Innehållsförteckning för October 2017 från Practical Motorhome

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 need to join any club to use them. Please ring them at the times listed* to check for vacancies. For further information on the MCC, visit www.the motorcaravannersclub.co.uk. BEDFORDSHIRE 1 Airman Hotel, 16 Hitchin Rd, Meppershall SG17 5JF Tel 01462 850 853 (*09:00-22:00) BUCKINGHAMSHIRE 2 The Black Horse Pub, Aylesbury Road, Great Missenden HP16 9AX Tel 01494 862 537 (*11:00-00:00) CAMBRIDGESHIRE 3 The Seven Wives, Ramsey Road, St Ives, Huntingdon PE27 5RF Tel 01480 462 180 (*09:00-23:00) CARDIGANSHIRE (DYFED) 4 The Penrhiwgaled Arms, Cross Inn, Llandysul SA44 6LN Tel 01545 560 238 (*09:00-18:00) CARMARTHENSHIRE 5 Railway Hotel, Station Road, Carmarthen SA32 7LQ Tel 01267 290 211…

YOUR TOUR Beach cafés DEVON Firebrand DURATION 12 days WHEN August 2016 Exploring Britain’s wonderful coastline and enjoying great food – what’s not to love? We were almost halfway through our trip, which had so far taken in Wales, Cornwall, Devon and rural Dorset (September 2017 issue). The next day, we moved on from lovely Burton Bradstock to Lymington in Hampshire, ready to catch the ferry across to the Isle of Wight the following morning. On the way, though, we had a very interesting stop-off at Moreton village, to look at the Whistler windows in St Nicholas Moreton church. Created between 1955 and 2014, they are etched, rather than stained glass. This is a popular spot, with a dozen cars turning up soon after us; although some may have been…

Aside from its imminent takeover by the French Trigano Group, the Slovenian manufacturer’s main focus for 2018 has been the relaunch of its budget Sun Living brand (September 2017 issue). It is built on the same assembly lines as mainstream Adrias in its Novo Mesto factory. But that hasn’t stopped important changes and consolidations in the main Adria line-up as well. THE HEADLINES The main body changes for Adria this season come in the entry-level coachbuilt Coral range. But there are also new layouts in the crossover Matrix range, new base vehicles for many Matrix and Coral models, and a fresh look for top- spec Supreme Editions across all ranges. Adria has narrowed the range of available lengths in its van conversion Twin range, meanwhile, although those that remain include…

Welcome to our annual awards. We’ve made a major change this year: for the first time, we’re focusing on the best new models for the upcoming season. All motorhomes and campers that are new or substantially revised since our last awards, and which are available during the 2018 season, are eligible for inclusion in our judging. So, every single one here should be on forecourts and at shows for you to look at over the next 12 months! Without further ado, turn the page to find out which fantastic models have made it onto our shortlist……

Hillside Hartington Adria Twin 640 SPX Swift Select 184 Price £41,525 Berths 2 Base vehicle Renault Trafic MTPLM TBC Price £46,925 Berths 2›1 Base vehicle Fiat Ducato MTPLM 3500kg Price £45,500 Berths 4 Base vehicle Fiat Ducato MTPLM 3500kg This is a great example of a traditional VW converter branching out onto a new base vehicle – here, the Renault Trafic. The Hartington, from Derby converter Hillside, launched during the 2017 season and makes full use of the potential offered by the high-top: it features a roomy end kitchen and washroom. The 640 SPX is one of a trio of Twin models for the 2018 season, all featuring substantially improved washrooms. This one has a transverse bed at the back, and Adria has tweaked the layout to include a separate…

Knaus L!VE Ti 700 MEG Price TBC Berths 2/4 Base vehicle Fiat Ducato MTPLM 3500kg The 700 MEG – featuring bang-on-trend fixed twin-single beds – is one of a trio of models in the new L!VE Ti low-profile range that Knaus is launching for this season. All are based on the Fiat Ducato, but with the added advantage of an extra-wide rear track to improve stability; they’re all hugely impressive. Bailey Autograph 79-4 Price £55,399 Berths 4 Base vehicle Peugeot Boxer Al-Ko MTPLM 3850kg Launched at the end of 2016 – too late for our awards last year – the Autograph 79-4 is therefore eligible for inclusion this year. And we’re pleased that it is: this is a cracking island-bed ’van that really shows off the spaciousness of the Autograph’s…

