Indholdsfortegnelse for August 2019 i Practical Motorhome

This year there are a host of events across the UK and further afield that you simply mustn’t miss – here are a selection of our favourites. D-Day 75th anniversary It’s now 75 years since the historic events of D-Day, and there are many events taking place throughout June, both in Normandy and in the UK, to mark the anniversary. When June 2019 Where Normandy and Britain Web www.dday-anniversary.com Stone-carving workshop Try your hand at stonemasonry under the tutelage of one of Salisbury Cathedral’s own masons. This two-day course is tailored to individual needs, and you’ll get a workshop tour at the start – you’ll also be able to take away anything that you make. When 18-19 July 2019 Where Salisbury Cathedral, Wiltshire Web www.salisburycathedral.org.uk Isle of Skye Highland Games…

Plain water ice cubes are so last year. But that ice-cube tray can easily become your new best friend. Add an extra dimension to cold drinks or hot food by experimenting with these lush flavoured varieties. Together, we can start a cubism revolution! 1 Winning wine Instead of drinking those last few dregs of red wine, try freezing some in your ice-cube tray. Add a few to a simple glass of orange juice for a quick cheat’s take on a summer sangria, or pop them into sauces and gravy to give an extra dimension to your stews and casseroles. 2 Sage advice Don’t waste herbs left over from cooking. Chop them finely and fill a cube or two with them, topped up with water or oil. Popular herbs…

The one place your motorhome can’t go is on the water, but there’s no reason why you can’t take it up to the edge of that water, and explore from there. You don’t have to worry about having a canoe rack on your ’van, either – inflatable or fold-up kayaks fit in a large locker or garage. It’s best to start in sheltered, non-tidal waters. Chertsey, Milarrochy Bay – pictured below – and Keswick are three Camping and Caravanning Club sites where you can hire a canoe, and then launch it, or your own craft, from the site. Waterclose Meadows in Cambridgeshire (www.nationaltrust.org.uk) has a slipway, in the early stages of restoration. British Canoeing has a website for recreational canoeing – www.gopaddling.info.…

1 After dark You’ll need a torch, and you’ll probably have your hands full of keys, bags, dog leads and so on, so a head torch is ideal. You might look like a miner, but your hands will be free to unlock your ’van and hang on to the dog. 2 Clear water Staying on a CL or CS, you usually have access to potable water, and carrying bottled water in the’van isn’t such a problem, but you might want to pack water-filtration tablets if you are going on a hike and don’t want to carry heavy bottles. 3 Get the power If you need extra power, consider using a fuel-based generator, or better still, solar panels. A generator produces more power more quickly, but solar panels…

Beeswax Wraps A natural and reusable alternative to film, th ese beeswax wraps are great for protecting picnic s andwiches, or keeping leftovers fresh in the fridge Web www.beeswaxwraps.co.uk Price From £10 TraVino Spillproof Wine Tumbler No al fresco eating is complete with out a drink, but spillages are a nuisance. This cup that looks like a wine glass comes with a tra vel mug-st yle lid, keeping bugs out, and keeping your drink in! Web www.fruugo.co.uk Price £14.95 Rainbow picnic rug A cheerful blanket with le ather carry handle, this can be used for your picnic or f or wrapping around cold shoulders in the evening Web www.tollymcrae.co.uk Price £125…

‘The positions of the stars in the sky don’t just tell us what time of day it is here on Earth, but also what time of the year it is’Professor Brian Cox planets are visible to the naked eye. Even the awe-inspiring silver band of the Milky Way is clear for all to see without artificial aids. For the novice astronomer, Keith Muir, Forestry & Land Scotland’s expert on dark skies, advises looking for Ursa Major (aka The Plough or Big Dipper) first. “From there, you can draw a line from the two most right-hand stars and follow it upwards to find the North or Pole Star, the crux of all There are probably almost as many answers to that question as there are stars (around 10 billion trillion, or…

