Indholdsfortegnelse for January 2022 i Practical Motorhome

Late autumn/early winter is the perfect time for a ramble in the countryside, a chance to kick up the leaves and wonder at nature’s burnished palette. Visit Essex, the county’s tourism body, is encouraging people to discover the miles of diverse rural walks the area has to offer. Essex has many unique charms, from rolling Constable country, to winding canal paths, estuary views and places the infamous highwayman, Dick Turpin, called home. Mark Durham, Vice Chair of Visit Essex, said: “A joy of Essex is walking our network of footpaths that links towns, villages, history, nature, rivers and coast. Visitors can choose to walk routes that suit their abilities, short walks, circular walks or long-distance rambles. Essex also has a wide variety of accommodation for visitors to stay for a…

Our pick of the UK’s best Christmas markets Seasonal markets have become a hugely popular addition to the winter festive period, so it’s great to see them returning in force for 2021. Here’s a selection of some of the best markets around the UK. ■ Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market on Victoria Square and New Street runs until 23 December and is the largest German Christmas Market found outside Germany and Austria. Expect to see a huge range of goods and gifts, and seasonal food and drink, including pretzels and bratwursts, all accompanied by delicious Glühwein, Weißbier and hot chocolate. Try Reindeer Park Lodge CS (www.reindeerpark.co.uk). Web www.thebfcm.co.uk ■ Cardiff Christmas Market on St John Street, Working Street, the Hayes, Hills Street and Trinity Street, returns until 23 December, with more…

FOR THE LATEST INFO ON SAFE TRAVEL TO FRANCE, SEE www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france Duration 11 nights When Autumn 2018 Why? Brittany’s beaches are fabulous, but there’s great history and spectacular countryside to explore, too I sink a little lower in my comfortable camping chair, fingers curled around a glass of local Breton cider, breathe a contented sigh and watch my breath float away on the early evening air. It really doesn’t get much better than this. Sitting outside our motorhome with my husband Ro on the final evening of our tour of Brittany, I think back to the great sights we’ve seen and the wonderful places we discovered. Our journey actually began almost two weeks ago, although in some ways it feels much longer. We’ve seen so much since then, beginning with…

WHEN TO GO Whitby is an all-year-round destination, which can get crowded in summer; but the moors are probably best explored in the warmer, drier months. WHERE WE STAYED ■ Sandfield House Farm Holiday Park Sandsend YO21 3SR Web sandfieldhousefarm.co.uk Open 1 March to 31 October Charges (pitch+2+hook-up) £30, hardstanding If you’re plannning a winter visit, you could try: ■ York House Caravan Park Whitby YO22 4LW Web yorkhousecaravanpark.co.uk Open All year Charges (pitch+2+hook-up) £17-£30, hardstanding FOOD AND DRINK Fish & chip outlets abound, and there are lots of pubs. FIND OUT MORE ■ Whitby Abbey Web english-heritage.org.uk ■ Captain Cook Memorial Museum Web cookmuseumwhitby.co.uk ■ Whitby Museum Web whitbymuseum.org.uk ■ Goathland Station Web nymr.co.uk ■ Helmsley Castle Web english-heritage.org.uk ■ North York Moors NP Web northyorkmoors.org.uk ■ Robin Hood’s…

WHEN TO GO The best months for cycling in Scotland are June to September, although provided you have the right kit and accept that it might (probably will!) rain during your trip, this window can be extended into the winter. WHERE WE STAYED Anwoth Holiday Park Web swalwellholidaygroup.co.uk/anwoth For a winter stay, try… Castle Cary Holiday Park Web www.castlecary-caravans.com THE MOTORHOME Bailey Adamo 75-4l FIND OUT MORE ■ Visit Scotland Web www.visitscotland.com ■ Galloway Forest Park Web forestryandland.gov.scot EXPENSES Fuel ………………………………………………………… £150 Campsite (four nights with hook-up) …………….. £72 Food ………………………………………………………..£200 Total ………………………………………………………..£422…