Auto-Trail Imala 732 Price TBC Berths 4/6 Base vehicle Fiat Ducato MTPLM TBC Featuring an island bed at the rear for the parents, a large front lounge that converts into another bed, and with the Hi-Line option allowing for yet one more bed – in the overcab – this is ideal for families. The new 732 brings a layout previously only available in the pricier Tracker range to the Imala line-up. Bürstner Ixeo I 744 Price £71,495 Berths 4/5 Base vehicle Fiat Ducato MTPLM 3850kg The family-friendly L-shaped rear-lounge layout introduced last season on the cheaper Lyseo range has turned up this year on the more stylish A-class Ixeo. With a central washroom and front dinette, plus an optional second drop-down bed, you really can have three rooms in less…

My memories of camping as a child include the ‘bucket and chuck it’-style toilet; it was better than having no loo, but it was not a particularly pleasant experience. Fortunately, thanks to companies such as Dometic, Elsan and Thetford, toilets have progressed at such a pace that we are now lucky enough to have water-flushing toilet systems and holding tanks or removable cassettes, to conceal effluent and smells. An external hatch allows the waste to be removed easily, without you needing to walk it through your ’van ( 1 ). Like your domestic loo, motorhome toilets also need cleaning. However, you cannot use the same products as you do at home, because these can cause damage. Fortunately, there is a range of products on the market, but they can be…

Interesting things, motorhome warranties. They boil down to two types: those operated by the dealer and those backed by insurance companies. There are pros and cons for each. If you get a good dealer-operated warranty, all the little glitches should be sorted, no questions asked – although that is never likely to be the case! An insurance-backed warranty can be more useful if you bought from a dealer a long way away and want any repairs to be undertaken locally. A new format is emerging, though. Some dealers now offer something like the first three months under their own scheme, then an insurance-backed warranty for a set period. The best of both worlds? Chelston Motorhomes has won the latest Adria Dealer of the Year award – and the company says…

You can expect sparks when a committed Yorkshireman and an equally enthusiastic Lancastrian get together. But that’s pretty much what happened after Richard Baldwin set up a motorhome dealership in Copley, Halifax, in his own name. That was back in 1998. It was some 10 years later when, arguably, a lot of the hard work had been done – including moving along the road to swish new premises, complete with showroom and accessories shop – that Richard crossed the border to poach Gary Morgan to look after the day-to-day running. The old premises have been retained as a comprehensive service centre. But watch this space, because work to extend it has begun. As well as a clutch of franchises highlighting RBM’s pro-British stance, the firm has had particular success with…

My wife, Valerie, took ill recently and needed urgent specialised surgery. The nearest hospital offering this was in Cardiff, almost 100 miles away. The problem was, where was I going to stay while she was having treatment? I decided to use the motorhome and stay on the site at Pontcanna in Cardiff. We arrived at about 8pm and took a taxi to the hospital, three miles away. Valerie underwent surgery the following morning. For the following week, I commuted between the campsite and the hospital by public transport. The bus stop was only about 500 yards away, and the bus took me right to the hospital door – free of charge as I used my concessionary card. This is an excellent site, complete with a little café and a bike-hire…

Boost your power Price £34.99 Web www.scanstrut.com If you spend a lot of time sitting outside your ’van, you will probably be familiar with the annoyance of having to pop back in to charge devices. An easy solution to the problem is to have a ’van with external electric sockets, but even this isn’t that common. Instead, you could install the ROKK Charge+ dual waterproof socket. It has two standard USB ports, and charges up to three times faster than standard USB sockets. Installation is simple: just screw into the sidewall and connect your 12V supply to the pins – you will need to check whether any ’van warranty will be affected, of course. With neoprene backing and a click and lock lid, the socket is designed for outdoor use…