Crazy as it sounds, the boffins from King’s College London say we are not applying enough suncream – only 40% of the amount we need, to be precise. But the answer to quantity is simple – the humble spoon. To ensure you are protected, the NHS suggests using these average amounts, measured in readily available cutlery: n Two teaspoons of sunscreen for your head, arms and neck n Two tablespoons to cover your sun-exposed body So it’s good to err on the side of generosity. Just make sure you wash the spoons before having your tea! Did you know? If you plan to be in the sun long enough to risk burning, suncream should be applied twice: 30 minutes before going out, and just before you step out of the…

Let’s face it, there’s usually a day or two when the great British weather lets us down. But rather than letting this spoil your break, the secret is to embrace it. Instead of being disappointed that you can’t get out and about, it’s time to celebrate what really separates touring from the camping fraternity. While our tent-based friends are enduring a soggy and cold holiday experience, we can luxuriate in the cosy, warm and dry environment that only a motorhome provides. Don’t view the noise of rain on the roof as a disturbance; instead, curl up with a book and a cup of tea, perhaps turn the heating up a notch, and enjoy the cosy surroundings. And if you have children, you can encourage activities that all of you can…

CLAUDIA DOWELL “Invite your non-touring friends along for dinner in this motorhome and they could very easily be converted. And with a luxury washroom that includes a SOG unit, what more could you ask for?” SARAH WAKELY “The idea of being able to kick off your shoes and indulge in some telly before you slip upstairs to bed is what really appeals in this motorhome. But my favourite aspect is the way that the cab is completely closed off when the bed is down – what a clever piece of design.” PETER BABER “It may be a bit of a monster vehicle, but with its huge water tanks and ample batteries, this motorhome really lends itself to wild camping. Wherever you might stay, you really wouldn’t want for anything.”…

Motorhome luxury, for some, means plush interiors, sizeable water tanks and Alde heating. But for many motorsports and outdoor-events fans, it means a ’van that will take them off-grid in comfort. Specialist manufacturers have catered for this market for years. Now a much larger firm, Swift, is putting its toe in this particular water. Swift has a connection to motorsports: founder Peter Smith and son Guy are rally and racing drivers, and the firm sponsors the Swift Rally Team of Matt Edwards and Darren Garrod, winners of the 2018 British Rallying Championship. Now Swift has expanded its luxurious Kon-tiki range with the Dynamic 675, for the moment only available at Brownhills. It’s almost (but not quite) a dealer special. It is based on the Iveco Daily, providing a 3.0-litre engine,…

Living the dream? Absolutely. Husband and wife Albert and Gladys Elphick love touring in their Concorde Centurion. It’s their latest motorhome – their eighth such vehicle – and it’s definitely the most expensive. We caught up with them just after they’d returned from a 2500km round trip to Portugal. Believe it or not, this is not their only motorhome. We asked a few questions… Can you give us the background about the motorhomes that you’ve owned, to date? Albert We started over 15 years ago. One night we were talking about motorhomes and the next day we had to drive over to Godalming, in Surrey. On the way back we passed Michael Jordan Caravans (now Marquis Leisure), and we thought: “Why don’t we go and have a look?” We bought…

Money no object? Or perhaps you have a specific requirement for a larger-than-normal ’van with lots of mod cons? Well, everyone would like at least some luxury in their motorhome and, if you can afford it, why not aim for the best you can get? Especially if size is also no object. There’s no getting away from the fact that this month’s vehicles are larger than the norm. My usual advice about buying from a specialist applies. If the dealership has the aftersales service side, including a workshop and trained staff, to cope with luxury vehicles like this month’s trio, so much the better. Start looking around and you’ll actually find there are lots of top-end, pre-owned motorhomes. Some owners like to move on to their next ’van fairly rapidly.…

AT A DEALERSHIP Dealerships are great for seeing a lot of used motorhomes in one place in a short span of time. The prices will be higher than from private sellers, but in return, a dealer must tell you about any problems and the cost of rectifying them, and give the ’van a pre-delivery inspection (PDI) before you collect it. You’ll also be offered at least a few months’ warranty on used models, which is something you’re unlikely to get from a private vendor. See as many motorhomes as you can before making your decision; you’ll soon start to get a feel for what represents good value for money. If you can, build up a relationship with a local dealer. If problems arise or if it needs maintenance, the cost…