WEBSITES Practical Motorhome Nightstops Web practicalmotorhome.com/nightstops You’ll find all of our Nightstop locations – which we operate in conjunction with our scheme partners, the Motor Caravanners’ Club (themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk) - on our website. For more details, see p10 of this issue. UK Campsites Web ukcampsite.co.uk Thousands of campsites across the UK feature on this comprehensive website, which also provides handy search filters – such as adults-only, dog-friendly and open all year – to help you find the right site for you. There are plenty of informative user-generated reviews to read, too. Tranquil Parks Web tranquilparks.co.uk If you’re thinking about booking a great adults-only site for your next tour, take a look at the Tranquil Parks website – it features details of the 42 individually owned member sites within its pages. All…

Swift, one of the UK’S most popular motorhome manufacturers, has never been slow to upgrade its models, and the 2022 offering looks to be no exception. The Escape range was introduced in 2009 and soon became a favourite with buyers. This year, Swift has given it a make-over inside and out, while retaining the new Fiat cab. With a 140bhp engine, the line-up is well catered for in terms of power. Options also include a 160bhp engine plus an auto’box if preferred. Swift’s designers have given the profile a major lift. The GRP sides look good, as you’d expect from one of the first UK manufacturers to use glass fibre sides. Smart graphics add a touch of class, and at the rear there are useful mountings for a bike rack.…

The return to something approaching normality over the early part of autumn meant that I was finally able to travel around freely again in our long-term Bailey Autograph 74-4, a motorhome that we’ve been lucky enough to have on long-term test for a while now. Recently, I’ve used the opportunity to take the Bailey out twice: once for a week-long trip to the Isle of Wight, and then away to Somerset for a covershoot that we did with colleagues from a couple of our sister magazines. It was great to get back on the road, and once again the Peugeot Boxer base vehicle on this motorhome made for very comfortable driving, while the reversing camera that’s fitted as standard is a big help, too. I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the…

Team effort on target for success I was speaking to Simon Poole from specialist VW converter Jerba Campervans, in East Lothian, recently and he told me the company has sales booked through to March 2023 (coincidence, but this is one of the small number of producers that have been in Volkswagen’s Motorhome Qualification Scheme since the get-go). As far as I can tell, Jerba is unique among not just campervan conversion companies, but all motorhome manufacturers, in that it’s totally owned by its workforce. Granted, it’s a small team – up to 15, having taken on two apprentices in the past 18 months. But, as Simon tells me: “It’s really fulfilling. People ask me what I’ve really enjoyed about the business, and it’s walking out of the door of an…

★ STAR PICTURE 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.…

STOCKING FILLER GIFTS Classic campervan salt and pepper set Treat somebody to a touch of retro style with this beautiful, handpainted salt and pepper set. Microwave and dishwasher safe, this elegant pair will look resplendent in any’van, or could take pride of place at home, as a reminder of enjoyable times on the road. The only risk with buying this cute set is that you might just decide to keep hold of them for yourself! Price £9.49 Web amazon.co.uk 21-in-1 pocket knife The recipient of this brilliant multi-tool will never be caught out on their travels! Some of the practical functions included are varying screwdriver heads, pliers, and a can and bottle opener, allowing you to tour in the knowledge that you are ideally equipped for whatever comes your way.…

FOR THE LATEST INFO ON SAFE TRAVEL TO FRANCE, SEE www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france Ah, the fresh smell of baguettes baking in the boulangerie, the scent of herbs in the market, the taste of croissants and good coffee at a street café, the sight of the azure Mediterranean, the sound of copper bells in the city, the feel of flowery meadows on a walk in the mountains. Ah, France, how we’ve missed you! There has been a great deal of talk and much written about (not) going to France over the past 18 months. Clarifying the confusion The main topic of debate seems to be how difficult it is to travel there, with law changes since 1 January 2021, plus the rules and regulations regarding Covid-19 that sound confusing at best, and quite…

