Indholdsfortegnelse for October 2021 i Practical Motorhome

Fans of science fiction (or could it be fact?) will love this list of the best places to stay in the UK to spot alien spaceships, collated by the team at NetVoucherCodes.co.uk to mark World UFO Day in July. 1. South England (38 spots) London is home to the highest number of reports of suspicious activity in the sky. In the past year, more than 20 have come from the capital. Observers of abnormal sightings have described V-shaped objects in the airspace above the city at Christmas and silent red lights in the sky at 7pm one March evening. Pulsating orbs overhead were reported just last month. 2. North-east England (21) Last November, bright red UFOs were spotted in Washington, Tyne and Wear, with more recent reports describing erratic moving…

ADRIA Adria is extending its Twin Sports range for 2022 with a new model, and the option of having a raising-roof on all models. It has also updated Matrix Axess and Coral Axess ranges to bring them more into line with the Plus and Supreme models, and is reintroducing the Coral XL range of overcabs – but in Axess spec only. For the new season, Twin Sports will be available in Supreme spec only. The 600s will feature a conventional scissor-style opening roof, while 640 models will have a rising side arm. The 640s will all be issued with an MTPLM of 4300kg, however. Adria says this is the only way to make sure a four-berth ’van at such a length can have a safe payload. The Sports will be…

Venture adds Globecar to the mix Venture Caravans has started selling Globecar van conversions from its branch near Daventry in Northamptonshire. The company, which began as a caravan dealer some half-century ago, has already had major success in the campervan sector, when it first started selling models from Camper King before switching to Redline. Director Mark Turley tells me: “After expanding into camper conversions over six years ago, we needed another product to complement our VW-based Redline brand and the superb quality and clever designs caught our eye with Globecar. “So when we were offered the opportunity to become a dealer, we did not hesitate, and we are looking forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with the brand.” Our photo (1) shows the very first Globecar arriving at…

Older readers might remember the signature blue windows of Adria caravans and motorhomes from the 1980s. Back then, they were produced in Belgium and the former Yugoslavia. Today, all Adria leisure vehicles are built in a state-of-the-art factory, constructed on a greenfield site in Novo Mesto, Slovenia. It is a really impressive RV research, design and build facility, with most sub-assemblies built in-house, rather than bought in as kits. Adria vehicles consistently perform well in the Practical Motorhome Owner Satisfaction Survey – which says it all, really. Adria’s first A-class, the Vision, was well-received and sold well, too. It was only shelved when supply problems with the Renault base occurred. The opportunity was seized to design a completely new replacement, using recently developed materials and construction methods. The three-layout Sonic…

When you’re ready to take a shot, you’ll need to decide which shooting mode to use. There are multiple options – including fully automatic, semi-automatic, manual and scene modes – which can be accessed via the mode dial on your camera’s top plate. Right now the options might seem bewildering, not least because they’re represented only by icons and letters, but we’ll make it easy for you. Full Auto mode is a good starting point for beginners. By handing over control of key settings to the camera, you can concentrate on careful framing. However, you will soon uncover its limitations. We’d recommend you shoot with it until you feel comfortable taking pictures, then switch over to one of the more advanced shooting modes as you gain experience. 1 Select Auto…

Filter the frame A quick fix for achieving good exposure in bright conditions is to position your sunglasses in front of the lens. This works in a similar way to an ND filter Find support If you’re caught short without a tripod on an impromptu landscape shoot and need to steady your camera, position it on a secure structure, such as a wall Steady your tripod Affordable tripods can be a bit lightweight, especially in windy weather. Keep things steady by attaching your camera bag to the central column, to weigh it down Use self-timer mode Use your camera’s built-in self-timer to release the shutter when using slower shutter speeds. This will help you to eliminate all possibility of camera shake…

With a long history of campervan ownership, Andy McCandlish has bought, converted and driven them for more than 250,000 miles in the past 13 years. They’ve been his everyday vehicle and workhorse for travelling about the country and now, with two children, they are firmly ingrained in family life. As his latest vehicle is converted by local Glasgow company Caledonian Campers, Andy shares some of the specialist knowledge built up by himself (and the team at Caledonian) over the years. When I embarked on this project, I had intended to do the bulk of the work myself. I did my last ’van, and that ran successfully for over 13 years, so of course I would be doing this one. On my previous vehicle, the roof and windows were fitted by…

