Indholdsfortegnelse for October 2018 i Practical Caravan

WRITE TO Letters, Practical Caravan 1-10 Praed Mews, London W2 1QY EMAIL US AT letters@practicalcaravan.com JOIN OUR COMMUNITY AT facebook.com/ twitter.com/pcaravan instagram.com/practicalcaravan The contributors of our Star letter and Star photo each win a pair of Milenco Grand Aero towing mirrors, worth £50. They’re designed to fit all wing mirrors and offer an outstanding view. If you have a top tip, send it in for a chance to win four Milenco Stacka corner feet, worth £14. For further details…

It was one of those Homer Simpson, forehead-slapping, ‘Doh!’ moments. How could I visit North Norfolk and not remember to bring my binoculars? I could visualise them on the kitchen table, but sadly, there they remained. North Norfolk is renowned as one of the best places for birdwatching, but unless the distant winged-ones were goose-sized, I was going to miss most of them. This is an area rich in nature reserves and salt marshes, a haven for wildlife and birds, but fortunately there was plenty more that I would be able to see – with just my specs for visual enhancement. It had been a while since my previous visit, when I had learned all about Nelson’s connections with the county – he grew up here. This time, I planned…

I HAVE A bit of a confession to make – I’ve just spent a fantastic weekend away with a younger model. ‘Musky’, our Sprite Musketeer, turned 30 this year, so I’ve treated our faithful friend to a full service and reseal. Being without a tourer for a couple of weeks, I took the opportunity of enjoying a few days away in a T@B caravan. Doe Park in County Durham offers this model for hire, complete with all you need for a stay on the site. With a new Mini Cooper at my disposal, this really was an irresistible opportunity to go glamping in such a stylish, retro unit. Doe Park is a family-run touring caravan site on a working farm near the village of Cotherstone in Teesdale. Established for many…

Hedges are left slightly ragged, grass isn’t manicured to within an inch of its life, and there are lots of trees “RICK IS LIKE a tourist officer,” said Tehidy Holiday Park’s co-owner Julia Barnes of her husband. “It’s that personal touch. We don’t like to recommend anything we haven’t tried ourselves.” Richard had just been telling me about Carn Brea Castle, a restaurant specialising in Middle Eastern cuisine, in a hunting lodge that began life as a 14th-century castle before being refurbished, on the edge of the cliffs at Carnkie near Redruth. “It’s a bit more than your average pub and when you book, ask for a window seat, for the view,” he said. On arrival at Tehidy, you are given a large information pack about Cornwall, including a map…

■ St Ives Don’t drive into St Ives. Use the Park & Ride train from Lelant Saltings, and go early in the morning, because the car parks get very busy. Sit on the offside for great views along the coast. Web www.stives-cornwall.co.uk/good-to-know/parking ■ Chysauster Village The approach to the village is down a narrow lane to a car park. Once parked, you must climb steps and cross a field on a marked path. If you have trouble walking, it might not be for you. Web www.english-heritage.org.uk ■ Telegraph Museum, Porthcurno The first cables connecting Britain to Europe came ashore at Porthcurno in 1870. The telegraph station played an important part in both world wars. Web https://telegraphmuseum.org ■ St Michael’s Mount St Michael’s Mount stands opposite Marazion and can be reached…

Ashe Farm, Taunton Steve Lee (Facebook) Site essentials Ashe Farm Caravan and Camping Site is a charming, quiet and informal six-acre site on a working farm, with two sheltered meadows to pitch up in. Most pitches are on level grass, but there are also 11 hardstandings in the first field. It is here you’ll find the facilities block, which has toilets, showers, disabled facilities, local information and a laundry room. The site is surrounded by fabulous views, situated between the Quantock and Blackdown Hills and just a 15-minute drive from Taunton. To the north-west, the West Somerset Railway has its starting point in the village of Bishops Lydeard – a great day out with steam services through the Quantocks and out to Minehead. The site has plenty of space, so…