Test your bow skills Price £34.99 Web www.thumbsup.comNeed something fun to try on a rainy day in the ’van? Try your hand at 21st-century archery with this electronic bow and immersive archery app. Simply slot your smartphone into the bow and take aim, for target shooting and games where you can battle dragons. It’s a great pastime for all ages and won’t take up much of your valuable storage space or payload. BS Comfortable outdoor dining for four Price £34.99 Web www.decathlon.co.ukA couple or family can easily enjoy dinner outdoors and make the most of warm sunny days with this camping table and stools combination. Although the stools might not cut it for long evenings sitting outside, they are sturdy and comfortable enough for mealtimes, and they fold away neatly…

As the days grow longer and the weather warms up, it’s ever-more tempting to simply jump in the ’van and head off on adventures to territory as-yet unexplored. Winter touring has its own benefits, of course, but lengthier days allow you to kick back and chill out with the sun on your face. That’s what we had in mind when putting together this special section on summer touring – from finding the best apps to help you on your journey, to food and drink inspiration and great activities to try once you’ve reached your destination, you’ll find it all over the next 17 pages. So turn the page, and get ready to make this summer season your best ever.…

You’ve been sightseeing or on the beach all day and you’re now back on site. It’s a balmy evening and the barbecue is being fired up. There’s time to relax and chat with family, friends and neighbours, and things would be just perfect if you had a cool drink in your hand. A cold lager will do it, perhaps a gin and tonic, or a glass of white wine or prosecco. But what about something with a little razzmatazz? A cocktail, perhaps – and it doesn’t have to be alcoholic. A little decoration – umbrellas, fruit, a sprig of mint – can turn it into something special. Why not try our very own Touring Tonic, the recipe for which is on the opposite page? Touring Tonic Ingredients A cucumber slice…

Get your ’van ready for a summer of fun, with all manner of festivals, the length and breadth of the UK. Music, theatre, literature, comedy, food, drink, walking, cycling, sailing, sports, horticulture, vintage fairs and county shows are all part of the great summer feast of entertainment held annually throughout Britain. Some are so large, they incorporate several interests and activities in multiple venues. Other events take place over a month – Brighton in May, Edinburgh in August – so you can stay on a campsite and dip into the festival as you like. Since the first big open-air music festival on the Isle of Wight (13-16 June this year) in 1968, Britain has embraced the concept, and you are sure to find something, wherever you are pitched. Glastonbury, the…

Hiking and touring really go well together. In effect, you can make your motorhome your favourite B&B, but unlike a real B&B, you can move it around the country to explore wherever you want. You will always know exactly where you are coming back to, as well. For best results, it helps to go for a motorhome that has a generously sized boot locker. And you’ll certainly want a comfortable sofa to stretch out those weary limbs in the evening! As for where to go, if you are new to hiking, how about trying a waymarked trail that sets off from a campsite. Waterfoot Park (www.waterfootpark.co.uk), for example, on the shores of Ullswater in Cumbria, includes a section of the Ullswater Way, a 20-mile circular walk around the lake that…

Art editor Simon says “Avoid the pricey motorway service stations at all costs. Make sure you brim your vehicle before leaving home. Then, while en route to your destination, if you see that your gauge is getting low, try to find a refuelling spot off the motorway. You might add a few miles to your trip, but it will be worth it in the savings you make. If you use one of the many supermarket filling stations, you can even top up your loyalty points at the same time!” Reviews editor Peter says “When considering which caravan park to stay at, nowadays it’s almost always worth finding out whether Wi-Fi is free, and if not, how much it costs – especially if you have teenage kids who are glued to…

Everyone loves a picnic, and nothing is quite as simple and enjoyable as eating and drinking in the sunshine. It could be a park, the beach, or right by your ’van. Roll out your picnic blanket, sit yourself down and enjoy! A relaxing picnic doesn’t have to be a big event, either. Just fill a basket with a few of your favourite treats and head outdoors. The most successful foods for your picnic basket are things that are easy to eat, such as finger foods. After enjoying your meal, remember to leave the area cleaner than you found it.…

