course, driving range and training bunker. Quimper, with its Gothic cathedral and 14th-century old town is within walking distance.

Site code: B21 Special offer: book a minimum of three nights by 29 February 2020 and save 10%

B21

FRANCE

Camping de Paris

A perfect base for visits to the capital and Disneyland Paris, this site is a great family destination. Offering grassy, shaded pitches as well as a games room, play area, bar, takeaway and morning bread and croissant service, all your needs are catered for. Camping de Paris won the ‘All Year Award’ at the Caravan and Motorhome Club & Alan Rogers Campsite Awards.

Site code: P18 Special offer: book a minimum of seven nights by 31 January 2020 and receive a 10% discount

P18

FRANCE

LHippocampe

E35 SPAIN

Playa Brava

Playa Brava offers direct access to a sandy beach as well as a range of facilities such as a pool and restaurant.

Water sports such as sailing and kayaking are offered at the beach while Segway tours can also be taken around the area. Day-trip options include the ancient city of Girona or e en r e on ( o o r dr e)

Situated on the banks of the Durance river, within walking distance of Volonne in the picturesque Alpes-de-Haute ro en e re on o e n o nd n e Youngsters will be drawn to the large pool complex, while site staff are happy to book excursions for guests, such as flights over the Gorges du Verdon.

Site code: C09 Special offer: book a minimum of seven nights by 31 January 2020 and save 10% (valid on stays between 7 May and 31 July/22 August and 11 September 2020)

C09

Site code: E35 Special offer: book before 31 January 2020 for any stay between 16 May and 17 July/18 August and 12 September 2020 and receive 5% discount. Valid for bookings of six nights or fewer

For more information, please visit camc.com/overseas or call 01342 488101

FRANCE

A18

Les Péneyrals

Boasting a vast swimming pool complex and variety of slides, this site just outside the town of Sarlat is a family’s dream come true.

Further attractions aimed at younger guests include outdoor play areas, mini golf, a giant chess board and a bouncy castle.

Meanwhile the nearby medieval town of Sarlat-la-Canéda is well worth a visit.

Site code: A18 Special offer: save 10% on stays between 10 April and 12 September 2020 when booked before 31 December 2019 (5% when booked before 31 January 2020) January 2020 45

CORRESPONDENCE YOUR VIEWS

Letters

Your chance to have your say. The writer of our star letter will receive copies of our three-edition overseas touring guides STAR LETTER

Kindness and patience I am always so thankful for the kindness and patience shown to me on every Club site I visit.

I have trouble twisting my electric plug and need help, I am unable to reach down to use the barrier key and the lovely site managers look out for me and open the barrier for me.

On my recent visit to Brighton Club site, I called in to check that the office would be opening at 9am so I could begin my journey home early. I was immediately asked if I would like to leave earlier. I suggested 8am (my usual early departure from home is about 6am but I thought that was a bit much!) and they volunteered

to look out for me and open the barrier. I was overwhelmed and wanted to write to thank them formally through the magazine. They even offered to come out to the camper to collect my barrier key, although I gave it in the evening before.

This is a chance to thank all the staff over the past 20 years who have been unfailingly helpful to me, especially since I was widowed some years ago.

By the way – a note to any other widows or widowers – be brave and come camping; help is always available from staff and other campers and you will make new friends and memories.

Sally Ann Howlett, Norwich

HOW’S ZAT? Recently returning from an epic but effortlessly enjoyable European adventure lasting 56 nights and covering France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia (just) and Croatia, I was impressed to read the article in November’s edition of the Club magazine entitled Going the Extra Mile by Lee Davey, describing a trip to Croatia. Impressed because he visited the same site as we did, namely Zaton Holiday Resort (right) near Zadar.

While there we walked from the site to the ancient city of Nin, the oldest city in Croatia that was the residence of past kings. It also has evidence of Roman occupation. The route into Nin takes you down to the water’s edge (the Adriatic Sea) where you continue with the sea on your left until you reach the ancient arch that marks the entry into the old town.

It took less than 30 minutes.

It is a lovely place with many places to eat; we selected a pizzeria, serving hand-made pizzas, and enjoyed lunch on an outside table shaded from the still-strong sun by a wind-out awning.

46 January 2020

This was washed down by one of the excellent local beers.

We spent three nights at Zaton Holiday Resort and it’s true, it does resemble a small town due to its size.

The facilities blocks were quite new and spotlessly clean. One in particular was absolutely awesome with a ’wall of water’ feature looking like a waterfall.

When we left we headed north up the coast road, the A7/E65 to Selce, a very scenic and spectacular journey that reminded me of a 100-mile long Cheddar Gorge!

Overall the trip was a very pleasant one covering over 2,800 miles.

Neal and Barbara Farrow, Kent

Send your letters to Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine, East Grinstead House, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 1UA. Alternatively, email us at enquiries@camc.com or magazine@camc.com.

LET CHANGE TAKE ITS COURSE

COVER DRIVE I refer to the interesting and important letter, ‘Towbar Cover’, in the November issue of the Club’s magazine. If you add any nonstandard item to your vehicle, you should notify your insurer. Many members will have fitted roof racks, top boxes and perhaps cycle carriers. If you have not already mentioned these non-factory fitted items to your insurer I would suggest you do so.

It may well be that your insurer will be quite happy about it – but you should cover yourself and tell them!

Peter Smith, via email

The letter, ‘Electric shock!’ in the November 2019 magazine reflects the fears of many ‘distance’ caravanners.

As the lucky owner of a Discovery diesel and quite a large caravan, and as I am now retired, I have had the good fortune to travel far and wide throughout EU countries and beyond.

I fear that travelling to the far corners will be a thing of the past if we in the UK are forced by the environment lobby to ditch petrol and diesel vehicles before the technology is in place to replace fossil fuels. Until electric recharging is as fast as fuel filling and batteries or power packs are reliable enough, we must allow both forms of powering vehicles to remain available.

The Club’s Technical Manager, Martin Spencer, talks of opportunistic charging and increasing charging points. I am sure technology will advance at a pace but the change should be driven by the success of the new technology and not forced upon us with the result that we advance backwards.

Let the change take its natural course and I have no doubt that eventually diesel cars will be history as we advance forwards.

Geoffrey Beaty, via email

NOTHING’S NEW

Just to prove there is very little new in this world and that good design can be copied but rarely improved upon, I was reminded of the latest trend in teardrop or pod caravans when I came across this photo of a car and caravan in a Danish museum while on holiday there in our campervan.

From the look of the car I would estimate the age to be shortly after the Second World War. I particularly like the sheer simplicity of the design which includes a cooking area plus a cunning fold-away bed and table.

Neil Robertson, Edinburgh www.camc.com

POSITIVE CHARGE

I have an idea for solving the main problem with electric cars, which I would like to share in the magazine.

The drawback is the time taken to recharge the battery – so how about just changing it for a another one that's already charged?

Manufacturers would have to standardise battery connections and have maybe just three sizes – small, medium and large depending on the size of the car.

Charged batteries could be available in garages (which won’t have much to do when petrol and diesel cars are phased out in 2040) and could be changed in minutes either by an attendant (just like we used to have our cars filled up in the past), or by a competent driver.

You could then embark on much longer journeys, changing batteries every 200 miles or so.

Mike McMahon, via email

Be prepared I feel extremely lucky to be living in relative luxury – even in my caravan – compared with those living with nothing and in fear for their lives. Exploring the countryside from home or from my caravan reinforces this view.

However, my life of luxury contributes to climate change and I am a climate change hypocrite. I know climate change is having a deleterious impact on the planet but I still contribute to it by towing a heavy caravan with my big car.

I accept that my life and my children’s lives will change dramatically in the coming years in order to mitigate climate change.

I hope that governments will quickly start to encourage and incentivise development of new technologies to make those changes easy for us to accept.

I want to see progress in developing renewable energy production, hydrogen generation from renewables and a hydrogen infrastructure to power transport via hydrogen fuel cells and possibly domestic heating directly.

If caravanning is to have a future, manufacturers need to develop lighter ’vans. Tempt us with designs more stormproof than a tent but without unnecessary wood, metal and plastic.

I am fully prepared for changes in my life and I will accept them. A smaller car, lightweight ’van, exploring by foot, bike or local buses, eating local produce are all things we will still be able to enjoy.

There is a path to a sustainable future for our children. Engineers and entrepreneurs will develop technologies and equipment to help us along this path given the right incentives. Let’s look forward to this future positively and adapt without grumbling.

Robin Peers, via email

IN A FIX We returned from October’s NEC show without seeing one caravan that we wished to purchase. We’ve caravanned since the 1980s and in all that time, when changing our ’vans we’ve mostly had a choice.

The reason is, of course, the industry’s total dedication to the fixed bed.

Obviously that’s what the majority of customers appear to demand. We, on the other hand, don’t like dragging a ‘bedsit’ around.

Now, if we venture to the ‘Dark Side’, ie motorhomes, there are quite a few established manufacturers who offer vehicles with U-shaped rear lounges, without a fixed bed – so why not caravans? There is the huge rise in popularity of panel van conversions. We couldn’t believe the amount on display that demand a total day-to-night transformation every day.

We really would like to buy a new van, so come on caravan manufacturers, get a little creative for 2021.

J M Shaw, via email

www.camc.com

January 2020 47

SPECIAL AWNINGS

AIR SPACE Here we take a look at an exciting new development in the world of caravan awnings

When Bailey of Bristol unveiled its new three-model Discovery range at October’s NEC show, it wasn’t just the individual-style of the caravans that drew visitors like magnets – for of equal interest was an innovative wraparound PRIMA Discovery Air Awning (a £1,199 extra-cost option that Bailey expects most buyers to specify at the time of ordering) designed specifically for this new line-up of tourers. We talked to PRIMA to find out more about this awning development.

CMC: This is unlike any other awning on the market. Can you tell us about some of the design challenges involved in its development?

PRIMA: When the new curved rear bodyshell was finalised during the development of the Bailey Discovery, we started looking at ways to fit a conventionally-styled Air Awning around the side and rear of the caravan. Our latest range of PRIMA Air Awning designs has been well received and we wanted to incorporate our most popular design features like skylights and reflective elements into the new awning, but our key focus was on making the awning as compact and lightweight as possible without compromising durability. The total outfit length was also a design challenge and we spent time investigating pitch sizes; as a result the Discovery D4-2 has a total caravan plus awning length of 8m, which will comfortably fit on most Club pitches.

What makes this awning unique?

