Indholdsfortegnelse for July 2021 i Practical Motorhome

As I type this, the weather is getting better, and I have some grand plans for the year ahead. My first tour – already booked – is due to be to Somerset, and I can’t wait – I long for the opportunity to get out into the fresh air, away from the four walls of home. We’ve some brilliant ideas on how to escape the crowds this issue, by making a beeline for a wonderful wildlife tour – from p45 you’ll be able to get hints and tips on where (and when) you can see some of the UK’s stunning fauna. And some big news to announce: next month we’re bringing you the first in the Practical Motorhome Knowhow series - a cut-out-and-keep section that you’ll find in your mag…

The sun is shining in the bluest of blue skies, spring flowers are showing off their colours and the birds and bees are going about their business. Suddenly, it feels like the future is full of possibilities and we can plan ahead. Although some early-summer events have been cancelled (Glastonbury, again) or postponed (Chelsea Flower Show will now be in September), others are going ahead, to inject some fun into the rest of the year. There are always plenty of thrilling displays and competitions at agricultural shows, games and music to entertain at music festivals, and fantastic horticultural endeavours to inspire at garden festivals, with retail opportunities offered by all. Book your pitches, remain vigilant, and let the summer begin! claudia.dowell@futurenet.com ROUTE MASTER Your monthly guide to major roadworks and…

THE MOTORHOME 2003 Hymer Camp on a Fiat Ducato base. WHERE WE STAYED ■ Common Leys Farm Waterperry Common, Waterperry, Oxford OX33 1LQ Web commonleysfarmaccommodation.co.uk Tel 01865 351 266 FIND OUT MORE ■ Waterperry Gardens Web waterperrygardens.co.uk Normally, this lovely house and grounds are open all year round, with a garden centre, shop, museum and tearoom; but currently, only the gardens are open, because of Covid-19 restrictions. ■ Blenheim Palace Web blenheimpalace.com Although this spectacular and historic house is still closed at present, the grounds are open – however, visitors do need to pre-book their arrival time. ■ Waddeston Manor Web waddesdon.org.uk The gorgeous gardens are open Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm, but booking in advance is required. ■ Oxford Oxford is about 12 miles away from Common Leys Farm and accessible via…

46 Go wild in the isles What fabulous wildlife can you expect to discover, and where in the British Isles can you see it? 53 Book reviews A round-up of some of the most informative and entertaining wildlife-related tomes on sale now 54 Birdwatching Beginner’s guide to spotting our feathered friends 60 Wildlife Photographer of the Year Inspiration from the best of the best, and something to aspire to next time you compose your shot! 62 Photography tips Expert wildlife photographer Jane Morgan shares her 10 top tips to get you snapping like a pro 66 Outdoor gear guide From binoculars to water bottles, we select the best essential kit to take with you on your travels 68 British butterflies Spotter’s guide to identifying the many beautiful species that can…

Life on Earth David Attenborough It is testament to the man and the TV series that Life on Earth remains as inspiring now as when it was first screened some 42 years ago. In fact, I’d say this is the most important wildlife book since Darwin’s On the Origin of Species – an examination of animal and plant life, covering the evolution of some amazing creatures. Attenborough’s incredible ability to communicate shines through on every page, and this 2018 updated edition has wholly new photos. Britain’s Trees Jo Woolf Pretty much every corner of Britain is home to one of these remarkable ecosystems. What am I talking about? Trees, of course. During lockdown, I’ve been exploring woods near my home, where there are yew trees that are 500 years old.…

Go wild with your camera… in the garden Make the most of your backyard. The majority of us can encourage wild birds into our gardens with feeders and baths, or you could get really creative by building an infinity pool. Whichever you choose, shooting birds just outside your back door is great practice and can be incredibly rewarding; plus, it will keep your skills tip-top until your next trip. Nikon D300S, Nikon 105mm, ISO200, 1/125, F9 Know your kit It sounds boring, but do read the manual! It’s really important to know how to change settings with your eyes shut. This photo of a frog was taken at night, by torchlight, and being able to change settings without looking was a necessity. However, at any time, it will make your…