Well, the good news is, all of the above are highlighted as the benefits of reading for pleasure, as identified by research from The Reading Agency.* The bad news is, almost a third of us don’t do nearly enough of it. Nevertheless, reading remains a very popular leisure activity, with words such as enjoyment, relaxation and escapism often cited as the reasons why people like opening a book. And for children, the benefits are particularly strong: “Reading for pleasure has been shown to be more important for children’s cognitive development than either their parents’ level of education or their socio-economic background,”** explains the charity’s Samantha Cox. More than any other, summer is the season when many of us will find the time to pick up a book, whether it’s that…

1 Brecon Beacons National Park Wales 2 Elan Valley International Dark Sky Park Wales 3 Exmoor National Park England 4 Galloway Forest Park Scotland 5 Isle of Coll International Dark Sky Communit y Scotland 6 Isle of Sark International Dark Sky Communit y Channel Islands 7 Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve Ireland 8 Mayo International Dark Sky Park Ireland 9 Moffat Int ernational Dark Sky Communit y Scotland 10 Kielder W ater and Forest Park England 11 Snowdonia International Dark Sky Reserve Wales 12 South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve England…

Vegan cuisine is everywhere these days, from meat-free burgers designed to replicate that beefy experience, to the media sensation that was the Greggs vegan sausage roll. You can’t escape the fact that vegan food is on the rise. And why not? A vegan diet can be healthier for us and the planet. And that can only be good news for our hobby. But rather than focusing on simply replacing meat with something similar, why aren’t we celebrating vegetables in their own right? After all, they are delicious and healthy, and don’t need to be dressed up as a meat product to be enjoyed. The barbecue, for example, has always traditionally been a meat-only environment, but veggies can give your grill a new lease of life. Veggie kebabs are a riot…

No matter where you tour, it’s worth taking a quick look in your app store, to see if there are local travel guides available – they’re often free! 1 England Originals Some apps are VR- and AR-enabled, for example, England’s Historic Cities, which guides you while you explore 13 heritage cities, using augmented reality to bring the past to life. Web www.heritagecities.com 2 Self-guided walks Most major towns and cities offer self-guided tours, even if that is just a map or a leaflet. They don’t cost much and you can walk at your own pace. Visit the tourist information office, or check ahead with VisitBritain. Web www.visitbritain.com 3 Bristol Dockers Visiting Bristol? Don your headphones as you wander from M Shed to Nova Scotia Place and Underfall…

Price From £118,670 Sleeps 2 (as tested) Belts 2 Base Fiat Ducato Engine 2.3-litre 130bhp Euro 6 turbodiesel L/W/H 7.83/2.27/ 3.05m (25’8”/7’5”/10’0”) MTPLM 4500kg Payload 765kg Water (fresh/waste) 225/180 litres Battery 2 x 80Ah Gas 2 x 11kg We were almost done with our test, and pulling out of the fuel station on the way home, when a car pulled in just in front of us. The driver got out, his engine still running, and came dashing towards us. “You’ve got a Liner-for-two!” he exclaimed. Indeed we had. Carthago’s Liner-for-two, one of the most luxurious two-berths currently on the market, happens to be our newest long-term-loan motorhome here at Practical Motorhome. We’ll be featuring it more in the next few issues. But our new friend who, it turned out, already…

So what, you might ask, is this model doing in the Luxury Edition of Practical Motorhome? Well, there’s the small matter of lineage. Pricing structure sees the Carado somewhere near the bottom of the Erwin Hymer Group portfolio, where stablemates head up the spectrum through Bürstner, Dethleffs, Laika, Hymer and Niesmann+Bischoff. However, the Carado, along with its Sunlight cousins, is produced in the newest production plant of the lot. They’re all about razor-sharp pricing, too. This, the T132, is the smallest of these low-profile coachbuilts. If you like your motorhomes compact, it fits the bill perfectly. We viewed this at Southdowns Motorhome Centre, in Portsmouth – one of seven UK dealers for the marque. This example includes the £1239 Chassis-Comfort Pack (cab air-con, electric mirrors, handling upgrades and more), and…