A touring caravan with a fully retractable roof, felt and leather inside walls and a tailgate you can open to reveal a kitchen complete with sink and gas stove is due to go on display for the first time at this year’s Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf. The new Lume Traveler will be available in three versions. First, a 2.05m-high, 2.03m-wide shell with a shipping length of 5.17m and an unladen weight of 600kg, which you can customise. Alternatively, you can get the Basic model, with a 40-litre fridge, or the No 1 version, with a kitchen that includes a Pitt stove, that retractable roof, with flyscreen and 100W solar panel, an unladen weight of 1000kg and a payload of 350kg. The Dutch company behind the Lume is planning to make…

Model tested 1.5 TSI EVO 150PS Design Price £23,095 What Car? Target Price £22,427 Retained value after three years 52% Kerbweight 1330kg 85% of kerbweight 1131kg Gross vehicle weight 1850kg Max towing limit 1500kg Gross train weight 3350kg Towball limit 80kg Boot size 445-1290 litresPayload 520kg Test conditions Dry Engine size 1498cc Power (bhp)/rpm 148@5000-6000rpm Torque (lb ft)/rpm 185@1500-4000rpm Official combinedeconomy 53.3mpg Towing economy 26.1mpg CO2 emissions 120g/km First year car tax £165 Second year car tax £140 Insurance group 16E Euro NCAP overallprotection rating…

to say that if your caravan is wider than the rear of the tow car, towing mirrors must be fitted. Most caravans are wider than the tow vehicle and 8ft-wide (2.45m) tourers have become more popular of late. CAR DESIGNS DEVELOP on a yearly basis and this means that towing mirrors have to keep up with the changes. So what should you consider when purchasing a new pair of towing mirrors? Know the law The law covering mirrors for drivers towing a caravan is complicated. The Department for Transport states: ‘You must have an adequate view of the road behind you.’ It goes on As a rule, it is a requirement that anyone towing a caravan must be able to see 4m on either side of it at a distance…

CARAVAN MANUFACTURERS rarely fit much in the way of coat hooks in new vans, but in a way, this is a good thing, because you can then add your own choice of hook, exactly where you want them. It is perhaps tempting to take the easy way out and buy domestic coat hooks for your caravan at the local DIY shop, but these are likely to be quite bulky and not in keeping with the caravan fittings. My own preference is to buy stainless steel fender eyes from a marine chandler, such as Gael Force Marine Equipment (www.gaelforcemarine.co.uk), which cost only £1.69 each for a well-finished stainless steel hook. You will need appropriate stainless countersunk screws of a suitable length for the thickness of your fixing places. Try the screws…

Layout finder AA End washrooms spread right acoss the back of the van are usually significantly more roomy than those that have to fit in down the side. That certainly tends to be the case in this layout. where they are also tucked away behind a French bed. Designers often take the oppturtunity this layout offers to provide you with an extra large wardrobe. But, as with all fixed bed layouts, make sure that what’s at the rear hasn’t led to a rather cramped front. Pros End washrooms tend to have large showers and plenty of room to get dressed Cons They can sometimes seem quite cut off from the rest of the caravan, particularly at night-time A End washroom windows can sometimes reveal too much! B Make sure there…

Layout finder S With a nearside-rear dinette as well as rear corner bunks, this layout has lots of space for the kids, while mum and dad relax in the lounge. The amidships kitchen is often short on work surface, but the side dinette provides extra room. The washroom, opposite the kitchen, is useful for night-time visits, but there is not as much elbow room in the shower. Pros Children can take over the rear while their parents relax up front. The rear dinette offers a separate play space, and can usually be shut off from the rest of the van Cons The washroom has limited space, and the kitchen is squeezed between the lounge and the main door A This area may house a wardrobe or dresser unit B Fixed…

Awnings Porch Isabella porch awning, 3.4m wide x 2.3m deep, black/grey, curtains, carpet, pegs, fibreglass frame, poles, full instructions, in a bag, good condition, hardly used, £250. Mr Mortimer, Devizes. (01380 501 596) Swift Air 260 lightweight porch awning with pump and storm poles, good condition, £100 ono, buyer collects. Mr Little, Stotfold, N Herts. (07943 811 952) Outdoor Revolution drive-away motorhome porch awning with storm straps, as new and in a carry bag, buyer collects, £250. Mr Andrews, Wellington. (01823 617 438) Isabella Minor porch awning, Carbon X poles, curtains, excellent condition, used four times, £400. Mr Forder, Sheffield. (01142 465 516) Kampa Pro 260 heavy-duty poles with annex, good condition, £200 ono. Mr Everett, Wickford, Essex. (01268 460 357) Towsure Panama XL390 awning, complete, to fit vans to…