The Discovery Air Awning is incredibly spacious with its unique L-shape making 48 January 2020

the most of the pitch size. At 13.8sq m the D4-2 awning has well over twice the footprint area of a standard 260 Air Awning. Unlike other awnings for smaller caravans, the Discovery Air Awning looks and feels like a full-featured Air Awning, enhancing the aesthetics of the caravan. The Discovery awning also has an optional double sleeping tent that can be quickly attached inside at the rear of the caravan, creating a tidy sleeping area that doesn’t impact the layout of the front of the awning. This is an efficient use of space and means no additional annexes are needed.

What materials are used?

We tested several fabrics to find the right balance of durability, waterproofing and low weight. We eventually chose a 300d polyester weave that has a hydrostatic head of 3,000mm and UPF 50+ sun protection. The awning also comes with carbon-fibre rear draught poles, a PU groundsheet and PVC draught skirt to create a more weatherproof and comfortable environment within the

Top: the awning is straightforward to put up Above: it is spacious and sturdy Below: in situ it is an impressive piece of kit

awning. As with all PRIMA Air Awnings, we have an industry-leading aftersales support service and warranty covering manufacturing and materials.

How much does the awning weigh and is it compact when put away?

The Discovery Air Awning weighs 33kg, which includes 8kg of accessories worth £100 – groundsheet, draught skirt, carbon fibre rear upright poles for a secure fit, plus pegs, pump and bag.

This compares very favourably to other Air Awnings in terms of weight to area footprint. For ease, everything fits neatly into the oversized stuff bag with compression straps.

How easy is it to erect?

Pitching the Discovery awnings is simple and the process is similar to other Air Awnings; the only real difference being more beading to pull around the curve of the bodyshell of the caravan. The simple inflation system and all-in-one construction means it takes two people about 40 minutes to erect the awning. www.camc.com

SPECIAL CLUB AWARDS

CLASS ACTS

PART TWO

Judge Sammy Faircloth reports on the Club’s 2020 Lightweight Leisure Trailer rd e e re e e de er e nner n e r n e n o e A healthy total of 38 outfits competed in the Lightweight Leisure Trailer Awards 2020, held at the October NEC show in Birmingham.

The competition helps Club members make more informed decisions when purchasing new vehicles. These models – trailer tents, folding caravans, pop-tops and compact caravans – represent an

appealing ‘next step’ for tent campers in search of greater comfort, or for those considering the switch to a smaller tourer.

The lightest caravans in this sector weigh 750kg or less and can be towed by most small hatchback cars. The Club’s website contains information on the type of driving licence you may require (see camc.com/advice).

on

This month we also feature de er e

oo r n our Caravan Design Awards – see the December issue for all the other results. To be classed as a dealer special a caravan must only be available from one dealer or dealer network and must be based on an existing manufacturer’s model.

So, without further ado, it’s time to announce the winners...

CLASS ONE TRAILER TENTS WITHOUT KITCHEN WINNER

Trigano Camptrail 750

Price: £6,783 The compact Trigano Camptrail 750 is a very versatile trailer tent. Not only does it offer accommodation for two, it can also be used as a standalone trailer – so, when the holiday is over, it can cart items from A to B. The payload is a very reasonable 355kg, offering plenty of scope for your personal belongings. The canvas is a robust, army-green polycotton, which makes it stand out. The mechanical braked system makes it a sure winner.

RUNNER-UP

Trigano Camptrail 500

Price: £6,033 The 500 is identical to the class winner in terms of accommodation – and it also comes in the green polycotton – but it doesn’t offer the mechanical braked system.

The payload is a little lacking compared to the 750, but it is still a great weekend leisure vehicle for two.

50 January 2020

THIRD PLACE

Trigano Camplair S

Price: £3,999 This adaptable, compact trailer tent was a worthy winner last year, but was bumped into third place this time by the two Camptrails.

The four-berth, two-bedroom tent offers plenty of room for a family and can sleep additional people courtesy of an optional extra underbed, which is ideal for children or as enclosed additional storage space. The awning is a modern dome shape with plenty of room inside.

www.camc.com

CLASS TWO TRAILER TENTS WITH KITCHEN WINNER

Isabella Camp-Let Dream XL

Price: £7,991 Danish company Isabella certainly dreamed big during the design process while creating this new model. The high-quality, contemporary kitchen unit complements the Nordic colour scheme. Storage is plentiful, with a hidden wardrobe compartment between the two sleeping areas, pelmet with pockets as standard and underbed storage attached to the bottom skirt. The acrylic tent material typifies the quality of Isabella products and there is the option to add side annexes.

RUNNER-UP

Isabella Camp-Let Dream

Price: £6,591 Compared to its sister (the Dream XL) the Dream lacks lustre in the kitchen department. However, the price may cause many to overlook this; “Incredible value,” said one judge.

The compact, sleek trailer design means it can be towed by a small car and it can be erected swiftly single-handed. It scored highly on storage, quality of canvas and exterior finish.

THIRD PLACE

Trigano Odyssee GL

Price: £7,400 This is a more traditional-style trailer tent, featuring the exclusive Trigano heavy-duty cotton in earthy colours.

In the words of one of the judges it is “a nice, simple trailer tent”. It was noted that the beds are quite raised, so any new owner would need a head for heights! The five-minute set-up time means you’ll be relaxing with a cup of tea in no time.

www.camc.com

January 2020 51

SPECIAL CLUB AWARDS

CLASS THREE FOLDING CAMPERS WINNER

Pennine Pathfinder Price: £14,995

Continuing its success in this class, the six-berth Pathfinder was once again crowned the winner.

It offers a large family the interior luxury of a caravan with the towability of a trailer. With its three comfy double beds (two of which are fixed), well-equipped kitchen and functional bathroom, there is much to like. The judges commended the option to have either a white or black inner lining in the bedroom areas. A full awning is included, which offers additional living space for the family. A welldeserved win.

RUNNER-UP

Conway Crusader Price: £14,995 One of two Conway models in production, the Crusader outscored its sister model (the Countryman) this time. It is similar

in style to the Pennine Pathfinder, except that the seating area is formulated in a parallel design. All-in-all it is a well-equipped folding caravan with heating, awning and well-appointed kitchen.

CLASS FIVE CARAVANS 750KG AND UNDER WITHOUT WASHROOM

WINNER THIRD PLACE

Pennine Fiesta Price: £11,995

The Fiesta will always play second fiddle to the Pathfinder due to the lack of an oven, the tight toilet cubicle without sink and the absence of a wardrobe – but it is £3,000 cheaper. There are some lovely design features that help to maximise available space.

52 January 2020

Freedom Sunseeker Classic

Price: £11,945

Following last year’s success, the Sunseeker Classic finds itself in pole position once again. This traditionally-designed caravan has a light and airy interior and is certainly well equipped.

Included are a combined oven and grill, three-way fridge, plenty of overhead lockers and a full-length wardrobe. Ticking all the boxes, it was described by one of our judges as “amazingly spacious”. www.camc.com

RUNNER-UP

CLASS FOUR POP-TOPS WITH WASHROOM WINNER

Silver Evasion 430CP

Price: £16,455 The Evasion 430CP wowed the judges with its modern styling – evident in the beautifullydesigned cupboards, the quality of furnishings and the optimisation of space. For a little caravan, it really

Eriba Touring Triton 430

scored highly on storage, with a massive area available under the fixed bed at the front. It also had numerous electrical sockets to cater for device-laden families, and enough LED spotlights to light up the Starship Enterprise. In the words of one judge, it is “very classy, open and fresh feeling”.

Price: £18,430 The Eriba has something of a cult following, with its unique shape and canvas pop-top roof, which allows for 1.95m headroom.

However, this style icon comes with a hefty price tag compared to the class winner.

Listed as a three-berth, it felt a little compact and would probably better suit a couple.

However, with plenty of storage available and very good build quality, it is a more than worthy runner-up.

THIRD PLACE

Eriba Touring Familia 320

Price: £17,090 Although cheaper than the Triton 430, the Touring Familia 320 is still more expensive than the class-winner. The judges were disappointed by the lack of hot water provision; otherwise, this iconic pop-top caravan is built to exceptional standards and has oodles of storage space. The exterior will always ensure this little ’van stands out in a crowd.

THIRD PLACE

Freedom Sunstream Flare

RUNNER-UP

T@B 320

Price: £15,843 The highly-recognisable teardrop shape and funky graphics of this unique caravan will always turn heads, its modern design incorporating quirky porthole windows and an arched doorway – not often seen in caravans. www.camc.com

The T@B’s payload of 130kg is better than its fellow competitors and it offers plenty of storage. It would have been nice to have seen an oven/grill in the kitchen.

Price: £11,495 The Sunstream boasts the same level of equipment as the Sunseeker, but has full-length single beds that can convert into a double if required. The judges agreed that it was a spacious, well laid-out caravan, but that it struggles with its 100kg payload.

Offering four USB ports and plenty of 230V sockets, er e e tourer, though.

January 2020 53

SPECIAL CLUB AWARDS

CLASS SIX CARAVANS 750KG AND UNDER WITH WASHROOM WINNER

Freedom Jetstream Twin Sport Flare

Price: £13,995 Once again, the Jetstream Twin Sport has taken the top spot.

Offering an abundance of USB ports and sockets, single beds that convert into a huge double, a well-appointed washroom, a fully-furnished kitchen with oven/grill and a Truma Combi 4 heating and hot water system that can be controlled through an app on your smartphone, this is a little gem with a lot to give.

THIRD PLACE

Freecross Premium 330DL

Price: £14,995 This bijou caravan is remarkably spacious inside, offering four berths – fixed bunk beds for the kids and a reasonable double. The price is respectable for a family of four but, sadly, there was no oven/grill and the half-sphere bowl in the kitchen might prove to be a little challenging when washing up after a meal.

RUNNER-UP

Freedom Jetstream First Class

Price: £13,995 Runner-up once again, the Jetstream First Class is similar to the class winner. Although the double bed is smaller when made up, it gains 54 January 2020

a full-length wardrobe. Once again, for such a small caravan it features a decent-sized washroom and a well-equipped kitchen. www.camc.com

CLASS SEVEN CARAVANS 750KG-1,100KG WINNER

Swift Basecamp Special Edition

Price: £19,680 This habitual winner is back again but with some distinct changes.

The signature rear door now has a window, allowing plenty of extra natural light to enter. This little beauty comes stacked with plenty of electrical sockets, storage everywhere – including new expandable storage pockets and removable storage bags – and a smart, well-appointed kitchen.