THE MOTORHOME We have been touring for 12 years in our 2003 Hymer Camp on a Fiat Ducato base. The overcab bed allows us to keep it permanently made up, leaving more space for cooking and relaxing downstairs. WHERE WE STAYED ■ Camping des Capucines Rue de la Côte Fleurie, 14860 Ranville (near Pegasus Bridge) Web campingdescapucines.com ■ Aire de Camping Car de Beauvoir Route du Mont St Michel, 50170 Le Mont-Saint-Michel Web www.camping-montsaintmichel.com/aire-mont-saintmichel#aire ■ Camping Municipal de Paimpont Rue du Chevalier Lancelot, 35380 Paimpont Web camping-paimpontbroceliande.com/en ■ Camping Les Menhirs Allée Saint-Michel, 56340 Carnac Web www.lesmenhirs.com ■ L’Escale St-Gilles Corniche de la Mer, 29950 Bénodet Web www.escale-stgilles.fr/en ■ Camping Municipal du Lac (Huelgoat) Le Fao, 29690 Huelgoat Web www.mairie-huelgoat.fr/hebergement/campingmunicipal.html ■ West Camping (Pink Granite Coast) 105 Rue Gabriel Vicaire,…

1 Sheffield Waleswood Caravan & Camping Park Delves Lane, Waleswood, Sheffield S26 5RN Tel 07825 125 328 Web www.waleswood.co.uk With easy access to both the M1 and Sheffield, Waleswood is a great base for exploring South Yorkshire and Derbyshire, and is only a short drive from the Peak District National Park, with its many attractions, including cycling and trail-walking – all framed by magnificent views. That’s if you can drag yourself away from this well-serviced site, where there are 163 pitches, all providing electric hook-up, and amenities including an outdoor play area, table tennis and football, and a coffee shop. Waleswood is in the beautiful 750-acre Rother Valley Country Park, with hiking and cycling trails, a nature reserve, a watersports centre and café. 2 Ilfracombe Stowford Village Berry Down, Combe…

When it comes to choosing a place to stay, there’s rather a lot to assimilate. With more than 12,000 sites listed by UKcampsite.co. uk, 5000 holiday parks and campsites by Pitchup.com, 2000 by The Camping and Caravanning Club and 2200 by the Caravan and Motorhome Club, choosing a campsite can be a little overwhelming. But it is important: being unhappy with your campsite choice can ruin your trip. Holidays are about creating memories and you don’t want them to be bad. So how do you narrow down the selection? Who do you think you are? Start by considering the needs of your family. A family with a couple of teenagers will require a different set-up to one with under-10s, or comprising just adults. Interests are important, too. Will it be…

The 640’s GRP sides are well finished, with bold graphics New door is wider than in previous models, making it easier to load and unload bulky items Cab has swivel chairs, air-con, DAB radio and cruise control Handy cubbyholes add to storage, and reading lights are adjustable Drop-down bed is larger and comes with Swift’s exclusive Duvalay mattress Dometic fridge holds 133 litres and has storage above and below The shower cubicle is a good size and is fitted with a large roof vent Storage is a strong point in the sizeable washroom, with plenty of shelf space…

→ Price £2899 → Weight 17.8kg (claimed) → Range Up to 40 miles → Charging time Seven hours → Folded size 880 x 390 x 615mm (pedals folded) Folding bikes make a lot of sense on tour. Their compact size means they are easy to store, and they’re perfect for nipping into the village for a pint of milk and a paper in the morning. Unless, that is, the nearest shop is at the top of a steep hill. Now step forward, the GoCycle GX. The latest offering in the range, the GX combines the ultramodern design of other GoCycle models with a more compact fold. While others in the line-up have removeable wheels and a folding handlebar stem, the GX is hinged in the middle of the frame, and…

Got a T4 campervan and want a bit more space? Or perhaps you are new to motorcaravanning? Either way, this month’s subjects make a cracking purchase. For the benefit of those unfamiliar with VeeDubs, I’d better just say that this generation of Transporter was the first to have the engine in the front, driving the front wheels. Previous incarnations going back to the very early 1950s had the engine in the back, driving the rear wheels. This radical shift in thinking allowed Volkswagen to design a base vehicle that not only represented warp factor improvement over the outgoing model, it also provided a driving experience and magic carpet ride that was years ahead of its competitors. Navigator was first off the blocks back in 1994. From the get-go and throughout…