I THOUGHT READERS of Practical Caravan might be interested to hear about this little incident. Recently we were heading along the motorway towards Europort in Rotterdam to catch our ferry back to Hull. All of a sudden a police car pulled in front of us and within seconds, a flashing red sign on the back window instructed us to follow him. Off the motorway and on a quiet slip road, the two officers approached our car and asked to see my driving licence and vehicle papers. They then walked towards our towbar. “Do you realise it’s illegal to have your breakaway cable wrapped around the towball?” one of them asked, going on to explain that if the caravan unhitched while in motion, the breakaway cable would unhitch too, instead of…

1 Best of Buxton At Great Peak District Fair and Buxton Beer Festival, you can try local and international foods, and handcrafted lager, cider and beer. Date 13-14 October Web www.visitbuxton.co..uk Stay at Lime Tree Holiday Park Web www.limetreeparkbuxton.com 2 Foodies in their element Enjoy cookery classes, farmer’s markets and free tasters at Hertford Food and Drink Festival, with discounts at local cafés and restaurants, too. Date 12-14 October Web www.hertford.gov.uk Stay at Hertford C&CC Site Web www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk 3 Heritage harvests Beamish Harvest Festival includes stunning displays in the Pit Village chapel, Pockerley Old Hall and the 1940s farm, celebrating the area’s agricultural heritage. Date 29-30 September Web www.beamish.org.uk Stay at Bobby Shafto Caravan Park Web bobbyshaftocaravanpark.co.uk 4 Bushels of fun Head to Cockington Court in Devon for the annual Apple Day, with…

Where was Scotland? SOME OF YOU may have caught our Best of Britain piece in the September issue, which focused on Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This is a designation that is applied in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, which between them have 46 AONBs. We were able to include only a few in our article. But what about Scotland? Reader Lisa Hind asked why the nation had been left out of our Best of Britain selection. Scotland’s protected landscapes are known as National Scenic Areas and there are 40 of them, covering 13% of the country. The designation defines an NSA as an area ‘of outstanding scenic value in a national context’. These are landscapes not to be missed and will be revisited in future issues of the magazine.…

Birdwatchers will be in their element on this stretch of the coastline. It’s the perfect stop-off for migratory birds and there are several nature reserves from which to spot them. You’ll find lots of useful information about the reserves at www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk 1 Holme Dunes Wheatears and warblers rest at Holme Dunes in the spring, and in the autumn, it’s the turn of the finches and thrushes. Barn owls and avocets are residents 2 Cley Marshes The saline lagoons and reedbeds here were established as a bird-breeding sanctuary in the 1920s. You can learn more about the marshes and their many residents and visitors at the Simon Aspinall Wildlife Education Centre 3 Salthouse Marshes An increasingly common sight along this stretch of grazing marsh is the little egret, as well as…

1 Western Lake District Take a train from Ravenglass along Eskdale to get away from it all and visit one of the finest areas in the Lake District. Stay at Ravenglass Camping and Caravanning Club Site Web campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk 2 Breamish Valley, Northumberland Surrounded by the Cheviot Hills, walk, cycle and picnic by the River Breamish, to see hill forts and the Linhope Spout waterfall. Stay at River Breamish C&MC Site Web www.caravanclub.co.uk 3 Derbyshire Dales Follow the River Dove, cross by the river’s stepping stones, visit Chatsworth and revel in the glorious scenery. Stay at Rivendale Caravan and Leisure Park Web www.rivendalecaravanpark.co.uk 4 The Great Glen Starting out at Fort William, you can explore the great rift valley that divides Scotland in two. Whether you travel on…

We’ve camped for 20 years and have never found a site that comes close to Tehidy. The site and the area is spot on and the help you get exploring leaves me speechless. Very friendly and beautiful, excellent facilities. The children just loved it. Only problem was getting them to go out for the day – they didn’t want to leave. Our third stay. We come for the cycling and the site location, and excellent local knowledge from the owners makes it fantastic every time. So much more to do and we look forward to coming back many more times. The site, and the welcoming, friendly, helpful staff exceed expectations. I chose the site because of convenience and price, but would love to visit again. It was fantastic value for…