It’s funny to notice how some things seem to arrive in groups. Here at the workshop, we can go for many months without seeing a Mercedes Sprinter-based motorhome, but then see three of them in the space of one week. Recently, it’s been fridges: we’ve had a glut of problems to deal with, from a basic service to a full fridge/freezer replacement. These days, the mainstay of our workload seems to consist of servicing and habitation inspections, but this does get quite repetitive at times; so doing a fridge service or fault diagnosis makes a welcome change. Some of these faults can be particularly interesting to diagnose and fix. For example, we worked on one that wouldn’t select gas operation; and one that lit initially, but the igniter sparked for…

Some might disagree, but Erwin Hymer Centre (Travelworld) probably now has the most prestigious specialist motorhome retail outlet in the UK. It is packed with premium motorhomes, with plenty of space for visitors, including a premium customer mezzanine lounge (with lift and stairs access), from where you can look out over the large showroom. Behind the scenes, things are equally impressive, with software links to a ‘paperless’ service centre, where all of the staff use iPads and admin is processed electronically. There are certainly plenty of secondhand bargains here, too – again, typically, premium-end stuff. I ended up picking three of the most expensive! As sales controller Jake Macquarie explains: “Demand for these vehicles is actually quite high. The hardest bit of their depreciation has gone and they have high…

On the lookout for a new motorhome? If so, we can help! Just like our inspiring travel stories, expert reviews and useful advice, we think that our online classifieds are the best in the business. Now you can read our review of your chosen ’van, watch the video then find it online, making www.practicalmotorhome.comthe one-stop shop for all your touring needs. We already know that 50% of you access our website via mobile device, so our classifieds have been designed to be fully responsive – they should work just as well on your tablet or smartphone as they do on your home computer. We’ve worked hard to make these classifieds as easy to use as possible, with filters to help you narrow your search by location, price, brand, year, weight…

1 ULTIMATE LUXURY We’ve had an amazing month checking out some of the most exclusive motorhomes available for this issue, but the one on p80 – the UK’s most costly – probably wins! 2 SUMMER IS COMING We’re getting into the seasonal mood with our A-Z of Summer Touring (p21). From apps to zorbing, it has everything you need to make your summer go with a swing! 3 TYRE TRACKS It’s crucial to keep your tyres in fine fettle – they could save your life one day. For expert advice, turn to p88. 4 CAMPER BLUES Tempted by a cheap camper? It’s a great way into our pastime, but you need to keep your wits about you, as Nigel Donnelly explains on p90. 5 SEASON PREVIEW We’ve trekked around Europe…

The Nightstop Scheme is run by us in conjunction with the Motor Caravanners’ Club (MCC), and the sites are certificated locations (CLs); you don’t have to join any club to use them. You’ll need to ring the relevant site to confirm whether there’s space for you before you visit: you’ll find all the information you need to know at http://po.st/PMHNightstops. For further information on the MCC, visit www.the motorcaravannersclub.co.uk. 1 Airman Hotel SG17 5JF 2 The Black Horse Pub HP16 9AX 3 The Seven Wives PE27 5RF 4 The Penrhiwgaled Arms SA44 6LN 5 Railway Hotel SA32 7LQ 6 Belmont Hall CW9 6JA 7 Mousehole Camping TR19 6XB 8 Blenkinsopp Castle Inn CA8 7JS 9 The Castle Inn EX20 4BH 1O The Highwayman’s Haunt TQ13 0DE 11 The Thelbridge Cross…

what3words Price Free Web www.what3words.comTrying to meet up with friends on site can be quite complicated, but this app makes things easier. It divides the whole world into a 3 x 3m grid, so you can simply share your location using a unique three-word address. All Motorhome Parkings Price £4.49 pa Web App Store, Google Play This covers more than 28,000 places to park your ’van, across more than 50 countries. Use it to navigate to parking places and campsites. Try the trial version for free, or download the full version for an annual fee. Camping App Eu Free Price Free Web Google Play More than 20,000 European campsites are listed on this app, ranging from full-service sites to basic car parks that allow overnight stays for campers. Don’t tour…