FAREWELL TO THE DUCHESS! A couple of months ago, I mentioned that our camper, the Duchess, was overdue for a cambelt replacement, but that I was also considering the possibility of a full engine rebuild. Well, I did some counting and the rebuild was coming in at several thousand pounds, so I took the cheaper option and replaced the cambelt and coolant pump, along with new coolant. I also said that we hadn’t been able to use her much in the past two years; mostly for obvious reasons, but there are personal reasons – including advancing years – that have rather complicated matters. So, the upshot of all this is, we have finally replaced her! Don’t get me wrong, she’s been fantastic and has done everything that we asked of…

letter of the month I have been fortunate enough to be able to travel extensively during my lifetime and it’s only now, when I’m getting on a bit, that I can fully appreciate how lucky I’ve been. That’s particularly true now that overseas travel is at something of a standstill, or at least a lot more restricted than it was - I feel for the youngsters out there who I’m sure would like to be making memories all over the world. All that said, when I look back over my holidays, it’s my early camping adventures in the UK as a child that most stick in my mind – Dad battling with a tent in North Wales when the weather turned torrential, dropping my ice cream on the beach in…

Fast fact The first settlement in Whitby dates from 656, and its long history includes smuggling, whaling – and ghosts! Duration Seven days When Autumn 2021 Why? Splendid scenery, intriguing history and a spooky selection of myths and legends There’s the right way, the wrong way, and then there’s the Whitby way. Every visitor to Whitby will hear this saying oft repeated throughout the town and no, it doesn’t refer to a walking path as I first thought, something akin to the Cumbria Way or the South West Coast Path. What it in fact refers to is something I began to feel and relate to, the more time I spent in the town and among its people. Rather than try to explain, the best way to illustrate the Whitby Way…

February NEC show to go ahead The organiser of the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show has confirmed that next February’s event will definitely go ahead - the first time there has been such a show at the venue for two years. The show is due to run from 22-27 February 2022, and has already won the support of most UK motorhome manufacturers and many Continental brands, including Adria, Carthago, Rimor, Rapido, Chausson and Knaus. More than 350 exhibitors will be at the event, including many of the larger caravan park groups and travel companies. There will also be expert talks, and free towing courses for those aged over 25 provided by both of the major caravanning clubs. Anthony Trevelyan, chairman of show organiser NCC Events, said, “We can’t wait to…

Thanks to the shortage of lorry drivers, the Government has scrapped towing tests, to free up HGV testing capacity. This means that no matter when you passed your driving test, you’re eligible to tow a trailer without additional training. The weight of trailer you can tow depends on when you passed your test – but we’ll come to that later. Why tow at all? A towbar is one of the most flexible additions you can bolt onto your motorhome – think of it as a universal attachment point for a variety of extra toys. Whether you want to increase storage space, reduce your payload, or tow an additional vehicle, a towbar is a great way to go about it. The majority of motorhomes can have a towbar fitted, but the…

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. Only…

Innovative ideas have put Colapz well and truly on motorcaravanners’ radar. And with good reason. I know that whenever I see something it has launched, I always think, “That’s really so simple, it’s just brilliant!” Intrigued by their ideas (and the fact that they continue to launch new products, when my addled brain would have stalled long ago!), I recently visited MD David Fannin at the firm’s Nottingham warehouse, to gain an insight into the history and development of Colapz. David studied Product Design at Loughborough University, and after graduation, worked for a couple of well-known companies. However, by his own admission, he knew he wanted to be more involved in the subject he had studied. Product development In 2005, with business partner Shaun Moore, David founded Sorcit, a company…

Motorhomes are valuable. To you, that value lies in the freedom they provide and the memories they make. To a minority of others, it is measured in cash – whatever they can get for your’van once they’ve relieved you of it. Following the lockdowns, motorhomes have never been in greater demand. Factory shutdowns mean new vehicles are in short supply, while a booming staycation culture (and the realisation that touring is a great life) has hugely increased the desire for used models. With the monetary value rocketing, so is the number of thefts. As the average’van spends a fair bit of its life in storage, and just a few months each year on tour, it’s important to choose your method of storage very carefully. This guide explores the options open…