Manufacturers keep prices keen for the 2019 season UK CARAVAN MANUFACTURERS appear to have kept a keen eye on ensuring prices don’t rise too sharply for the coming season. In comparison to the months just after the Brexit vote, when prices rose sharply even in mid-season following sterling’s fall, prices for 2019 on model ranges that are continuing have in many cases gone up by less than the current rate of inflation. Two exceptions are Coachman’s Laser range, reintroduced this year after a one-year break as an all-twin-axle line-up, where prices of continuing models are more than 7% up on the same numbered VIP model last year. The budget Venus range has also seen prices rise by a similar proportion. But both ranges have seen considerable modifications this year. Venus’s…

Price £27,815What Car? Target Price £26,766Retained value afterthree years 40%Kerbweight 1716kg 85% of kerbweight 1459kgGross vehicle weight 2230kgMax towing limit 2200kgGross train weight 4230kgTowball limit 90kgPrice of towballand electrics £685Boot size min/max 560/1665 litresPayload 514kgEngine size 1956ccPower (bhp)/rpm 168@3750rpmTorque (lb ft)/rpm 295@1750-2500rpmOfficial combinedeconomy 45.6mpgTowing economy 25.4mpgCO2 emissions 164g/km First year car tax £830Second year car tax £140Insurance group 20EEuro NCAP overallprotection rating…

★ When not in use, keep mirrors in a storage bag to prevent scratching ★ Once you have unhitched your van, remove the mirrors. Leaving them on while driving around could be illegal (in terms of sticking out too far) ★ Take off mirrors if you leave your outfit, for example, on a ferry. They are very easy to remove, so are a security risk ★ Clean your mirrors after long journeys, to prolong their life. Products such as Autoglym Fast Glass are great for cleaning mirrors to ensure that you always have a clear view…

WITH RUMOURS of surplus unsold new 2018 stock being available in abundance on dealers’ forecourts, it’s good news for bargain hunters as we check out the savings that can be had across the country. (All prices and stock data were correct at the time of writing.) We all love the thought of buying our first new caravan, but as with all big purchases, it really pays to shop around. With some dealers having what we might best describe as ample stocks of last season’s models on the forecourts, they will be getting rather keen to shift some of these models, to make way for 2019 vans. In many cases, 2019 models haven’t been altered much over their 2018 counterparts, but of course, when you do buy an outgoing ‘new’ 2018…

Layout finder G In this layout, fixed twin beds towards the rear of the van are accompanied by a central kitchen and an end washroom, plus a lounge up front. This floorplan is great for couples who want to relax in the lounge without having to disassemble a bed every morning. You’ll usually find a curtain or screen separating the rear beds from the lounge. Pros The pair of single beds means that you both have access to the washroom at night. The washroom is often quite spacious Cons The side kitchen may not have much space for preparing meals. The fixed single beds cannot be made up into a double A Square showers are more roomy than circular versions B There’s often an external hatch to access under-bed storage…

Layout finder K Featuring a full-width rear washroom and a pair of twin sofas that make up into a double bed up front, this layout is ideal for couples on tour. The washroom is usually spacious enough to also serve as a dressing room, while the kitchen is very often a really good size – ideal if you enjoy cooking up a storm while you’re away. You might get the option of additional seating in lieu of a chest of drawers between the lounge sofas. Pros This layout allows for a roomy washroom and kitchen even in more compact vans Cons Occupants need to make up the bed each night, leaving nowhere for anyone still up to lounge A Storage is limited, but you will find some under the sofas…

Freshen up Price £49.99 Web www.JMLdirect.comAfter this year’s scorcher of a summer, it is definitely worth investing in something to keep your van cool. The Arctic Air from JML is a great solution – this air cooler and humidifier is an ideal size for small spaces. Fill the 600ml water compartment and the fan does more than just move warm air around – it evaporates the water to cool the air while the filter purifies it. One fill will give you up to eight hours of cool air. Three fan speeds emit not much more than a gentle hum, so it won’t disturb your sleep, and an LED mood light gives off a soft glow in your choice of colours. The unit’s compact shape and simple, easy-to-use design make it…