The PM team, travelling to Essex this month, had to use the M25 Dartford crossing, which uses numberplate-recognition software to collect the toll. Signs on the approach and after the tunnel advise that you have until midnight the next day to pay the £2.50 toll online, but with a day of photoshoots following, we almost forgot to do so. It seems we are not alone: in 2016, 2m people were fined for failing to pay the toll. The £70 fine reduces to £35 if paid within 14 days, but after that it’s in the hands of the debt collectors. From April 2015 to March 2016, £53m was taken in fines. Be warned! It’s where the idea of the conservation of beautiful landscapes began; it’s Britain’s largest National Park, being granted…

Way to go I approached, and returned from, the area on the A5. All roads I travelled on were acceptable for motorhomes, although care is needed on the A498 from Porthmadog to Beddgelert and the A4086 Llanberis Pass. Both are narrow in places. Parking in Llangollen isn’t easy; I found it better to park in Trevor (free parking with no height barrier) – approach via the A539, not the A5, where access is over a narrow bridge. Where we stayed ● Station Campsite Carrog, LL21 9BD Tel 01490 430 237 Web www.stationcampsite.com ● Beddgelert Camping in the Forest Beddgelert, LL55 4UU Tel 0247 642 3008 Web www.campingintheforest.co.uk ● Llanberis Touring Park Llanberis, LL55 4EL Tel 01286 870 700 Web www.morris-leisure.co.uk ● Dinarth Hall Rhos-on-Sea, LL28 4PX Tel…

Rumours about converter Wellhouse Leisure being taken over by another operator have been around for some months. But the confirmation of its acquisition by Lunar – a company whose own interests in motorhomes are rapidly expanding – should be good news for those who, like me, want to see the substantial cluster of manufacturers who operate within a junction or two of the M62 preserved. Just as Hull remains dominant in UK caravan production, so England’s highest motorway could be said to be a focus for motorhomes, particularly van conversions. Long may it continue. Lunar has taken over van converter Wellhouse Leisure in a move that will double production capacity for Wellhouse’s popular Terrier campervan. The acquisition also sees the formation of a new division within Lunar, Lunar Campers, whose…

Sun Living S 70SP Price £49,625 Berths 6 Base vehicle Fiat Ducato MTPLM 3500kg A washroom sectioned off by a tambour door that pulls right around when not in use has been a common feature in van conversions, with mixed results. Sun Living’s introduction of it in low-profiles shows just how much space it can create in the centre of the ’van. This transverse-bed model feels like a hotel room. Chausson 716 Flash Price TBC Berths 6 Base vehicle Ford Transit MTPLM TBC Chausson never fails to surprise us with its constant innovation, and this year is no different. Want a family ’van but don’t always need two bunks? You’ll love this new low-profile, which has a kids’ lounge in the rear that converts into one very padded or two…

Sunlight Cliff 601 Price £39,660 Berths 4/5 Base vehicle Fiat Ducato MTPLM 3300kg The price of van conversions has been slowly creeping up over recent years, so it’s good that Sunlight can launch a brand-new range (with a quaint English name) that can still provide you with this double-bunk model for less than £40,000. Truma Combi 4 heating and a two-burner hob are included, too. Tribute T-726 Price from £45,248 Berths 4/6 Base vehicle Fiat Ducato MTPLM 3500kg Tribute by Auto-Trail is targeting the budget market this year, so it has wisely stripped down its standard offerings to the point where this new-look family ’van comes in at only a smidgeon over £45,000. It’s a real bargain for those who can live without extras; the £1499 options packs represent good…

Refine your search by location, make and model, price, berths and more to find your next motorhome quickly and easily Scroll through our gallery of large images and get to know the ’van before hitting the road Our simple-to-navigate ads will help you check out each motorhome and contact the seller Explore each ’van’s vital statistics on our mobile- and tablet-friendly classifieds website to see if it’s the right motorhome for you 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.com the one-stop shop for…

Bailey Autograph 68-2 Price £52,249 Berths 2 Base vehicle Peugeot Boxer MTPLM 3500kg The baby of Bailey’s upmarket Autograph range – launched after our previous awards – looks much more expensive than it is. This one comes with a comfy rear lounge and an optional media pack that includes a TV connected to corner speakers. With a spacious kitchen, too, you’ll really feel at home. Rapido 8094dF Price £69,300 Berths 3/4 Base vehicle Fiat Ducato Al-Ko MTPLM 3500kg (3700/4400kg optional) The dF suffix here stands for ‘double floor’, but such winterisation is not the only bit of luxury you will find in this new-for-2018 A-class. There are two spacious lounges – 10 people can be seated in total – luxury fabrics and materials everywhere, and the option of an impressive…