With its modern interior and stylish graphic design, this really is an eye-catching tourer.

THIRD PLACE

Bailey Discovery D4-2

Price: £16,764 Boasting all the charm of its sister model, the two-berth Discovery D4-2 is a nice little caravan. The judges liked the clever concealment of the table by the front door, allowing easy access. The wrap-around air awning offers additional living space and was very innovative – however, this is an expensive optional extra at just over £1,000.

RUNNER-UP

Bailey Discovery D4-3

Price: £17,564 The ‘new kid on the block’ from Bailey of Bristol was a very worthy runner-up. The Discovery D4-3 is a fabulous, modern, three-berth caravan. One judge commented, “What a great sociable space”.

The interior design is smart, boasting super touches like USB sockets in the directional spotlights and sprung-base www.camc.com

cushions for added comfort. The exterior has an aerodynamic, wrap-around rear profile which stands out from the crowd.

January 2020 55

SPECIAL CLUB AWARDS

CARAVAN DESIGN AWARDS DEALER SPECIAL CATEGORIES CATEGORY ONE TWO-BERTH CARAVAN WINNER

COUPLANDS BESSACARR BY DESIGN 495

Price: £29,950 Having won this category in 2018, the Bessacarr By Design 495 is yet again in the spotlight. Packed with many well-thought-out extras that are not featured on the base model, new additions are the Alde Flow heating system and kitchen extractor hood.

These are complemented by white Fenix worktops, white kitchen doors and silver-grey upholstery that brings all the elements together. A very sophisticated-looking caravan.

CATEGORY THREE OVER FOUR-BERTH CARAVAN

WINNER

CATEGORY TWO THREE/FOUR-BERTH CARAVAN WINNER

COUPLANDS BESSACARR BY DESIGN 835 Price: £37,850

Another well-deserved win for Couplands, this time for its fourberth Bessacarr By Design 835. Its practical layout incorporates a fixed bed in the end bedroom, central washroom and chic kitchen design with extractor fan. It’s very light and airy with good storage, but price may be a consideration for some.

56 January 2020

GLOSSOP CARAVANS COACHMAN FESTIVAL 630

Price:£28,197

The judges felt that this would make an ideal caravan for a young family, with its fixed bunks, decent-sized washroom and central dinette area offering a good balance between daytime and night-time use. There

were lots of strong extra features such as an alarm, Al-Ko secure lock, ATC trailer control system, heavy-duty steadies, DAB radio and USB points. All at a good price.

For a complete list of entries in all classes and categories, see camc.com/caravandesign www.camc.com

TOURING OVERSEAS TRAVEL

Book now for The National 2020

From

Belvoir Castle, Grantham near Milestone Caravan Park (AS)

£114*

for 3 nights

Join us over the spring Bank Holiday at Belvoir Castle, Grantham, Leicestershire Friday 22 – Tuesday 26 May 2020

Experience a fantastic long weekend of free family fun and games, together with some great evening entertainment – all in the beautiful Vale of Belvoir.

Book your pitch today

camc.com/national 01342 336 666

*Price includes your pitch, one car, electric hook up and 2 adults.

Free entry for under 17 year olds.

www.camc.com

January 2020 ss

MEMBER OFFERS SPECIAL DEALS

SAVE WITH THE CLUB Have you made your New Year‘s resolutions? As a Club member you can take advantage of a vast range of discounts that will help you achieve your goals!

Exercise more...

12% DISCOUNT ON VIEWRANGER APP Walking is one of the easiest ways to get more active – and ViewRanger can help. The ViewRanger app helps you find a wide variety of walking routes and tracks your performance.

Following the seven-day free trial, Club members save 12% on a PREMIUM + Ordnance Survey Maps for Great Britain subscription.

Find out more at camc.com/viewranger.

15% OFF AT RUNNERS NEED

According to the NHS running burns more calories than any other mainstream exercise (see nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/running-tips-forbeginners). You don’t need a lot of equipment but a good pair of running shoes is a good place to start, and if you are planning to go out in the evening, hi-vis accessories will help with safety. Members of the Club receive a 15% discount at Runners Need both in store and online.

See camc.com/runnersneed for more information.

RALEIGH DISCOUNT PLUS FREE HELMET

Raleigh has been making quality bicycles for over 130 years and is a leader in the UK electric bike market. Electric bikes allow more people to take up cycling or continue their passion into later life. Club members can take advantage of a 10% discount on bicycles and claim a free cycle helmet with their purchase. Find out more at camc.com/raleigh.

Learn a new skill/take up a hobby...

RED ORIGINAL – 15% OFFER

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SAVING Whether you fancy metal detecting for treasure with the grandkids or scouring the night sky for distant galaxies, National Geographic has the perfect gear to get you started. The Extreme Explorer kit features a metal detector, a head torch and more, while the Deluxe Exploration kit includes a powerful set of binoculars and a compact telescope. Save 10% at Club Shop – see shop.camc.com.

Learn a new skill and get some exercise and at the same time by taking up a watersport. Red Original is providing members with a 15% discount on luxury and quality technical products associated with paddle boarding canoeing, kayaking, sailing, rowing, surfing and more. Find out more by visiting camc. com/redoriginal.

Information correct at time of publication. Terms and conditions apply to all member offers – see camc.com/memberoffers for details 58 January 2020

www.camc.com

Spend time with family and friends...

GREAT SAVINGS GUIDE

History buffs, nature lovers and thrill seekers can all benefit from member offers at attractions featured in our Great Savings Guide*.

See camc.com/greatsavingsguide for details

Save 10% at High Force Waterfall Look on in awe as the River Tees drops some 21 metres into a plunge pool in the heart of the Durham Dales. The rocks below the waterfall date from over 300 million years ago!

20% off at Aillwee Cave and Birds of Prey Centre Explore the dramatic underworld on a leisurely tour, taking in over-bridged chasms, weird formations and a thunderous waterfall – and then see dramatic flying displays featuring beautiful birds of prey at this fantastic attraction on the west coast of Ireland. Discount is on a full-admission ticket.

10% off Severn Valley Railway Sit back and enjoy the beautiful countryside from your lovinglyrestored, vintage carriage aboard the Severn Valley Railway, a 16-mile heritage line that runs across the Shropshire/ Worcestershire border.

Up to

off S re s dventure

Board the magical 4D flying bus, visit Shrek’s Swamp and meet Puss in Boots in the Poison Apple Pub at this immersive attraction on the Thames South Bank.

SAVE 10%

15% saving with Thousand Islands Expeditions

1/3 off at Beaulieu

Discover the National Motor Museum – home to more than 250 historic vehicles – as well as Palace House and Gardens, Beaulieu Abbey and World of Top Gear at this fantastic attraction in the heart of the New Forest.

Enjoy a wildlife boat trip to the islands of Ramsey, Skomer and Grassholm off the coast of south-west Wales.

Depending on the experience you choose you could see seals, dolphins, porpoises, puffins and a variety of other seabirds.

AT ROUTE RESTAURANTS

5, 38, 39 AND 303

20% off at Holkham Hall

Rolling parkland, a national nature reserve and an awardwinning beach surround this magnificent Norfolk stately home. Further treats include the wonderful walled garden, woodland adventure play area, ropes course, cycle and boat hire and, of course, the magnificent Hall itself.

These Americanthemed restaurants serve favourites such as steaks, ribs, chicken and burgers, alongside pancakes, all-day breakfasts, salads and candy shakes. Packed with rock and roll memorabilia and with a soundtrack to match.

*Information correct at time of publication. Terms and conditions apply to all offers – see camc.com/greatsavingsguide (offers available from 1 January 2020) www.camc.com

January 2020 59

COUNTRY MATTERS MANDARIN DUCK

The drake mandarin – surely the world‘s most ornamental and attractive duck 60 January 2020

www.camc.com

COLOUR

VISION David Chapman introduces arguably the most beautiful duck in the world

W A mandarin drake keeps a close eye on ‘his’ duck (top); the female mandarin is pretty but in an understated way (above) www.camc.com

ildlife ‘introductions’ and ‘reintroductions’ have been frequent in the United Kingdom – both beneficial and problematic.

We often undertake to reintroduce a species when a creature has suffered a decline or become extinct in a particular area. One example of a successful project is that associated with the red kite, a bird that had been reduced to just a handful of pairs (residing in mid-Wales) but which is now common in many parts of the UK. We use the term ‘introduction’ to refer to a non-native species that has found its way into our countryside due to a deliberate or accidental act. Examples include the grey squirrel, which was released by Victorians for their amusement, and stick insects, imported accidentally on tree ferns from New Zealand.

Some introductions have gone spectacularly wrong. Japanese knotweed, mink and signal crayfish are just three examples of wildlife that has caused serious issues in our countryside.

However, there are others – such as the mandarin duck – that have not created problems, and may January 2020 61

COUNTRY MATTERS MANDARIN DUCK

“

The mandarin drake possesses an astonishing range of feather colours

”

DESTINATION DUCK

Site: Stover – I stayed at this Devon Club site last year; the adjacent Stover Country Park is a great location for spotting wild mandarins Site: Henley Four Oaks – we saw them on the River Thames while staying here (it’s a good spot for red kites, too) Site: Littlehampton – mandarin ducks can be seen at many wildfowl collections including Arundel Wetland Centre (about four miles from Littlehampton BOOK Club site) ON THE

APP

even have had a beneficial impact on the species as a whole.

The mandarin is regarded by many as the most beautiful duck species in the world.

A resident of China, it was once exported in huge numbers to wildfowl collectors around the globe (such action was banned in the 1970s). Long before then – probably in the 1930s – a small number of mandarins escaped or were released in Surrey, where they began to breed and slowly expand their range.

The mandarin seems to have little, if any, conflict with other species in the UK. It has found a niche, showing a preference for small waterways surrounded by woodland because, unlike most ducks, it is sufficiently agile to fly between trees. It even nests in tree holes, often many feet from the ground – a choice which might seem strange to the young, flightless chicks who need to throw themselves to the ground soon after hatching!

In winter and early spring mandarin ducks devote some of their time to courting. Many different types of duck have developed elaborate courtship displays that depend upon the drakes showing off their colourful plumage to often drably-attired females – but the mandarin has taken this evolution to a peak.