Featuring all 2021 models! 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. how to buy… Choosing your motorhome Whatever your view of the internet, it has made choosing your motorhome far less exhausting. Countless dealers have told us that, whereas in the past prospective buyers would spend days traipsing from one…

HADRIAN’S WALL, NORTHUMBRIA Coordinates 55.0133° N, 2.3303° W Why tour here? Rome wasn’t built in a day, although this particular piece of the Roman Empire, constructed on the orders of Emperor Hadrian, was erected in under six years. That’s impressive when you consider it is some 73 miles long and remained the north-west frontier of the empire for almost 300 years. Find out more about Roman Britain in glorious Northumberland, on p44. Don’t miss… Housesteads Roman Fort opens a window onto the lives of the 800 soldiers who lived and worked at the edge of the empire. From the fort, you can enjoy views of Hadrian’s Wall, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. practicalmotorhomeuk…

Email your pictures and their stories (40 words, plus name, address and contacts) to hotshots@practicalmotorhome.com. The best photo will win these guides: All the Aires Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands; Go Motorhoming and Campervanning; Seaview Camping Wales; Seaview Camping West Country; Road Trip Europe – The Great War and More; Road Trip Europe – Go Dutch. All are from Vicarious Books, www.vicarious-shop.co.uk, 0131 208 3333.…

September ■ 10-19 September Take an elegant trip to Regency Bath for a 10-day celebration of all things Austen at the Jane Austen Festival (1). The programme includes a costumed promenade, several guided tours of the city and a Jane Austen Ball. Come on, you know it makes sense (and sensibility!). Events are priced individually. For more information, visit www.janeaustenfestivalbath.co.uk/festival-programme. ■ Until 11 September The Proms are back! Throughout August and early September, there’s a brilliant series of concerts to enjoy at London’s Royal Albert Hall, from 20th-century film to ABBAphonic. The big one, of course, is the Last Night, when the promenaders don tuxedos and gowns and raise flags to enjoy a great selection of sea shanties and other favourites. Promming tickets (other than for the Last Night) are…

Wenning ways To explore the best of the Yorkshire Dales, the Forest of Bowland and more, pitch up at Riverside Caravan Park, which straddles the picturesque River Wenning. There are waterside walks aplenty, as well as fishing in the river and the site’s lake. The river’s calmer stretches are good for paddling, too. Web www.riversidecaravanpark.co.uk West Country retreat For a tranquil, adults-only retreat, try Waterrow Touring Park, close to the Somerset/Devon border. On-site you’ll find it easy to enjoy nature, with private woodland and riverside walks and plenty more walking trails through the nearby countryside, on waymarked paths and lanes. Web www.waterrowpark.co.uk Peace on the Thames Sitting by the River Thames, Hurley Riverside Park benefits from a pretty, private riverfront area, complete with a slipway for small boats and canoes.…

The Coral version of this motorhome was a long-term-test ’van of ours in the months before the pandemic. We loved it. But that was the old Axess style – unchanged last season while Plus and Supreme were both upgraded. This year, Axess has received an upgrade to bring it into line with Plus and Supreme, but at lower cost. We had the opportunity to see what this means on a Matrix – just like the Coral, but with a drop-down bed. The keen-eyed among you will spot some differences on the outside. The rear panel now has a more sloping top and a new LED light cluster. But everyone should notice a change as soon as you climb inside – the Axess now comes with a double floor. That means…

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Aperture Aperture decides how much light is let into the camera, and is measured on a scale of f-numbers. This setting also dictates how much of the image is in or out of focus. Contrast Contrast is the vividness of the colours and tones in an image, and how much they stand out from subject to subject. Exposure Exposure describes the amount of light that has entered the camera to form an image. This is dependent on camera settings being correctly balanced, so that enough light is captured for the perfect exposure. Filters Filters can be applied over the lens for replicating certain styles or effects. Some include colour, grain and lighting effects. A lot of compacts add in-camera filters. Focal lengths Measured in millimetres, camera lenses have various focal…

1 How to use the rule of thirds The rule of thirds can be used in all genres of photography, but you’ll find it especially useful for landscapes (p108). By splitting the scene into virtual thirds, vertically and horizontally, you can balance the composition, carefully positioning your main point of interest (a tree in the example below) on a point where the lines intersect, to draw the viewer’s eye into the scene. You should also aim to split the sky and the ground in this way, including either one-third ground to two-thirds sky, or vice versa. If you’re shooting on a day when there are good colours in the sky, or interesting clouds above, for example, it would be best to include two-thirds of sky. 2 Frame it up When…