When we look at the vintage motorhomes that families used to go away in, the question that springs to mind is ‘how?’ It’s much the same for family saloon cars from the 1960s and 1970s. What was then considered the height of luxury and spaciousness hardly compares with a modern supermini now. The simple fact is that we’re all getting bigger, and we demand bigger surroundings and accessories. And nowhere is this more true than with camping chairs. Weight is especially an issue, because the old standard maximum loading of 80-100kg often cuts it very fine these days. And there’s an argument that if your weight is very close to the chair’s maximum loading limit, it is going to wear out more quickly than a chair that’s able to support…

One of the most widely used leisure door steps is the Thule Omnistep. It comes in either manual or motorised form – this article deals with the motorised version. It relies on aluminium extrusions sliding inside nylon bearings, all of which are exposed to the hostile environment normally found beneath any motorhome. Although there is a bottom plate, contaminants such as grit, dust or road salt can get between the load-bearing extrusions and the bearings. Thule advises that the step linkage should be cleaned and lubricated regularly. Despite regular cleaning and greasing, my step has become reluctant to slide in and out, however. The grease on the runners has attracted both dust and grit. This article explains how to deal with a recalcitrant step; the work should take no more…

2014 (14) AUTO-TRAIL TRACKER RS Price now £42,995 Price new £48,395 Base Fiat Ducato chassis-cab Engine 2.3-litre, 130bhp First registered 2014 Mileage 10,129 Berths/travel seats 2/2 Length/width/height 6.10/2.35 (exc mirrors)/3.03m Extras Media Pack, Cobra alarm, Omnistor bike rack MTPLM 3500kg Payload 505kg + Plus points One-owner status, perfect condition, the right retailer -Minus points Slightly cramped washroom As long-term agents for Auto-Trail, Richard Baldwin has no shortage of models from the luxury British marque. A perfect one-owner example such as this adds to the attraction. It’s only done some 10,000 miles, but the interior seems barely used. The RS was added to the Tracker line-up in 2012. This is the most popular Lo-line variant – the overcab section has a large, opening sunroof plus lockers – while the layout is…

2006 (06) HOME-CAR PR52 Price now £23,995 Price new £29,000 (est) Base Renault Master dCi 120 chassis-cab Engine 2.5-litre, 120bhp First registered 2006 Mileage 24,496 Berths/travel seats 2/4 L/W/H 5.99/2.35 (excluding mirrors)/2.75m Extras Bike rack, awning, reversing camera, solar panel, Parrot Bluetooth, full-width tow bar MTPLM 3500kg Payload 690kg + Plus points Bargain potential, solid Renault underpinnings -Minus points Lots of DIY Fancy dipping a toe into motorhome ownership? If it’s just the two of you, this is exactly the kind of vehicle for trying out the lifestyle without breaking any banks. When Lunar joined forces with the Tyrus Group from Belgium, it introduced budget-priced coachbuilt motorhomes to the UK. Home-Car models such as this are one example. Although Renault’s Master base vehicle never enjoyed anything like the success of…

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…

1 RUNNERS AND RIDERS Every year our Motorhome of the Year Awards judging causes great debate in the Practical Motorhome office. This year was no different, as we struggled to shortlist the best new models; results on p91. 2 HEADING SOUTH Fancy touring to the South Downs? You certainly will after reading our Claudia and Bryony’s accounts, which start on p26. 3 CHILD SAFETY ’ Not all vans are child-friendly, but Nick Judd can offer plenty of advice on making yours just that (p114). 4 VINTAGE ’VANS We all love to see a vintage motorhome, so were delighted by photos of a 1979 Fiat-based camper that Lizzie spotted on a recent trip to Germany. You’ll find it on p9. 5 TIME FOR A NIGHTSTOP Have you stayed at one of…