The mandarin drake possesses an astonishing range of feather colours, shapes 62 January 2020

and projections. During courtship he will raise his crest, fluff out his ‘mane’, lift his ‘sails’ and bend his head back to touch his tail in a position that would be the envy of many a yoga instructor. His two ‘sails’ are, in fact, adapted wing feathers which serve no practical purpose other than to impress, their resemblance to sails becoming apparent when they are hoisted upright as if to catch the breeze.

Mandarins are still most common in the south-east of England, but they are also found in northern England, with a few in Wales and Scotland. Their population is estimated to be between 5,000 and 8,000 birds, and it’s steadily increasing.

For many years the number of mandarin ducks in China has been declining, making the British population one of international importance. Recently, the discovery of new breeding populations in China has allayed the fear of extinction – but having successful mandarins in the UK has given some global security to this wonderful species.

MEMBER SINCE...

Motorhomer David Chapman joined the Club in 2000

JANUARY LOOK OUT FOR n Nuthatches (above) are common in woodland throughout the country – listen for their high-pitched ‘qui-qui’ calls on bright days n Great northern divers can be seen around the coast and on large lakes, particularly after stormy weather n Spoonbills (below) now breed in southern England and can be seen on south coast estuaries throughout the winter

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December 2019 XX

Go greener

PRODUCT SHOWCASE ECO-FRIENDLY KIT

Jane McGowan takes a look at caravanning gear with environmentally-friendly credentials Mountain Warehouse Dynamo Wind Up Torch

You don’t have to worry about your batteries running out when using this torch from Mountain Warehouse – because you don’t need any! Unfold the winder from the underside, and one minute of rapid turning will provide up to 30 minutes of light courtesy of the in-built dynamo. Choose between one and three-LED settings depending upon how much illumination you need. The torch is lightweight, strong and fits neatly in the palm of the hand. It’s perfect for emergency situations – and very eco-friendly too. What a ‘brilliant’ idea!

Stojo Collapsible Cup

RRP: £6.99 Contact: mountainwarehouse. com, 020 3828 7700

Prima Bamboo Cooking Utensil Set

Comprising a large spoon, strainer MEMBERS and spatula, this utensil set is both SAVE eye-catching and environmentally friendly. Containing 20% melamine and 15% corn flour, the products’ main component (65%) is bamboo fibre – made from the pulp of bamboo grass.

The plant is believed to be one of the most sustainable in the world, as not only does it grow virtually anywhere, but, once harvested, bamboo can replenish itself within 12 months.

Green credentials aside, this lightweight set (each item weighs just under 100g) would make an attractive addition to your caravan kitchen. Other matching items are also available.

10%

According to Stojo, 500 billion single-use cups are thrown away each year.

Whether you fancy a coffee on the way to work or a refreshing juice at a picnic, this ingenious collapsible cup is perfect for environmentally-conscious customers.

Available in four sizes (355ml pictured), the cup squishes down into a disc that is easily stuffed into a pocket or day bag – watch the video at stojo.co! Made from high food-safety grade materials, the cups are dishwasher safe and come in numerous colour combinations.

RRP: £10.69 (355ml) Sizes: 236ml, 355ml, 473ml, 709ml Contact: stojo.co (for info), available at various retailers including robertdyas.co.uk

RRP: £5.99 (Club members pay £5.39) Contact: shop.camc.com

64 January 2020

www.camc.com

Berghaus Highland Ridge InterActive Waterproof Jacket

This stylish waterproof, breathable women’s jacket offers a great, tailored fit, a peaked hood, handwarmer pockets and more. Part of the company’s ‘InterActive’ line-up, it is compatible with a ‘zip-in’ fleece (sold separately) that adds an extra layer of warmth should you need it. It’s available in a variety of colours, there’s a men’s version and, more importantly, it’s ‘Bluesign’-approved, which means it has been created using “responsible and sustainable” textiles and methods of production that are designed to be kinder to the environment.

RRP: £220 Sizes: 8-18 Colours: purple, green, navy Contact: berghaus.com

Tentree Selkirk Knit Socks

These soft, cosy, funky socks were my favourite items on test. Featuring polyester (25%) and elastane (5%), the majority of each sock is made with ‘Repreve’ polyester sourced from recycled plastic bottles. Featuring a cushioned sole and elasticated neck which provided a very comfortable fit, the unisex design is available in two sizes. And as an added environmentally friendly bonus, 10 trees are planted for every purchase made.

RRP: £19.90 Sizes: S/M (guide:women’s 4-9), L/XL (guide: men’s 7.5-14.5) Contact: tentree.com

Waka Waka Solar-Powered LED Flashlight

Offering up to 40 MEMBERS hours of light, this SAVE solar-powered flashlight is a great ‘green’ addition to your touring toolkit. Using ‘clean energy’, namely sunlight, the Waka Waka can be fully charged in five to eight hours and offers three brightness levels from five to 25 lumens.

Should you find yourself in an emergency you can utilise an SOS emergency beacon function. Its compact case (made from durable, 100% recycled materials) is pretty tough, while its lightweight nature (120g) means it can be easily slipped into a pocket. Cash from every Waka Waka product sold is used to give remote global communities access to clean energy.

10%

RRP: £24.99 (Club members pay £22.49) Contact: shop.camc.com

www.camc.com

January 2020 65

PUZZLE CROSSWORD

CROSSWORD £90 in Club gift tokens to be won

£50 in Club gift tokens will be won by the sender of the first correct solution opened on Friday 17 January 2020. Four runners-up will each receive £10 Club gift tokens.

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ACROSS 1 Foot warmer (4) 3 Adult females (5) 10 Slack (5) 12 On one occasion (4) 13 Ferocious (6) 14 Pays a visit (5) 15 Green vegetable rich in iron (7) 16 Dress (5) 17 British peer (4) 19 Snake sound (4) 21 Comprehend (10) 24 Poses questions (4) 27 Kind deed (6) 28 Palm fruit (7) 30 Pantry (6) 31 Wet weather (4) 33 Melodramatic TV serial (4) 34 Knowledge game (4) 35 Fellow workman (4) 38 Cardboard container (6) 39 Showy fan-tailed bird (7) 40 Assault (6) 42 The post (4) 44 Squeezed together (10) 47 Behind time (4) 48 Large deep bay (4) 52 Horse’s cry (5) 54 Move forward (7) 55 Grass edging (5) 57 Parliamentary or other formal discussion (6) 58 Closed (4) 59 Free from dirt (5) 60 Pleasantly eccentric (5) 61 Sense by touch (4)

DOWN 1 Free from danger (4) 2 Transparent (5) 3 A total ruin (5) 4 Wild duck (7) 5 Din (5) 6 Complete happiness (5) 7 Started (5) 8 Mums (7) 9 Danger (5) 11 Source or ancestry (6) 18 Head-cook (4) 20 Tea stirrer (5) 21 A mass rebellion (8) 22 Large stony mass (4) 23 Very small (4) 25 Rain, hail and snow (5) 26 A storm of wind and snow (8) 28 Muscle spasm in leg (5) 29 Lorry (5) 32 A warning signal (5) 35 Refined ore (5) 36 Site of pitched tents (4) 37 Mouse-like rodent (4) 41 Eager (4) 43 Babies (7) 45 Tangerine or clementine (6) 46 Brilliant red (7) 48 Tumbler or schooner (5) 49 Remove a tenant by law (5) 50 The wherewithal (5) 51 Shun (5) 52 Donkey’s name (5) 53 To feed on grass (5) 56 Skin of a fruit (4)

POSTCODE: For full terms and conditions of entry, please visit our website at camc.com/competitions

MEMBERSHIP NUMBER:

December solution: Across: 1 Agitate 5 Sacred 8 Monitor 10 Bump 11 De luxe 12 Rifle 14 Pad 15 Boyfriend 16 Lane 17 Bend 19 Eyebrow 22 Plaza 24 Neutral 26 Sort 28 Whole 29 Mishap 31 Engine 33 Closed 35 Upkeep 38 Obese 39 Joke 40 Break up 43 Tatty

66 January 2020

45 Thistle 47 Rush 49 Gran 50 Norwegian 53 Fag 54 Lunch 55 Inside 56 Line 57 Treacle 58 Turret 59 Turnout Down: 1 Advice 2 Tube 3 Empty 4 Trap-door 5 Saddle 6 Colonel 7 Deep-seated 9 Tame 13 Grown-up 15 Beer 17 Brush

grid A

18 Debt 20 Rash 21 Dune 23 Avocado 25 Alive 27 Request 28 Weep 29 Mice 30 Scour 32 Contradict 34 Duke 35 Umpteen 36 Kiwi 37 Wench 39 Jeer 41 Elongate 42 Stun 44 Terrier 46 Infect 48 Secret 51 Rope 52 Islet 54 Lean

NOVEMBER WINNERS

£50 first prize: Angela Longstaff, Cheshire £10 runners-up: Valerie Lucas, Bedfordshire; Julie Watson, Warwickshire; S Phillips, Cardiff; Barbara Schofield, Staffs

Send to: ‘January Crossword’, Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine, East Grinstead House, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 1UA. Please do not include any other correspondence with your entry

www.camc.com

SPECIAL OFFER

GRID A (from 2020 Grids sent via FTP)

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TOW CAR TASTER SESSIONS with Caravan and Motorhome Club

MOTORHOME MANOEUVRING WITH THE CARAVAN AND MOTORHOME CLUB

EXCLUSIVE SHOW OFFERS

plus expert advice and destination inspiration

BOOK A 'CLUB DAY' PASS FOR ONLY £7.00 (THURSDAY ONLY) QUOTE CCD1 ALL OTHER DAYS - ONLY £7.50 - QUOTE TCC (PLUS SAVE TRANSACTION FEE!)

CARAVANSHOWS.COM SEE LEADING BRANDS INCLUDING Standard Advance Ticket price £8.50. On-The-Door Ticket price £9.95. Advance

booking closes midnight 15 January 2020. Information correct at time of press. www.camc.com

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November 2016 21

PRACTICAL BASICS

7

Lucky Sammy Faircloth bought her first caravan seven years ago – and she hasnt looked back. Here she shares some of her experience

B

ack in January 2013, I became the proud owner of a brand new Bailey Orion 460-5.

I had spent much of my childhood caravanning and it seemed natural to carry on the tradition with my family.

So, what have I learnt over the past seven years? Here’s a quick look back...

We learnt about hitching up and towing safely, manoeuvring, loading, everyday safety checks, laws affecting tourers and reversing. It was an intense two-day course, which tested us to the limit, but prepared us well for our impending trip to Spain.

It also highlighted that reversing is not my forte, so I invested in a motor mover, which enables me to park our caravan on our driveway with finesse.