Ile de Ré takes some beating Graham Jordan   We’ll be off to Hawes in North Yorkshire David McKendry We are going to Morfa Farm, Llanrhystud in Ceredigion – haven’t been there before Beverley Jones Davidson  Love the Lakes, but done more Yorkshire and Durham this year. Lovely, privately owned site in Selby, York South Caravan Camping, that’s our next trip, and then the Highlands in October Paul R Dickinson St Ives then on to St Minver Barbara Unwin  We are going to Tenby Freshwater East Caravan & Motorhome Club Site at end of September and then the Longleat site in November Tracey Ann Morris  Brixham, Weymouth, St David’s, or where we are now, Camping Le Ty Nadan near Quimperlé, France Trudi Michelle Touring Devon and Cornwall for 10 days…

Way to go There are no motorways in Norfolk, but major routes include the A11, A47, A148 and A140. The A1065 and A134 cross Thetford Forest. The Coast Road can be very narrow going through villages. Food and drink ■ The George Hotel  Web www.georgehotelswaffham.co.ukEat in the formal dining room or the bar. We had seafood linguine (£10.95) and liver and bacon (£9.95) in the bar. ■ The Kings Head  Web www.kingsheadnorfolk.co.ukLast orders for dinner at this great gastropub are 9pm Monday-Saturday and 8pm on Sundays. We ate here twice – the classics menu is a bit cheaper. ■ The Crawfish Inn  Web www.crawfishinn.comThe nearest pub to Old Brick Kilns doubles as a Thai restaurant and was probably our best-value meal, and most enjoyable – the service was fast and…

CONTACT Harris Mill, Illogan, Redruth, Cornwall TR16 4JQ Tel 01209 216 489 Web tehidy.co.uk Why do you think people voted for Tehidy? It’s great to give people local knowledge. We find out what interests them – it’s not one size fits all. How long have you owned the site? We’ve been here 11 years. We wanted a project, and it needed a lot of work. How did you make it a site people want to stay at? We went back to basics. Everything we do is about making it eco-friendly. It is an extension of the countryside. We have been David Bellamy Gold Award winners for 11 years. Our aim is to be as low-impact as possible. Who are your guests? Our demographic is right across the board. Older…

Frome Carnival Join in the spectacularly colourful processions of Frome’s annual carnival, with illuminated floats, majorettes and bubbly carnival spirit. All this is accompanied by a family fun day, a duck race along the river and a competition to find the best-dressed shop window. Date 22 September Web fromecarnival.org.uk Bath Children’s Literature Festival Don’t miss Europe’s largest children’s literature festival, with a packed programme of talks, readings and activities from some of the most engaging children’s and young adult literature writers around. There’s even a The Tiger Who Came to Tea storytelling session and tea party. Date 28 September to 7 October Web www.bathfestivals.org.uk/childrens-literature Wells Food Festival Taste the very best of the county’s food and drink at this foodie wonderland in the heart of the town of…

Hymer attracts private equity interest The Erwin Hymer Group, which is exploring the possibility of a listing on the stock market, is said to have gained interest from private equity backers as a possible alternative. Reuters says two potential buyout groups are expected to table bids by early September. The German company, which owns Elddis, Compass, Xplore and Buccaneer in the UK, is looking at a possible 3bn euro listing as it seeks new investment from outside the Hymer family. Roundstone Caravans looks for safe-crackers West Sussex firm Roundstone Caravans has hit on a new idea for a competition – encouraging people to break open a safe. The 88-year-old family-run business will be inviting people to have a go at cracking open the safe throughout the day on 15 September…

How much? £1600-£11,500 Early cars are very much in the bargain-basement category, so approach with caution. These cars will have seen a fair bit of life and could bear a few scars because of that. They’ll also have been to the moon and back a couple of times, so caveat emptor. A budget of about £4000 will net you a 2009 car that has around 100,000 on the clock and at least a partial history. If you can spend up to £11,500, you’ll get a high-spec example with the latest diesel engine. It’s also possible that it’ll have done less than 40,000 miles. What will it tow? Kerbweight...............................1810kg 85% match................................1351kg Towing limit...........................2000kg Noseweight limit.......................90kg How much is a towball? Witter flange towbar............£147.11 Witter detachable towbar............... .....................................................£229.71 Fitting extra (From www.pfjones.co.uk)…