1 Stay here Dolbeare Park is a family-friendly, open-all-year site that’s made regular appearances in our Top 100 Sites Guide; it’s a 20-minute drive from the Moor. The hardstanding pitches are gravel – ideal for drainage in inclement weather – and there’s lots for all visitors to enjoy, such as an adventure playground, Wi-Fi and seasonal events. 2 Eat here Cornwall is a foodie hotspot, so it’s no surprise to find some top chefs here. The Springer Spaniel in Treburley, owned by 2012 Masterchef winner Anton Piotrowski, is more pub than restaurant, with a relaxed atmosphere and no dress code. If it’s available, try the amazing Treby’s Gone Carrots dessert for the full Masterchef experience (trowel not required). 3 Walk here There are countless walking opportunities, not least the Copper…

I WANT TO ENJOY AN INDIAN SUMMER I’m planning on taking my motorhome to Greece in a few weeks. I have friends in northern Iraq and heading there seems straightforward thereafter, via Turkey. I was a hostage there in Saddam’s era and have good connections to facilitate entry/transit. It’s a great place to visit and ideal for motorcaravanning. This got me thinking: perhaps it’s possible to be a bit more ambitious and try India - do you have any insights on this? Barry Manners Jack replies India by motorhome would be a fabulous way to see a country that has really got its hooks into me. Last year we toured Chennai, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, although not in a motorhome. We did enquire about travelling by motorhome, with a range…

Beachy Head-Singleton Did you see it: that wonderful BBC4 documentary on the South Downs Way, which aired earlier this year? Its presenter was author and parish priest Peter Owen-Jones, and he clearly loves the area. I have a soft spot for it, too. The South Downs was the free playground of my student days, when we would escape our studies and head to Brighton’s high, green backdrop for fresh air, long walks and excursions to wonderful old pubs hidden among the folds of the hills. Britain’s newest National Park – it became fully operational in the spring of 2011 – covers 628 square miles and extends from St Catherine’s Hill near Winchester in the west, to Beachy Head near Eastbourne in the east. Of course, there are wonderful walks on…

ADRIA New layouts, new looks and a new spec level are available across the brand p60 AUTO-TRAIL & TRIBUTE Improved options packs and a new look feature p62 BÜRSTNER Some big range names have gone, but there’s plenty to love for 2018 p66 ELDDIS Changes are subtle this year, but prices remain fixed for the whole season p68 HYMER This German manufacturer celebrates 60 years with Exsis changes p70 KNAUS & WEINSBERG A new campervan, plus a new entry-level collection p72 NIESMANN - BISCHOFF Safety first for this luxury brand, plus Arto updates p74 SWIFT All brands now come under the Swift name; there are new layouts, too p76…

Auto Campers MRV (VW) Price from £47,500 Berths 2/4 Base vehicle Volkswagen T6 MTPLM 3000kg This is a new venture with a Volkswagen base vehicle from a company that has been a Ford Transit diehard. You get all the same advantages as the existing MRV – including a modern and hugely flexible interior – but with the VW base; you also get a roof that should be low enough to go under many car park height barriers. Westfalia Columbus 540 D Price TBC Berths 4 Base vehicle Fiat Ducato MTPLM TBC Westfalia’s impressive new van conversion manages to fit a transverse bed, sizeable kitchen and front dinette onto the short-wheelbase Fiat Ducato. The washroom is high-spec and the ’van is packed with space-saving features, such as a fridge that faces…

Swift Escape 604 Price £47,580 Berths 4 Base vehicle Fiat Ducato MTPLM 3500kg Swift revamped its hugely popular Escape range last year. This layout, which is brand new for 2018, brings together all that modern styling and clever furniture design into a shorter vehicle. It’s just six metres in length, but still manages to fit in an end washroom; there’s a drop-down bed over the lounge, too. Elddis Accordo 105 Price £41,149 Berths 2 Base vehicle Peugeot Boxer MTPLM 3300kg The latest Accordo 105 – which gets a new look for 2018, including handsome blue sidewalls – has an end-washroom two-berth layout; it sits in a range that was designed to be more compact, to fit into smaller drives or to take you around tighter corners. There have been internal…