TOWING COURSE

WEIGHTS

My husband, who is not from a caravanning background, was a little cautious about towing, so we booked ourselves onto one of the Club’s Practical Caravanning courses.

68 January 2020

I was taught by my father that weight really matters. Have you ever taken your fully laden caravan or motorhome to a weighbridge? If the answer is no, how do you know if it is safe and legal

Top left: Sammy collects her Bailey Orion Above left: using a motor mover Above right: on a Club training course; weighing the caravan at a weighbridge

to tow or drive? One of the many important weights that you must be aware of is Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass (MTPLM), also known as Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM). In order to remain legal, your caravan or motorhome should way no more than this figure when out on the road. It includes all your personal belongings, fluids and accessories. The MTPLM can be found on the data plate – usually next to the door on a caravan – or in the manufacturer’s handbook.

PREPARING FOR WINTER

It’s important to protect your vehicle during the off season – and just a few www.camc.com

Clockwise from left: canoeing in the Ardèche; walking in the Black Forest; mountain biking in Thetford Forest

simple precautions will help you keep it in good condition (see panel right, too).

After my first winter, I was shocked to discover mould growing on the walls and on my flyscreens and skylights.

Invest in a dehumidifier or a cheaper moisture-absorber that uses granules to prevent build-up of damp and mould.

It is important to drain down your fresh water, waste and flush tanks before storing your caravan in colder weather. Any fluid left in the pipes has the potential to freeze, causing them to split.

Make sure that you have emptied the fridge after any trip away – and leave the door ajar when it is not in use in order to prevent mould growth.

We like to involve the whole family in the on-site setting up process. Our daughter Emily likes to maintain the fresh water, while son Daniel is happy to take care of the waste water.

On arrival, we usually send the kids off to look for the fresh water point, waste point, bins, etc. After seven years the kids are highly trained in their duties and never complain!

ON-SITE MATTERS

FINAL THOUGHTS

One important lesson I have learned is to check the length of your outfit before booking a pitch. Recently, we were lucky enough to test a Swift Kon-Tiki 649, but it turns out that some sites and Certificated Locations would have been unable to accommodate it due to its length of 9m. Do some research on the website or in your Sites Directory and Handbook. www.camc.com

PREPARING FOR WINTER

NEW HORIZONS

Touring has opened up many new opportunities for us as a family from mountain biking in Thetford Forest to canoeing in the Ardèche in France to hill walking in Snowdonia and Feldberg in Germany.

I consider myself fortunate to have had such fantastic experiences using my caravan over the past seven years.

The most precious thing about touring is that it allows the family to spend more time together. I am sure that my kids will look back fondly on our adventures – I hope they will continue this fantastic hobby with their own children.

During winter in the UK it is good practice to use a cover on your caravan. A dehumidifier (or cheaper granular versions) will help to prevent build-up of damp and mould (above right), while it is important to drain down any water tanks before the cold weather hits January 2020 69

PRACTICAL Q&A

ASK YOUR CLUB

The Club’s technical team answers your pressing questions

Taxing times Q A

Will anything happen to address the unfairness of the new motorhome tax?

The short answer is that we’ll have to wait and see. The practicalities are a little involved, though. First some background.

Overwhelmingly, motorhomes are based on commercial vehicles. However, they’re classified in law as ‘M1 Special Purpose’ (M1SP) vehicles – a variant of the passenger car class (M1).

That’s why they only need a Class IV (car) MOT, for instance. In contrast, for taxation purposes (Vehicle Excise Duty), motorhomes have traditionally been in commercial vehicle bandings, meaning they paid relatively low tax based on engine size, as most don’t have a CO2 emissions figure for the final stage of their multi-stage build (there are some exceptions, eg VW California, which is considered a single-stage build).

Passenger cars, on the other hand, have been taxed on a graduated scale of CO2 emissions since 2001, aiming to incentivise selection of more efficient, less polluting models.

Emissions standards are getting steadily stricter, and test procedures recently changed to make it harder for manufacturers to manipulate results, and to make official fuel consumption figures more realistic. All good things, you might feel.

From 1 September 2019, latest regulations require vehicles with new Euro 6d/2 grade engines to quote a CO2 figure. For motorhomes, this means converters usually estimate the impact of their conversion on the base vehicle’s CO2 figure using a software tool.

That’s fine, and paves the way for introduction of graduated VED into the commercial vehicle sector (probably not before April 2021).

Problems have arisen for motorhomes due to Government’s decision to move motorhomes from commercial to passenger car taxation classes this year, because of that M1SP classification, though.

This means a treble impact on costs for most new motorhomes: • Motorhome diesel engines produce CO2 emissions which put them into higher categories of car VED, typically meaning an increase in first-year VED from £265 pa to

70 January 2020

£2,135 pa. Second year onward rates fall from £265 pa to £145 pa.

• Vehicles with a list price over £40,000 pay an additional £320 pa for their second to sixth years • The new engines are themselves more expensive Our assessment is that this makes most new models £3,000-£4,000 more expensive.

You can avoid the increase by buying secondhand (ie pre-September 2019), or choosing a new model with an older Euro 6b/1 engine (these can be sold for a while in limited numbers, and some converters appear to have stockpiled vehicles). At the extremes of the market, smaller car-derived vehicles fall into lower graduated tax bands, and some of the largest may have a Euro VI (heavy duty) engine classification which still commands a low tax rate (note this doesn’t simply mean vehicles over 3,500kg).

The Club has supported the industry trade body, the National Caravan Council (NCC), in lobbying Government, Treasury officials and parliamentarians – see its fairmotorhometax.org website. The NCC and Club had a productive meeting with the minister responsible for vehicle taxation and his chief official immediately before Parliament dissolved before the December election. Our arguments seemed to be understood, but change can only happen at a ’fiscal event’, ie a budget or Finance Bill.

We’ll see where this issue sits within the priorities of the new Government, but we’ll continue to push for fairer treatment once MPs return to Westminster, as will have happened by the time you read this.

Left to right: Club Technical Manager Martin Spencer, Treasury Minister Simon Clarke MP, campaign supporter Sir David Amess MP, NCC Director General John Lally

Please address your questions to:

Technical Information, Caravan and Motorhome Club, East Grinstead House, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 1UA ...and quote your membership number

camc.com/advice www.camc.com

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November 2016 21

EXCLUSIVE SHOW TICKETS

SCOTTISH CARAVAN, MOTORHOME & HOLIDAY HOME SHOW OFFER SAVE MONEY ON ADMISSION TO THIS POPULAR GLASGOW SHOW IN FEBRUARY

S

cotland’s largest caravan, motorhome and holiday home exhibition returns to the SEC, Glasgow, from 6- 9 February 2020 – and we have a fantastic half-price offer for Club members on the opening day as well as discounts on advance tickets for any day of the show.

Not only will you be able to see a wide selection of new caravans and motorhomes, you can buy that must-have touring gadget from the Accessory Superstore.

An array of holiday homes, lodges and tents extend the show’s appeal even further, while market stalls in the Farmers Market will sell a selection of local products.

Experts from the Caravan and Motorhome Club will be on hand to offer free towing and manoeuvring

72 January 2020

sessions (subject to availability), so whether you are an experienced tourer looking for a refresher or are new to the pastime, just bring your driving licence with you and sign up on the day at the Club stand.

TICKET OFFERS Advance tickets are on sale now from caravanshowscotland.com and Club members can get a £1 discount on the advance ticket price of £11 (adults) and £10 (seniors) by entering the code ‘CMCMEMBER’ at the checkout, meaning you pay just £10 and £9, respectively. A 10% booking fee applies; under-16s go free.

Tickets on the door (which open at 10am) will cost £13 for adults and £12 for seniors, but Club members attending on 6 February 2020 can cut out and present the voucher (right) for a two-for-one entry price of £13 for two adults. Terms and conditions apply – see the voucher for details.

VOUCHER

Cut out and present this voucher and your Caravan and Motorhome Club membership card on arrival at the SEC on Thursday 6 February 2020 to gain two-for-one entry of £13 for two adults at the Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show 2020.

Title.......... Initial..........Surname..................................................................................

Address.......................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................Postcode......................................................

Membership number..................................................................................................

Email.................................................................................................................................

Terms and conditions: This voucher is only valid on Thursday 6 February 2020 and admits two adults for £13 (normal adult on the door price is £13 each). Simply show this voucher and your Caravan and Motorhome Club membership card at time of purchase. This offer is valid for one day’s admission only and only valid on full price on-the-door adult tickets. The voucher cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount, offer or promotion. The voucher has no cash value. Vouchers are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for cash. Only one voucher may be used per person. Travel and parking not included. If you would like to receive show news and offers from the Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show please tick the relevant box to indicate your consent: I would like to receive information by e-mail I would like to receive information by post If you would prefer not to hear from us at any time you can contact us by email at info@qdevents.co.uk or by post to QD Events, SEC, Glasgow, G3 8YW. Data is held in accordance with our privacy policy which can be viewed at caravanshowscotland.com/privacy-policy.

www.camc.com

CARAVAN AND MOTORHOME SHOW SAVINGS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR SPECIAL OFFER ON CLUB DAY AT THE MANCHESTER SHOW

C

lub members can use the voucher on this page to save £2.95 on the standard on-the-door price on ‘Club Day’ (Thursday 16 January) at the Caravan and Motorhome Show!

The show, which runs from 16-19 January at Manchester’s EventCity, offers visitors the opportunity to see the latest caravans and motorhomes from manufacturers such as Swift, Elddis, Lunar, Coachman, Bailey, Airstream and Hymer, as well as a host of awnings and accessories.

There’s plenty to entertain the whole family, from My First Towing Experience (which gives little ones the chance to tow a mini caravan) to talks from the likes of caravan enthusiast and Great British Bake Off contestant Karen Wright on the Food and Travel Stage.

www.camc.com

Remember to bring your driving licence so you can take advantage of free motorhome manoeuvring and towcar taster sessions with the Caravan and Motorhome Club.

TICKET OFFERS* You can use the voucher on this page to pay just £7 on Club Day (Thursday 16 January) or visit caravanshows.com and use code ‘CCD9‘ to claim the same ticket price in advance, with no booking fee. In addition, Club members can use the online code ‘CCD10‘ to purchase tickets for any other day of the show in advance for just £7.50, with no booking fee. *Advance booking online closes midnight 15 January 2020. Standard advance ticket: £8.50; on-the-door ticket: £9.95. Carers accompanying a blue badge holder qualify for free entry. Information correct at time of print.