‘The cure for anything is salt water – sweat, tears, or the sea’ So said writer Isak Dinesen in the 1930s, and I’m not sure a great deal has altered since. It’s something of a universal truth; although my ability to combine all three every time I go surfing is, I suspect, entirely unique. There hasn’t been a day of the interminable lockdown we’ve all endured when I haven’t reflected my dumb luck in living on the coast, although it has to be said that all of us, regardless of location in the UK, are never more than 70 miles away from the sea. As such, a whiff of salt is a defining feature for everyone – we are all islanders in some shape or form. But my genuine proximity…

■ Tell us about your current role – what do you do? I’m Head of Marketing, Press and Public Relations for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, which covers vans, pick-ups and campers. My role encompasses all internal and external communications. It also covers product affairs, defining which vehicles we bring to market, what they cost and where they sit in the market, and defining and developing our e-commerce strategy for online sales and so on. I also look after the website and digital tools. I have a team of about 20 people. ■ How long have you been in the role? Previously I was head of PR for the brand from 2015 and 2020 and then in September of last year the PR and marketing teams were merged and my responsibilities expanded.…

I often see people on motorhome forums questioning why brake fluid needs replacing, many claiming this is a “rip-off” by garages. That is most definitely not the case. The issue with brake fluid is that it is hygroscopic, which means it draws moisture out of the air. This moisture builds up and, because water is heavier than brake fluid, it gradually sinks to the lowest point of the system – the wheel cylinders and caliper cylinders. Brakes work by turning motion energy into heat through friction, so the cylinders get hot; on a long, hilly descent, they can easily exceed the boiling point of water. As water boils, it turns to steam, which is compressible, so the brake pedal gets spongy and the braking effort being applied reduces drastically. You…

The idea of life on the road is exciting, but for many potential owners, motorhome cost is a major hurdle. Sorting a first ’van purchase can be an expensive business and working out where to start needs careful consideration. If you are on a tight budget, the popular options are borrowing money or self-building. The third option is to buy something older. It will lack the mod-cons of a modern motorhome, but if the aim is to travel and explore, it shouldn’t matter how much you spend, right? That was very much our thinking as we started researching our best route into motorhome ownership. A limited budget wasn’t our only stumbling block. We needed to park the vehicle in the street – we have no driveway. We didn’t want to…

HIGH TOP, FIXED ROOF how to buy… Setting a budget Begin by setting a realistic budget: not just the initial cost, but ongoing maintenance (both the base vehicle and the interior will need regular servicing), fuel consumption and insurance. The price of a new motorhome can look prohibitive, but offset this against what you would spend on a holiday, and how you would use your motorhome, how often, and the freedom it gives you to explore new territories. Remember that motorhomes tend to hold their value very well, too; much better than most cars will do. HOW TO USE THE GUIDE We’ve organised our listings by layout, which is generally the most crucial aspect for buyers. Simply locate the floorplan you like in the guide; then, on the left of…

Zoflora disinfectant Stay safe on tour with a concentrated disinfectant that will keep your ’van sparkling. In a choice of fragrances, it tackles 99.9% of viruses and bacteria, including Covid-19. Price £1.59-£5.99 Web www.zoflora.co.uk Lightweight trekking gear Ideal for summer hikes, Fjällräven’s new Abisko Lite Trekking jacket and trousers have hybrid layers for the unpredictable UK weather. Price £245 (jacket) Web www.fjallraven.com H is for Hawk This breathtaking, award-winning book charts how the author deals with bereavement by fulfilling a childhood wish to train a hawk. Price £6.99 Web amazon.co.uk Bamboo cutlery Try bamboo cutlery for your tours; it can be used many times and is biodegradable at the end of its lifespan. Not dishwasher safe. Price £1.39 per piece Web plasticphobia.com Children’s swim ponchos Get the kids ready for…