Swift Bessacarr 599 Price £60,930 Berths 4 Base vehicle Fiat Ducato MTPLM 3850kg (3500kg as a 2-berth) This new model in Swift’s revamped Bessacarr range – there’s been a raft of design changes for 2018 – includes a comfy island bed for the two of you, a spacious central washroom and kitchen, a roomy front dinette that can quickly be made into a bed for visitors, and internal access to a rear garage. Adria Matrix Axess 590 ST Price £52,925 Berths 4 Base vehicle Fiat Ducato MTPLM 3500kg Technically a four-berth, but much more amenable for two – all you need do at night is lower the drop-down bed over the lounge – the well-priced, Citroën Relay-based Matrix Axess 590 ST will also help you impress your loved one with…

Dethleffs Globetrotter XXL A 9050-2  Price £117,990 Berths 6 Base vehicle Fiat Ducato MTPLM 6700kg This monster of a motorhome – a new-for-2018, 8.86m-long model – includes a front dinette that you can extend by shutting off the cab to create a U-shaped, family-friendly lounge. The large kitchen and central washroom are both beautifully fitted out; the latter can be partitioned off on both sides. Niesmann + Bischoff Arto 77 E  Price £90,750 Berths 4 Base vehicle Fiat Ducato MTPLM 4500kg Über-luxury brand Niesmann + Bischoff’s Arto 76 E was one of its best-selling models in previous years. But this, its replacement for the new season, is 10cm longer and as a result has longer beds in the rear, for that extra bit of comfort. There’s a new sliding door…

It was almost five months after we’d dropped Wilma off at the workshop that my phone rang with the words we’d been waiting for. “Good news, mate,” said Leigh Hicks, owner of Combe Valley Campers. ‘“She’s passed her MoT and is ready for you to pick up.” We were finally going to be reunited with our much-missed ’van. We headed down to Combe Valley’s HQ near Bexhill-on-Sea and there, parked outside the workshop, was our ’van. But she didn’t look quite as we remembered. Last time we had seen her, she was being recovered onto the back of a low-loader, due to engine-fire damage. On inspection, Leigh had gone through the whole ’van, putting together a plan for fixing the fire damage, but also to pre-empt any other problems lurking…

‘End washroom’ is the term. Sure enough, it’s the perfectly apt description for a coachbuilt motorhome that has its toilet and shower facilities at the very back of the vehicle, often across the full width. You really do get a proper room, often with space to store your clothing and/or get dressed. Naturally, this does mean making a few compromises elsewhere. This kind of priority lends itself best to floorplans where the seating converts to beds, unless you want a seriously long ’van. For those who are new to motorcaravanning – and anyone who wants a unit that’s just a bit more manoeuvrable – there’s a lot to be said for the layouts featured here, even if they do mean some organisational skills are required when turning seats into beds.…

2011 (61) AUTO-SLEEPER COTSWOLD EB Price now £39,995 Price new £58,295 Base Peugeot Boxer chassis-cab Engine 2.2-litre, 130bhp First registered 2012 Mileage 12,088 Berths/travel seats 2/2 L/W/H 7.17/2.32 (excluding mirrors)/3.02m Extras Premium Pack, bike rack, towbar, Toad alarm MTPLM 4005kg Payload 645kg + Plus points All the usual Auto-Sleeper attributes, great all-round condition -Minus points Weight This is definitely a credit to its three former keepers – arguably, only the lower price prevented me making this the As Good As New winner this month. This almost immaculate Auto-Sleepers is strictly two-berth, but takes advantage of its 7.2m (23’6”) overall length to offer twin sofas that can also act as single beds, or combine for an equally long double bed. Specification-wise, it’s got the lot. Auto-Sleepers may list the Premium Pack…

Back in 2008 I loved my job as a finance director. But the workload, stress and long hours were taking their toll. Evenings, weekends and holidays were filled with emails, phone calls and paperwork and it was hard to switch off at night. One day at work, everyone aged over 40 was offered a health assessment, and I found out my blood pressure was very high and required medication. I was also overweight, unfit, drinking too much alcohol and heading for serious illness. Something had to change. My husband, Alan, suggested that we look into buying a motorhome as a means of escaping at weekends, with my phone and laptop left at home. I wasn’t sure – I was used to nice hotels and lavish meals on holiday. Alan scoured…