CLUB DAY VOUCHER

Special ticket offer. Valid on Thursday 16 January 2020 only.

Admission £7 – simply bring the completed voucher(s) with you.

Alternatively, beat the queues by visiting caravanshows.com and quoting code ‘CCD9’.

Title..........Initial..........Surname..................................................................................

Address ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................... ............................................................ Postcode: ................................................

Membership number ...........................................................................................

Tel: ..................................................... Email: .......................................................

One voucher to be completed for each Club member. This special price is exclusive to Caravan and Motorhome Club Day (Thursday 16 January 2020) and is not valid on any other days of the show. No cash alternative. No photocopies. The voucher cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. The Caravan & Motorhome Show will not supply your information to third parties. If you want to hear from the Caravan & Motorhome Show about upcoming shows, please tick here

November January 2020 2016 73 21

SPECIAL BUYING A CARAVAN

TAKING THE PLUNGE PART

3

In the final instalment of a three-part series, John Rankin reflects on a year of caravan ownership – and passes on some handy tips

W

ell, that went quickly! It’s now well over a year since my wife, Clare, signed on the dotted line to take delivery of her brand-new Coachman Pastiche 545.

Happily, she allows me to use it as well, although I suspect it’s because I do all the towing (she hasn’t broken that duck yet).

The caravan has been well-used – it’s in year-round service – so we have plenty of source material to fall back on as we present our final verdict on a year in the life of a new caravan buyer.

WHAT WE LIKE

n The appeal of the entirely separate centre washroom/end-bedroom layout has, if anything, grown as the months have passed.

The washroom is en suite most of the time, and is an easily-accessible facility for everyone when, on a couple of occasions, we’ve had overnight guests. n We’ve had no unpleasant surprises so far as build quality is concerned. Nothing has loosened, fallen off, started squeaking or stopped working. A creased kitchen blind was cured with a clip costing £2.10, fitted while the caravan was in for its first service. n The Pastiche has wide-opening hatches in the washroom, kitchen, bedroom and front lounge (a full-size one). They let daylight flood the interior without the need to raise any of the window blinds. And the fixed panoramic sunroof at the front of the roof panel is a major positive. n If we were to use all of the lights at the same time, the caravan would be better illuminated than your average operating theatre. We only ever need to use a couple to get the perfect evening ambience – we’re spoiled for choice, and grateful for it!

74 January 2020

n Towing has been effortless and much of the credit for this goes to the Land Rover Freelander 2 auto. The Pastiche has Al-Ko’s ATC system fitted as standard and I haven’t detected the slightest shimmy in 2,000 or so towing miles. n The Pioneer stereo system speakers are great quality, filling the interior wonderfully with sound. n The Alde wet central heating system is fantastic – silent and efficient. The insulation clearly works well, too. n Thoroughly unscientific on-site surveys by me reveal that most caravans are fitted with a motorised mover. I now know why – we really wouldn’t want to be without the Purple Line e-go Titanium that we had fitted soon after buying the Pastiche. Yes, I reverse using Land Rover power when I can, but the mover just makes life that bit easier. n In terms of finer details: the water heater on/off taps are accessible just by lifting one little upholstery section; the over-locker ambient lighting also handily illuminates the insides of the lockers; the roomy bedside shelves are incredibly useful; there are two big mirrors on board – big thumbs-up from Clare; the upholstery lives up to its claim of being easily cleaned, as the successful removal of a potentially disastrous smear of ketchup proved.

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

n The kitchen mixer tap is vulnerable to being knocked when lowering the sink cover. n We wouldn’t have bothered buying the sides for our Isabella Shadow canopy (which, in itself, is excellent). We’ve wasted hours trying, unsuccessfully, to erect them.

RUNNING COSTS

n The Pastiche comes with a 10-year water ingress warranty that is, as you’d expect, conditional on having it serviced annually to

n

n n n

the standards specified by Coachman. We’re happy to oblige, given that it also means vital functions such as brakes, tyres, gas and electrics are inspected by a qualified technician every 12 months. There’s an Approved Workshop (Martins Caravan Sales in Wisbech) five minutes’ drive from our storage compound, so we booked it in there. They did the job quickly and efficiently, and charged a fair £215.

We’ve bought a few accessories and parts from Martins too, including a replacement water filter, a set of corner steady feet and a reel for the mains cable. With other bits and pieces picked up during the year (including another Aquaroll, storage bags for same and toilet chemicals), that comes to about £160.

We renewed our storage site annual fee: £220.

We renewed our Club new-for-old cover: £334.60*.

One of the best things we did was take out the Club’s Mayday breakdown cover.

A marketing email alerted me to the Personal Cover option and, after digging a little deeper, I found that, for a single annual premium, of £102.50*, the caravan, the Freelander, my wife’s car, our little two-seater sportster and even my lovely old 1976 Honda 250 classic bike would all benefit from comprehensive roadside and recovery cover. This saved us a packet on the separate policies we had.

CONCLUSION

Clare is in no doubt: this is the best purchase she’s ever made, and she gets a buzz out of planning her next trip away in it. The easily remedied kitchen blind apart, the 545 has behaved itself impeccably. *Prices correct at time of purchase. From 5 November 2019, the annual premium for Mayday increased slightly to £106

www.camc.com

FIRST-YEAR FUN Our trips away have included visits to these three Club sites...

THE SANDRINGHAM ESTATE

We’ve been a couple of times in winter. It’s ideal for woodland walks/runs/cycle rides, and a brief hop in the car will soon have you beachcombing at Snettisham, Heacham or Hunstanton.

Best walk: through the estate to the Sandringham Estate visitor centre/café.

Best pint: site guests are allowed entry to the Babingley Social Club, a few minutes walk along a forest path (take a torch at night).

Clockwise from above: pitched during summer; Clare gives the Coachman a clean; breakfast is ready!; using a couple of lights enables a perfect ambience in the evening

SCARBOROUGH WEST AYTON A terrific base for a longer stay – it’s right on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park, and just a 15-minute drive from Scarborough itself. Another 10 minutes in the car gets you to Filey, where the beach is amazing.

Best walk: pick up the footpath right next to the site and take the circular walk through fields and forests down into the Forge Valley.

Best meal out: Gianni’s, Victoria Road, Scarborough. This longestablished, family-run Italian restaurant is outstanding.

SEACROFT

This site on the outskirts of Cromer has top-notch facilities and some of the pitches offer a sea view. There’s even an onsite bar/restaurant, The Wanderer Bar & Kitchen, which we’re happy to recommend.

Best walk: pick up the cliffside footpath opposite the site and hug the shoreline into Cromer for great views of the pier.

Best pint: The Red Lion, Brook Street, Cromer.

www.camc.com

January 2020 75

TEST LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 240PS HSE

VOYAGE OF

Discovery Lesley Harris takes to the road in the fifth generation of Land Roverî&#x152;&#x2039;s famous SUV

76 January 2020

www.camc.com

T

he Land Rover Discovery has always been a firm favourite with the caravanning fraternity. The combination of no-nonsense, go-anywhere credentials with heavyweight towing ability has won it many fans and countless plaudits over the years. Now in its fifth generation, the ‘Disco’ boasts a new look, greater efficiency and an improved driving experience. Let’s take a closer look.

COMFORT

Gone is the square shape of the previous iteration – the Discovery has been transformed into something sleek and rather beautiful. The rounded front end looks softer and features wrap-around LED headlights.

Shorter front and rear overhangs reduce the visual length, while integrated body-coloured C-pillars add to the streamlined look. It’s the rear where the Discovery splits opinions. Is the offset number plate panel downright ugly or a design classic? The jury’s still out on that one!

Taking styling cues from its Range Rover stablemate, this Discovery is the most luxurious to date. A new aluminium monocoque chassis has allowed Land Rover to offer more space in the cabin and create a true seven-seater.

Electric third-row seats stow neatly in the floor and are operated by switches in the rear, the infotainment touchscreen or remotely via the Intelligent Seat Fold app! Although access is still slightly restricted, two fully-grown adults can be seated comfortably at the back, and not at the expense of secondrow passengers.

The entire cabin is sumptuously clad in leather and other quality materials, making it all feel very classy.

Armchair-style front seats are comfortable and give great support, however the rear versions aren’t quite up to the same standard.

There’s an abundance of stowage options (a secret compartment behind the ventilation controls will keep valuables out of sight) and plenty of charging points, while our HSE test car has a twin fixed panoramic sunroof, letting light flood in.

You’ll find plenty of tech as standard across the range – Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, front and rear parking aids, rear camera and Cruise Control with Speed Limiter are just a few attractions.

“

The cabin is sumptuously clad in leather and other quality materials

”

www.camc.com

January 2020 77

TEST LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 240PS HSE

TECHNICAL

Price as tested

£67,270 Insurance

Group 38 Club insurance

The Club’s Car Insurance is guaranteed to beat your renewal premium by at least £25*.

Clockwise from above: Interior is both comfortable and spacious, offset rear number plate (bottom right)

Engine

1,999cc, 4-cyl, diesel, in-line Power

With thanks to

240bhp (179kW) @4,000rpm

Chichester Caravans, Uckfield, for the loan of Towcar Test caravans.

See chichester-caravans. co.uk, call 01825 764151 or email uckfield@ chichester-caravans.co.uk

Torque

318lb ft (430Nm) @1,400rpm Transmission

8-speed automatic Spare wheel

DRIVING

There’s no denying that, at nearly five metres long and over two metres wide, the Discovery is a big car. Narrow country lanes can be a little unnerving, while navigating through towns could also throw up a few challenges. However, the high driving position provides a commanding view of the road ahead and over hedges etc. Sadly, visibility to the rear is not so good, being spoiled by the headrests – so you’ll definitely need the rear-view camera for parking.

There are three engines from which to choose – two diesel options and a petrol unit. I tested the 2.0-litre SD4 240bhp diesel, mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox, offering 430Nm of torque.

It pulled reasonably well considering it was hauling more than two tonnes and gear changes were nice and smooth. The Discovery has been built with passenger comfort in mind, so it was no surprise that the ride, aided by standard air

suspension, was smooth and cossetting. Although it did fidget a little at lower speeds, once pressed on it wafted along nicely.

Due to its size, it’s not the most agile car to drive. I thought the steering was slow to respond and noticed a fair amount of body roll in corners. But on faster roads you’ll be rewarded with a hushed and soothing drive thanks to impressive aerodynamics and a lack of any intrusive tyre noise.