For many, being able to take pets on holiday is a key reason for taking up touring. There are plenty of dog-friendly sites keen to make this as enjoyable as possible, by offering dog showers and hairdryers, and in some cases even a doggy day crèche. Most sites insist dogs are kept on a short lead. Away from other people, you can use an extendable lead, and some sites have areas where dogs can run free. A few simple things will make your holiday the best possible for you and your pet. For example, if your dog is prone to barking at passing people, bringing familiar bedding and toys might help to settle them down. Take supplies of your dog’s regular food, and when you are out for the day,…

One of the best things about owning a motorhome is that you can be pretty spontaneous about touring, and suddenly decide to go away for the weekend, if you’re working, or longer if you’re not. The thing about spontaneity is that it can cause problems, but having a few key facts about your motorhome at your fingertips can avert potential trouble, such as getting stuck under a low bridge or losing the sides of your ’van down a narrow road. Jot down the height, width, length and weight of your vehicle on a piece of paper and tuck it inside your motorhome’s sun visor for quick reference. More help is to be had with a sat nav that can be set with your vehicle’s dimensions, and will avoid those low…

On occasion, you might find yourself without a campsite booked; or you just want a stopover en route to somewhere that will take a little too long to reach in one go; or you might be touring on a budget. Whatever your reason, this is where our handy Nightstop scheme comes in (see p11). They are genuine Certificated Locations, as awarded by our scheme partners, the Motor Caravanners’ Club. The great news is that you don’t need to be a member of any club to make use of them. Of the 40 sites that belong to our scheme, many are the car parks to pubs and hotels, and some will waive the overnight fee if you eat in the pub or hotel. Most have fresh-water taps, three-quarters have toilet facilities,…

It’s the end of the working day on a Friday afternoon. It’s been a long week. As you wait for home time to arrive, you take a look at the weekend weather forecast and see it’s going to be good. Then you think, “Let’s get outta town!” Sometimes we’re magically able to pull off a last-minute trip and enjoy a top weekend on-site. But there are other times when we are hampered by logistical hurdles and can’t help but wish we had been better prepared. To help set you up for this summer, here are a few tips for that last-minute trip. 1 Make a list One main challenge standing between us and a great unplanned trip is getting all of our stuff together. If you haven’t been touring…

Art editor Simon says Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain was a game-changer for me. I have always been interested in food, but Bourdain’s vivid description of life as a chef in New York showed the other side, the parts of the restaurant hidden from view – and sometimes for good reason! You’ll never look at dining out the same way again. Contributor Deanna says Romantic relationships were ruined for me at the tender age of 13 after reading Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights. Passion on the wild Yorkshire Moors with the brooding Heathcliff – what boy-next-door in suburbia could hope to compete? But my guilty pleasures nowadays are blockbuster thrillers by the likes of John Grisham, Lee Child and Michael Connelly. Can’t get through summer without one! Reviews editor Peter says…

Not just a watch If you’re a serious hiker, the Casio Pro Trek WSD-F20 smart watch could be your ideal companion – it has GPS, maps, compass, barometer, tide graphs, altimeter and more. Price £349 Web www.protrek.co.uk Entertainment on the go If you travel with rear passengers, keep them entertained by putting your tablet or iPad on a TFY mount on the back of your headrest, so they can enjoy films. Price £19.99 Web www.amazon.co.uk Speak the language Heading to the Continent? Pocketalk can translate 74 languages – simply speak into it. With seven-hour battery life, it can help you chat to the locals wherever you go. Price $299 (£228) Web www.pocketalk.net Tyre safety Check pressures with the Michelin Tyre Pressure Monitoring System. Attach the sensors and take a reading…