Composition can make or break an image, so don’t rush when framing your photo. A well-structured landscape should be balanced and eye-catching enough to draw you into the frame, which is why it’s worth getting to grips with the traditional composition rules we’ve outlined below. Familiarising yourself with what works will help guide you on your next shoot and ensure you get better landscape images as a result. That being said, don’t be afraid to experiment with composition. Originality is key to getting your work noticed, so break a few rules and try composing your next image from a unique viewpoint or perspective, especially if you’re shooting at a popular landscape location.…

Whitby, North Yorkshire Positioned as it is on the North Yorkshire coast and with its literary connections to Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Whitby (www.visitwhitby.com) has an alluring quality that presents a fun challenge for snappers seeking to capture its unique atmosphere. The Gothic architecture of its buildings makes a great starting point, and you’re highly likely to discover a Goth or two wandering the streets, particularly during the Whitby Goth Weekend in October. However, for sheer drama, historic Whitby Abbey is hard to beat. Where to stay Sandfield House Farm Holiday Park Web www.sandfieldhousefarm.co.uk Wastwater, Cumbria You’re spoilt for subject choice in the Lake District, but it’s the combination of natural beauty and dramatic position that makes Wastwater (visitcumbria.com) a great starting point for anyone who is looking to take quality…

Toilet flushes – a subject that regularly raises questions, especially from touring newbies. For a start, can you travel with flush water in the tank? The simple answer is yes, you certainly can, and many people do. That said, it’s not necessarily the best idea to drive with it completely full; partly because of the resulting weight, but also because it could potentially cause spillages. A litre or so of water should be fine and will be enough for emergencies. In addition, in case there is a problem, I’d also suggest that you don’t put chemical additives into the flush water. Should any leaks happen to develop in the toilet flushing system, at least it will only be plain water spilling over your floor and carpeting! So if you do…

letter of the month I own a Benimar Mileo 294 and live in Thornton-le-Dale, in the North York Moors National Park (NYMNP). I take issue with the title of the article in issue 248 (‘Moor Exploring’), owing to the fact that of 12 places mentioned, only three are in the North York Moors. These are Rievaulx Abbey, Osmotherley and Swainby. We run a B&B and have two NYMNP routes for our guests to drive, so they see all of the National Park. We always advise motorcaravanners to travel the Moors by car, because of the narrow road network. Here is one route (suitable if you have a car or small VW campervan): From Thornton-le-Dale, home of Scarrscroft Bed and Breakfast, travel up Whitbygate; at 1.5 miles is the Great Dalby…

Coming to motorcaravanning as a newbie involves a pretty steep learning curve. On each trip, you’ll almost certainly learn something new, and all of these things should help to make your touring lifestyle that bit easier and more enjoyable. But even experienced motorhome owners can benefit from useful hints and tips, so here are ours, covering everything from buying your vehicle, to getting out on the road, setting up on site, and safe storage. In addition, looking ahead to better times, we’ve included touring abroad! BUYING A MOTORHOME ■ At certain times of the year, there are some great deals available on motorhomes, because many dealers will be aiming to sell off remaining stock, ahead of the next season’s new arrivals on the forecourts. If you are prepared to buy…

Vindolanda This enormous site contains both a modern world-class museum, using the very latest interpretation techniques and displays to tell a venerable and intriguing Roman story, and ancient buried forts that are widely regarded as being among Europe’s most significant and rich historical resources. A live archaeological site, Vindolanda has been surrendering its thousand-year-old secrets on a daily basis for the past 40 years. No other Roman site in Britain is as opulent in its findings, with everything on display having been found just yards away. Such collections afford a very special insight into the everyday lives of our predecessors. Farne Islands A scattering of tiny isles just off the coast of Northumberland, the Farne Islands are famous for their plentiful birdlife – especially puffins – and seal populations. Between…

Pilote to launch budget brand French manufacturer Pilote is launching a new budget brand, called Joa-Camp, at this year’s Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf. Half a dozen dealers in the UK – some existing Pilote outlets, others new – have already signed up for the range. The line-up will initially be launched as five low-profile models and three van conversions, with A-classes also a possibility from next year. It will be built on Pilote assembly lines. The company aims to keep prices down by at least initially building the vehicles on a Citroën base and by using modular construction, including having the same washroom design in all of its vehicles. The offering has also been designed to be clear and easy to understand, mainly to attract first-time buyers. The low-profile line-up…