With seven seats in place boot space is limited to 258 litres, but that increases to a very decent 1,137 litres in five-seat configuration. Drop all seats and you have a cavernous 2,406 litres to play with.

TOWING

The guys at Chichester Caravans hitched me up to their largest available tourer – a twin-axle Bailey Unicorn Barcelona – and once on the road I almost forget I was towing, the Discovery coped so well.

There was no pitching or movement from the van and, even

when passing larger vehicles on the motorway, there was no buffeting.

However, on the steeper inclines the engine did become slightly strained.

The Discovery has a host of towing aids – Trailer Assist, Tow Hitch Assist and Nose Load Measure for example, while a trailer light test facility allows you to check lights from outside the vehicle.

VERDICT

You can see why the Discovery has so many towing fans. I’m sure this most recent incarnation will continue to attract customers who are looking for a practical, spacious and exceedingly capable towcar.

We guarantee to beat your insurance renewal premium by £25*.

See camc.com/insurance or call 0345 504 0334 to get your quote

*Premium Saving Guarantee. Subject to proof of existing renewal, including cover and price (eg a copy of your renewal notice), when cover is on a like-for-like basis. Please note, terms and conditions, eg excess(es), may vary from your current insurer. Courtesy car is subject to availability. Subject to terms and conditions and the Insurer’s acceptance of the Risk. The Club’s Car Insurance is arranged for the Club by Devitt Insurance Services Limited, Insurance Brokers. Caravan and Motorhome Club is a trading name of The Caravan Club Limited. The Caravan Club Limited and Devitt Insurance Services Limited are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

78 January 2020

Full-size Kerbweight

2,184kg Gross vehicle weight

3,130kg Gross train weight

6,630kg Noseweight limit

350kg Towing equipment

Electric towbar – £1,075 Fuel/tank/econ

Diesel/16.94gals (77 litres)/26.4mpg solo, 21.7mpg towing 1,723kg CO2

201g/km

RATINGS

92%

COMFORT

81%

DRIVING

91%

TOWING

88%

OVERALL www.camc.com

Award winning cover your caravan deserves Protection provided directly by your Club

Relax and enjoy the great outdoors knowing youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re covered

Here are just a few of our benefits* â&#x20AC;&#x201C; your investment is in safe hands should the worst happen: Protection on and off the road, while on site, at Club events and in storage

Transportation of your vehicle to a garage following an accident

Family and friends can use your caravan without any extra charge

No claim discounts and bonus protection available

New for old cover available (age limits apply)

Alternative hotel accommodation or caravan hire, if your caravan is damaged or stolen

Get a quote for our award winning Caravan Cover call us on 01342 488 338 or visit camc.com/caravancover Terms and Conditions Apply. *A sample of the Caravan Cover booklet including the limitations and exclusions that apply is available upon request.

The Caravan Club Ltd, East Grinstead House, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 1UA, which trades as Caravan and Motorhome Club is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for general insurance and credit activities. You can check this on the Financial Services Register by visiting https://register.fca.org.uk Our award winning contact centre is ranked in the Top 50 companies for Customer Service.

www.camc.com

November 2016 XX

TEST BENIMAR TESSORO 483

Treasure hunt Nick Harding checks out a keenly-priced import – but does he strike gold?

Y

ou want a full-width end washroom? And a full-size garage? A proper bed, too? In a 3,500kg maximum-weight coachbuilt that’s less than 22ft long? That’s quite a list!

Luckily, this Tessoro 483 – from Spanish manufacturer Benimar – fits the bill.

All seven Tessoro models are based on Ford’s Transit (sister range Mileo takes Fiat’s Ducato as its starting point) and all have that driving licence-friendly maximum weight, excellent specifications and rather keen pricing.

a construction that’s officially “99% wood-free”.

It also has the backing of a five-year warranty against water ingress.

Plenty of other fittings suggest this is anything but a budget motorhome. The habitation door (yes, it’s on the UK nearside) has a window, the main windows are flush-fitting, alloy wheels come as standard and the garage storage zone at the back has not one, but three hatches for access – one each side and one at the back. Will your bikes fit in? It’s something you’ll want to check for yourself, especially as there is no facility on this particular model to add an external rack.

BUILD QUALITY

DRIVING

The Tessoros (‘tesoro’ translates from Spanish as ‘treasure’) are certainly put together nicely.

The coachbuilt bodywork has a GRP outer and 80 January 2020

The Tessoro 483 starts at £58,995, but automatic transmission costs an extra £2,000. After spending a week in an auto version, I have to say www.camc.com

TECHNICAL

Price

£58,995 Engine

2-litre turbodiesel Euro VI Power

168bhp (125kW) @ 3,500rpm Torque

298lb ft (404Nm) @ 1,500-2,500rpm Transmission

Six-speed manual, FWD MRO

3,055kg (60.14cwt) MTPLM

3,500kg (68.89cwt) User payload

445kg (8.75cwt) Overall length

22ft (6.71m) Overall width

7ft 6in (2.29m) Overall height

9ft 5in (2.87m) exc aerial Max internal height

6ft 9in (2.06m) Fuel/tank/econ

Diesel/15.4 gals (70 litres)/28-32mpg Figures from manufacturer’s literature

“

You can alter the table height electrically, plus there’s manual fore and aft adjustment

”

that that two grand is money well spent. The only downside is a 39kg weight premium, but given the Benimar’s spec, you’re not going to need to add much that would significantly affect the payload.

Driving aids range from ABS, ESP, traction control and hill assist to automatic headlights and windscreen wipers. Meanwhile, air conditioning, cruise control, QuickClear windscreen heating and more are standard. The ergonomics are impressive too – the drop-down handbrake on the driver’s right doesn’t interfere when you swivel the seat, for example.

The 2020-season Tessoros come with a 9in touchscreen with rear-view camera and sat-nav, plus DAB radio, MP3/Bluetooth connectivity and a USB port.

DAYTIME

You could host a small party in the roomy lounge, especially considering the fixed pedestal-leg table is so huge. You can alter its height electrically with a turn of a key, plus there’s manual fore and aft adjustment. You also get a pack of variously-shaped scatter and bolster cushions to enhance your seating comfort.

The side windows aren’t the largest, but there’s an opening sunroof over the cab. The cockpit seats are easy enough to swivel, but you’ll probably need to adjust their height when you’re parked.

Loose carpet sections are available for extra underfoot comfort, while heating and hot water are provided via Truma’s Combi 6 boiler. The Benimar also employs Truma’s iNet system, which means you have full remote control via an app.

NIGHT-TIME

The main drop-down bed is lowered using a simple switch and it’s up to you where you position it – all the way down for easy access or part-way (where you’ll probably want to employ the ladder supplied) so you can still use the

Top: habitation door is on the UK nearside Left: fixed pedestal-leg table is huge

Above: main drop-down bed is lowered using a simple switch www.camc.com

January 2020 81

TEST BENIMAR TESSORO 483

lounge below. It’s a great double featuring comfortable sprung wooden slats, and the one-piece mattress is curved so as not to affect access via the habitation door. Jiggle a few extra cushions and you can set up a second, slightly larger double bed underneath.

KITCHEN

Even the biggest Benimar fans will concede that the kitchen lacks worktop space. That is a shame, because it’s otherwise a very userfriendly galley – with the main cooking and washing area on the offside and a large, 145-litre, automatic energy-selecting fridge/freezer plus microwave oven across the corridor.

There’s a Thetford Triplex cooker comprising two-ring hob plus electric hotplate and combined oven and grill. The sink immediately adjacent has an add-on plastic drainer (you’ll have to leave the cooker lid down). Storage is plentiful – there are two overhead lockers plus soft-close drawers (the top one designed for cutlery) and two further low-level lockers.

WASHROOM

There are positives and negatives where the washroom is concerned. To start with, there’s a massive double-doored wardrobe across the back as well as shelving to three sides. However, you’re going to have to experiment with your heater outlets to ensure sufficient warmth gets through to this room, and the fact there’s a large garage below means that the wardrobe doesn’t provide a full hanging height.

In terms of washing facilities, there’s a plastic-lined shower cubicle on the offside, complete with folding door, removable wooden duckboard, riser bar and chrome basket for shampoo bottles etc. On the nearside, there’s plenty of space around the swivel-bowl toilet, but the corner basin is a bit constricted. Full marks, however, for fittings such as the window, towel rail, toilet roll holder, hooks and generous lighting.

DETAILS

The standard Tessoro specification these days extends to a solar panel, height-adjustable flatscreen TV holder (so you can watch telly in bed), exterior gas and shower sockets, all the way through to a Trackstar Leisure Thatcham Category 6 tracking system with first year’s subscription included.

There’s a huge choice of lighting options in the Benimar, while details like the USB outlets on

Clockwise from top: Thetford Triplex cooker and sink; shower cubicle has folding door; there is space around the toilet but corner basin is slightly restricted the stalk lights over the cab seats are positive.

Why, there’s even a branded daysack for holding all your manuals, a hand-crank for the bed, fuses and other paraphernalia.

VERDICT

Niggles such as the lack of kitchen workspace aside, this is a cracking motorhome with a very attractive price, especially considering the generous specification-to-cost ratio.

Vehicle supplied for testing by Marquis Leisure, Orchard Works, Willersey, Nr Broadway, Worcestershire WR12 7QF Contact: marquisleisure.co.uk, 0800 026 7777

RATINGS 84%

BUILD QUALITY

70%

KITCHEN

88%

DRIVING

75%

WASHROOM

79%

DAYTIME

78%

DETAILS

75%

NIGHT-TIME

78%

OVERALL

You can insure this motorhome with the Club for £541.68* per year. Please see camc.com/insurance or call 0345 504 0334 for further details

*Quote (correct as of December 2019) is for the model as tested worth £58,995. Based on 55-year-old male living in Sheffield, with a maximum no claims bonus (unprotected) coming from a vehicle of similar/value/ experience, who has no accidents, claims or convictions and keeps vehicle on a drive, 3,000 miles per year, with £150 damage, fire and theft excess. With factory-fitted alarm and immobiliser, and due to value, vehicle must be fitted with a tracker. Subject to underwriting. The Club’s Motorhome Insurance is arranged for the Club by Devitt Insurance Services Limited, Insurance Brokers. Caravan and Motorhome Club is a trading name of The Caravan Club Limited. The Caravan Club Limited and Devitt Insurance Services Limited are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

82 January 2020

www.camc.com

CALENDAR GREAT DAYS OUT

EVENTS DIARY

Need inspiration for a fantastic day out while visiting a Caravan and Motorhome Club site?