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 information at www.practicalmotorhome.com/nightstops. For further information about the MCC, visit www.themotorcaravannersclub.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 Mousehole Camping TR19 6XB 7 Blenkinsopp Castle Inn CA8 7JS 8 The Thelbridge Cross Inn EX17 4SQ 9 The Ship Inn YO15 1EW 10 The Crown Inn GL7 5QH 11 Elton Farm GL14 1JU 12 The Gloucester Old…

Duration Two weeks When July 2020 Why? Beautiful views, great walking and excellent dining out None of us will forget 2020 in a hurry. We had planned a series of tours throughout the year. Indeed, a couple of weeks before the first UK lockdown was announced, I was due to join Bailey’s Sahara Adventure expedition, but received a call saying the event was cancelled because Morocco was closing its border with Spain. Little did we know what was to follow. When it was mooted that we might be able to holiday from July onwards, I contacted the owner of a favourite CL of ours, based near the North Yorkshire village of Kirkby Malzeard, a few miles from Ripon, in the hope that we would be able to have a break…

Swift is by no means the only manufacturer in the industry claiming that there might, after all, be some benefits to the prolonged lockdowns we have all endured, and the likelihood of summer this year being a largely staycation season (see opposite). The firm is looking for a bit of a bumper year ahead, and from talking to some dealers, it looks to me as though many others in the business are, too. Whether that is necessarily a good thing for motorhome buyers is, of course, another matter. With so many new people coming into the market for the first time, leisure vehicle dealerships will have less reason to offer discounts. But it does at least mean the future for the industry is looking rosy, and that has to be…

I’ve had lots of follow-up advice to last issue’s ‘rule of five’ for buying pre-owned, and it makes interesting reading: ■ Always buy from a trusted source and check out your dealership online. ■ Read the reviews in Practical Motorhome (especially our Owner Satisfaction Awards). ■ Browse customer reviews on social media forums and from owner’s groups. ■ Check the dealer’s after-purchase facilities. ■ Does your dealership belong to an industry-accredited body, such as the NCC? ■ How are ’vans presented by the dealer? ■ Is the vehicle documentation correct? ■ Has a full HPI Check been completed? ■ Does the price include a full habitation check, a base vehicle service and a fair, clearly understandable warranty? ■ How is the ’van sanitised before inspection by prospective customers? Email Nick…

JANUARY 2012 España was calling on the cover of this winter special, which promised ‘surreal sierras, top tapas and fine wines’… and not an ‘Olé!’ in sight! Dan Wright’s epic trip around Spain in a Volkswagen California 4Motion took him to the celebrated bodegas of Rioja – with fine wines and pristine vineyards in abundance. And the mountain views were pretty breathtaking! We all love a gadget, don’t we? This issue saw us pick out some of the latest top tech, with Apple iPads and Toshiba Notebooks among the offerings (right). Meanwhile, reviewer Jeremiah Mahadevan put the compact Auto-Sleeper Nuevo EK through its paces, praising the spacious lounge (below) MISSED AN ISSUE? Want to buy a past issue of Practical Motorhome magazine? Simply call 0330 333 1113, visit www.magazinesdirect.com/single-issue, or…

Campervan wall planter This ceramic planter will add funky flair to your home or motorhome décor and is also the perfect way to show off your greenery! Price £16 Web www.redcandy.co.uk XL Impact personal alarm torch Feel secure carrying this torch on night-time trips to the facilities block – it has a 150m beam, 130-decibel siren and 400-lumen 20Hz strobe light. It also comes with a USB charger. Price £24.95 Web amazon.co.uk Magazine rack Keep all your copies of Practical Motorhome conveniently close to hand with this stylish magazine rack in cheery canary yellow. Price £16 Web www.redcandy.co.uk Outwell Formby Beach Shelter Outwell’s Formby offers UPF +50 sun protection, an integrated groundsheet and bags that can be filled with sand and buried for anchorage if the wind gets up. Yet…