Serves Four Ingredients ( kebabs) 4 red onion s, 2 sweetcorn cobs, 1 small packet of chestnut mus hrooms, 2 red peppers, 2 courgettes Ingredients ( chimichurri) Olive oil, 1 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1 small bunch parsley, 2 cloves garlic, 1 red chilli, 1/2 tsp oregano, 1 tsp salt, pepper to taste Method 1 Cut all of the ingredients into similar size chunks that are easy to skewer, then make up your kebabs 2 Once done, finely chop all of the chimichurri in gredients and mix with en ough olive oil to form a loos e salsa 3 Brush the kebabs with th e chimichurri, an d grill until brown and with a bit of gi ve 4 When cooked, plate up with another brushing of chimichurri an d…

There are lots of crazy sports and pastimes to try this summer, but one of the whackiest has to be zorbing. So what is it? Think strapping yourself in a giant hamster ball and rolling down a steep hill. The UK’s Dangerous Sports Club is thought to have created the first zorb – in that instance, a giant sphere with two deckchairs inside. The idea proved impractical, and zorbs weren’t to reappear until the mid-1990s, in New Zealand. It was in the new millennium that ‘zorbing’ entered the dictionary; these days, it’s defined by Oxford Dictionaries as: ‘A sport in which one is secured inside a large transparent ball which is then rolled along the ground or down hills.’ There are various types, depending on the terrain and what you…

Carthago has nothing to do with the city that was the Romans’ traditional enemy! The German firm was founded in 1979, originally as a VW van converter. Seven years into its existence, it was still employing just 10 people. It started producing the luxurious A-classes for which it is now famous in the late 1990s, when van conversions were hived off into the Malibu brand. Now one of the largest privately owned brands in Germany, it has a state-of-the-art factory at Aulendorf and another factory across the Alps in Slovenia.…

BASE VEHICLE Chassis Fiat Ducato/Al-Ko low-frame 40 heavy Engine 2.3-litre, 130bhp Euro 6 turbodiesel Power 130bhp @ 3600rpm Torque 320Nm @ 1800rpm Transmission Seven-speed Comfort-Matic Features include LED daytime driving lights, passenger airbag, ABS, ESP, hill holder, hill descent control, fog light CONVERSION Wood-free body shell, GRP outer shell on 38mm roof, floor panel with GPR top and bottom, aluminium on outside and inside of 38mm walls, GRP rear panel with insulated sandwich wall and separate bumper, insulated double floor, exterior hatches made with original sidewall material and concealed recessed hinges. Chassis connection via shape-fitting and bonded aluminium frame with additional cold stop LOUNGING AND DINING C-shaped lounge with permanent pedestal table. Rear-facing sofa, which can be extended into recliner. Slide-out TV system KITCHEN Three-burner gas hob, sink with extendable…

Price From £160,390 Sleeps 4 Belts 4 Base vehicle Iveco Daily 70 C 18 Engine 3.0 180bhp Euro 6 Length/width/height 9.27/2.40/3.34m(30’4”/7’9”/10’10”) MTPLM 7200kg Payload From 1450kg Water (fresh/waste)370/250 litres Leisure battery 3 x 150Ah (Dynamic Pack) Gas 2 x 11kg cylinders (120-litre tank option here) Driving licence and wallet at the ready? You’re going to need both for this giant. For the uninitiated, Niesmann+Bischoff is the flagship brand of Erwin Hymer Group, and this is the newest addition to its range-topping Flair line-up – as viewed in the equally impressive showroom at the all-new premises of Erwin Hymer Centre (Travelworld), the sole UK agent for new N+B motorhomes. It’s a fitting setting for the most expensive model in its multi-million-pound display. Most of us will never be able to afford…

NOVEMBER 2007 We took to the road for some short breaks in our November 2007 issue, both in the UK and in France. Plus, it was time for our report of the October NEC Show – which is, of course, still going strong today! Cornwall was one destination in our Short Break travel guide – we identified some top sites, great new attractions, brilliant events and much more in this ever-popular county Four overcabs with bunks came under the microscope for our Big Group Test – all were budget models, with price tags ranging from £38,995 to £42,200. Manufacturers included McLouis and Hymer The late (and great) Doug King wrote a comprehensive article on the dangers of motorhome gas leaks for this issue, identifying exactly what you needed to look…