Then look no further than this selection of events taking place near our sites in March 2020...

14-15 MARCH Midlands Garden Rail Show

This is your opportunity to see a diverse range of model railway layouts represented in larger gauges and scales.

Warwickshire Event Centre will be the venue for showcases using Gauge 1, O Gauge, G Scale and more. Owners of the lovingly-crafted layouts will be happy to talk to visitors, who will have the opportunity to see live steam model demonstrations and check out a variety of on-site specialist suppliers.

Web: meridienneexhibitions.co.uk/ events/midlands-garden-rail-show Club site: Warwick Racecourse

Celebrated choreographer Matthew Bourne’s double Olivier Award-winning adaptation of the classic film comes to the Bristol Hippodrome in March. The Red Shoes is the story of a girl’s dream to become the greatest dancer in the world.

Set to the romantic music of golden-age Hollywood composer Bernard Herrmann, this tale of passion, ambition and tragedy will leave you spellbound.

Web: atgtickets.com/venues/ bristol-hippodrome Club site: Bath Chew Valley AS

27-28 MARCH March into Pitlochry

An eclectic mix of musicians once again descends on the town of Pitlochry in the Perthshire Highlands. Acts for the 2020 festival include funk band Bohemian Monk Machine, country music outfit The Tumbling Souls and double bass player/singer Roberto Cassini. The venues for this musical feast are the Town Hall and McKays Bar & Restaurant.

Web: marchintopitlochry.co.uk Club sites: Maragowan, Clachan, Forfar Lochside

84 January 2020

8 MARCH ne

3-7 MARCH The Red Shoes

The Harbour Hotel in central Guildford is the venue for this celebration of the mighty grape.

Between 25 and 30 exhibitors will show off their wares (including some gin and food producers) and there will be in the region of 200 wines to sample!

Enjoy special masterclasses and take part in a ‘wine walk’ with experts Laura Clay, Heather Dougherty and Richard Bampfield.

Web: lovewinefest.co.uk/ love-wine-guildford-2020 Club site: Alderstead Heath

StevenMorrisWi

JohanPersson

21 MARCH Love Wine Guildford

Ben Fogle – Tales from the Wilderness Popular television presenter and adventurer Ben Fogle comes to the Blackpool Grand Theatre to share his stories of climbing Everest, swimming with crocodiles, walking to the South Pole, being marooned on an uninhabited island, rowing the Atlantic Ocean, swimming from Alcatraz and more!

Web: blackpoolgrand.co.uk/event/ ben-fogle Club site: Burrs Country Park

For further details of events near Club sites, see camc.com www.camc.com

...Or, why not pitch up on a temporary site? These enable you to attend a variety of events and meet up with likeminded members. Book in advance where possible 13-17 MAY Royal Windsor Horse Show

Held in the grounds of Windsor Castle, this event is a celebration of all things equestrian. Watch the world’s best horses and riders take part in carriage driving (right), show jumping, dressage, polo and endurance competitions. You will also enjoy the Shetland Pony Grand National and displays from the Kings Troop and the Household Cavalry. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings a spectacular 90-minute Pageant with an Edwardian theme will take place, featuring singers, dancers and highlights from the daytime programme. Show ticket discounts will be available for members staying on site. Away from the horses, enjoy a walking tour of Windsor and Eton, a walk into Windsor Great Park’s Valley Gardens and, on Saturday, a two-hour boat trip on the River Thames. The temporary site on Windsor Racecourse has hook-ups, fresh water and chemical waste disposal point, but no toilet or washrooms.

www.camc.com

From your pitch you could walk the one mile to the show, travel by riverboat or take advantage of our private car hire service.

Temporary site open: 13-17 May Contact: Ruth Taylor on 01753 545142 or email Taylorg13@sky.com

28-30 MAY Royal Bath & West Show

This annual Shepton Mallet show is a celebration of rural life, with livestock, machinery, farming, horticulture, live music and so much more.

The temporary site is on the showground, and facilities include a toilet and shower block. Your fee of £134 covers your six nights on site as well as evening entertainment.

Temporary site open: 25-31 May Contact: John and Kim Dyer on 07890 484817/07583 334234 or email Johndyer8851@gmail.com

See camc.com/centres and p86 of this issue for more centre information and coverage

January 2020 85

CENTRES LOCAL GROUPS

Centre Lines All the latest from around the regions

Young stars WESTERN WINDFALL

Avon Chairman Paul Lines presented Joe Hughes from the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity with a cheque for £5,715 during the centre’s AGM. Congratulations to members who worked so hard over the course of a year to raise the magnificent total.

Good fellows

Wiltshire Centre members John and Ann Holdway, Dave and Sandra Lush and Jim and Linda Gilchrist (pictured left to right) were honoured with ‘25 years of Fellowship’ mementos at the recent AGM.

BUMPER YEAR FOR SOUTH ESSEX South Essex Centre members are celebrating a fantastic year during which £7,531 was raised for the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance.

Cash was raised through tea and cake sales, raffles and a series of events at rallies including the Chairman’s Charity Rally over the August bank holiday weekend.

Indian and Chinese restaurant nights (pictured below right) helped to swell the coffers still further.

In a letter to members, the centre’s charity officer said, “... every single rally that raised money was absolutely essential to help us to achieve our fantastic total. Makes me proud to be a member of the South Essex Centre.”

86 January 2020

At October’s AGM, Chairman Sue Maran presented a cheque to ambulance charity representative Derek Smith, who gave an informative talk about the work of the service.

The AGM also gave members the opportunity to congratulate Ian and Sue Wright on their attendance at 1,000 rallies, while Sue Maran passed on the chairperson’s mantle to Will Thursby.

CASTLE CASH The Scottish Caravan Club‘s North Centre held a coffee morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support at Huntly Castle Club site, raising a fantastic total of £300.

Drinks and some fine examples of home baking were enjoyed as 22 caravans and motorhomes descended on the Aberdeenshire site. Well done to all.

Youngsters from the North Yorkshire Centre presented a cheque for £1,500 to Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice, Middlesbrough, recently. They worked hard throughout the year selling raffle tickets, organising tombolas and running cake and secondhand book stalls for the charity. Many congratulations to everyone involved.

Debbie Lumley, Jeff Johnson (Centre Chairman), Tammy Angus (Regional Fundraiser, Stroke Association), Lyn Bonner and Martyn Bonner

CHECK THIS To search for a Centre event or to find your local group’s details, see camc.com/ centres

Isle of Wight members presented a cheque for £827.66 to the Isle of Wight Stroke Association during the centre’s AGM. The charity has a special place in the centre’s heart following the sad passing of rallier Mike Bonner in May. (Mike’s wife, Lyn, had also benefitted from the work of the charity following a stroke several years previously.) www.camc.com

www.camc.com

December 2019 XX

TAIL LIGHTS

Your observations on the unusual world of touring

NIFTY FIFTY

SAGE OWNERS

The rear of this French camper has been put to good use by its owners – it serves as a herb garden and what could well be a fun miniature cinema for one (other clues on the van suggest that the owners are involved in filmmaking). Many thanks to Jonathan Grice for sending in the picture.

Saltire sky “It was early September, we were sitting outside the caravan at lunchtime on a rare sunny day,” says Judy Wynne-Jones of a stay at Ayr Craigie Gardens Club site.

Looking upwards, she noticed these vapour trails. “Do you think these planes were trying to remind us which country the site was in?”

George and Irene Roberts celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary with this fabulous cake – presented by family members. We love the details on this one – including faithful springer spaniel Hendrix and a copy of t e s Caravan and Camping Guide.

Congratulations!

If you’ve seen something unusual on a Club site, CL or while you’ve been out and about, send your picture to magazine@camc.com or tag @candmclub on Instagram and we’ll print the best.

RADIO DAYS

Club member Ron Trimby got in touch to share a picture of his ‘new outfit’... a radio-controlled Defender and remote-controlled caravan. The set-up even includes a miniature motor mover, brake lights and tail lights – perfect for those who wish to practise their manoeuvring skills before the main touring season starts afresh!

98 January 2020

UNDER THE RAINBOW

Nature always puts on the greatest shows... and Club member Tracy Sutton was in the right place at the right time to capture this beautiful display. It was taken during a recent tour of Scotland’s North Coast 500 route, “with lots of detours”!

The ferry seen here – close to Bioran Dubh Croft CL – runs between the mainland and the Isle of Lismore. What a view – and two pots of gold for the taking if you were quick about it. www.camc.com

2 GREAT SHOWS FOR 2020

WINGS • WHEELS • SPEED SPEED • STEAM • MUSIC • DANCE • BANDS

K D R A NEWGROUN Y W N 2 O 4 SH NG2 JUNE 4 1 / 3 1 / 12

NEWB SHOW URY G RG18 ROUN 7/8/9 9QZ D AUGU ST

www.retrofestival.co.uk A GREAT WEEKEND FOR ALL THE FAMILY STARTS HERE! 6PM ON FRIDAY TO 11PM ON SUNDAY featuring 3 AMAZING STAGES/DANCE FLOORS/ SHOW ARENA & FUNFAIR

SHOPPING VILLAGE Incl. RETRO/VINTAGE MARKET, VINTAGE & CLASSIC CARS ARENA, CARAVANS, HOT RODS, MILITARY VEHICLES, RE-ENACTORS, STEAM ENGINES & MINIATURE STEAM, AUTOJUMBLE, KIDZ ZONE, FOOD & BARS, PUBLIC CAMPING SITES, SOUNDS, MUSIC & DANCE FROM THE 30’s to 80’s To take advantage of the discount to Caravan and Motorhome Club members, book your place at

www.camc.com November 2019 114 www.berkshirecentrecaravanclub.co.uk / www.rvoc.co.uk / www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Be stuck in a book, not stuck in the mud.

Buttertubs Pass, Yorkshire Dales

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8 10

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No vehicle restrictions

PROVIDED BY

Lines open Mon – Fri 8am – 8pm, Sat 9am – 5pm, Sun 10am–5pm. Caravan and Motorhome Club is a trading name of The Caravan Club Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for general insurance and credit activities. Mayday UK Breakdown Cover is provided by Green Flag and underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, both part of the same group. Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No.1179980.

A sample MAYDAY UK Breakdown Cover poicy booklet including the limitations and exclusions that apply is available upon request. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Visit camc.com/mayday