Knaus Tabbert This German monolith was formed by the merger of Knaus and Tabbert at the start of this century. It had a bit of a bumpy ride at first, and was taken over by a new financial backer in 2009. But since then, it has grown to the point where it listed on the German stock market last year and has seen sales grow despite the pandemic. The company has a wide range of caravans under its wing, but only three motorhome brands are currently being sold in the UK. Web www.knaustabbert.de/en Weinsberg Weinsberg (the town where Knaus was founded) is now marketed as its budget brand, although motorhome production under the Weinsberg name started back in 1969. Today, the brand manufactures a selection of coachbuilts, and CaraTour and…

Have you got anything left to sell?” I witnessed one concerned couple shout to a salesperson the other day, looking at the dealer’s depleted stock of pre-owned motorhomes. The recent surge in demand has seen many newcomers entering the market and this, along with the shortage of new vehicles, means the pre-owned sector is now under real pressure, with the selection becoming very limited. So it’s time to be a bit clever. Is your preferred layout scarce? Is your budget limited? Here are 10 expert tips to help you track down a pre-owned bargain, despite the market being so tough. 1 Take some time to consider what sort of campsites you’re planning to use. If you intend to stay at sites that offer little in the way of facilities, you’re…

Deciding which camera to buy can be rather tricky. There are different camera types, manufacturers, features and prices to consider, but we believe it’s not just about the camera, it’s about knowing how to use it. Each type of camera has its own set of pros and cons, and which one you choose will be dependent on what you’re using the camera for and your past experience in photography. If you simply want to catch quick shots on tour or take videos of a grandchild, a compact or smartphone will probably suit you. But those looking for large printouts and more advanced shooting options will need to look towards DSLRs. No matter what you choose, with this guide, you’ll get to know the key aspects of your camera and soon…

Artists and photographers use the rule of thirds to enhance their compositions, because it really works. But how? If you place your main subject in the middle of the frame, it will appear static – you create empty surrounding space that is rarely interesting. Using the rule of thirds, however, you use the space more effectively and draw the eye through the image. Use the rule of thirds to divide the sky and ground, and you’ll find the ratio of light (sky) and dark (ground) is more effective. Generally, this comes down to the fact that we don’t like to view things in equal measures. But rules are made to be broken, so experiment with composition and see what works for you in any given scene.…

Traditional composition rules have been followed by professional photographers for many years, which is why it’s important for beginners to understand how they work and why you should use them. We’ve outlined four of the best rules here, which can immediately help to set you on your way to becoming a better landscape photographer. Rule of thirds Use the camera’s grid lines, which divide the scene into thirds, and position your focal point on one of the intersecting points with the horizon appearing straight along the top or bottom line Lead-in lines Lead-in lines are designed to draw your eye further into a photo. It’s important to ensure that they are leading inwards towards a focal point or the centre of the frame, as opposed to away Framing the view…

I’ve noticed over the years that ‘electrics’ seem to fill many people with dread. I write for motorhome and kit car magazines, and the recurring anxiety is always about the ‘electrics’. “Modern vehicles are far too complicated,” and “I wouldn’t know where to start!” are common responses. But the reality is, the habitation area of most motorhomes is largely made by human beings. So it can be fixed by a human. Base vehicle electrics Now that I’ve said how easy modern vehicles are to work on, I’ll add a caveat. If your base vehicle was built in the past 10 years, it probably has some form of CANBUS wiring in it. This clever invention pulses digital signals down the wiring loom, with one wire carrying multiple bits of information. It’s…

WHICH MOTORHOMES CAN I DRIVE? Did you pass your driving test before 1 January 1997? ✔ You can drive a motorhome up to 7500kg on your B+C1 licence. When you reach 70, you must submit a medical form to renew your licence to continue driving a ’van over 3500kg, and do this every three years. Did you pass your driving test after 1 January 1997? ✔ You can drive a motorhome up to 3500kg on your B [car] licence. To drive a motorhome heavier than 3500kg, you must take a C1 test. HOW TO LOAD YOUR MOTORHOME CORRECTLY Heavy items, such as TVs and boxes of wine, should be stowed low down and as close to the floor as possible; medium-weight items, such as clothing, should go below head height.…