Our expert panel SARAH WAKELY Editor-in-chief sarah@practicalmotorhome.com PAUL CRITCHER Deputy editor paul.critcher@futurenet.com PETER BABER Reviews editor peter.baber@futurenet.com GENTLEMAN JACK Contributor askjack@practicalmotorhome.com CLAUDIA DOWELL Features/travel editor claudia.dowell@futurenet.com NICK HARDING Contributor practical.motorhome@futurenet.com DIAMOND DAVE Contributor practical.motorhome@futurenet.com CAN I MAKE THE SWITCH TO AN ELECTRIC MOTORHOME? Q As a regular reader of Practical Motorhome, I’ve noticed your recent coverage of EV campervans. My existing (Auto-Trail) motorhome is banned within the M25, so I like the idea of being greener. Yes, I’m aware of the high start-up costs, but the benefits interest me more. Where I live in Scotland, we are blessed with an extensive network of vehicle recharging points across the country, so a range of 100-150 miles per charge works well. Could you please tell me if the ’vans currently available offer…

Duration Three days When Mid-June 2020 Why? To enjoy quieter wide-open spaces and a good walk in the countryside Less than 10 miles from the beautiful but bustling city of Oxford, and within striking distance of the M40, lies Waterperry – a little oasis of calm, welcoming tranquility. As the lockdown rigours eased during summer 2020, I felt the pull of the great outdoors and my ever-present wanderlust; but was wary of too much human contact, the channelling of my inner Greta Garbo still very much to the fore. For the youngsters among us, Greta Garbo was the great Hollywood film star of the 1920s who became equally famous for being a recluse and uttering the words: “I want to be alone.” I found the solution at Common Leys Farm…

WAY TO GO Don’t use your sat nav, which will direct you along roads that are unsuitable for larger vehicles. From Ripon, we took the Grewelthorpe/Kirkby Malzeard road past Trinity Church. Bear left in four miles for Kirkby Malzeard. Turn left at the stone cross (signposted Galphay). The farm lane is on the left in one mile. FOOD AND DRINK ■ The Galphay Inn Web www.galphayinn.com ■ The Grantley Arms Web www.grantleyarms.com ■ Queens Head Tel 01765 658 497 WHERE WE STAYED ■ West Leas Farm CL West Leas Farm, Warren Lane, Galphay, Ripon HG4 3PB Web www.westleas.co.uk Tel 01765 658 416/07525 612 911 Open All year (pandemic rules permitting) Pitches 5 Charges From £15 per pitch with hook-up West Leas is a Caravan and Motorhome Club members-only CL, on…

The A10 runs north from the City of London, via Dalston, Stoke Newington and Tottenham, passing through Edmonton and eventually becoming the Great Cambridge Road. It crosses the A406 North Circular at Great Cambridge Junction and continues towards Enfield, where it passes the Jacobean Forty Hall Estate (fortyhallestate.co.uk) and Capel Manor Gardens (capelmanorgardens.co.uk). Woods and wildlife It meets the M25 at J25, then at Cheshunt, passes through the Lee Valley, close to the Paradise Wildlife Park and Broxbourne Woods. Bypassing Ware and Puckeridge, it follows the route of the Roman road, Ermine Street. At Puckeridge, it joins Stane Street, another Roman road, heading east. At Royston, the A10 meets the Icknield Way, an ancient trackway; here you will find Royston Cave (roystoncave.co.uk), an artificial structure covered in medieval carvings. After…

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The latest motorhomes come packed with electrical goodies, and these days, we tend to carry more devices while touring. From TVs to laptops, games consoles to ebikes, there is always a need for extra power. But what if you want to run 230V AC power without a hook-up, or you’re wild camping? It’s easy with an inverter – but you need to be aware of a few things to help you pick the right one. The 12V DC power from leisure batteries powers almost everything in your ’van. The fridge, heater fan, lights, TV, water pump and toilet flush all rely on the battery to work. So being economical with your available power is key to surviving as long as possible without needing to plug into the mains. Most electronic…